Lorraine Broderick
Encyclopedia
Lorraine Broderick is an American
television soap opera
writer who got her start on All My Children
as a protégée of the show's creator, Agnes Nixon
.
, who himself would be promoted to Head Writer the following year. In 1986, Broderick was appointed Co-Head Writer, sharing duties with Washam, who would exit the show himself in 1987 - leaving Broderick as the sole head writer. Broderick won her first Outstanding Writing Team Daytime Emmy award as head writer alongside Washam in 1988. However, a network mandate for creative changes had Broderick demoted back to Associate Head Writer, when Margaret DePriest
was appointed head writer of All My Children in early 1989. But DePriest would not last long in the position, as Agnes Nixon would resume head writing duties by the end of that year - once again with Broderick and a returned Wisner Washam as her Associate Head Writers.
After 12 years with All My Children's writing team, Broderick left in 1991 to become the co-head writer of Guiding Light
. While Broderick wrote for Guiding Light, the show received much critical acclaim, and the early 1990s are widely considered to have been a golden era for the show. In the spring of 1995, when Megan McTavish
was fired from her writing post at All My Children, Broderick left her post as Associate Head Writer of Another World
to once again become AMC's head writer. Broderick went on to win three consecutive Daytime Emmy awards for Outstanding Writing Team from her work as head writer of the show, bringing her total to four Emmy honors as a daytime head writer. She left All My Children for the second time in December 1997 when ABC Daytime
decided to bring back McTavish.
In early 1998, Broderick was hired at CBS Daytime
's As the World Turns
where her most notable story was the resurrection of evil David Stenbeck and the switch of Lily Snyder's baby with another baby.
In July 1999, a complete behind-the-scenes overhaul at the show led to Broderick's exit. Shortly after, she was hired by Days of our Lives
Executive Producer
Ken Corday
to helm his show's writing team. However, she was there for less than a month before she left over disagreements with Co-Executive Producer Tom Langan
(who would assume the writing duties himself). Reportedly, Langan wanted to rapidly age the next generation of teens and immediately place them in front-burner storylines, while Broderick wanted to phase them in gradually; Broderick's character-driven storytelling style was also reportedly not favored by Langan, who preferred more outlandish plotting.
Broderick then joined Port Charles
as an Associate Head Writer, before being appointed head writer of One Life to Live
in January 2001. In 2003, she was demoted to associate head writer upon the return of famed One Life to Live writing team Michael Malone
and Josh Griffith
. At that time, ABC Daytime President Brian Frons
offered Broderick a return to the head writing duties at All My Children, but she declined. Broderick left One Life to Live altogether in 2004, returning to Guiding Light for a short stint as Associate Head Writer, during the show's transition to a new head writing team.
Broderick would eventually accept a position as a screenwriting and playwriting professor at Drexel University
in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
. This move reunited her with her former colleague, Felicia Minei Behr
, former executive producer
of All My Children and As the World Turns, who served at Drexel as a professor of film & TV production.
In November 2009, Broderick returned to All My Children at the request of her one-time mentor, Agnes Nixon - following the dismissal of outgoing head writer Charles Pratt Jr. - as part of ABC's concerted effort to increased ratings. However, Broderick once again passed on being head writer in a permanent capacity. On January 13, 2010, ABC announced David Kreizman
and Donna Swajeski
as the new head writers. Broderick would continue as the interim head writer until her successors were in place on March 15, 2010. She then assumed her duties as Associate Head Writer.
On April 2, 2011, amid rumors of All My Children's posssible cancellation, Soaps in Depth
broke the news via Twitter
that Broderick was once again named the show's head writer, replacing Kreizman and Swajeski.
Another World
(hired by Peggy Sloane
)
As the World Turns
((hired by Mary Alice Dwyer-Dobbin
)
Days of our Lives
(hired by Ken Corday
)
Guiding Light
One Life to Live
Port Charles
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
television soap opera
Soap opera
A soap opera, sometimes called "soap" for short, is an ongoing, episodic work of dramatic fiction presented in serial format on radio or as television programming. The name soap opera stems from the original dramatic serials broadcast on radio that had soap manufacturers, such as Procter & Gamble,...
writer who got her start on All My Children
All My Children
All My Children is an American television soap opera that aired on ABC from January 5, 1970 to September 23, 2011. Created by Agnes Nixon, All My Children is set in Pine Valley, Pennsylvania, a fictitious suburb of Philadelphia. The show features Susan Lucci as Erica Kane, one of daytime's most...
as a protégée of the show's creator, Agnes Nixon
Agnes Nixon
Agnes Nixon is an American writer and producer. She attended Northwestern University where she was a member of Alpha Chi Omega sorority, and is best known as the creator of soap operas such as One Life to Live and All My Children...
