Another venerable soap opera has fallen. CBS has announced that they’re cancelling As the World Turns after 54 years on the air.
In the wake of the cancellation of Guiding Light earlier this year, the soap’s cancellation doesn’t come as a big surprise. Like Guiding Light, World has been struggling in the ratings for some time. Both shows were produced by Proctor & Gamble (via TeleNext Media) and, for the first time in more than 75 years, the company will be out of the soap opera business.
World’s viewership is about half of that of The Young & the Restless. Ultimately the success of Light’s replacement, the new Let’s Make a Deal, is what may have sealed the soap’s fate. Deal is attracting more viewers, provides a better lead-in for The Price Is Right, and is much cheaper. There’s no word yet on what will replace World but it will likely be another game show.
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Eileen Fulton, who’s played Lisa Grimaldi on the soap for 50 years, said, “It’s a hell of a Christmas present… I’m just very sad. I’m sad for all of the people who work out there in Brooklyn (where the show’s filmed). We’re a family. I hate to be split up. It’s like a divorce.”
World executive producer, Chris Goutman, said, “Throughout our history, As The World Turns has remained dedicated to sharing compelling stories that have entertained fans for more than five decades… We are disappointed and saddened by the news that the show is not being renewed. It will certainly be a loss for all of us, and for the show’s loyal audience.”
Brian Cahill, the senior vice president and managing director of TeleNext, says that the company is actively seeking a new home for the show. The same was said when Light was cancelled but another outlet wasn’t found and it ended in September. NBC was able to keep Passions alive for an extra season by making a deal with DirecTV.
Production will continue on World with the final episode set for September 2010. That will give the writers plenty of time to wrap up storylines should the sun be finally setting on the characters of Oakdale, Illinois.
What do you think? Why do you think World has been cancelled? Do you think that it will find a new home?
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I want as the world turns on the television every day!
I like As the World Turns. All the better shows are going off the stations. The not so interested show are staying on. WHY IS THAT? I also liked the Guiding Light.
Well!!! that the way it is…
Eva–
I no longer watch CBS!!!!!! I listened to Guiding light on radio with my grandmother, and the on TV, and watched ATWT’s from day one till the end.
The only world turning for cbs is moonvies wife she turns his head and i hope it comes off!! I watched this soap with my grandmother and my mother. No game show or wife blabby talk will ever be apart of my tv viewing . I am choosing a network who give us our soaps!
when is tv going to include the male gender for morning programing like education…..or a trade show ,learn something you horses asses
i love this show!!! i’ve watched it for aleast 30 years and i’m very, very sad and mad it ended… i want to find a way to get the show back on, the only thing i like to watch during the day. well i record it every day but when i get home from work i watch it, its a great show!!!
As the World Turns and Guiding Light were my favorite shows on CBS. I’ve watched them faithfully for many years. If I wasn’t going to be home during the day I would set the recorder to watch them. What a mistake letting these shows go. Too bad!
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