Lorraine Broderick
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Lorraine Broderick (born 1948) is an American television soap opera writer. She got her start on ''
All My Children ''All My Children'' (often shortened to ''AMC'') is an American television soap opera that aired on American Broadcasting Company, ABC from January 5, 1970, to September 23, 2011, and on The Online Network (TOLN) from April 29 to September 2, 2 ...
'' as a protégée of the show's creator,
Agnes Nixon Agnes Nixon ( Eckhardt; December 10, 1922 – September 28, 2016) was an American television writer and producer, and the creator of the ABC soap operas ''One Life to Live'', ''All My Children'', as well as '' Loving'' and its spin-off '' The ...
. She went on to serve four different stints as its
Head Writer A 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 A soap opera (also called a daytime drama or soap) is a genre of a long-running radio or television Serial (radio ...
, ultimately earning her four
Daytime Emmy The Daytime Emmy Awards, or Daytime Emmys, are part of the extensive range of Emmy Awards for artistic and technical merit for the American television industry. Bestowed by the New York-based National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NA ...
awards in that capacity. Broderick's work on the show has often been met with critical acclaim, citing her as its finest head writer outside of Nixon. She was the last head writer of ''All My Children's'' 40-year broadcast run on
ABC ABC are the first three letters of the Latin script. ABC or abc may also refer to: Arts, entertainment and media Broadcasting * Aliw Broadcasting Corporation, Philippine broadcast company * American Broadcasting Company, a commercial American ...
, penning the show through its network finale on September 23, 2011.