.
Bio
Lorraine Broderick graduated from Andover (MA) High School in 1966 and Mt. Holyoke College in 1970. She joined All My Children as scriptwriter and breakdown writer in 1979, under the guidance of then-head writer Agnes Nixon. In 1982, Broderick would promote to an Associate Head Writer alongside fellow Nixon protégée Wisner WashamWisner Washam
Wisner Washam is an American soap opera writer, best known as the Head Writer of All My Children, from 1981 to 1987.-Early Life and Career:A native of North Carolina, he graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill...
, who himself would be promoted to Head Writer the following year. In 1986, Broderick was appointed Co-Head Writer, sharing duties with Washam, who would exit the show himself in 1987 - leaving Broderick as the sole head writer. Broderick won her first Outstanding Writing Team Daytime Emmy award as head writer alongside Washam in 1988. However, a network mandate for creative changes had Broderick demoted back to Associate Head Writer, when Margaret DePriest
Margaret DePriest
Margaret DePriest is an American daytime serial writer.She began her career as an actress both onstage and on television. Her acting credits include a contract role as the first Abby Cameron on The Edge of Night from 1965-1966....
was appointed head writer of All My Children in early 1989. But DePriest would not last long in the position, as Agnes Nixon would resume head writing duties by the end of that year - once again with Broderick and a returned Wisner Washam as her Associate Head Writers.
After 12 years with All My Children's writing team, Broderick left in 1991 to become the co-head writer of Guiding Light
Guiding Light
Guiding Light is an American daytime television drama that is credited by the Guinness Book of World Records as the longest running drama in television and radio history, running from 1937 until 2009...
. While Broderick wrote for Guiding Light, the show received much critical acclaim, and the early 1990s are widely considered to have been a golden era for the show. In the spring of 1995, when Megan McTavish
Megan McTavish
Megan McTavish is an American television actress and soap opera writer. McTavish is best known for several head writing stints on All My Children.-Early career:...
was fired from her writing post at All My Children, Broderick left her post as Associate Head Writer of Another World
Another World (TV series)
Another World is an American television soap opera that ran on NBC from May 4, 1964 to June 25, 1999. It ran for a total of 35 years. It was created by Irna Phillips along with William J...
to once again become AMC's head writer. Broderick went on to win three consecutive Daytime Emmy awards for Outstanding Writing Team from her work as head writer of the show, bringing her total to four Emmy honors as a daytime head writer. She left All My Children for the second time in December 1997 when ABC Daytime
ABC Daytime
ABC Daytime is a programming block on the ABC Network which has historically encompassed soap operas, game shows and talk shows.-Schedule:...
decided to bring back McTavish.
In early 1998, Broderick was hired at CBS Daytime
CBS Daytime
CBS Daytime is a television programming block on CBS. It's the branding for the CBS Television Network's late morning and early afternoon programming. The block has historically encompassed soap operas, game shows, and talk shows...
's As the World Turns
As the World Turns
As the World Turns is an American television soap opera that aired on CBS from April 2, 1956 to September 17, 2010. Irna Phillips created As the World Turns as a sister show to her other soap opera Guiding Light...
where her most notable story was the resurrection of evil David Stenbeck and the switch of Lily Snyder's baby with another baby.
In July 1999, a complete behind-the-scenes overhaul at the show led to Broderick's exit. Shortly after, she was hired by Days of our Lives
Days of our Lives
Days of our Lives is a long running daytime soap opera broadcast on the NBC television network. It is one of the longest-running scripted television programs in the world, airing nearly every weekday in the United States since November 8, 1965. It has since been syndicated to many countries around...
Executive Producer
Executive producer
An executive producer is a producer who is not involved in any technical aspects of the film making or music process, but who is still responsible for the overall production...
