General Hospital's Maurice Benard speaks out about ABC Daytime's 'huge mistake'

When General Hospital stars Maurice Benard and Cameron Mathison got together on Benard's State of Mind podcast on Sunday, May 4, 2025, the actors recalled a milestone soap event that changed the face of the industry — and finally shared their thoughts on a historic network decision.

General Hospital stars speak their minds

Cameron Mathison discussed the state of soaps with Maurice Benard | Image: State of Mind with Maurice Benard

When Benard and Mathison both reminisced about their All My Children days (when Benard played Nico Kelly and Mathison later played Ryan Lavery), Mathison recalled the 2011 meeting in which he learned that both AMC and One Life to Live were being canceled.

Benard, who had already been a member of the General Hospital cast for more than 20 years at the time, finally broke his silence on this game-changing move.

"They made, and they know they did, a huge mistake cancelling All My Children and One Life to Live," Benard said on State of Mind. "They didn’t know the power of a soap opera audience!"

Benard noted how other shows ABC has tried to put in those time slots have not had the success of those two beloved soap operas.

"Nothing worked, and that’s why it’s difficult to cancel a soap," he added. "I think [ ABC] learned from that, and that’s my opinion."

Mathison concurred. "I bet you’re are right," he agreed. "Those people absolutely regret it."

A soap resurgence?

Sonny will have to make some tough decisions soon on General Hospital | Image: ABC

Just prior to ABC canceling OLTL and AMC, CBS cancelled Guiding Light and One Life to Live, leaving longtime soap fans with just four daytime dramas. A fifth soap joined the ranks this year, as CBS began airing Beyond the Gates opposite General Hospital in many markets.

The first soap to premiere since 1999's Passions, BTG is produced by Procter & Gamble Productions, along with the NAACP, and is getting rave reviews from fans.

Over at ABC, GH is struggling in the ratings, but picking up steam storyline-wise as secrets are poised to come out at the Nurses' Ball that starts later this month. Benard and Mathison are also both involved with big stories right now, as Sonny and Drew will soon be battling each other over Sonny's waterfront property. Sonny is also considering leaving the mob, which would be a monumental soap twist, indeed.

Catch all-new episodes of General Hospital weekdays on ABC and Hulu.