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Martha Byrne, Ellen Dolan, Elizabeth Hubbard & Colleen Zenk Talk ATWT Reunion, Memories & Mementos!

Courtesy/CBS

On a recent episode of The Talk that aired on October 12th, the afternoon series welcomed stars from As the World Turns as part of a special broadcast honoring CBS Daytime’s 30 years as the number one daytime television network.

Four powerhouse actresses who kept fans on the edge of the seats during their storylines were part of the ATWT reunion: Martha Byrne (Lily), Elizabeth Hubbard (Lucinda), Ellen Dolan (Margo) and Colleen Zenk (Barbara).  Before these soap opera MVP’s were brought out in front of the live studio audience, a short retrospective of ATWT clips was shown reminding us all what made the town of Oakdale so special for 54 years.

Sadly, As the World Turns was canceled, and aired its last episode on September 17th, 2010.   It has now been six years since its loyal audience saw the characters whose lives they followed for decades, or a major television reunion featuring some of them.

Following this fab four’s appearance, On-Air On-Soaps Michael Fairman sat down with Martha, Elizabeth, Ellen and Colleen backstage for our own sentimental and heartfelt reunion.  All Emmy-nominated and Byrne and Hubbard having won multiple Emmys, these ladies looked back on the incredible time in their careers, collaborating with each other, and shared their appreciation for being part of an iconic piece of television history.  In addition, they also are well-aware what a loss it was for fans when ATWT when off the air.  Here’s what these terrifically talented ladies shared!

It was very emotional watching each of you come out in front of the studio audience and take your place on set.   I especially noticed Martha.  You had tears welling-up in your eyes.  What was going through your mind at that moment?

Photo Credit: HutchinsPhoto.com

MARTHA:  It was so emotional while we were up there, and especially when we were backstage and the clips came on, and they were so good!  Those were really good scenes they showed from As the World Turns.  That was some good stuff we put out there, and it just reminded us that there are hundreds of hours of this show!

ELLEN:  I didn’t recognize myself in the Christmas scene when it played! (Laughs) I remember going, “Who is that?”  Then, I went, “Oh, that’s me!”

What has been the most memorable part of this reunion, seeing each other and representing the iconic ATWT, in this CBS 30 years at number one celebration?

COLLEEN:  Just being together …

MARTHA: … And also we have all evolved as human beings   We have all had our personal stuff that we have been through in our real lives.  But, I think our growth since that time is tremendous.  So we can look back at it now, and come here, and we can really appreciate first of all, that we were even asked.  The show was canceled, and it was so painful for so many people, and it was such an abrupt ending.  Then shows were canceled after that like All My Children, and thus lots of people were out of work in New York.

ELIZABETH:   There was a wrap party at a bar at Eighth avenue and 49th street in New York.   I got to this bar and I said, “I’m looking for the party.”  And this man tells me, “It’s up the stairs!”   So when I get there this other guy says, “Welcome to a room full of unemployed people!”  There were the producers, the directors, the actors, the hair and make up people, everyone.

Courtesy/CBS

MARTHA:   It was sad.   So to have this moment on The Talk, and to be embraced by the head of CBS Daytime, Angelica McDaniel was special.   They treated us so well.

COLLEEN:  We were celebrated!

Let’s not forget As the World Turns was the number one show there for awhile starting in 1958 through 1978.

COLLEEN:  Yes. We were number one in the 70’s from 1970-1978!

ELIZABETH:  And then I came on and ruined it. (Laughs)   We had wonderful directors on our show.   I was talking about this with Grant Aleksander (Ex-Phillip, GL), who directed on ATWT too.  You could go to the directors and say, “This is my problem!” They would understand what you’re talking about, and not think you are some creep, or a sociopath, or whatever they think actor’s are.

ELLEN:   When I came out to Los Angeles for a couple of years, I did enough work, but I thought, “It’s not enough for me.”  We’re workhorses on the soaps, we’re in there every day.  We spew out so much story.   I thought, “I have a strong character- she’s funny, she’s rock em, sock em.   What am doing here?   I’m going back to New York and do my character. ”    You know, people mostly are lucky if they get to do two films a year, and they get to do five scenes in a year.   On ATWT, we did 5 scenes in one morning!