Ken Corday
Ken Corday
Ken Corday is an American television soap opera producer and music composer. He is the son of the late Ted and Betty Corday...
to helm his show's writing team. However, she was there for less than a month before she left over disagreements with Co-Executive Producer Tom Langan
Tom Langan
This article is about the American television producer and writer. For the Irish footballer, please see Tommy LanganTom Langan is an American television producer and writer.-Positions held:Days of our Lives*Co-Executive Producer: 1991 - 2002...
(who would assume the writing duties himself). Reportedly, Langan wanted to rapidly age the next generation of teens and immediately place them in front-burner storylines, while Broderick wanted to phase them in gradually; Broderick's character-driven storytelling style was also reportedly not favored by Langan, who preferred more outlandish plotting.
Broderick then joined Port Charles
Port Charles
Port Charles was a daytime soap opera which aired on ABC from June 2, 1997 to October 3, 2003. It is a spin-off of the serial General Hospital, which has been running since 1963 and takes place in the fictional city of Port Charles, New York...
as an Associate Head Writer, before being appointed head writer of One Life to Live
One Life to Live
One Life to Live is an American soap opera which debuted on July 15, 1968 and has been broadcast on the ABC television network. Created by Agnes Nixon, the series was the first daytime drama to primarily feature racially and socioeconomically diverse characters and consistently emphasize social...
in January 2001. In 2003, she was demoted to associate head writer upon the return of famed One Life to Live writing team Michael Malone
Michael Malone
Michael Malone is an Emmy Award-winning American author and television writer, born in Durham, North Carolina. He is best known for his work on the ABC Daytime drama One Life to Live, as well as for his best-selling works of fiction Handling Sin , Foolscap , and murder mystery First Lady...
and Josh Griffith
Josh Griffith
-Career:During the WGA strike, he took over as Head Writer of CBS Daytimes The Young and the Restless. To do this, he accepted Financial core status with the WGA. Maria Arena Bell, a former writer at The Bold and the Beautiful and daughter-in-law of Y&R creator William J...
. At that time, ABC Daytime President Brian Frons
Brian Frons
Brian Frons is an American television executive, and president of ABC Daytime.- Educational background :Frons holds a Master of Science degree in Communications from Syracuse University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in History from the State University of New York at Fredonia.-Television...
offered Broderick a return to the head writing duties at All My Children, but she declined. Broderick left One Life to Live altogether in 2004, returning to Guiding Light for a short stint as Associate Head Writer, during the show's transition to a new head writing team.
Broderick would eventually accept a position as a screenwriting and playwriting professor at Drexel University
Drexel University
Drexel University is a private research university with the main campus located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. It was founded in 1891 by Anthony J. Drexel, a noted financier and philanthropist. Drexel offers 70 full-time undergraduate programs and accelerated degrees...
in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
. This move reunited her with her former colleague, Felicia Minei Behr
Felicia Minei Behr
Felicia Minei Behr is an American TV producer and network executive who has worked on three daytime serials. She was fired from All My Children in 1996 when ratings for the show began to decline.-Career: Executive Producer:...
, former executive producer
Executive producer
An executive producer is a producer who is not involved in any technical aspects of the film making or music process, but who is still responsible for the overall production...
of All My Children and As the World Turns, who served at Drexel as a professor of film & TV production.
In November 2009, Broderick returned to All My Children at the request of her one-time mentor, Agnes Nixon - following the dismissal of outgoing head writer Charles Pratt Jr. - as part of ABC's concerted effort to increased ratings. However, Broderick once again passed on being head writer in a permanent capacity. On January 13, 2010, ABC announced David Kreizman
David Kreizman
David Kreizman is an American soap opera writer. He is a graduate of the University of Virginia.Kreizman was a part of the writing team for the long running CBS Daytime soap opera Guiding Light since the late 1990s. In 2004, he was promoted to the position of Head Writer by newly appointed...
and Donna Swajeski
Donna Swajeski
Donna Swajeski is an American television soap opera screenwriter with experience at all three major American networks. She has been a head writer, co-head writer and screenwriter on award winning daytime drama for NBC Daytime, ABC Daytime and CBS Daytime....
as the new head writers. Broderick would continue as the interim head writer until her successors were in place on March 15, 2010. She then assumed her duties as Associate Head Writer.
