As The World Turns

Emmy Winner and Noted Soap Opera Head Writer; Hogan Sheffer Passes Away At 61

September 29, 2019

Photo: NATAS

Over the last several hours, reports have broke that one of daytime’s most notable scribes has died. Hogan Sheffer, who was head writer at As the World Turns, Days of our Lives and The Young and the Restless has passed away at the age of 61.

Soap Hub, first reported the news via multiple sources, however, many writers who worked with Hogan during his tenure on the soaps have taken to social media to share their condolences and their grief and remembrances.

Sheffer’s appearance on the soap scene was unexpected, especially in a genre where it is often rare for new blood to take the reins at the head writer position. Proctor & Gamble had decided to bring in Hogan after his work as the Director of Screenplay Development for DreamWorks, not because of his writing credits for a previous network soap. He was given trial deal as a breakdown writer for the CBS soap and 10-weeks in became the beloved town of Oakdale’s new head writer.

Hogan and his then writing team were able to turn the classic, As the World Turns around. The show went up in the ratings and during his time with the series ‘World Turn’s’ won two Daytime Emmys for Outstanding Drama Series, and he and the writing team picked up four Emmy victories all through 2000-2004.

Photo: JPI

Next, Sheffer landed in Salem as head writer of Days of our Lives along with Meg Kelly from 2006 through to the beginning of 2008. He would later join The Young and the Restless and team up with then head writers: Maria Arena Bell and Scott Hamner, and eventually stay with the show till 2012. During Sheffer’s time in Genoa City, Y&R also won a Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Writing in 2011.

On Sunday, former WWE and daytime writer Tom Casiello, who was extremely close with Sheffer… and who shared how Hogan gave him his start at writing in daytime, took to his Facebook page to pay tribute to a man who had such an impact on his life and many others. It is worth the read here.

Y&R writer, Sara Bibel tweeted: “Hogan Sheffer was a gamechanger for ATWT and daytime. Everyone I know who worked with him adored him. RIP”

And, iconic ATWT star, Martha Byrne (Ex-Lily) tweeted on Sheffer’s passing: “To say he was one of a kind would be a tremendous understatement. Our years at ATWT with Hogan at the helm were a rebirth for our beautiful show. Loved his writers, actors,crew. Blessed to have him on the first floor in Brooklyn ready to listen. Talented. Funny. Generous. RIP”

Colleen Zenk (Ex-Barbara, ATWT) also took to Twitter upon learning of the passing of Sheffer sharing: “I loved him, loved him, loved him… he was so good to me. Thank you for everything, Hogan. You were so loved. Especially, by me… Rest in peace…”

Michael Fairman TV will continue to bring you updates as the soap world mourns the loss of a creative force in our genre. Share your condolences and thoughts on the death of Hogan Sheffer via the comment section below.

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LIS

He was only 61. I think I watched all of the soaps he wrote for and saw most of his material. With so many changes in the industry, he seems like a throw back to another era. A different time, and to these aging eyes a better one. Rest in peace and godspeed.

Guest

davlestev1

He was a good writer. I remember him from all his Head Writing stints. E especially Days because it was heralded as another of their umpteenth reboots. Stephanie came back as a race car driver. Billie cane back and was at odds with Hope. John was hit by a car in a rare outdoor shoot. That fly the skies story. And so on. Isn’t that also when Belle and Sean jumped off a ship holding Claire. That was hilarious even if it wasn’t him. And when he judged that next soap star competition. Sadly that was a car crash LOL.… Read more »

Guest

davlestev1

Typos. You can’t comment with them. You can’t comment without them LOL.

Guest

Michael Teale

Like Michael and so many in the daytime drama industry, Hogan was indeed a breath of fresh air. He did so much for the industry and revitalized several shows that were floundering storyline wise.

May he RIP.

Guest

clb

Sad news. Hogan certainly resurrected As The World Turns. I remember when he accepted the Emmy for ATWT. Daytime needs to take a chance with new writers to come in and help the remaining four daytime soaps. Quit recycling the same old writers.

Guest

Barbara from Atlanta

You said a lot with that statement. I wholly agree with all of it.

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.