ELIZABETH:   I did one sitcom, Hope & Faith.  I loved it, because it was so fast and the writers are right near you, and they are on your side during the tapings . They are not in a room some place making up stories, and so they can tell the actors to make changes quickly, and we did it.   I think in the story, Kelly Ripa kicked my character’s ass in the end, and it was perfect.  But I did like that experience.

Courtesy/CBS

Where do each of you see your ATWT character right now at this point in her life, since the audience can’t see them, and has to also use their imaginations on what happened to these wonderful women that they loved?

COLLEEN:  Barbara’s definitely In a dance hall!

MARTHA:  Lily would hopefully be single.  She was never alone.  She always had a man around.

ELLEN:   I think Margo would still be the police lieutenant.  She would still be ordering people around and no one would listen. She would be making mistakes, and coming home to Tom.  She would ask the proverbial question, “Well, why?” (Laughs)   I think Margo would be that gruff older rascally lieutenant and she would take over Dan Frazer’s (Dan “Mac” McClosky) role.  Margo was such a beautifully constructed character.  She had just a little dash of everything, and I don’t think that much would change.  You would  now be watching someone age, and becoming their true selves.

Courtesy/CBS

When you look back on the final episode of As the World Turns, do you think it did it justice?  It is an extraordinarily difficult task to wrap-up a show that is 54- years-old with so much rich history, characters, and story.

COLLEEN:   I felt that it really captured everything.   There was a lot they had to leave on the floor, a lot of scenes, because there was so much shot for the finale.  But, it made me weep.

ELLEN:  You got the sense that these lives are still going to go on.

ELIZABETH:  I was doing a Dutch soap at the time, so to have John (Larry Bryggman) and Lucinda deported was a good way to get us out of Oakdale. (Laughs)

On the last day of taping, did you take any mementos or keepsakes with you?

Courtesy/CBS

MARTHA:  Kelly Hensley (Emily) gave to me Lily’s wedding ring when the show went off the air.  Noelle Beck (Ex-Lily) did not wear my ring.   So, they had put it in a box somewhere.

COLLEEN:   I took the giant crystal rock chandelier that was in the nightclub, where Barbara and Henry (Trent Dawson) did their famous dance.  I took the barrel back silk Damask chair that Barbara would always hide in when she was going through her evil era.   I also have the marble plaque of the mausoleum, some Stenbeck documents, but in the end the show sold everything off.

ELLEN:   I took the clown on Hal (Benjamin Hendrickson) and Margo’s desk.

ELIZABETH:   The last day everything had already been sold, but there was a thing you put a vase on.   I said  “I will take that.”  There was a second one and I said to the stage hand, how much will it be to deliver it to my house?  And he said, “Oh, no.  It’s free.  Your the only one who gave us Christmas presents.”  That was nice.

Photo Credit: MF Soaps Inc.

If another network soap came calling, would you jump at the chance to do a role on daytime drama at this point in your careers?

MARTHA:   Listen, we are actors!   When the phone rings you pick it up, and you go to work.  I’m doing a play in New York right now, because I love what I do.  That’s in our DNA.  It doesn’t go away.

ELLEN:  You say, “yes” to every job, and if there is a ever a job like we had on ATWT that can be recreated, you say, “Yes, absolutely.  I will do it!”

For more on CBS Daytime’s 30 years at number one celebration, The Paley Center For Media in Beverly Hills, California now through November 27th continues to feature an interactive exhibit of one-of-a kind memorabilia and original set pieces from some of the most popular daytime shows of the last thirty years.  This special exhibit honors CBS’s five current shows—The Price Is Right, Let’s Make a Deal, The Young and the Restless, The Bold and the Beautiful, and The Talk—as well as legacy programs, including As the World Turns and Guiding Light.

So, what did you think of Martha, Ellen, Elizabeth and Colleen’s thoughts on their time with ATWT, being at this televisied reunion with each other and their memories and mementos of their time in Oakdale?  What soap opera would you like to see these four ladies on now?  Share your thoughts in the comment section below, and let us know if you miss ATWT!

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Thank you VERY MUCH for this interview. I enjoyed it a lot.

Now, why haven’t any of the remaining soaps hired any of these experiences actresses?? They know what they are doing and they surely have fans who would not otherwise turn on the soap??

