‘As the World Turns’ Ending Its 54-Year Run   by James Parks, Dec 20, 2009

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Maura West and Michael Park star in the daytime drama “As The World Turns.”

For more than 50 years, millions of fans have followed the lives of the residents of the fictional town of Oakdale, Ill., on the CBS soap opera “As The World Turns.” But now the trail-blazing show is about to fade to black. The network announced last week the show will end its 54-year run next September. At the time of its final broadcast, the program will have aired for more than five decades and 13,000 episodes.

On the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA) website, union Vice President Holter Graham praised the show and its cast, saying:

Fifty-four years. Thirteen and a half presidencies. Every episode of “Law and Order,” twice, with room left over to spare. In the ever-changing, dog-eat-dog, flavor-of-the-month world of television, a 54-year run is a huge achievement.

I proudly salute the many talented AFTRA members who brought life, drama and passion to the fictional town of Oakdale, Ill. Since its brave debut as a live show in 1956, “As the World Turns” has entertained generations of viewers and provided employment and benefits to thousands.

Graham says AFTRA will work to ensure that the cast members are prepared for the transition into the next phase of their careers. He adds:

And in these final months, AFTRA members will work with as much respect and professionalism as they always have, so that “As the World Turns” ends its run with the same high level of craft, skill and dedication to its fans that people have come to expect from this lion of daytime dramas.

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