The End of an Era: 'All My Children' Is Canceled

Erica Kane may have taken her last trip down the aisle. In a shocking announcement by ABC, the network has canceled two of its longest running soap operas, "All My Children and "One Life to Live."

The soaps, created by Agnes Nixon, have been airing on the network's daytime lineup for more than four decades. The final episodes of "All My Children" And "One Life to Live" will air in September, 2011.

Both soap operas are set in fictional suburbs of Philadelphia; All My Children" in Pine Valley and "One Life to Live" in Llanview (in real life that area is called the Main Line).

Both soaps have spawned legendary characters, but the most famous is undoubtedly "AMC's"resident diva, Erica Kane (played by Susan Lucci).

The character of Erica Kane was just a teen when she was first introduced on the show back in 1970. Since then the character has walked down the aisle more than ten times, marrying just about every notable male character on the show.

Lucci's long run without winning an Outstanding Lead Actress Emmy award had her in the news for years, until she finally took home the coveted statuette -- to a standing O -- back in 1999.

Meanwhile "One Life to Live" has boasted long-running characters like Viki Lord (Erika Slezak) and Asa Buchanan (Philip Carey).

So what will replace the soap opera void? Look for more talk shows and lifestyle shows.

ABC will introduce "The Chew," which looks to be a food-based take-off of the network's daytime chat fest, "The View." Mario Batali Clinton Kelly, Michael Simon and Daphne Oz will share hosting duties.

Also on tap is "The Revolution," a show that follows women as they lose weight and undergo changes in other aspects of their lives. Tim Gunn, Harley Pasternak and Kimberly Locke will host that one.

But Luke Spencer fans, fear not. The only ABC soap to survive the aftermath of this change up is "General Hospital."

And before you fret over missing your daily dose of diva, here's a thought: Could Erica Kane and Viki Lord possibly move to "General Hospital's" fictional town, Port Charles? Hey, in soap opera land you never know!

Meanwhile, this bad news comes right on the heels of Susan Lucci's new book . The actress just published her memoir, titled "All My Life." Looks like she'll need to add another chapter.