Editing All My Children (section)

=== 2000s ===
Nixon decided to write a story that would rejuvenate the show and be socially relevant at the same time. This resulted in the series revealing Erica's daughter Bianca as a lesbian. Within the series, Bianca admits the truth to her mother in December 2000. Although initially controversial, the storyline was praised by fans and critics.<ref name="soapcentral.com">{{cite news|url=http://www.soapcentral.com/amc/news/2001/0302-gayawards.php|title=AMC's Bianca Storyline Applauded|publisher=[[SoapCentral]]|year=2001|access-date=2007-10-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071105041711/http://www.soapcentral.com/amc/news/2001/0302-gayawards.php|archive-date=November 5, 2007|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="AfterElton.com">{{cite news|first=Karman |last=Kregloe |title=Soaps Come Clean About Gay Teens (page 3) |publisher=[[AfterEllen.com and AfterElton.com|AfterElton.com]] |date=March 23, 2006 |access-date=2007-08-09 |url=http://www.afterelton.com/archive/elton/TV/2006/3/soaps3.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070611155124/http://www.afterelton.com/archive/elton/TV/2006/3/soaps3.html |archive-date=June 11, 2007 |df=mdy }}</ref><ref name="nytimes.com">{{cite news|first=Patrick D.|last=Healy|title=After Coming Out, a Soap Opera Heroine Moves On|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=February 24, 2005|access-date=2007-10-14|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/02/24/arts/television/24EDEN.html|archive-date=April 10, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130410085414/http://www.nytimes.com/2005/02/24/arts/television/24EDEN.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Bianca emerged as a [[List of breakout characters|breakout character]] and lesbian icon.<ref name=AfterElton.com /><ref name=nytimes.com /><ref name="WWW.afterellen.com">{{cite web|first=Lisa |last=Yimm |title=Olga Sosnovska, AMC's Unlikely Lesbian Icon |publisher=[[AfterEllen.com]] |date=April 2004 |access-date=2008-04-07 |url=http://www.afterellen.com/archive/ellen/TV/amc-olga.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080116110907/http://www.afterellen.com/archive/ellen/TV/amc-olga.html |archive-date=January 16, 2008 }}</ref> The show found additional success in the pairing of newcomers [[Leo du Pres and Greenlee Smythe|Leo and Greenlee]] ([[Josh Duhamel]] and [[Rebecca Budig]]).<ref name="SoapOperaDigest.com">{{cite magazine|title=Best New Couple|magazine=[[Soap Opera Digest]]|year=2000}}</ref><ref name="eyeonsoaps.net">{{cite web|first=Carolyn |last=Aspenson |title=Redefining the Super Couple |publisher=eyeonsoaps.net |date=February 5, 2009 |access-date=2009-03-05 |url=http://eyeonsoaps.net/wp/?p=1765 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090627112608/http://eyeonsoaps.net/wp/?p=1765 |archive-date=June 27, 2009 }}</ref>

[[Richard Culliton]] wrote several of ''All My Children''{{'}}s early 2000s (decade) storylines. He created popular characters [[Frankie Stone|Frankie]] and [[Maggie Stone]], and said Frankie was already intended to be killed in a murder storyline after only three months on the series.<ref name="Www.soapcentral.com">{{cite news|title=Hendrickson To Return as "Maggie"|publisher=www.soapcentral.com|date=January 10, 2002|access-date=2007-08-12|url=http://www.soapcentral.com/amc/news/2002/0114-hendrickson.php|archive-date=April 28, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090428044834/http://www.soapcentral.com/amc/news/2002/0114-hendrickson.php|url-status=live}}</ref> Culliton and [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] executives were surprised when viewers became attached to the romance between Bianca and Frankie, developed by Culliton with Frankie's debut.<ref name="soapoperanetwork.com">{{cite news|title=SON for week of April 26th|publisher=soapoperanetwork.com |date=April 26, 2007}}</ref> These fans attributed Frankie's death to the show's fear to focus on a lesbian romance.<ref name=Www.soapcentral.com /><ref name="Www.elizabeth-hendrickson.net">{{cite magazine|title=Fans Cry Foul Over Bianca's Latest Loss!|magazine=[[Soaps in Depth]]|date=December 25, 2001|access-date=2008-02-09|url=http://elizabeth-hendrickson.net/SID122501.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060228224042/http://elizabeth-hendrickson.net/SID122501.html|archive-date=February 28, 2006}}</ref> Eventually, Culliton introduced the idea to bring back popular actress [[Elizabeth Hendrickson]], who had portrayed Frankie, as Frankie's twin sister Maggie. Culliton continued to write for the show until late 2002.<ref name="Www.soapcentral.com/amc/news/2002">{{cite news|url=http://www.soapcentral.com/amc/news/2002/1028-culliton.php|title=Culliton Out As AMC's Head Writer|publisher=[[SoapCentral]]|date=October 25, 2002|access-date=2007-08-12|archive-date=September 30, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930040907/http://www.soapcentral.com/amc/news/2002/1028-culliton.php|url-status=live}}</ref>

