Agnes Nixon

at 11:55AM, 1:55PM, and 3:55PM

Tonight Suzanne sits down with Agnes Nixon, creator of day-time soap operas One life to live and All My Children. Through her colorful characters, Nixon has touched on topics such as abortion, kidnappings, death and even resurrection. At 80 years old she continues to be a driving force in day time drama.

Agnes Nixon described herself as a lonely only child. Surprisingly, one of her outlets was comic books, but not to read; she stroked her imagination by cutting out the characters and putting on plays. This was the beginning of her growing talent for writing dramas.

She graduated from North Western University, and her father thought that she would find no success as a writer. He introduced her to a friend who he thought would set her straight, instead the friend ended up connecting her with Erna Phillips - the creator of As the World Turns. Phillips had 4 radio shows on the air at the time, and when Agnes decided to show Erna one of her scripts, it was read aloud and she was offered a job.

One of her first controversial scripts was about uterine cancer. The producers rejected the idea immediately. Nixon addressed the subject delicately through the characters and when they saw how tastefully it was written they allowed it to be taped. The audience response was so positive. Fans sent letters saying, “You saved my life!”

Eventually, ABC asked Agnes Nixon to write for them, she would not do it unless she could have complete creative freedom. ABC agreed and she wrote about controversial topics; like homosexuality. “I just wanted people to have tolerance and compassion… I often create stories that make you like the character you originally disliked.”

Agnes says “my proudest moment was being inducted into the television hall of fame:” The trustees also gave her a special Emmy for the social subjects that they touched on.

Agnes Nixon is still involved in the long term outcome of  All My Children. “I read every out line which is then put into script form- I love it, it’s my baby.”