The TV Watercooler

As The World Turns: Goodnight


As The World Turns
aired its final episode last week, after its 54-year run on CBS. Like many, I turned into ATWT sometime after the cancellation of Another World and was there for the final golden era which featured Martha Byrne’s double role as Lily and Rose, the CarJack phenomenon, Nuke and the many loves of Katie’s life (Simon, Mike, Henry, Jack, Brad and Chris). Also like many, I tuned out a few years ago when the writing became more and more atrocious and backstage politics forced out Byrne. I did tune back in for “must see” moments this past year, like Brad’s death last fall and Julianne Moore’s special return as Frannie in April. I tuned back in around the time of Helen Wagner’s tribute episode after her character, Nancy (who had been on the series since the first episode), passed away and realized that although the writing declined, the performers on this soap always gave it their best – it was truly fitting that Kathryn Hayes and Don Hastings appeared in the show’s final scenes as Bob and Kim. Although it was gut wrenching that the real Lily didn’t return, some fans were able to take comfort with the fact that Noelle Beck even offered to step down once her contract expired, so that Martha Byrne could return and give Lily fans (as well as Holden & Lily fans) a satisfying end. Although Nuke (Luke and Noah) fans were cheated out of a happy ending, the CarJack fans finally got what they wanted during the finale week – Carly (Maura West) and Jack (Michael Park) finally got re-married and found out they were expecting.

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