After more staff turnover, McTavish again returned as head writer. Her storylines began airing in July 2003, which included [[Bianca Montgomery#Rape debate|the controversial rape of Bianca]]. Gone upon McTavish's latest return was [[Jean Dadario Burke]] as executive producer, being replaced with [[Julie Hanan Carruthers]]. Under McTavish, ratings fluctuated back and forth. To lure back long-time viewers, McTavish created new characters and romances, as well as scripted the return of various characters who had been gone for long. She introduced [[star-crossed]] couple [[JR Chandler and Babe Carey]] upon writing JR's return to the series, scripted most of popular pairing [[Bianca Montgomery and Maggie Stone]]'s love story, and created fellow popular couple [[Zach Slater and Kendall Hart]]. Characters [[Julia Santos]] ([[Sydney Penny]]) and [[Janet Marlowe Dillon|Janet Dillon]] ([[Kate Collins (actress)|Kate Collins]], who was originally slated to return for a brief stint) were eventually brought back.

On July 26, 2006, [[Tanika Ray]], [[Rihanna]], as well as other celebrities, appeared on the show.<ref name="Tvguide.com">{{cite news|first=Daniel|last=R. Coleridge|title=Rihanna to appear on 'All My Children'. Singer would walk down a red carpet featuring reporters playing themselves|publisher=[[Associated Press]]|date=June 22, 2006|access-date=2009-07-26|url=https://www.today.com/popculture/rihanna-appear-all-my-children-wbna13487071|archive-date=October 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201024043356/https://www.today.com/popculture/rihanna-appear-all-my-children-wbna13487071|url-status=live}}</ref> During the Rihanna appearance, a controversial storyline involving Erica's thought-to-be-aborted son having come to Pine Valley under the name [[Josh Madden]] intensifies when Josh learns of how he truly came to exist.<ref name=autogenerated1>{{cite magazine|first=Daniel|last=R. Coleridge|title=Soaps News: All My Children Head Writer Fired!|magazine=[[TV Guide]]|date=February 28, 2007}}</ref> In August 2006, after months of speculation, it was confirmed that fan favorite [[Eden Riegel]] would be reprising her [[Emmy Award|Emmy]] winning role as Bianca. She was a part of a controversial storyline centered on [[transgender]] character [[Zoe (All My Children)|Zarf/Zoe]].<ref name="www.msnbc.msn.com">{{cite news|title=AMC features transgender role Rocker Zarf is man seeking surgery to become woman|publisher=[[Associated Press]]|date=December 5, 2006|access-date=2007-12-30|url=https://www.today.com/popculture/all-my-children-features-transgender-role-wbna15910439|archive-date=October 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201024041550/https://www.today.com/popculture/all-my-children-features-transgender-role-wbna15910439|url-status=live}}</ref>