They would not be hard to cast: Elizabeth Hubbard as Dina Abbott on Y&R; Colleen Zenk as an age-appropriate romantic partner for Eric on B&B ……….

Hi Barbara, I totally agree with you. Sadly, the soaps are too focused on youth, with a few exceptions and with the shoestring budgets they now have in place, these great actresses would probably be priced out of roles.

Liz Hubbard-Dina Abbot-Y&R…Martha Byrne-Sarah Webber-GH…Ellen Dolan-Sandy Horton-GH and love interest for Roman…Colleen Zenk…Derricks overprotective mom-Days… who helps Derrick keep Sonny and Paul apart!!!

Yes, Jim that’s what I said about 3 weeks ago on this site. They need to hire Elizabeth Hubbard as Dina Abbott.

After six years I still say shame on CBS for canceling these great actors in favor of the cheap empty talk shows. I wish all these talented ladies lots of new roles. They deserve to be working a lot.

Thank you for continuing the interview, four minutes just couldn’t do them justice. ATWTforever

Funny..people claim to boycott abc for cancelling their soaps but not cbs…

Amen to you Jim, totally agree with your comment.

Jim I have never once turned on the talk for that exact reason. ATWTs was my fav show. What replaced it is dead to me. I never forget. or forgive.
These were four of my favorites . the EP who ended the show made me hate him forever. Lily and Craig with imposters playing them for no reason. never forget, never forgive.

Actually, ATWT was number 1 rated soap from 1958 – 1978 – that’s 20 years at the top.

I think all my children knocked it off the top when cliff and Nina were in full swing.

Kelly Hensley (aka Emily) is a powerful actress and would be a excellent addition to Y&R for Jack Abbott to give Phyllis a run for her man. Or put her with Dollar Bill on the Bold & Beautiful because Brook s/b with the arrogant Ridge Forrester.
Colleen Zenk can be a powerful billionaire who will get under Victor’s womanizer skin and give Niki something to wine about again.
Ellen Dolan (aka Margo) can be Paul newest detective on the force since Dillon is leaving Y&R soon and bring Margo husband Tom Hughes as Y&R needs another lawyer or DA.
All of the above-mentioned actors/actress will be great. Any roll they play. Hopefully some one will pick them up.

I was never a fan it always overshadowed GL which was a better show completely but I’m glad CBS is showing stuff like this maybe they have realized what a mistake they made. I miss GL terribly.

Man do I miss Guiding Light, Reva the slut from Springfield was a wonderful character. Y&R need to call Kim Zimmer and hire the lady. she can act. Peter Bergman needs Reva Shayne LOL.

It was so awesome and yet so sad to see these ladies from ATWT—I met Liz and Colleen at a fan club gathering in Manhattan the year before the show left the airwaves. I had so much fun with them that day and I never forgot how gracious they were to me even though I was so tongue-tied. All I could say to Liz was that I had loved her almost all of my life and how I had been watching her since she was Dr. Althea Davis on “The Doctors”. When I met Colleen, she just kept poking a finger at me because I was just so star-struck with her. she was so beautiful and I got to talk to her along with my partner who told her that her then-husband Mark Pinter would make a great Craig. She told us that she had been after them for years to do that. Anyway, I loved seeing these 4 ladies again and even moreso, it was great to see how beautiful they still are!!!

I hope the exhibit at the Paley comes to the Museum of Television and Radio in NYC

LOVED seeing them on ‘The Talk’! Miss them and their former co-stars so much! What a wonderful opportunity to see them and get an update on their lives.

We may be a smaller community, but we are loyal and vocal. I, for one, would love to see more of this type of thing happen on TV. Lord, knows, they should never have cancelled the show!

What a small segment on the very show (The Talk) that replaced As The World Turns. CBS made a mistake but will never admit to it. Colleen Zink is absolutely beautiful! Her story was sad but a miracle. God answers prayer! Too little time with the GL actors too. Miss them any day that I am at home in the afternoon.

Oh how I miss ATWT!!! I’d watch any of these ladies on anything. I recently saw Scott Holmes in a play. He was fabulous!!

I was heartsick when ATWT was cancelled. Would ❤❤❤ for it to come back! Wish these four ladies were on Bold and Beautiful. Elizabeth Hubbard and John McCook would be a power couple. I can just imagine the storylines between Hubbard and “Quin Fuller.”

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.

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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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