On April 2, 2011, amid rumors of All My Children's posssible cancellation, Soaps in Depth
Soaps In Depth
Soaps In Depth is a series of magazines created in 1997 by Bauer Publications to give American soap opera viewers more variety in their soap-related magazine purchases...
broke the news via Twitter
Twitter
Twitter is an online social networking and microblogging service that enables its users to send and read text-based posts of up to 140 characters, informally known as "tweets".Twitter was created in March 2006 by Jack Dorsey and launched that July...
that Broderick was once again named the show's head writer, replacing Kreizman and Swajeski.
Writing positions
All My ChildrenAll My Children
All My Children is an American television soap opera that aired on ABC from January 5, 1970 to September 23, 2011. Created by Agnes Nixon, All My Children is set in Pine Valley, Pennsylvania, a fictitious suburb of Philadelphia. The show features Susan Lucci as Erica Kane, one of daytime's most...
- Head WriterHead writerA head writer is a person who oversees the team of writers on a television or radio series. The title is common in the soap opera genre, as well as with sketch comedies and talk shows that feature monologues and comedy skits, but in prime time series this function is generally performed by an...
: 1987 - 1989; July 1995 - December 1997; November 2009 - March 12, 2010; April 4, 2011-September 23, 2011 - Co-Head Writer: 1986 - 1987; 1989
- Associate Head Writer: 1982 - 1986; 1989–1991; March 2010–April 1, 2011
- Script Writer / Breakdown Writer: 1979 - 1982
Another World
Another World (TV series)
Another World is an American television soap opera that ran on NBC from May 4, 1964 to June 25, 1999. It ran for a total of 35 years. It was created by Irna Phillips along with William J...
(hired by Peggy Sloane
Peggy Sloane
Peggy Sloane was an American television soap opera script writer. She wrote on daytime for over 23 years, and her final year of active daytime work was back in 1999...
)
- Associate Head Writer: 1993 - 1995
As the World Turns
As the World Turns
As the World Turns is an American television soap opera that aired on CBS from April 2, 1956 to September 17, 2010. Irna Phillips created As the World Turns as a sister show to her other soap opera Guiding Light...
((hired by Mary Alice Dwyer-Dobbin
Mary Alice Dwyer-Dobbin
Mary Alice Dwyer-Dobbin is an American daytime television producer.-Biography:A native of St. Louis, Missouri, Mary Alice Dwyer had the nickname "Mickey" since childhood. Online she is commonly referred to by her initials, "MADD"...
)
- Head Writer: March 1998 - August 1999
Days of our Lives
Days of our Lives
Days of our Lives is a long running daytime soap opera broadcast on the NBC television network. It is one of the longest-running scripted television programs in the world, airing nearly every weekday in the United States since November 8, 1965. It has since been syndicated to many countries around...
(hired by Ken Corday
Ken Corday
Ken Corday is an American television soap opera producer and music composer. He is the son of the late Ted and Betty Corday...
)
- Head Writer: October 1999
Guiding Light
Guiding Light
Guiding Light is an American daytime television drama that is credited by the Guinness Book of World Records as the longest running drama in television and radio history, running from 1937 until 2009...
- Co-Head-Writer: 1991 - 1993 (hired by Jill Farren PhelpsJill Farren PhelpsJill Farren Phelps is an American television producer.-Career:Phelps has been the executive producer of many American television soap operas: Santa Barbara , Guiding Light , Another World , One Life to Live , and currently General Hospital .Phelps got her start...
) - Associate Head Writer: September 28, 2004 - January 4, 2005
One Life to Live
One Life to Live
One Life to Live is an American soap opera which debuted on July 15, 1968 and has been broadcast on the ABC television network. Created by Agnes Nixon, the series was the first daytime drama to primarily feature racially and socioeconomically diverse characters and consistently emphasize social...
- Associate Head Writer: February 2003 - March 2004
- Co-Head Writer: January 2001 - January 2003
Port Charles
Port Charles
Port Charles was a daytime soap opera which aired on ABC from June 2, 1997 to October 3, 2003. It is a spin-off of the serial General Hospital, which has been running since 1963 and takes place in the fictional city of Port Charles, New York...
- Associate Head Writer: 2000 - 2001