Cancellation Most Devastating to Genre: GL, ATWT, AMC, or OLTL?

[ParkWestfan]

I don't think that's quite accurate....some didn't expect it - the impending cancellation of ATWT after GL was cancelled - and I really REALLY wish they had. I mean, I did. But that's neither here nor there...

I think TBTB on ATWT believed that there was a chance for them to get the reprieve or that the show would move elsewhere and continue in some fashion. Whether it was P&G or CBS that mis-lead them, I'm not sure (P&G). But, imo, they needed to have a 'come to Jesus' moment and REALLY put their heads together to wrap up this beloved show - the right way (not kicking and screaming or, still trying to grab new viewers - why NOT try to get back the viewers you lost???). I actually liked the ending and am satisfied with it - BUT I do think there were many mis-steps and head-scratchers. Gabriel? Blackie? Re-casting Meredith Hagner? Killing Reid? Chris and Katie? Saving Janet's baby reveal until the 2nd to last day? To name just a few..............

I maintain that it's GL's demise, followed by ATWT's that in fact started this ball rolling. I think that ABC saw from CBS's example that indeed, you can get rid of your soaps and the world won't end. (no pun intended).

BUT whatever you may think of ABC canceling AMC and OLTL - at least they sold them. And someone is going to try and continue to brand them........something GL AND ATWT fans would give their eye-teeth for.

[Max]

This is a very good point. While in hindsight the fate of the two soaps were tied together, it was a completely reasonable expectation that ATWT would outlast GL for many years: that's because, ratings wise, ATWT (generally) far outperformed GL over the past decades, just like GL outperformed AW. (And as we all know, GL outlasted AW by a decade). Furthermore, ATWT really never experienced any of the grave danger signs that GL did (such as having its budget reduced to next to nothing and being forced to shoot with hand-held cameras). Finally, the fact that ATWT had always been P&G's crown jewel would have led some people to believe that the company would have fought hard to save it (instead of doing what they actually did, which was completing disposing of such a once powerful brand).