The most notable return was [[Cady McClain]]'s return as show heroine [[Dixie Cooney Martin]]. The news of her return spread just two weeks before she reappeared on the series. In an unpopular and controversial move by the series, the writers chose to kill off Dixie in January 2007 only a year after her return.<ref name=sympatico.msn.ca /><ref name="tvguide.com">{{cite magazine|first=Michael|last=Logan|title=Michael Logan's Worst of 2007|magazine=[[TV Guide]]|access-date=2008-02-10|url=http://community.tvguide.com/blog-entry/TVGuide-Editors-Blog/Soaps-News/Michael-Logans-Worst/800030427|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081216121003/http://community.tvguide.com/blog-entry/TVGuide-Editors-Blog/Soaps-News/Michael-Logans-Worst/800030427|archive-date=December 16, 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="2272007sow">{{cite magazine|title=The Nielsens|date=February 27, 2007|magazine=[[Soap Opera Weekly]]|page=5}}</ref><ref name="2272007sow2">{{cite magazine|title=Hit... Or Miss!|date=February 27, 2007|magazine=[[Soap Opera Weekly]]|page=12}}</ref> The character's death was the result of the Satin Slayer storyline where she is unintentionally murdered in place of character [[Babe Carey]].

Another prominent return to the series occurred on February 9, 2007, when [[Susan Pratt]] returned as [[Barbara Montgomery (All My Children)|Barbara Montgomery]]. Pratt made her last appearance in July of that year. That same month, McTavish was fired as head writer, reportedly due to viewer criticism about her storylines.<ref name=sympatico.msn.ca /> On May 21, 2007, [[James Harmon Brown and Barbara Esensten]] were announced as the new head writers of ''All My Children''.<ref name=sympatico.msn.ca /> The duo wrote for ''[[Guiding Light]]'', ''[[Days of Our Lives]]'', ''[[One Life to Live]]'', ''[[Dynasty (1981 TV series)|Dynasty]]'' and ''[[Port Charles]]'', and created and wrote for ''[[The City (1995 TV series)|The City]]''.

On December 12, 2007, ABC revealed Rebecca Budig would be returning to the series as [[Greenlee Smythe]]; the return was one of the most widely reported in daytime television history, attracting mainstream media attention such as the ''[[Associated Press]]'' and ''[[Daily News (New York)|New York Daily News]]''.<ref name="TvGuide.com">{{cite magazine|first=Matt Webb|last=Mitovich|title=Soaps News: Budig's Back on AMC! Plus, an Angie/Jesse Reunion?!|magazine=[[TV Guide]]|access-date=2008-01-20|url=http://community.tvguide.com/blog-entry/TVGuide-Editors-Blog/Soaps-News/Budigs-Amc-Plus/800029413&start=75|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081208193051/http://community.tvguide.com/blog-entry/TVGuide-Editors-Blog/Soaps-News/Budigs-Amc-Plus/800029413%26start%3D75|archive-date=December 8, 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Www.bostonherald.com">{{cite news|first=Lynda|last=Hirsch|title=Rebecca Budig Returns to All My Children|newspaper=[[Boston Herald]]|date=January 16, 2008|access-date=2008-07-14|url=http://www.bostonherald.com/entertainment/television/general/view.bg?articleid=1067002|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100907135204/http://www.bostonherald.com/entertainment/television/general/view.bg?articleid=1067002|archive-date=September 7, 2010}}</ref><ref name="tvwatch.people.com">{{cite magazine|title=Rebecca Budig returns to 'All My Children'|magazine=People.com|date=December 14, 2007|access-date=2008-07-14|url=http://tvwatch.people.com/2007/12/14/rebecca-budig-returns-to-all-my-children/|archive-date=December 8, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081208180007/http://tvwatch.people.com/2007/12/14/rebecca-budig-returns-to-all-my-children/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="texarkanagazette.com">{{cite news|title=Rebecca Budig returns as Greenlee on 'All My Children' |publisher=texarkanagazette.com |access-date=2008-07-14 |url=http://www.texarkanagazette.com/news/WireHeadlines/2008/01/18/rebecca-budig-returns-as-greenlee-on-all-33.php |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081208185429/http://www.texarkanagazette.com/news/WireHeadlines/2008/01/18/rebecca-budig-returns-as-greenlee-on-all-33.php |archive-date=December 8, 2008 }}</ref><ref name="www.nationalledger.com">{{cite news|first=Lynda|last=Hirsch|title=Rebecca Budig Bringing Greenlee Back to "All My Children"|publisher=National Ledger|access-date=2008-07-14|url=http://www.nationalledger.com/cgi-bin/artman/exec/view.cgi?archive=20&num=17842|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081208203124/http://www.nationalledger.com/cgi-bin/artman/exec/view.cgi?archive=20&num=17842|archive-date=December 8, 2008|df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref name="abc.go.com">{{cite news|title=Rebecca Budig's Comeback Q&A |publisher=Abc.com |access-date=2008-07-14 |url=http://abc.go.com/daytime/allmychildren/greenleereturns.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080704084240/http://abc.go.com/daytime/allmychildren/greenleereturns.html |archive-date=July 4, 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="nydailynews.com">{{cite news|first=Carolyn|last=Hinsey|title=Soap Dish: Rebecca Budig is returning to 'All My Children'|newspaper=[[Daily News (New York)|New York Daily News]]|access-date=2008-07-14|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv/2007/12/14/2007-12-14_soap_dish_rebecca_budig_is_returning_to_.html|date=December 14, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080709092514/http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv/2007/12/14/2007-12-14_soap_dish_rebecca_budig_is_returning_to_.html|archive-date= July 9, 2008|url-status=live}}</ref> Budig's return [[Greenlee Smythe#Controversy|was overshadowed by controversy]] when news of [[Sabine Singh]]'s reportedly unfair treatment as a Greenlee recast in order to bring Budig back incited viewer outrage.<ref name=texarkanagazette.com /><ref name="www.soapcentral.com">{{cite news|title=Budig Returns to Role of Greenlee|publisher=[[SoapCentral]]|access-date=2007-12-18|url=http://www.soapcentral.com/amc/news/2007/1210-budig_singh.php| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20071217033548/http://www.soapcentral.com/amc/news/2007/1210-budig_singh.php| archive-date= December 17, 2007|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="SOD">{{cite magazine|title=Soap Opera Digest, Sabine Singh interview|magazine=[[Soap Opera Digest]]|year=2007}}</ref>

