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‘All My Children’ Faces Cancellation; Is It Because No Stay-At-Home Parent Has Time for TV Anymore?
All My Children is facing possible cancelation. Who has time to watch soap operas these days?
I used to think not working in an office meant lounging on the couch at home in fuzzy slippers, clutching a box of bonbons (although I still don’t know what they are, exactly) and watching soap operas. Fast-forward to my actual work-at-home life and the only TV that I ever get is Dora, Caillou and the assorted Disney princesses.
Yes, there are DVRs and TiVo, but that would assume that I have the time, energy or inclination at the end of the day to watch TV. My days usually end with me in bed with my remote in hand scrolling over my recorded shows before falling asleep. It’s such a lovely idea to watch TV during the day or at night, but that was before children (and at then I was working out of the home, so never mind).
The long-running ABC soap opera All My Children is facing the possibility of cancellation, and I wonder if that’s because parents at home have so little time for themselves these days.
I’m not saying our mothers and grandmothers didn’t have their hands full with us. But I’m not so sure that too many of them also worked from home (yes, tending to the house and kids was work, but I’m talking about that plus another full or part time job). And I don’t think we were as scheduled (or over-scheduled) when we were young as our kids are these days.
While it’s a shame that a show with a 41-year history might be coming to an end — particularly for those who enjoy it on a regular basis — I wonder if it’s just a sign of the times that the days of daily, serial TV are coming to an end since most of us are starring in our very own reality shows. Or rather, we’re playing a supporting role to our kids, the real stars.
Will you miss All My Children if it’s canceled?
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10 Comments
anon commented on Mar 22 11 at 4:43 pmA bunch of us at work (in a Nursing Home) used to eat lunch at 1pm specifically so we could watch AMC. When the 3 year old is sick and I am working from home, I try to catch it if she’s napping.
Meredith Carroll commented on Mar 22 11 at 4:48 pm@Anon — I think if I worked out of the house I’d be more likely to watch TV! As it is, my daughter is in control if it’s one.
meme commented on Mar 22 11 at 6:03 pmYes, I’ll miss it. I’m a stay at home mom, and I dvr it daily. That and One Life to Live. I don’t watch it while eating bonbons, though. I watch it while I’m folding laundry, or cleaning up after my 2.5 year old, or making dinner, etc. It’s not been the same though, since they moved it from NYC to LA. They lost too many key cast members and the story lines are weak.
Meredith Carroll commented on Mar 22 11 at 6:22 pm@Meme — But don’t bonbons sound like a nice idea? I’ve always thought they do. :)
Kate commented on Mar 22 11 at 6:46 pmI will be so sad if this happens. I have watched AMC for many, many years….probably more than 30. Twenty years ago when my new husband and I were living in Paris for a year my little sister would type up a day by day summary and mail them to me every couple of weeks. (She was single and would watch it after work, I was just about to have my first baby in a foreign country). I grew up watching AMC and somehow through raising of 4 of my own children – and using videotapes, DVD, and DVR – I have stayed a frequent fan the entire time. Please say this isn’t so!
Laura commented on Mar 22 11 at 7:11 pmI think the main difference is that our parents didn’t feel guilty when they watched TV, nowadays the first question my kids’ dr asks is how much TV I watch in front of the kids. Not that I’m favor of watching TV on front of kids, just saying…
Meredith commented on Mar 22 11 at 9:52 pmI wonder if its only about having less time. I think the internet is the new television for many stay at home or work at home parents. Moms blog, spend time on social networks, read online news and other sources when they get a free moment for themselves.
mbaker commented on Mar 22 11 at 11:28 pmThere are a lot more choices of stuff to watch or do. I’d rather check my email or watch a decorating show than a soap opera if I have a free moment.
Meredith Carroll commented on Mar 23 11 at 1:25 am@Laura — Good point. There’s definitely more of a stigma today about watching TV (for adults and kids).
@Meredith — Also a good point, although I have to say I’m on a computer from 7a until around 8:30p (give or take) and very little of that is spent idly, although some of it definitely is not work-related.
Patti commented on Mar 23 11 at 7:00 amOh No! I would have it if AMC is cancelled. I am 53 and have been watching since high school.
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