Speaking of shake ups, I warned you we had more coming for AMC. That two vets were set to go. When I made that statement, I was not talking about Cady McClain. ABC was locked up tight as a drum on this. They did a good job of keeping this little shocker nice and quiet. This drama was played very close to the vest for reasons that will be made clear in the coming weeks. The crap is about to hit the fan full force when all is revealed (the truth will seep out slowly on this one bit by bit). It will seem more subdued when you first hear the story but as time goes on, more and more will be made clear and the fans aren't going to like what they hear. AMC fans were literally stunned this week when news hit that Cady McClain had been let go. Dixie will die at the hands of the satin slayer week after next when she is in the wrong place at the wrong time. The soap world is on it's ear this week considering ABC spent nearly a year slowly building Dixie's story that was to culminate in a full reunion for Tad and Dixie fans. Needless to say chances are slim we will see McClain back on the alphabet network anytime soon. My heart goes out to the fans who have been let down badly by this. This coupled with the way Julia Barr's exit was handled has left a rather bad taste in the mouths of soap fans everywhere.
Here is the link to Cady's blog. With the new format I dont know how to paste it on here the way we used to
http://www.cadymcclain.com/blog/
Here is Raven talking about the AMC cancelling thing
Fans are wondering if ABC would dare cancel All My Children considering the fact that Lucci has the highest Q rating in the industry (a rating that denotes how powerful a performer is because of their draw and power to bring viewers in....sponsors want to back shows that have a Lucci in their midst to get a good return on their money). Sponsors know Lucci is a good steady draw. The 1PM time slot would make more sense meaning that AMC would be cut (eastern time) however fans on the other side of the fence fear that the red headed stepchild (OLTL) will be the first to go moving AMC into the 2PM time slot instead. All we can do now is wait and watch at this point and expect the usual denials for now. All the letters in the world won't mean a thing when it comes to these types of stakes. They aren't interested in what the fans want when it comes to something of this nature. Personally speaking, this gossip princess will be cutting her losses and saying goodbye if it's OLTL as there will be nothing left for me to bother with any longer. I don't even want to think of that bridge until we absolutely must cross it. Let's hope it's just one big full moon and if we tap our heels together, we can all go home.
The killer zeros his rifle in on an oblivious Kendall as Ryan returns to the rooftop. He sees the shadow of the killer and rushes after him. An unharmed Ryan later goes back to Fusion and breaks the news to Derek, Jack and the others that he let the killer slip away. Zach finds a note saying "She's dead" and knows he must do everything in his power to break out of the locked warehouse. He finally manages to get out by making an explosive from the gunpowder in the shotgun shells he found. To catch the killer, Jack, Derek, Aidan, Di and Livia plant a newspaper story that states Danielle is on the road to recovery and will be able to identify her attacker any day now. Danielle, meanwhile, has made it safely to her hiding location in Hawaii. Hoping to draw the murderer out of hiding, Livia agrees to be a decoy in Danielle's hospital room. Jamie and Tad find the painting of Kendall pierced with a needle. After coming across a creepy message, they conclude that the killer passed over Babe and, instead, has targeted Kendall. To insure that Little Adam is raised with equal parts of Chandler and Carey if something should happen to her, Babe decides to draw up a will naming Krystal as the boy's legal guardian. Armed with everything Zach said, Ryan confronts Kendall and asks why she didn't tell him about Emma's paternity. He doesn't buy her explanation and wonders how he could have ever fallen in love with her.
TvGuide:
The serial killer has a rifle -- and Kendall's in his crosshairs. Jonathan has a heart-to-heart talk with Maggie about abusing her during their past relationship. JR's shutterbug takes an incriminating photo of Babe sleeping in someone's arms. When Zach is injected with truth serum, all sorts of secrets slip from the mystery man's lips!
SOW:
Zach remembers more about his past.
JR reveals his true feelings for Babe.
Kendall makes a dangerous move to lure the killer.
Some stuff from Cady and Vincent Irrizarry
Revolving Door: Out: After playing beloved Dixie Cooney Martin on and off since 1988, Cady McClain was let go from All My Children in December, a move that the show asked the actress and this magazine to keep quiet until the Slayer strikes again this week.
"Despite their choice to do this, I wish the show every success," says McClain. "It's a wonderful cast of good-hearted actors, and a fantastic and committed production crew."
She acknowledges, though, that Dixie's death next week means fans will not get the happy ending they've been waiting for. "I feel especially sad that the fans were led to expect a living reunion for Tad and Dixie with their one biological love baby, Kate, because they will be let down," sighs the actress.
See next issue for McClain's exclusive interview--including the truth about her "negotiations".
There's also an interview by CH with VI: He doesn't think David is the serial killer because killing people isn't David's style, but turning everyone's lives upside down is, and David has nothing against Fusion. He said he couldn't believe they let Julia Barr go and didn't even write her a farewell scene. I will type this next part up verbatim:
Question: You were at AMC for nine years. What do you think their goal is, getting rid of all these veterans? Answer: I don't know what their ultimate goal is. I mean, I certainly know that they're trying to change the demographics on the show. That's obvious. But I'm not sure about the way they're trying to accomplish that goal. Their strategy seems bizarre, unless they're willing to cut their losses for the next five years or so in the hopes that they can re-create the show. That's a long time to abandon your entire base and try to build up a new base, especially in a world that's not the same as the world was when that base was created.