Biography

Broderick graduated from Andover High School in 1966 and Mt. Holyoke College in 1970. She then received her master's degree in Chinese Studies from Stanford University in 1972. She joined ''All My Children'' as scriptwriter and breakdown writer in 1979, under the guidance of then-head writer
Agnes Nixon Agnes Nixon ( Eckhardt; December 10, 1922 – September 28, 2016) was an American television writer and producer, and the creator of the ABC soap operas ''One Life to Live'', ''All My Children'', as well as '' Loving'' and its spin-off '' The ...
. In 1982, Broderick would be promoted to Associate Headwriter alongside fellow Nixon protégée
Wisner Washam Wisner McCamey Washam (born September 8, 1931) 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 Nor ...
. Washam was promoted to Headwriter 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 Nixon would resume head writing duties by the end of that year, with Broderick and Washam as her Associate Headwriters. After 12 years with the ''All My Children'' writing team, Broderick left in 1991 to become the co-head writer of ''
Guiding Light ''Guiding Light'' (known as ''The Guiding Light'' before 1975) is an American radio and television soap opera. ''Guiding Light'' aired on CBS for 57 years between June 30, 1952, and September 18, 2009, overlapping a 19-year broadcast on radio ...
''. While Broderick wrote for ''Guiding Light'', the show received much critical acclaim. 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 would 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 (sometimes shortened to ABC-D or ABCD) is a division responsible for the daytime television programming block on the American Broadcasting Company, ABC Network and syndicated programming. The block has historically encompassed soap o ...
decided to bring back McTavish. In early 1998, Broderick was hired at
CBS Daytime CBS Daytime is the division of the CBS television network that is responsible for the daytime television block programming on the network's late morning and early afternoon schedule. The block has historically encompassed soap operas and game sh ...
's ''
As the World Turns ''As the World Turns'' (often abbreviated as ''ATWT'') is an American television soap opera that aired on CBS for 54 years from April 2, 1956, to September 17, 2010. Irna Phillips created ''As the World Turns'' as a sister show to her other so ...
'' 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'' (also stylized as ''Days of our Lives''; simply referred to as ''Days'' or ''DOOL'') is an American television soap opera that aired on the network NBC from November 8, 1965, to September 9, 2022; the soap has streamed n ...
'' Executive Producer
Ken Corday Kenneth Robert Corday (born June 16, 1950) is an American television soap opera producer and music composer. He is the son of Ted Corday and Betty Corday, the co-creators of ''Days of Our Lives''. His production company, Corday Productions, ...
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 is an American producer and writer. He additionally has performed in acting roles. During the 1990s, he served as Co-Executive Producer for the show ''Days of Our Lives''. Contributions Positions held ''Days of Our Lives'' * Co-Exe ...
(who would assume the writing duties himself). Broderick then joined ''
Port Charles ''Port Charles'' (commonly abbreviated as ''PC'') is an American television soap opera that aired on ABC from June 1, 1997, to October 3, 2003. It was a spin-off of the series ''General Hospital'', which has been running since 1963 and takes p ...
'' as an Associate Head Writer, before being appointed head writer of ''
One Life to Live ''One Life to Live'' (often abbreviated as ''OLTL'') is an American soap opera broadcast on the American Broadcasting Company, ABC television network for more than 43 years, from July 15, 1968, to January 13, 2012, and then on the internet as ...
'' 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 (born September 15, 1971) is an American professional basketball coach who most recently served as the head coach for the Denver Nuggets of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He is currently an analyst for ESPN. He had a ...
and
Josh Griffith Joe Shelby "Josh" Griffith (born August 15, 19??) is an American soap opera writer and producer. Personal life Born on August 15, in New York, Josh is the son of Joe (Rip) Griffith and Sue Estes Griffith, both teachers and artists. Career Griffi ...
. At that time, ABC Daytime President
Brian Frons Brian Scott Frons (born June 15, 1956) is an American television executive and the former president of ABC Daytime. He is an adjunct professor at the UCLA Anderson School of Management and founder of Frons Consulting LLC. Education Frons earned a ...
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. She would eventually accept a position as a screenwriting and playwriting professor at
Drexel University Drexel University is a private university, private research university with its main campus in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Drexel's undergraduate school was founded in 1891 by Anthony Joseph Drexel, Anthony J. Drexel, a financier ...
in
Philadelphia Philadelphia ( ), colloquially referred to as Philly, is the List of municipalities in Pennsylvania, most populous city in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania and the List of United States cities by population, sixth-most populous city in the Unit ...
, Pennsylvania. This move reunited her with her former colleague,
Felicia Minei Behr Felicia Minei Behr (September 21, 1942 – March 2, 2025) was an American television producer and network executive who worked on three daytime serials. She helped launch ''All My Children'' and won two Emmys for Best Drama Series as executive p ...
, 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'' possible cancellation,
Soaps in Depth ''Soaps In Depth'' was an American entertainment magazine, formerly published as a series of biweekly print publications and currently as an online-exclusive publication, that is dedicated to coverage of daytime soap operas. Founded in 1997 by ...
broke the news via Twitter that Broderick was once again named the show's head writer, replacing Kreizman and Swajeski. The show's cancellation was announced just two weeks later, with Broderick writing the show through its conclusion on September 23, 2011. She then returned to ''One Life to Live'' as a breakdown writer until that show's finale on January 13, 2012. In April 2012, it was confirmed that Broderick would join the team of new ''Days of our Lives'' co-head writers
Gary Tomlin Gary Tomlin is an American soap opera actor, writer, producer and director. Career Tomlin's career on daytime serials began in 1973 when he was cast on CBS's ''Search for Tomorrow'' as Bruce Carson. He also made a guest appearance on "The Nightwal ...
and Christopher Whitesell as a breakdown writer.


