As The World Turns

UPDATE: CBS Pres Les Moonves to NY Times & CNBC… ATWT & GL had their day!

December 8, 2009

Photo Credit: JPI Studios

Les Moonves. President and CEO of CBS Broadcasting Corporation appeared on CNBC today with an interview with David Faber whose mother-in-law is the wonderful Marie Masters ( Susan ATWT), who has been on the soaps for decades. Moonves, when asked by Faber of today’s cancellation announcement of the soon to be 54 year old soap, said: “Well, you know what? The days of the soap opera have changed a lot. Guiding Light left us last year and As the World Turns will this year. You know what? They’ve had long and distinguished runs and their day… is… over!”

For more on Faber’s ‘foot-in-his-mouth’ gem, check out Gawker.com’s analysis of the interview with Moonves!

Later, in a article out in the New York Times, Moonves was quoted as saying, “Is it the end of an era? Sort of. Only the special soaps are going to survive. It’s certainly the end of the client-owned soap.” He added, “All good things come to an end, whether it’s after 72 years or 54 years or 10 years. It’s a different time and a different business.”

It was reported that CBS informed Procter & Gamble of the cancellation “a couple of days ago,” according to Jeannie Tharrington, a spokeswoman for Procter & Gamble.

“It’s a part of our business that we will miss, and it’ll be hard for us to say goodbye to the show,” Ms. Tharrington said. Proctor & Gamble said it would try to find a new home for the series. Given the current economic climate, though, that is considered unlikely.

As the World Turns had the longest-running continuing character in television history — the family matriarch Nancy Hughes, played by Helen Wagner, now 91. Despite the conservative reputation of many Procter & Gamble soaps, the show featured a male couple, Noah and Luke, and the first gay kiss on daytime television.

However, its audience, which exceeded six million viewers a week in the 1990s, has drawn less than 2.5 million so far this season, the Nielsen Company said. And the younger adult women viewers, which are favored by most advertisers, had shrunk even more.

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Les Moonves – The only thing I have to say is YOUR TOTALLY OUT OF TOUCH WITH YOUR AUDIENCE. I hope when it’s time for you to retire…you may understand that. Believe it or Not you don’t understand the soap opera fan like you think you do…CBS WILL lose alot of viewership..even more then when GL was canceled. The reason NBC is losing viewership is because they refuse to understand or even listen to their audience. So go ahead and cancel all the favorite show of many generation. Soon you will be in the same boat as your competitor.

As The World Turns

Michael Park Joins the Cast of HBO’s ‘The Time Traveler’s Wife’

June 4, 2021

Two-time Daytime Emmy winner and former star of As the World Turns Michael Park (Ex-Jack Snyder), has been added to the cast of HBO’s upcoming time travel drama, The Time Traveler’s Wife.

According to Deadline, the series is adapted by former Dr. Who head writer and Sherlock co-creator Steven Moffat, The Time Traveler’s Wife tells the intricate love story of Clare (Leslie) and Henry (James), and a marriage with a problem… time travel.

In it, Park will play the role of “Philip Abshire” – Clare’s father, who is said to be a high-powered Chicago lawyer, he is brisk and orderly, and expects all his children to fall into line.

The series also will star former General Hospital and Oscar winner, Jaimie Ray Newman (Ex-Kristina). She won an Academy Award for her Live-Action Short, Skin.

Photo: IMDb

So, looking forward to seeing Michael and Jaimie in their new TV roles? Comment below.

As The World Turns

ATWT and OLTL Alum Mary Linda Rapelye Passes Away at 76

May 1, 2021

She got her soap start as Faith Kipling, the wife of the evil Dr. Ivan Kipling on One Life to Live (1979-1980) and later came to Oakdale and As the World Turns as lawyer, Maggie Crawford (1980-1985), and now comes sad news that actress Mary Linda Rapelye has died from a battle with cancer.

Mary Linda actually passed away last month on April 5th, and according to The Booth Bay Register she was surrounded by her her brother Gardiner Rapelye Jr. and dear friends Julianna and Will Anderson by her side. She was 76 years old at the time of her death.

Mary Linda started a long career of acting when she was only 5. After her part in an outdoor production at The Starlight Theater in her home town, Kansas City, Missouri, she climbed off the stage and sat in her father’s lap. This was to be the beginning of her work spanning nearly eight decades on stage, screen and television. She is best known for her roles in Truman Capote’s In Cold Blood, and of course, OLTL and ATWT. She also made a memorable appearance in the role of Irina Galliulin in the Star Trek: The Original Series third season episode “The Way to Eden”.

A Memorial and Celebration of Life is being planned this July for MaryLinda in Booth Bay.

Below is a tribute video featuring clips and moments from Rapelye’s career.

Share your remembrances and condolences for Mary Linda in the comment section.

As The World Turns

‘The Doctors’ Panel Participants Announced for ‘Soap Con Live’ Event

April 20, 2021

The upcoming Soap Con Live virtual event has announced that former The Doctors stars: Nancy Stafford (Felicia/Adrienne Hunt), Anna Stuart (Toni Ferra-Powers), Frank Telfer (Luke Dancy) and Marie Thomas-Foster (Lauri James-Iverson) will be on the panel representing the series on May 1 at 2:30 p.m. ET/11:30 a.m. PT.

“Classic television has been a great comfort during this challenging year,” said Joel Wertman, president of Retro TV and It’s Real Good TV parent company, Get After It Media, Inc. “Our team is honored that Retro TV has been a place audiences have turned to. We’re excited to be a part of Soap Con Live and are grateful to these stars from “The Doctors” for being a part of the event.”

Panels for other daytime soaps As the World Turns, One Life to Live and General Hospital will continue throughout the day during this free, inaugural virtual event.

The free live event will be simulcast on The Locher Room YouTube Channel, the It’s Real Good TV app, and SoapOperaDigest.com.

There will be a Q&A during the livestream events giving fans opportunities to interact with their favorite daytime stars.

Go to Soap Con Live.com for more information on the main event and virtual meet and greets and more.

So, what do you think about The Doctors panel participants? Comment below.