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'As the World Turns' Canceled
by Michael Maloney, posted Dec 8th 2009 1:19PM
Soap fans just got an early lump of coal in their stockings, as CBS has canceled TV's longest-running sudser 'As the World Turns.' The beloved American icon will air its final broadcast in September 2010.
"It is extremely difficult to say good-bye to a long-running series that's been close to our hearts for so long," said Barbara Bloom, Senior Vice President, Daytime Programming in a statement released by CBS. "The almanacs will show 'As the World Turns' as a pioneer of the format, a hallmark for quality with its numerous Emmys, the launch pad for many television and film stars and a daytime ratings powerhouse for parts of three decades."
The show has been averaging 2.5 million viewers this year, according to CBS.
Soap fans just got an early lump of coal in their stockings, as CBS has canceled TV's longest-running sudser 'As the World Turns.' The beloved American icon will air its final broadcast in September 2010.
"It is extremely difficult to say good-bye to a long-running series that's been close to our hearts for so long," said Barbara Bloom, Senior Vice President, Daytime Programming in a statement released by CBS. "The almanacs will show 'As the World Turns' as a pioneer of the format, a hallmark for quality with its numerous Emmys, the launch pad for many television and film stars and a daytime ratings powerhouse for parts of three decades."
The show has been averaging 2.5 million viewers this year, according to CBS.
The Irna Phillips-created drama premiered on April 1, 1956 and launched the careers of Julianne Moore, Meg Ryan, and Parker Posey, just to name a few. The show has also won multiple Daytime Emmys for Outstanding Drama Series, most recently in 2003.
The daily drama has been written over the years by famed soap scribes Agnes Nixon, William J. Bell, Bridget and Jerome Dobson and Douglas Marland. The show has been responsible for many of soaps' most dramatic moments and storylines including the Kim/Bob/Susan triangle, the antics of Lisa Miller, John Dixon walking in on his own murder trial, the introduction of the 'have-not' Snyder clan, victim Barbara Ryan turning into the town bitch, the Doug Cummings murder trial, Margo's HIV rape, and, recently, the Brad/Katie love story. Suffice to say there will be a major absence in drama after this world stops turning.
Is this the end-all for 'As the World Turns'? Well, not exactly. It's possible that the show could still find a new home. "We are proactively seeking a new outlet to carry the show, and are open to exploring innovative formats and relationships that will enable the future success of ATWT," said Brian T. Cahill, Senior Vice President and Managing Director, TeleNext Media, Inc.
Tell us: Will you miss 'As the World Turns?'
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