Connect with us

As The World Turns

10

As My Stomach Turns- Thoughts on ATWT's demise!

newatwtlogo2-croppedI wanted to give it a few days to sink in before I sat down and posted the newest entry in Michael’s Blog, since the cancellation notice was handed down to As the World Turns.  When the news broke earlier this week, I was in a state of shock.  Not that the show wasn’t in danger as the next soap to go on the chopping block, but that it happened at this time.  After speaking with ATWT’s publicity team, it apparently took them by surprise as well.  They had only known for a few days and for some not till the day the axe fell.

fultonAs the World Turns was the very first soap I ever watched (so we can all blame my lifelong soap obsession because of it).   It was my mother whose then favorite show revolved around Lisa Shea, Penny, Dr. Bob Hughes, Chris and Nancy Hughes, and Ellen and David Stewart.   So she would be watching, and somehow I got sucked into Oakdale. I can still remember Ethel Remey’s, Alma Miller, mother to troublemaker Lisa, who when her daughter would do something obnoxious would yelp, “Well, Lisa!”   Later came the likes of Carol and Jay Stallings, Grant and Joyce Coleman (remember Barbara Rodell?) and a young, Judith Chapman as evil Natalie Bannon.

But perhaps the greatest ATWT actor to come along (and who made every storyline work and all so effortlessly) was Larry Bryggman as Dr. John Dixon, Bob Hughes’s mortal enemy.  I also will never forget Henderson Forsyth who was terrific as David Stewart, and then all of a sudden was the lead in The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas on Broadway!   At that time, I remember thinking, “Wow, soap actors do Broadway, too?”  Of course later came Gillian Spencer and Kathryn Hays as Jennifer and Kim, respectively, and Colleen Zenk Pinter (our Babs) and I could go on and on.   At one time the show (at the height of its popularity) was being spoofed by Carol Burnett every week on her variety show in a ditty called, “As the Stomach Turns”.   I loved the parody on soaps; gazing long looks into the camera… and the organ music!

230px-Hugheses1980The show did experience another renaissance when Douglas Marland revitalized Oakdale and wrote some incredible storylines involving Julianne Moore as Frannie/Sabrina, and the Doug Cummings murder, etc.   And he gave us Lily Snyder… and the soap world was introduced to a young Martha Byrne who for decades would be the show’s moral center and most beloved character.   Along with Byrne came the casting of a well regarded Emmy winning soap actress Elizabeth Hubbard (Lucinda) who can make reading the phone book sound interesting.  It was through Marland that soaps and ATWT got their first gay male character in Hank, even though it was too short lived… but for its time, a step ahead.

Of course, as happened with Guiding Light, the show was on a tremendous groundswell at the time of its cancellation with outstanding and complex performances. Over the past few months we have seen interesting stories that have featured current cast members Michael Park, Terri Colombino, Julie Pinson, Maura West, Trent Dawson, Jon Hensley, Noelle Beck and Van Hansis, etc.

Elizabeth Hubbard, Jon Hensley, Martha ByrneI believe P&G and CBS thought that in lieu of the bad taste that was left in everyone’s mouth this past April when Guiding Light was given the heave-ho, and only six months to finish up, that they perhaps wanted to handle this news a bit differently.  Well, at least ATWT got nine months… a little more time for actors, crew and production people to look for other work, or figure out what the next step in their lives would be. It’s still crummy.

Many of you read the statement by Jim Romanovich in regards to if there were to be a tribute for ATWT at next year’s Daytime Emmys.  And as the person who handled the Guiding Light tribute for the broadcast, I would hope that with cooperation from P&G and ATWT that a beautiful tribute package could be made, and that this time, the powers-that-be would learn from their ways and give the soap and the fans it’s just due.

Jake Silbermann, Van HansisAm I sad?  Yes.  Very.  Look around us. Soaps are becoming extinct!  We will be down to six. I pray to God, I won’t be saying “down to five” come spring if One Life to Live (with all the rumors circulating) is next.   It was so odd to hear Ellen Wheeler being named a director for ATWT and then have it be cancelled a few days later.  Will she be spearheading their exit from television as she did with GL?  What is this saying?  That she knows how to handle a demise of a show?

And before I end, I have to address Luke and Noah, who without a doubt had become the most popular couple in Oakdale.   How nice it was that a few years ago, that a soap incorporated a young gay male couple finding each other and a romance… something that had previously not been seen on daytime.  Through all the good and the bad; the missteps, the lack of airtime, bedtime, kissing time, it still captivated for a time, the consciousness of an audience whose lives were not represented.   As Guiding Light, its sister soap, had done with Otalia, it started something that needed to be continued, and thus media magnet, Crystal Chapell decided to take matters in to her own hands.  Maybe now it’s the boys turn.  Is the male Venice just around the corner starring Van and Jake?

