Any fan of soap opera needs to go out and get this week the As the World Turns Commemorative Issue on newstands now from the publishers and editors  of Soap Opera Digest and Soap Opera Weekly.  This collectors issue really gives you something historic! And, now you  can take a piece of Oakdale with you, forever.  We think it also helps us prepare to say goodbye on September 17th to the 54-year-old legendary soap!

On-Air On-Soaps caught up today with the key editors of this issue;  Lynn Leahey, Maja Bhattacharjee, and Danielle McClure, and asked them their thoughts on ATWT favorite moments, characters, and to share their feelings at losing another one of the classic soaps of the genre, and the importance of this one of a kind issue.

First, Lynn Leahey, Editorial Director, Soap Opera Digest and Soap Opera Weekly: “I’ve been watching As the World Turns since my childhood, so the photos and stories in this special issue brought back so many memories for me!  One scene I remember vividly was small, but rich with symbolism. Kim, struggling with the fact that Bob had had an affair with Susan, was inconsolable after she dropped her wedding ring down the sink. Her grief mixed with despair, then hope when Bob retrieved it for her. It was an ordinary situation, but so packed with emotion.”

Then, Mala Bhattacharjee, News Editor, Soap Opera Weekly shared with us her sentiments: “Of course the loss of another soap is absolutely devastating to me — not just as someone in the industry, but as a lifelong soap viewer. I feel like we just said goodbye to Guiding Light, and it’s far, far too soon to have to endure this process again. I’m basically gearing up to go through several boxes of tissues these next few weeks.  Over the years, it was pairs like Carly and Jack, Dusty and Lucy and Simon and Katie that really drew me in, and then I grew to love all of Oakdale’s residents. I’m not remotely exaggerating when I say that Don Hastings’ Dr. Bob is one of my favorite characters on daytime. To me, Bob and Kim are the kind of duo that you want your favorite fledgling pairings to aspire to be.  In terms of storylines, Luke’s coming out story will always be memorable and significant. I think many of us have gone with him on this journey, walked in his shoes, and shared his joys and his sorrows. I’m going to miss seeing the rest of his milestones! I absolutely loved the entire arc of Simon and Katie’s relationship. Don’t get me started, because I could regale you with dozens of favorite moments! Being able to look back at stories like Lily’s parentage reveal and Margo’s rape has also been an incredible experience. Soaps have this amazing ability to balance darkness and light, education and entertainment, and I love that visits to Oakdale can give you whacky things like the aging spa…and then also handle serious stories like Barbara’s battle with oral cancer. At the end of the day, at the end of the World, I’m really just in it to watch all of these wonderful characters live their lives.”

Danielle McClure, Associate Editor,  Soap Opera Digest offered up the following: “After saying good-bye to Guiding Light last year, having to go through another daytime loss is surreal! To say that it’s the end of an era sounds so cliché but there’s truly no other way to describe it. It’s sad and I hope that our special tribute issue will give fans at least a little solace. It really is the ultimate keepsake and as I’m sure has been said, a true labor of love. What I think is so great is that it’s full of incredible golden nuggets of ATWT history.  It’s everything we love about Oakdale.  Trust me when I say that you will both laugh and cry when you read it. My favorite moments from the covering the show and putting together the  tribute issue was talking to the veterans— Don Hastings, Colleen Zenk and Marie Masters— about the very early years, crazy location shoots,  filming the show live and all the insanity that goes along with that! I thought I’d already heard all the stories about Irna Phillips but I was so wrong! Being there for the last cast photo shoot was also bittersweet and so emotional!   These truly are interviews and stories you won’t find anywhere else.  Henry’s one of favorite characters because he’s so unconventional and I love that ATWT doesn’t shy away from playing up the comedic talents of the cast. And Bob and Kim, my favorite Oakdale couple,  will definitely be missed. How can you not love those two? I’m so thrilled that the show is giving them the attention they deserve as the show goes out.”

So what are you favorite moments, storyline, and actors from the history of ATWT?  How are you getting ready to deal with the final farewell? Let us know.