On December 25, 2007, ''[[Soap Opera Digest]]'' reported the return of fan favorites [[Debbi Morgan]] and [[Darnell Williams]] as [[Jesse Hubbard and Angie Baxter]]. Morgan returned on January 18, 2008, and Williams on January 25, 2008. In April 2008, it was announced that [[Laurence Lau]] would briefly reprise the role of Greg Nelson for Jesse and Angie's much anticipated wedding. On May 21, 2008, [[Charles Pratt, Jr.]], former co-head writer for ''[[General Hospital]]'', was announced as a replacement for Brown and Esensten amid record low ratings. On November 6, 2008, ''All My Children'' aired a special episode in which veterans share their stories unscripted.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.soapcentral.com/amc/news/2008/1103-martinez.php|title=Real-life Iraq war vet cast on 'All My Children'|publisher=[[SoapCentral]]|access-date=2013-12-04|archive-date=December 11, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081211084038/http://www.soapcentral.com/amc/news/2008/1103-martinez.php|url-status=live}}</ref> On November 12, 2008, the show celebrated its 10,000th show with a special appearance by Nixon and a special tribute to [[Myrtle Fargate]] (as portrayed by [[Eileen Herlie]] who had recently died).<ref name="Soaps.com 40th Anniv">{{cite web|url=http://www.soaps.com/onelifetolive/news/2004/One_Life_to_Live_Big_Returns_and_Plots_For_40th_An|title=''One Life to Live'': Big Returns and Plots For 40th Anniversary!|publisher=[[Soaps.com]]|date=June 10, 2008|access-date=August 5, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080805011558/http://www.soaps.com/onelifetolive/news/2004/One_Life_to_Live_Big_Returns_and_Plots_For_40th_An|archive-date=August 5, 2008|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref name="TVG 2008-06-11">{{cite web|author-link=Michael Logan (journalist) |last=Logan |first=Michael |url=http://community.tvguide.com/blog-entry/TVGuide-Editors-Blog/Soaps-News/Life-Live-40th/800041323 |title=Soaps News: ''One Life'' Celebrates No. 40 with Blasts from the Past |publisher=TVGuide.com |date=June 11, 2008 |access-date=August 5, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080801083707/http://community.tvguide.com/blog-entry/TVGuide-Editors-Blog/Soaps-News/Life-Live-40th/800041323 |archive-date=August 1, 2008 |url-status=dead |df=mdy }}</ref><ref name="Soaps.com 2008-07-21">{{cite web|url=http://www.soaps.com/onelifetolive/update/4851/A_Journey_To_The_Great_Beyond|title=''One Life to Live'' recap (7/21/08, 40th Anniversary)|publisher=[[Soaps.com]]|date=2008-07-21|access-date=2013-12-04|archive-date=June 26, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090626221154/http://www.soaps.com/onelifetolive/update/4851/A_Journey_To_The_Great_Beyond|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Soaps.com 2008-07-22">{{cite web|url=http://www.soaps.com/onelifetolive/update/4859/Lost_In_An_Anniversary_Time_Warp|title=7/22/08, 40th Anniversary of One Life to Live|publisher=[[Soaps.com]]|access-date=2013-12-04|archive-date=August 21, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090821035940/http://www.soaps.com/onelifetolive/update/4859/Lost_In_An_Anniversary_Time_Warp|url-status=live}}</ref> On December 19, 2008, a special episode ran for Herlie, showing clips from the past.