As the World Turns goes into its final rotation from daytime to darkness now till September 2010. It will be interesting to see if people tune-in with a big publicity push as Guiding Light had done for its finale, or if knowing so far in advance that their story is ending, if viewers will just keep tuning-out.

Leave a comment | 10 Comments

10 Comments
oldest
newest
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

I am so sorry to see another soap bite the dust. Is the writing on the wall for the rest of them? We can only hope not. I have watched ATWT for many, many years. In fact too many to mention. So, I have an allegiance to it, for all the times in made me feel better or got me through the day. I am not ashamed to say it! So, farewell ATWT and thanks for introducing me to soaps.

I only got into this show back in August, and it kills me that this can go by the wayside while dreck like All My Children still airs. I am especially disappointed because, while there have been many missteps along the way, the Luke and Noah storyline has been so beautiful. I hope to see more of Van Hansis in particular in the future.

Well said. Do you think there’s any hope that another network might pick it up?

With the cancellation of two major long-running shows, the writing on the wall is obvious for the rest of daytime drama. Those actors better start looking for work now rather than stay on a sinking ship. It’s sad for both the actors and their audiences. What a shame.

Years ago, I had an elderly “aunt”, really a family friend but was called “aunt” out of respect and love. Each day, when As The World Turns aired, she would sit in her rocker, with a cup of coffee and a snack or two on a small table at her side. Her sister, who was still in the workforce, came home one day, having forgotten one thing or another. “Sissy,” she called out as she usually did. My “aunt” didn’t answer. Her eyes were closed. A smile was on her face. She had made her journey into the light, watching the thing she loved most, “As The World Turns”.

There is a facebook group to support the show:
We won’t give up on As the world turns !
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=197554995905

I grew up watching this show as a little girl and have continued to watch it my entire life, as well as Guiding Light. It broke my heart for Guiding Light to end and again with As the World Turns draws to an end. I do not understand the reason for either show to stop. Do you know why? Isn’t there anything that can be done to stop this from happening??? I am now 60 and I had assumed I would watch those shows for the rest of my life. It is truly like a death in the family. On the days I am able and at home — it is so sad to me to not be able to enjoy something that I have watched for 40+ years. My parents are gone now and it was a comfort to me to enjoy the same shows that I had watched with them.

I can’t help but wonder…GL gets cancelled, now ATWT, with OLTL reportedly getting nearer the chopping block. What’s the one common thread between all three of these soaps? They all have gay characters. I’m not trying to be an alarmist or foster any kind of paranoia – it’s probably a coincidence, but something to think about…

So sorry that this show is ending. I watched Another World for many years so know how it feels to lose a show you watch daily, where you know the characters in and out, that you have invested so much time in through good stories and bad.

After AW ended I started tuning into ATWT and have watched off and on for 10 years. It’s sad that a 54 year old show will be ending and what’s even more sad is that overall, network audiences have dropped for all soaps. It seems more people are interested in trashy daytime television and talk shows like Jerry Springer than continuing daytime dramas.

But, it seems like audiences are down for nighttime shows as well. A hit show 20 years ago had a way higher audience than most primetime shows today.

It would be nice if another network would take a chance and try to rebuild their daytime soap lineup, adding ATWT.

Van Hansis is a talented actor and I’ll miss him very much!

As The World Turns

2024 Golden Globes: Justin Hartley and Amanda Seyfried Among First Round of Presenters

The 2024 awards season truly gets underway this Sunday night ,January 7th on CBS with the presentation of the 81st annual Golden Globe Awards honoring the best in motion picture and television as deemed by the voters of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA).

The ceremony will be broadcast live and will air beginning at 8 p.m. EST/5 p.m. PST, from the Beverly Hilton Hotel. The ceremony will also be available on the CBS app and will stream on Paramount+. (Note, however, only Paramount+ subscribers who have Showtime can stream the event live; others can watch the show the next day.)

The first round of presenters was revealed on Wednesday and two soap opera alums are on the list including Justin Hartley (ex-This Is Us, The Young and the Restless, Revenge, Passions) and Amanda Seyfried (ex-Lucy, As the World Turns and ex-Joni Stafford, All My Children).

Photo: HFPA

Joining Justin and Amanda as presenters are: Angela Bassett, Will Ferrell, Michelle Yeoh,George Lopez, Julia Garner, Justin Hartley, Gabriel Macht and Patrick J. Adams.  Previously, Jo Koy was named host for the telecast.

The Golden Globes are back on CBS for the first time since 1982. In addition, Dick Clark Productions is back after years away as the longtime Globes producers.

To review the nominees click here.