When asked if it made sense for AMC to try to attract moms rather than teens, (I think that was a typo and should be teens rather than moms) VI replied:
"Yeah, but they don't seem to think that works anymore. I don't know what the answer is, but I don't think this is the answer. I think they're burying the show even faster than they would if they held onto their core audience. It's a tough situation. The medium itself is really struggling. Let's hope that daytime will be here 20 years from now."
Main story: Ryan Learns He's Emma's Father
Zach is given truth serum this week on AMC, so naturally he blabs a biggie: Ryan is Emma's biological father.
"It's amazing how that worked out, huh?", quips Cameron Mathison (Ryan) of his character having had a vasectomy, only to learn he now has two children thanks to the sperm he donated when he first arrived in Pine Valley. "Ryan already adores Emma, so it's going to be interesting."
He immediately confronts Kendall about keeping the secret. "He's pretty damn angry," warns head writer Megan McTavish. "He's sick of the secrets and lies."
Kendall defends her actions. "Kendall has such abandonment issues," sighs Alicia Minshew (Kendall). "She was afraid for Spike. She didn't want Ryan to focus all of his attention on his new daughter and forget about his son. It's typical Kendall."
Ryan's next move isn't typical of him, though. He decides to keep "mom" and not tell Annie the truth.
Out: Tanisha Lynn (Danielle). Derek sent Dani to Hawaii last week so she'd be safe from the Satin Slayer. "The character can always come back," reminds head writer Megan McTavish. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Week of Jan. 22:
JR catches Babe and Zoe in bed. Maggie comes face to face with Jonathan. Zach is injected with truth serum. David becomes a suspect in the murders. Josh discovers Tad killed Madden. Can't Miss: Fri., Jan. 26: Dixie and Tad kiss.
Week of Jan. 29: Zach remembers more about his past. JR reveals his true feelings for Babe. Kendall makes a dangerous move to lure the killer. Mail Call: Forget Zarf. Binks got a hot New Year's kiss from Leslie!
Two AMC letters in Public Opinion. One criticizes AMC for the following reasons: (1) Please put some clothes on Erica. Grown women do not go around dressing like teenagers; (2)Ryan is a joke. Find a new "hero".; (3) Babe and JR are pathetic. No sane woman would stay with a man who tried to kill her. Let it go.;(4) Colby and Sydney are too ridiculous for words. If I wanted to watch airheads, I would watch Paris and Nicole.; (5) Utilize more established characters.; and (6) Stop rehashing the same storylines. How many times must we see a "Who's the daddy" story?.
The other letter praised TK and JC for their performances during their characters' big reveals on New Year's Eve. I'll type up this letter in the Magazine thread.
In U Said it to Us, there is a letter criticizing the Zoe/Zarf story because (1) Zoe/Zarf is so obnoxious that the author wants to hit the FF button when she/he comes on the screen and (2) the character has no roots or connections to PV.
Viewer's Voice: AMC: Do you like Ryan and Annie together? 69% yes 31% no
More about Cady
The following is from Daniel at TVGuide:
IMPORTANT UPDATE!
Good morning suds fans,
In the original version of this story posted late yesterday, I told you "there's a lot of misinformation going around about Cady McClain's departure that needs clearing up."
Unfortunately, I have ended up inadvertently contributing to that misinformation, because this situation has all been a bit murky and it's been difficult to get straight answers out of people.
I'm rather frustrated by the whole thing, to be quite honest with you. X-(
Please note: I have just corrected the Soaps News story above to reflect that the decision for Cady McClain to leave All My Children was made by ABC.
It was not McClain's choice to leave the soap.
In other words, the commenter's who have been bitching and moaning that McClain was "fired" are basically quite right! I'm really sorry for the confusion.
AMC: Shocking Death!
Which of these heroines are killed? (Bianca, Dixie, Kendall, Babe)
It is Dixie, one of AMC's most beloved heroines, who becomes the third woman to die at the hands of the Satin Slayer!
The killer has left a satin ribbon at the Chandler mansion for Babe, while gardenias have been delivered to Kendall.
The s/k watches Kendall on the Fusion rooftop. Ryan can't persuade Kendall to leave Fusion. Erica also tries to persuade the girls to leave Fusion, & while there she introduces Maggie to Josh. "Have you met Maggie? She's just like Babe, only imported."
Ryan & Josh drug Zach with truth serum & Zach reveals life-altering information.
Tad & Jamie deduce that in sending gardenias to Kendall, the s/k is skipping Babe & going right to Kendall, the ultimate target, & suspect David of being the s/k. Babe is horribly upset by this & goes straight to Zoe...Babe & Zoe wake up in bed together, and JR happens to walk in.