Writing positions

''
All My Children ''All My Children'' (often shortened to ''AMC'') is an American television soap opera that aired on American Broadcasting Company, ABC from January 5, 1970, to September 23, 2011, and on The Online Network (TOLN) from April 29 to September 2, 2 ...
'' *
Head Writer A 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 A soap opera (also called a daytime drama or soap) is a genre of a long-running radio or television Serial (radio ...
: February, 1987 - December, 1988; August, 1995 – December, 1997; February, 2010 - May, 2010 (interim); June 27, 2011 – September 23, 2011 *Co-Head Writer: 1986-1987; January, 1989 - March, 1989 *Associate Head Writer: 1981–1986; 1989–1991; May, 2010 – June 24, 2011 *Script Writer / Breakdown Writer: 1979–1981 '' Another World'' (hired by Peggy Sloane) *Associate Head Writer: 1994–1995 ''
As the World Turns ''As the World Turns'' (often abbreviated as ''ATWT'') is an American television soap opera that aired on CBS for 54 years from April 2, 1956, to September 17, 2010. Irna Phillips created ''As the World Turns'' as a sister show to her other so ...
'' (hired by Mary Alice Dwyer-Dobbin) *Head Writer: March 1998 – August 1999 ''
Days of Our Lives ''Days of Our Lives'' (also stylized as ''Days of our Lives''; simply referred to as ''Days'' or ''DOOL'') is an American television soap opera that aired on the network NBC from November 8, 1965, to September 9, 2022; the soap has streamed n ...
'' (hired by
Ken Corday Kenneth Robert Corday (born June 16, 1950) is an American television soap opera producer and music composer. He is the son of Ted Corday and Betty Corday, the co-creators of ''Days of Our Lives''. His production company, Corday Productions, ...
) *Head Writer: October 1999 *Breakdown Writer: August 17, 2012 – January 3, 2023 ''
Guiding Light ''Guiding Light'' (known as ''The Guiding Light'' before 1975) is an American radio and television soap opera. ''Guiding Light'' aired on CBS for 57 years between June 30, 1952, and September 18, 2009, overlapping a 19-year broadcast on radio ...
'' *Co-Head-Writer: 1992–1993 (hired by
Jill Farren Phelps Jill Farren Phelps (born July 7, 1950) is an American television producer. She is known for her work with American soap operas, having served as executive producer of '' Santa Barbara'', '' Another World'', ''Guiding Light'', ''One Life to Live' ...
) *Associate Head Writer: September 28, 2004 – January 4, 2005 ''
One Life to Live ''One Life to Live'' (often abbreviated as ''OLTL'') is an American soap opera broadcast on the American Broadcasting Company, ABC television network for more than 43 years, from July 15, 1968, to January 13, 2012, and then on the internet as ...
'' *Associate Head Writer: February 2003 – March 2004; October 28, 2011 – January 13, 2012 *Co-Head Writer: 2001 – January 2003 ''
Port Charles ''Port Charles'' (commonly abbreviated as ''PC'') is an American television soap opera that aired on ABC from June 1, 1997, to October 3, 2003. It was a spin-off of the series ''General Hospital'', which has been running since 1963 and takes p ...
'' *Associate Head Writer: 2000–2001


Awards and nominations

Daytime Emmy Awards The Daytime Emmy Awards, or Daytime Emmys, are part of the extensive range of Emmy Awards for artistic and technical merit for the American television industry. Bestowed by the New York-based National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NA ...
WINS *(1985, 1988, 1996, 1997 & 1998; Best Writing; ''All My Children'') *(1993; Best Writing; ''Guiding Light'') NOMINATIONS *(1982, 1983, 1984, 1990, 1991, 1992 & 2012; Best Writing; ''All My Children'') *(1992; Best Writing; ''Guiding Light'') *(1994 & 1996; Best Writing; ''Another World'') *(2000; Best Writing; ''As the World Turns'') *(2002; Best Writing; ''One Life to Live'') *(2014; Best Writing; ''Days of Our Lives'')
Writers Guild of America Award The Writers Guild of America Awards is an award for film, television, and radio writing including both fiction and non-fiction categories given by the Writers Guild of America, East and Writers Guild of America West since 1949. Eligibility Th ...
WINS *(1997 & 1999 seasons; ''All My Children'') *(2014 season; ''Days of Our Lives'') NOMINATIONS *(1990, 1991, 1992, 1998 & 2012 seasons; ''All My Children'') *(1995 & 1996 seasons; ''Another World'') *(1999 season; ''As the World Turns'') *(2004 & 2013 seasons; ''One Life to Live'') *(2013 & 2015 seasons; ''Days of Our Lives'')


Head Writing Tenure

,


References


External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Broderick, Lorraine 1948 births American soap opera writers Daytime Emmy Award winners Living people Place of birth missing (living people) Writers Guild of America Award winners American women soap opera writers 21st-century American women