AMC: Lifetime TV Movie Franchise Announced

[j swift]

https://tvline.com/news/all-my-children-tv-movies-lifetime-cast-returning-1235328653/

Multiple sources confirm to TVLine exclusively that preliminary discussions are underway at Lifetime to launch a TV-movie franchise featuring legacy characters from the classic Pine Valley-set daytime drama, which ran on ABC from 1975 to 2011 before being briefly resurrected as a web series in 2013. An insider cautions that the talks are in the early stages, with one source describing the conversations as “exploratory.”

Edited September 11, 2024 by j swift

[DRW50]

If this isn't tied to Ripa and Consuelos I might be more likely to watch, although I wish Agnes Nixon were here to navigate. 

I mainly hope, if this happens, they can get Susan Lucci as this would be the perfect format to finish Erica's story.

If only P&G gave a damn about doing anything with their soaps as this could be a good format for them too.

[Marco Dane]

If this works please do OLTL next.

[Liberty City]

I don't hate it... but I also feel like it won't necessarily work the way they are going to want it to.

[BoldRestless]

I've been saying for a while they should do this with the old soaps. Cheap to produce, built in audience, endless amount of actors and storylines to draw upon and they can create a new generation... but without the pressure of having to create a series and keep the ratings up. People who like these movies but aren't familiar with the soaps would probably still watch since they'd be standalone.

 

I'm surprised Michael Damian didn't think of it.

[detroitpiston]

We deserve one last block spin for Erica Kane, I hope something happens.

[Vee]

Oh my.

The Lifetime setup also already allows for them to plumb the depths of soap stars who already work there, lol.

I can't see this getting SMG like the planned Pine Valley primetime project I was very skeptical about (though who knows, has Sarah done Lifetime?) but I would be surprised if they didn't get just about anyone they want, starting with Susan.

[Soapsuds]

Especially when the movies could take place on the holidays which was something ATWT and GL did well on CBS.

[j swift]

I see it like the old novelizations but set in a contemporary environment (with cameos from original stars).  Like the story of Chuck and Donna (not my first choice, but it was fairly self-contained).  You could re-tell their entire story, update the dialogue and the setting, and make it into a two-hour movie. 

I like the nostalgic appeal of re-telling the most memorable plots, rather than updating old characters.

Edited September 11, 2024 by j swift

[Liberty City]

No. Sarah Michelle has never done Lifetime. Plus, right now, she's filming Dexter: Original Sin.

[John]

Im Not getting too optimistic given talks are exploratory

[DRW50]

I think those stories worked because of the people who made them at the time they were made. There's a reason why the later attempts to recreate Tara and Phil (or even Cliff and Nina and Jenny and Greg) failed.

Definitely. What could be...and won't. 

If these work out, I could eventually see her doing one. 

Edited September 11, 2024 by DRW50

[BoldRestless]

P&G had the whole cozy vibe that would really work for Hallmark movies... summers on the farm, cheesy Christmases... it writes itself. I imagine these movies having a much lighter tone than a typical soap.

[Vee]

I could see Sarah potentially doing one for AMC and her friends, though her career still isn't at a place of needing it. The rest of the cast, sure. Susan doesn't need to do it but I am sure she is #1.

And yes, this would be ideal for GL or ATWT. I'd still prefer AMC be back serialized but this is not a bad play.

Edited September 11, 2024 by Vee

[Soapsuds]

That's what I was thinking that it would fit so well on Hallmark during its Christmas season in July and November/December.