On February 16, 2009, ''All My Children'' made daytime history with the nuptials of [[Reese Williams and Bianca Montgomery]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.soaps.com/allmychildren/update/6096/Biancas_Wedding_-_Part_II|title=AMC Recap, 2/16/09|publisher=[[Soaps.com]]|date=2009-02-16|access-date=2013-12-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090422232350/http://www.soaps.com/allmychildren/update/6096/Biancas_Wedding_-_Part_II|archive-date=April 22, 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref> the first legal [[same-sex marriage]] in American daytime television.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/TV/02/16/soap.same.sex.wedding/index.html|title=Soap features daytime TV's first lesbian wedding|publisher=Cnn.com|date=2009-02-16|access-date=2013-12-04|archive-date=April 23, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090423142813/http://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/TV/02/16/soap.same.sex.wedding/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> After departing the show in February 2005, Riegel continued to return to the series for limited guest appearances, but permanently left the role in 2010.<ref name="www.soapCentral.com">{{cite news|author1=Dan J Kroll |author2=Liz Masters |title=Riegel didn't want to play Bianca, recast coming|publisher=Soap Opera Central|date=March 5, 2010|access-date=2010-04-04|url=http://www.soapcentral.com/amc/news/2010/0305-riegel.php| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100307192957/http://www.soapcentral.com/amc/news/2010/0305-riegel.php|archive-date=March 7, 2010|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="levinsky">{{cite magazine|first=Mara|last=Levinsky|title=Wham, BAM!|magazine=[[Soap Opera Digest]]|date=March 30, 2010|access-date=2010-04-04|url=http://i39.tinypic.com/2lc8nkl.png|archive-date=November 13, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111113023746/http://i39.tinypic.com/2lc8nkl.png|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="tvguidemagazine.com">{{cite magazine|first=Michael|last=Logan|title=All My Children Finds Its New Bianca|magazine=[[TV Guide]]|date=May 13, 2010|access-date=2010-05-13|url=http://michaelfairmansoaps.com/news/breaking-news-all-my-children-finds-its-new-bianca/2010/05/13/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100525194539/http://michaelfairmansoaps.com/news/breaking-news-all-my-children-finds-its-new-bianca/2010/05/13|archive-date=May 25, 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref>

On November 20, 2009, Pratt was fired as head writer. Daytime Emmy-winning former head writer [[Lorraine Broderick]] was brought back to lead the writing team on an interim basis. Reportedly, Broderick returned at the request of show creator Agnes Nixon, but was not interested in remaining permanently as the team's top scribe. {{citation needed|date=March 2014}}