As The World Turns
Byrne & Hensley reunite one last time for ATWT farewell interview!
Photo Credit: JPI Studios
In a informative, touching, humorous, and sentimental interview from TV Guide Canada’s, Nelson Branco, Martha Byrne, the original Lily Snyder, and Jon Hensley, the one and only Holden, are reunited one last time for a frank chat on their time together as As the World Turns as the uber-popular supercouple, just as the CBS series heads towards it’s finale on Friday. From their plagued storylines, to Martha’s exit from the series and being replaced by Noelle Beck, to what former head scribe Doug Marland would think of ATWT’s cancellation, to Martha’s least favorite storyline during her decades on the soap, it’s all here for long time fans of this beloved on-screen soap couple. Here are a just few intriguing and juicy excerpts!
Hensley on if he will watch this week’s final ATWT air shows: I’m watching the last week. I wasn’t really on prior to that because they had some other stories that they were wrapping up. I’m pretty heavy in the past 10 days, so I’ll probably check that out. And that’s it — that’s all she wrote.” Bryne then responded: “No, I’m not going to watch. I’ve seen some of the previews and I think, “I don’t want to go there.” I’m choosing to separate myself from it. It’s like choosing to be sad and uncomfortable. I prefer not to feel like that. I feel like it’s better to put [the experience] to bed instead of remembering what I may see in the final shows. Maybe down the road, I’ll watch it on YouTube when some time has passed.”
Byrne on her least favorite all-time storylines to play as Lily! “I didn’t like it when Lily started getting really dumb. You know, when she was addicted to painkillers and signing over her mother’s company — I had a problem with that. I didn’t mind the weight storyline … as long as the story was about character, I had no problem. Probably my least favourite storyline was when Lily couldn’t accept Luke as a gay man. I always had an issue with that story point. Not being able to accept Luke as gay was very, very difficult for me — especially having to make it work on my part and as a mother in general. Lily would never have had a problem with Luke’s homosexuality. Yes, Damian, of course, but not Lily. Maybe Holden a little bit. But that’s part of your job as an actor — trying to make these stories work. And sometimes it doesn’t. The fans still remember those failures, and continue to bring them up. Let’s face it — our fans know our characters as well as we do. I always try to get it out there that we know the problems with our characters and stories, but we don’t write the show. We can only adjust so much for it to be palatable in those moments.”
Photo Credit: JPI Studios
Hensley on if Holden was really based off of former head writer and Oakdale wunderkind, Douglas Marland: “I think my character was who Doug was as a kid so he had this special interest in me as a person. He always made sure I was growing as a person and made sure I was happy. We would have dinner once a month and go to the theatre. He was more of a father figure for me than anything else. He was very caring and loving. It was a very special relationship. I never expected to have experienced something like that with a head writer. I mean, when you go out with your head writer, you’re terrified because you don’t know what to expect.”
Byrne on what Marland would say about the state of ATWT in it’s final years and it’s ultimate cancellation: “He’d probably be happy that they didn’t put Holden and Lily back together. He would have wanted to tell that story … he had such a personal investment in the characters. He also would’ve been heartbroken about the show’s cancellation. [Moreover], I don’t think a lot of things would’ve have happened, including our cancellation, would he still be alive today. It took a long time until [ex-head writer] Hogan Sheffer showed up before we stopped treading water after Doug’s death. It was so apparent that we really couldn’t survive without Doug. He was the only one who could juggle and spin the plates on our show. You know, the Bill Bells of the world, there are so few of those talents. But Hogan did give our show new life. I think Hogan and Doug would’ve been best friends. Although they are so different on so many levels, they are equally passionate about the genre. I think Doug would be very hurt and very sad about what has happened to World Turns and the state of where things are. I do believe had he lived that we would not have been canceled. We wouldn’t be having this conversation right now, Nelson. It’s like what Lauralee Bell said in your interview last week, which was so beautiful, her father would’ve evolved with the times, and he would have made adjustments to keep the characters true to who they are. Bill was a very progressive thinker as was Douglas. I know they were the masters at what they did. They would have been teaching us how to continue this genre.”
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.
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.
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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.
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I remember when Holden first came on the show and caught Lily’s eye. The chemistry between Martha & Jon was incredible from the start. So happy to read this interview. Their friendship is adorable.
Hi, Michael!
I must respectfully mention that Lucy Deakins was the original Lily in 1984, followed by our wonderful Martha Byrne in 1985! 🙂