Tad asks Dixie for a date, they kiss, & the following week the s/k strikes Dixie. Carruthers assures viewers that it is not a pretend death.
Zach remembers more of his past on Monday, January 29.
On Tuesday, January 30, Dixie realizes Kathy is Kate.
Thumbs Down! It's hard to believe AMC gave Julia Barr the swan song they did - which was not to acknowledge that the actress & her alter ego, Brooke English, were leaving.
Mail Bag: Some Bianca fans are all for Bianca starting a relationship with Leslie.
ETA Entire article...
Soap execs shilling important weeks of storytelling are prone to exaggeration, but take it from us:AMC Executive Producer Julie Hanan Carruthers ain't whistling dixie when she says of this week's goings-on in PV, "It's an absolute, absolute can't miss week. It's the sweeps before the sweeps."
The remaining Fusion women - Babe, Kendall, & Bianca - are in the line of the Satin Slayer's fire as the week gets underway. The killer has left a satin ribbon (one of his or her calling cards) at the Chandler manse for Babe, while gardenias (calling card #2) have been delivered to Kendall at Fusion and "Bianca", notes Carruthers, "is in great danger merely by her association to the company & her new connection to Zoe, who is a primary suspect in all of this."
But it's Kendall who the killer seems to be targeting specifically, as in he or she is watching her on the Fusion rooftop." "The audience knows that Kendall is a target," Carruthers notes. "Zach is locked in the warehouse with a painting of his mother, so he knows that she's a direct target. Ryan is trying to prove to Kendall that she's not safe at Fusion, but she thinks he may just be trying to scare her to keep her safe." She catches a break when Ryan catches on to the Slayer's presence and scares him or her away.
Despite the clear & present danger, Ryan can't persuade Kendall to leave Fusion. Josh, Bianca, & Maggie are also there, trying to save the company from financial ruin. "Erica comes to try to get the girls out of there," Carruthers grins, "and confronts Maggie, the cheating girlfriend of Bianca. One of our favorite lines is when Erica says to Josh."Have you met Maggie? She's just like Babe, only imported."
Zach, meanwhile, manages to escape from the warehouse & reunites with his wife at Fusion. There, Slater fills in Ryan about some, but not all of the eerie developments at the warehouse. "Ryan & Josh join forces to find out more information from Zach", Carruthers reports. They dose Slater with truth serum - but the info they get is not the info they expected, as Zach spills the beans to Ryan that Emma is his biological daughter. "So," the exec continues, "the outfall of Ryan finding out the truth" -- and that Kendall and Zach heretofore kept it from them -- "is also playing on the middle of this week." Expect Josh, too, to become privy to some life-altering information courtesy of Zach's chemically loosened lips."
As this is unfolding, Tad & Jamie are struggling to understand why the killer's m.o. has suddenly changed, or as Carruthers puts it, "Why is Kendall getting gardenias when Babe is the next target after Dani? What they've established is the killer is trying to get to Zach, & he's going methodically through the women of Fusion to get to his grand finale, who is Kendall. So what does it mean that Babe has been skipped?"
The Martin men come up with a plausible answer to this high-stakes head-scratcher. "The minute Babe is skipped, shares Carruthers, "David" - her father, who left town last Nov., just before the killings began - "becomes a very legitimate suspect - could be the #1 suspect - Babe is horribly upset & goes to Zoe for comfort. Zoe takes her in her arms & is there for her - and there's a very fun beat when Babe & Zoe wake up in bed together, and JR happens to walk in.
Elsewhere in the Chandler manse, however, things are looking up for long-suffering lovers Tad & Dixie. "What happens during this week, which is really another can't miss reason to watch, is that Dixie starts to take some control of her life."Carruthers previews. "Internally, both Tad & Dixie are in a more stable & available kind of a place; they aren't as shut off to the world & to each other as they were before Christmas." Dix has even decided to go back to work as a patient advocate. "On her very first day of work, which is a very fun, sweet, adorable T/D morning, Tad comes to wish her luck & he invites her out to lunch. We play scenes of "Tad Martin, are you asking me out on a date?" He finally says, "Yes, I am," and they get caught in a kiss.
This will all come as music to the ears of Tad & Dixie lovers...but what happens next will not. This week, after all, "the killer is striking," Carruthers says somberly. One of these women on your cover (Babe, Kendall, Bianca, Dixie) is going to be killed. It's not a pretend death - and the person who is supposed to be killed isn't."
Translation: It is Dixie who becomes the third woman to die at the hands of the Satin Slayer; she collapses at the end of this week & won't survive to see the following Friday. But before AMC fans see the last of Dixie, there are plenty more surprises in store. And for the inside scoop on why the show made the decision to kill off one of its most central heroines, saying goodbye to actress Cady McClain in the process, don't miss next week's Digest.
An interesting blurb from Darcy64:
In a FYI interview in SOW a couple of weeks ago, Cady strongly implied that she was fired. A few sample Q&A's:
Sound that most annoys you: "You're fired" What actor would you choose to play you: "I'm available!" Worst job I ever had: "Hmmmmm....." Biggest regret: "I'm working on it"
