Sweet Sorrow

By Gemma Jacob

When I saw something on Anyone But Me’s Facebook a few weeks ago about an important announcement in the works a little part of me jumped in excitement. Okay, a big part of me jumped in very covert excitement. In my mind, against possibly my better judgement knowing the current financial climate and knowing that sometimes miracles don’t happen, this announcement would be that ABM had found a sponsor. Some company had figured out how they could use ABM to market their product or a smart network exec had seen the promise in the show we have always believed in and decided to take a chance on the little show that could. Such is my faith in the show, and I suppose my naivety, I thought the news would be that ABM had found a way to go on.

If you have not heard the news by now I do not know where you have been, for surely every ABM fan knows that last week the announcement was made that ABM would return. However, it will only return in order to give the show we have come to love a fitting end. Yes, after 25 episodes in which the very best conspired to make me and millions of ABM fans around the world smile, ABM is to end. The series finale in which all of the original cast – and yes I hope this means Archibald because I know we’ve missed him, will hopefully be filmed early next year.

Perhaps I am taking this news more badly than anyone outside of the immediate ABM family, or maybe I am allowing myself to indulge a little. At this news though I think I am allowed a little indulgence. I know that millions of fans around the world have been affected by the stories told through ABM. We know that the themes of identity and struggling to find your place are universal and timeless and the careful and considered way in which these issues were dealt with are amongst the reasons why ABM has come to mean so much to so many. It is no exaggeration on my part to say that I feel an incredible loss of self knowing that ABM is to end. Not only did the show give me so many stories and characters I could relate to, it changed me.

My life is better for having had ABM in my life, not just the friendships I have made and come to treasure – with the cast and crew especially, but also with other fans I have met through the show. I have said more than once, and no doubt I will repeat myself again, that my life would not be what it is without the show. I have gone beyond what I thought what my limits were and I have, in ABM Fans, not only found an endeavour I enjoy but also one that has challenged me. I will take this opportunity, the first of many, to thank all of the cast and crew for giving us three seasons of such a truly wonderful show.

I am incredibly happy that ABM will be back, and I have absolutely no doubt in my mind that whatever it is Susan and Tina have in store for us it will be nothing but brilliant. I know too that it is not the last I will hear from anyone involved in this show, this collection of talent cannot be quiet for long. However, an end is still an end, and no matter how perfectly crafted the story, no matter how sublime the acting, it will be the very definition of bittersweet.