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.
The sad thing about ATWTs, it’s being even morning interesting to watch as if they are not going off the air. But they are and its sad. I will just stop watching tv after the Bold and the Beautiful. ATWTs storyline has been awesome. I will miss this show.
I am so sad and very mad to. I love as the world turns and i have watched it since i was a teen i am now 44. I loved all the characters good and bad. Well thank god that the show is able to be seen on line. I guess that I will watch the reruns on line. Specially around the holidays thats when atwt really got emotinal for me. Well I guess now for me I will just watch yr and bb.
I have watched this soap since I was 14 years old. I have enjoyed it more than words can say. I watched it with my mom, who is now gone, and my sister. The memories that were kindled with today’s episode brought tears to my eyes. The writing and acting on this show are better than any other soap. I think it was the time of day that hurt the ratings. I wish all involved with this soap the best. I wish I had the power to keep you going. Love
I agree with every comment that has been given. I can’t believe CBS chose ATWT’s to cancel when I can’t bear to watch the other soaps on CBS. The writing is ridiculous and the acting and the characters are flat. If what they are keeping on day time is any indication of what is to come, I think I’m going to stop watching CBS all together. ATWT was the best acting on Day time.
Jeez, I started watching ATWT with my Grandmother, when I was 7…so, yes 54 years ago!! I almost cried when they cancelled Guiding Light, and WHAT?? replaced it with yet ANOTHER Doctor show. Now, ATWT is leaving and being replaced with a GAME SHOW??? I’m so sick of game shows and if they put on another reality show, I’m gonna SCREAM! Just like America, though, forget about the old, this land is only for the young! I will continue to watch The Young and the Restless, but I stopped watching The Bold and the Beautiful years ago when they started… Read more »
My wife is devstated! We are retired and religiously watch what I call “Around the World in 80 Days”. Sorry! This will upset our daily routine if it doesn’t come back. I agree with the others, the actors our great and keep us totally interested each day. The end will leave us with a big gap for the day. Bold & Beautiful is ok but it gets boring.
Thanks for listening, Gene & Joan Z
We will help get it back if we can?
IT IS A SAD DAY FOR ALL OF THE 60 KIDS. ATWT WAS OUR WAY OF HOLDING ON TO OLD TV BUT THEY HAVE TAKING ALL OUR GREW UP STORIES OFF. I JUST FOUND OUT ATWT WAS TO BE PUT TO REST, IT IS SO SAD. A LOT OF US ARE SICK OF REALTY SHOWS, TALK SHOWS ETC SAVE OUR PAST. DON’T DO IT
So, I am about to get very authenic and real…So please be forewarned. I have watched CBS soaps since the age of 4. So, seeing GL and ATWT end has been very traumatic. One may ask…Why? Fictional characters. Plots. NOT REAL. Let me tell you why…These characters are my family. I have watched the transitions they have endured. Losses encountered. Trials and tribulations. For the majority of my life, they have been my family. And suddenly I am told my family does not matter. Here I go on my soap box. GL was the LONGEST running series. Didn’t matter. Get… Read more »
I SO agree with you and I hope CBS will notice when more than 2 million loyal viewers are no longer watching during the two hours that ATWT and GL aired. I can’t change the channel fast enough when “Let’s Make a Deal” comes on. Unfortunately, I think the networks are just more concerned about how cheaply they can fill the spots. Scripted dramas with good actors, writers and multiple sets don’t meet the “bottom line” criteria. ATWT and GL were the only two programs that I have been loyal to on any network in any time slot, so their… Read more »
I am so upset and sad that I won’t have the best soap opera to watch anymore. I was so hoping to see it continue on another network. Because CBS is making a hugh mistake, & replacing it with another talk show …. I’ve had enough of talk shows and reality shows. I have watched ATWT since high school in the 60’s I have been a devoted watcher. The characters are so great and well played. Don’t let it go , please continue to try & find another station. Because I won’t be watching CBS in the afternoons come Sept.
I am so upset that you are taking my weekday friends away from me. I have religiously watched for over 50 years. It is the highlight of my day. My mother and aunts talked about the characters were their friends as well. I don’t know what your reasoning would be to take it off the air. The story line is always entertaining. I feel like it is going to be a death of so many friends. Shame on you.
I am very sad and upset that “As the World Turns” is going off the air. I feel CBS is really making a big mistake! This beloved soap as been almost a staple in my life since 1960. I can remember running home after school at 3:30 to watch it with my mom. I have four daughters that have watched with me, and as married women they continued to watch with their daughters. It is really a sad day when all we will have to pick from on network TV are talk shows and game shows, “BORING.” For many years… Read more »
I’m very disappointed that this great show is being taken off –
no “chat” show for me – enough is enough!
I still am in denial. I cannot believe ATWT is ending. I hope they wrap up the story lines and not leave us hanging. Or what I really hope is another channel will pick this up and yes I am sure many will follow.
I would watch it definitely. It is the only soap that was ever worth watching and has been a part of my life since I was young. The actors are amazing and the stories were good. I am in total shock still—- that of all the shows out there this one – the best one is the one that is cancelled. Needless to say, CBS and whoever else wouldn’t know quality if it hit them. I don’t want to knock the remaining soaps but honestly they just don’t hold my interest or attention. I wish only the best to the… Read more »
All the characters were top-notch actors, unlike Bold and the Beautiful. I used to watch it and got so tired of Ridge, Stephanie, Eric, etc. the same old characters and no new story line. Why did they stay and ATWT got taken off? I will be in mourning for a long time. What will I do at 1:00? I loved Jack, Carly, Barbara, Paul, of course, cute Henry-loved that Henry. I do too, hope CBS wont’ put on yet another game show. I will not watch CBS again if they do.