It’s been over a decade since ABC pulled the plug on two beloved soaps, but General Hospital star Maurice Benard still isn’t over it—and honestly, neither are fans. During a recent episode of his YouTube series State of Mind, Benard let loose about the 2011 cancellations of All My Children and One Life to Live. And let’s just say—he didn’t hold back.
The General Hospital icon didn’t just speak as Sonny Corinthos. He spoke as someone who lived through the network’s most shocking decision. And according to Benard, ABC knew exactly what they were doing—and regretted it. The drama didn’t stop on screen that year, and it sounds like some wounds still haven’t healed.
“A Huge Mistake”—Maurice Calls It Like It Is
April 14, 2011. That’s the date soap fans will never forget. ABC announced it was axing both All My Children and One Life to Live—just like that. Gone. The shows had decades of history, unforgettable characters, and fiercely loyal fans. And yet, ABC thought they could replace them with talk shows. Big mistake.
“They made a huge mistake,” Benard declared during the chat. “They didn’t realize the power of the soap audience.” That power? It’s fierce, it’s loyal, and it doesn’t forgive easily. Maurice didn’t just criticize. He exposed the short-sighted thinking behind the move—and his words hit hard.
General Hospital Star Cameron Mathison Felt the Burn Too
Benard wasn’t alone. His guest, Cameron Mathison, who played dreamy Ryan Lavery on All My Children, got real about what those final days felt like. “I was in denial,” he confessed. He marked the last tape date on his calendar, hoping it would help him accept it. But the truth? It never really sank in.
Mathison described the set like a second home. The cast? His second family. Saying goodbye wasn’t just sad—it was heartbreaking. And while fans mourned the loss, so did the people who poured their souls into every episode.
The Chew? The Revolution? Please.
Now here’s where it gets juicy. ABC replaced the soaps with lifestyle shows like The Chew and The Revolution—and both bombed. Fast. Neither lasted more than a few years, and honestly, no one remembers them. Benard pointed that out with a knowing smile. “That’s why it’s hard to cancel a soap now,” he said. “They learned from that.”
Mathison chimed in too, saying what everyone was thinking: “I bet there’s people at ABC who absolutely regret it.” You think? Fans didn’t just tune out—they spoke out. Petitions, protests, full-blown campaigns to save their shows. ABC clearly underestimated the fire they lit.
General Hospital: The Last One Standing
In the wreckage of daytime TV, General Hospital survived. And it didn’t just survive—it thrived. The soap became the crown jewel of ABC Daytime, holding the torch for a genre that once ruled television. Benard, a GH staple for over 30 years, continues to lead the charge.
And he’s not just acting—he’s advocating. By speaking out, he’s making sure fans never forget what they lost. Or how General Hospital continues to honor what those other shows started. It’s not just nostalgia—it’s a legacy.
Maurice Benard made one thing crystal clear—ABC’s cancellation of those soaps wasn’t just a mistake. It was a betrayal. And with General Hospital still standing tall, the network’s blunder becomes even more obvious. No one’s forgotten. And fans? They’re still watching. Still loyal. Still loud.
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