I always thought AMC (and sadly now OLTL) were the only ones that ended with a cliff hanger but i was reading about Love of Live which started in 1950 ended in 1980 with a cliff-hanger. I guess a character named Betsey Crawford collapsed while leaving a witness stand in a trial and that's how it ended. No other networks picked it up (which i guess they hoped one would) and it remained unresolved. they were so sure another network would pick it up, it ended with the song "We'll be together again" by Tony Bennett.

Edge of Night also ended in a cliff hanger. it started in 1956 and ended in 1984. The reason for the cliffhanger was that Procter & Gamble believed that they could find another network to take over production of Edge, but in 1984, there were no cable networks willing to take on such an expensive endeavor.

I just hope One Life doesn't end too questionable for some of the important people. I wouldn't mind Todd going to jail but i would like Clint to choose Viki before the show goes off the air. and if Rex will realize he's seeing Gigi, not Stacy. Although i would like to have some things unresolved, it is a soap opera where anything can happen on any given week.

Captiol

And Dynasty pre reunion

Port Charles did but thats bc ABC cancelled the show while the cast was on hiatus and didnt allow them back to film a conclusion. Assholes

The City ended with Molly Malone back and having just killed Sydney Chase.

Dallas ended on a cliffhanger also.

Generations-Henry Marshall (James Reynolds) Had A Heart Attack With Doreen (Jolene Allen) as Adam (Kristof St John) walked in. Then The words To Be Continued Appeared On Screen.

I remember hearing the real reason LOL ended on such a nothing cliffhanger was because CBS needed their studio to cover the 1980 Olympics and gave the show about 6 weeks to wrap up and get out, thus no time to rewrite stories or scripts.

In a way, I think EDGE's cliffhanger ending was appropriate. EDGE never was a traditional soap; therefore, it made sense to me that the crime-fighting citizens of Monticello were off on another caper.

I remember hearing the real reason LOL ended on such a nothing cliffhanger was because CBS needed their studio to cover the 1980 Olympics and gave the show about 6 weeks to wrap up and get out, thus no time to rewrite stories or scripts.

I've heard that reason, too. At that point, LOL's ratings were so miserable, they didn't give a damn about satisfying viewers or leaving them with pleasant memories. (So those who might complain how ATWT or GL had ended, just remember, at least we got an ending.)

Dallas ended on a cliffhanger also.

Which was crappy, if you ask me. CBS knew they weren't going to renew DALLAS. Ratings had become abysmal; plus, with DYNASTY gone already, and FALCON CREST and KNOTS LANDING also about to go, it was clear that era of the glitzy primetime soap was coming to an end. With all the big actor returns, the timing was perfect for a nice, big, splashy finish. Instead, we got a finale that was about as ludicrous as Bobby in the shower.

In a way, I think EDGE's cliffhanger ending was appropriate. EDGE never was a traditional soap; therefore, it made sense to me that the crime-fighting citizens of Monticello were off on another caper.

This is actually why I think the idea of SOME cliffhanger makes the most sense for a soap. Soaps as a format are continuously open ended. It doesn't sit right for me to imagine that suddenly , after 40+ years, everyone's problems are resolved and Oakdale/PineValley/wherever, is finally an actual quiet little town. I'd rather think of them going on with their constant problems and stories.

What WAS Dallas' finale?

Edited December 21, 201113 yr by EricMontreal22

JR was given a chance to see what life would have been like had he never existed by an angel (Joel Grey), who turned out to be the devil. The devil begged JR to kill himself... as Bobby got home and went upstairs we heard a gunshot, and Bobby walked in, went "Oh my God!"... and fade to black.

Not that I was waiting with baited breath to get the answer, but did they address that cliffhanger at all in the first reunion movie? Because, I don't recall them doing that, although I probably missed it.

Not that I was waiting with baited breath to get the answer, but did they address that cliffhanger at all in the first reunion movie? Because, I don't recall them doing that, although I probably missed it.

I think the retcon was that JR shot his reflection in the mirror.

This is actually why I think the idea of SOME cliffhanger makes the most sense for a soap. Soaps as a format are continuously open ended. It doesn't sit right for me to imagine that suddenly , after 40+ years, everyone's problems are resolved and Oakdale/PineValley/wherever, is finally an actual quiet little town. I'd rather think of them going on with their constant problems and stories.

Agreed. I prefer even now to think that Erica is scheming some way to get Jackson back, (not because she loves him but because nobody rejects Erica Kane) while Stuart is helping Adam get over JR's suicide.

Edited December 21, 201113 yr by marceline

I think the retcon was that JR shot his reflection in the mirror.

Just what I figured. That is SUCH a copout.

Thanks, marceline.