Last December, CBS announced that yet another venerable soap opera had been cancelled. After 54 years on the air, As the World Turns was winding down. As a treat for fans, the producers have been inviting some familiar faces from years gone by to return, like Julianne Moore, Larry Bryggman, Jennifer Landon, Jesse Soffer, Cady McClain, and Mary Beth Evans.
There was talk about the daytime drama possibly continuing elsewhere but it seems that won’t be happening. Yesterday, the cast and crew of As the World Turns taped their 13,858th and last episode in Brooklyn.
In a statement to EW, Brian T. Cahill, senior VP and managing director of TeleNext Media Inc., said, “Last December, when CBS informed us that they were canceling As the World Turns, we immediately launched a far-reaching search to find a new outlet for the show.”
He continued, “We have aggressively pursued network and cable outlets as well as syndication options, and have explored many innovative formats and relationships that we hoped would ultimately enable the future success of As the World Turns. Regrettably, we have not found an outlet or platform that will carry the show forward. This is an extremely disappointing outcome to what was a tireless and exhaustive pursuit.”
Cahill concluded, “While we are sad to see As the World Turns come to an end, we remain proud of the achievements the show has made over the last 54 years and are extremely grateful to the loyal fans who invited us into their homes every day. There is still much in store for the show’s well-loved characters throughout the summer, and although the show will go off the air in September, the remaining stories will honor the remarkable history of As the World Turns.”
What do you think? Are your surprised that the soap won’t be finding a new home? Would you follow the characters if they returned in another form — like books, audio dramas, or web shorts?
Image courtesy CBS.
I am so sorry there was not another network to pick up the show! This show has been a part of my daily television viewing for 40 years! I will miss Oakdale & it’s characters just like missing members of my own family! This soap opera cast was awesome and added joy to their viewers over the years! My grandmother use to listen to it when it was a radio show before coming to television. Thank you cast & crew of ATWT, your dedication to putting on an excellent show week after week for over 50 years is greatly appreciated!… Read more »
Very dissappointed with CBS.
Do they care that millions look forward to this show every day.
I am considering boycotting CBS and the show’s sponsors.
CBS is getting as crazy as our government and the president! When CBS cancelled Guiding Light; I was heartbroken. When I heard they were now cancelling As the World Turns, I was incredulous! I understand ratings; having spent 34 years in radio; however, I have a felling it was more about Proctor and Gamble not wanting to sponsor the show anymore. If so, that was pretty stupid on their part. A huge portion of the audiences of both shows are “baby boomers”, born after 1947. Who do you think has the disposable income to spend? Not your 18-24 year olds,… Read more »
This is breaking my heart,I have watched this show from the beganning.I will not watch what ever is taking its place.I do hope to see some of the actors on another CBS show.Good luck to all and will miss you more than you know.Rusty
I am VERY disappointed that CBS is taking ATWT off the air. I didn’t like it when they
canceled GL. I had watched the four afternoon soaps since 1981. My DVR is set to
record all four of them, that way if I go out, it will be there to watch when I return.
I LEAST like Bold & Beautiful – why didn’t they cancel that???? ATWT & Y & R
are my favorites. Guess they will cancel Y & R next.
I do NOT watch the game show they put on there.
Yes I would I would be so very happy if the show was keep on TV it’s so sad that the networks and all don’t care about there viewers. And just wondering what kind of junk are they going to replace this long running good show with.
I think cbs should have ask the viewers before cancelling these GL and AtWT, What other shows last this many years? I understand that the senior/vp’s wife Julie chen just happens to have a new show starting on cbs. How could that have happened? People who watch the soap operas do not want another show with his wife or anyone else. We will see how long these fillers last during the day. You have taken a guaranteed program to put on What????? cbs maybe you need other executives calling the shots. Have you ever thought about that? NBC, ABC here… Read more »
I am very angry yet another of the shows i watch on cbs is being cancelled. I was torn when cbs cancelled gl. I am cancelling my local channels from my dish service and will strongly incourge everyone i know to do the same . CBS has gone down hill . There is no reason for me to keep this channel in my home.
They are holding rally’s across the nation and still signing petitions. Does not hurt to try to do something. If you go on facebook and look for saveoursoaps 2010 or look for Tami King it will give you updates and people to write and email & about the rally’s. It also has where they have media all over this for the last day ATWT airs. Everyone counts to help. I send 10 emails a day. I know it is a long shot but worth keeping ATWT I know this show has been near and dear to 58 of my family… Read more »
I can’t believe that they are ending ATWT I have watched since I was a kid. Now it is coming to an end.. So sad and the way that it is ending is heartbreaking. Wish that it would stay on for many more years to come….
I am 69 years old, have watched ATWT since its beginning, and have known many of the characters longer than I have known most everyone in my life including my husband of 46 years. I was a math professor for many years but taped the show so that I could keep track of everyone. It will be somewhat like a death in the family not being able watch. I am very disappointed that you have not found another outlet for the show and hope that you do not quite trying.
First they canceled Guiding Light (and replaced it with a STUPID game show), now ATWT, probably to be replaced by another STUPID game show or talk show… This is why I hardly ever watch CBS anymore. General Hospital, anyone? Half of the actors from GL have moved there!
I am so sad and angry! I can’t believe they are cancelling such an iconic show. I have watched it since I was a little girl in the ’70’s with my grandmother. I too feel like I know these people and I will the show terribly! This is insane! How can that stupid show Let’s Make A Deal get better ratings? I can’t change the channel fast enough. Good soaps are all that CBS has going 4 them! Oh and if a soap has to go, axe The Bold and the Boring.! That is the stupiest show ever! Please save… Read more »
life just won’t be the same without “as the world turns”….surely someone will greatly benefit by picking them up as CBS discards them…it would certainly be a smart move…why doesn’t someone pick them up for a night-time drama…they would certainly be the winners in the ratings compared to the ridiculous shows that are currently running on all networks…and I am certain that I am not the only person who feels this way…it’s CBS’s loss…come on people…keep AS THE WORLD TURNS ALIVE AND WELL.
I don’t even know the words to describe my feelings at the loss of, in my opinion, the best Soap ever. The character’s were introduced to me in the early 60’s by my Mom. I loved watching it with her before reaching school age. I feel like they are my extended family and can’t believe I won’t be seeing them anymore. I was under the impression that P & G was responsible for this. i knew nothing of the petition to save it or I would have rode that band wagon to the end. I will never forget and forever… Read more »