The Soaps Saga Continues: Oprah Says 'No,' Fans Lash Out at Mario Battalli and ABC

Those of you waiting for Oprah to save the soaps can keep on waiting.

In a video message to fans on YouTube, Oprah told viewers she wouldn’t be stepping in to save the programs with her new network OWN.

“I understand, being a fan of ‘All My Children,' and growing up watching the ‘The Young and the Restless’ and other soaps," said Winfrey.

“Here is the bone marrow truth. The soaps have been an institution in broadcast history and television because they had the support of the audience. When I first started doing my show ‘All My Children’ and ‘General Hospital' were getting double digit ratings,” she said.

That’s not the case these days. As we reported earlier this week, according to Soap Opera Digest:

“Season to Date (2009-2010 vs. 2010-2011), 'All My Children' is down a whopping 41% in Women 18-34 and another 22% in Women 18-49. 'One Life to Live' is down 32% in Women 18-34 and a mere 13% in Women 18-49. Meanwhile, 'All My Children' is down another 41% in Women 18-49 versus how it performed during the 2006-2007 television season or over a five-year trend. 'One Life to Live' was down 35% during the same five year period.”

Given the declining ratings (and, inevitably, the fact that O is worried about her own network’s rather weak ratings), Oprah has decided to take a pass.

“There are just not enough people who at home in the daytime to watch them. And because of that they are going off the air.”

So that’s that, apparently.

In other Soapocalypse news, fans of “All My Children” and “One Life to Live” have taken their frustrations out on celebrity chef Mario Battalli, whose new “The Chew” show (which may very well be the dumbest name for a daytime show in history – and we even like food TV) will replace the cancelled soaps.

After TMZ released a video of Battalli discussing the new show and how he’s not to blame for their cancellation, soaps fans got a little foamy in the mouth, according to a recent Eater article. Some highlights from feedback in the article:

"Does this fat slob really think that people care about what he has to say outside of cooking instructions? What a narcissist. Can't wait for this stupid project to go belly-up."

"ABC execs can go CHEW their own ass! If I wanted to watch this sort of thing I'd go to Food Network or Bravo. There are at least 3 dozen+ outlets on television for me to watch reality television if I so desire. If however they all closed their doors tomorrow and the only thing left to watch in the ENTIRE world I'd never and will never watch ABC again! The Chew,The Revolution and whatever else ABC happens to throw on the air can go to hell!"

“We are all boycotting ABC and we will for a long time. They have no clue what women and young viewers want to watch. They just want to produce cheap programs. They will be sorry in the long run!

Ouch! A little below the belt on a few of those...and trust us, it only goes downhill from there...

Watch Oprah's statement on the soaps:

So what do you think? Do you hold Oprah’s business decision against her? Is Mario Battalli to blame for the end of the soaps as we know it? Can he at least do something about that stupid show name?