As the World Turns Canceled after 54 years
CBS has decided that “As the World Turns” will no longer air on the network after 54 years. Chris Goutman, the executive producer, said that the soap opera has remained dedicated to entertaining fans with compelling stories for more than 5 decades, and they are saddened and disappointed that the show will not be renewed. It will be a loss for everyone involved in the making of the show, he added, as well as for loyal viewers.
Barbara Bloom, the CBC senior vice president for daytime programing, said that it’s hard to say so-long to a series that has been running this long and has been close to their hearts. The records will show that “As the World Turns” was a pioneer of the format for quality, a daytime ratings powerhouse, and a launching pad for numerous television and film stars, she added.
CBS has set the series to cease airing next year in September, which will also mark a remarkable television record. Helen Wagner, who plays the part of Nancy Hughes on the show, spoke the first line for the premiere of the show in 1956. She has also played the longest-running character in the history of television. Other cast members that were featured on the show, but later became Hollywood stars, include Parker Posey, Marisa Tomei, Meg Ryan, James Earl Jones and Julianne Moore.
This show also made other achievements, being among the top-rated shows of the 1960s, and in 1988, they introduced the first gay male character, Hank Eliot, on daytime television in the US. However, in 1993, the show’s ratings slipped from 6.5 million to just 2.5 million. Plus, its cancellation comes after “Guiding Light” was cut by CBS earlier this year. The show ran for 72 years and was the longest running television and radio soap opera.
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