So, looking forward to the Golden Globes and seeing Justin and Amanda? Comment below.

Continue Reading

As The World Turns

Richard Roundtree, ‘Generations’, ‘ATWT” and ‘Shaft’ Star, Dead at 81

Motion picture and television leading man, Richard Roundtree, has passed away at the age of 81. The actor, best known for his role in the iconic film Shaft, and its sequels, died from complications from pancreatic cancer on October 24th in his home in Los Angeles.

In a statement, Roundtree’s manager, Patrick McMinn shared, “Richard’s work and career served as a turning point for African American leading men in film. The impact he had on the industry cannot be overstated.”

During his extensive credits and career, Roundtree made two stops to two daytime soap operas. In 1990 till 1991, Roundtree played Dr. Daniel Ruebens on the defunct NBC soap opera Generations. He later appeared on As the World Turns from 2002-2003, taking on the role of Oliver Travers, the father to T. Marshall Travers played by Lamman Rucker.

Photo: NBC

Roundtree’s leading lady on Generations, Jonelle Allen took to her Facebook upon learning the news of the death of her former castmate and friend, expressing: “My Leading Man on Generations. I Am Very Sad. My Condolences To Your Family. Dearest Richard Roundtree.”

In a subsequent post, Allen shared a photo of their Generations’ characters, Daniel and Doreen about to lip-lock. Jonelle stated, “In the scene with him I kept thinking: ‘Shaft is about to kiss ME!!!’ Thank You.”

On Generations, Roundtree’s character of Daniel Reubens was a brilliant doctor, who was accused of killing someone by causing an explosion at a lab in 1974. He and his daughter, Maya, then went “underground” for the next 15 years. Maya was played by Viveca A. Fox.

Photo: AP

Fox, honored her former on-screen soap father with an Instagram post upon learning of his death. Vivica wrote: “GM Dawlings! My heart is sad this morning as late last night I learned that LEGEND Actor @officialrichardroundtree had passed. I had the blessing of working with Richard on alot of 1st in my acting career! He played my Dad on the soap opera #Generation‘s TV show #90210BeverlyHills Mr Roundtree thank u for your AMAZING GIFTS! U will truly be missed as u were the 1st African American Action Star #SHAFT I’ll never forget the time u stood for ME when a director was being a jerk to me! I’ll miss your smile, jokes, laughs & hugs! REST EASY KING! U DID WELL. #Classic #LEGEND #LeadingMan #Actor #SuperStar #Respect #RestInPeace”

Richard was also known for his roles in Roots and the Brad Pitt thriller Se7en. On television, Roundtree appeared on: Murder, She Wrote, A Different World, Beauty and the Beast, 21 Jump Street, MacGyver, Beverly Hill 90210, L.A. Law, The Fresh Prince of Bel Air, Alias, Desperate Housewives, Heroes, Grey’s Anatomy, Chicago Fire, and Private Practice and many more.

Share your condolences on the passing of Richard Roundtree via the comment section below.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Vivica A Fox (@msvfox)

Continue Reading

As The World Turns

Soap Alum John Wesley Shipp Shares Health Update

John Wesley Shipp, best known to daytime fans for his roles on As the World Turns, Guiding Light, One Life to Live et al, and primetime fans for his role in The Flash, shared a heartfelt health update via his Instagram.

While Shipp did not go into specifics, he did say he underwent surgery earlier in September for an urgent medical issue.

In his post, accompanying by his photo, John expressed: “Hello out there! Friends and contacts have written recently, like, “where are you? are you ok?” Well, here’s the deal: I had surgery early this month for a health issue that had to be dealt with immediately. All went well, but I’ve had to postpone a theatre production and personal appearances as the recoup will take some weeks. I do read and appreciate what you share with me, that you entrust me with your thoughts and feelings. You are ever on my mind and in my heart, and I look forward to getting active and out there again as soon as possible. Until then, remember to play nice, be kind, and stay engaged! Our futures depend on it.”

Photo: JPI

John’s soap resume is quite impressive having portrayed: Dr. Kelly Nelson/Victor Laszlo on Guiding Light, Doug Cummings on As the World Turns, Martin Ellis on Santa Barbara, Carter Jones on All My Children and Eddie Ford on One Life to Live. Shipp won two Daytime Emmys along the way.

More recently, John has appeared in primetime’s, Arrow, The Flash, Stargirl and countless other TV appearances.

Share your well-wishes for a speedy recovering to John via the comment section below.

Continue Reading

Video Du Jour

Peter Reckell returns for a second visit with Michael Fairman following the wrap-up of his recent run as Bo Brady on Days of our Lives.Leave A Comment

Recent Comments

Power Performance

Kim Coles as Whitley

Days of our Lives

Airdate: 7-24- 2023

Popular