Coming Home to As the World Turns

I recently started watching As the World Turns again after a ten year hiatus. My very intelligent and learned soap friend, Phil, who has been watching soaps longer than even moi, has for almost a year been pressuring Marlena to tune back in. Phil insists that ATWT is the one soap that is still all about relationships and family ties, the rare soap in which the older, veteran characters still actively take part in the show's storylines. Says Phil: "Marlena, you have to watch ATWT. This is the one show in which characters actually listen to each other."

Well, I've tuned back in and it's apparent right away that the characters on this show maintain a remarkable intensity with each other. They do this via serious writing and direction which seems to be more even than on other soaps. But most of all, the show works because of the consistency of the acting. Unlike on other soaps, the entire cast seems to be working on the same plane. I'm very impressed especially by the young actors, each of whom seems to be reaching for the same high bar. Executive producer Christopher Goutman (I remember him when he was very young as Mark D'Antoni on Search for Tomorrow and Sharkey on Edge of Night) seems to be a real leader, and does a very strong and meticulous job pulling all aspects of his show together.

But if you haven't watched ATWT in a long time, you really do need a scorecard to tell all the hordes of young characters apart. A group of the kids are somehow half-brothers or sisters, the children of mothers (pick one) Margo/Barbara/Emily/Carly, by fathers b(pick one) Tom/Hal/Jack, and on and on. Even after watching the show for a few weeks I can't help but feel the gigantic hole in the canvas left by the loss of Hal, father to many kids. The late Benjamin Hendrickson created a deeply human character, flawed, yet full of love, wisdom and passion. An extraordinary actor who is not replaceable! Speaking of, what ever happened to acting legend Larry Bryggman (John Dixon)?

I actually like the kids on this show because unlike other soaps, where the teens are off in their own worlds, the kids here are all ages and realistic, fully integrated into their families through everyday life. Whoever is writing this must have kids at home. I love Lily's daughter Faith (who is coping with an eating disorder at a very young age) even more because I remember Lily first coming onto the show when she was just a couple of years older than Faith is now. I love the way Jack so responsibly cares for his (and Carly's) kids now that she has flown the coup. As I write this I'm watching an incredibly well-acted and harrowing episode, "hooker" Emily has just been roughed up and nearly raped by an evil "john" named Eliot, and she's being taken care of tenderly by her mom Susan. I remember Susan taking care of the problematic Emily 20, 25 years ago!

Through the generations, family is always there for you on ATWT.

I know I'm late to this party, but I'm just absolutely knocked out by Jennifer Landon (Gwen). What a titanic talent! Wow! Last year's Emmy winner, she can do five emotional levels at once without uttering a word. She's so natural as singer Gwen. Gwen's perpetual facial expression of douleur (that means sadness in French, mon chers) just fascinates me. And her mom Iris is just so fresh she cracks me up. I watched her a full week before I realized she was played by one of my favorites, Terri Garber, who played Allison Linden on Texas.

Certainly I will continue watching ATWT and will write more about its stories, too. I already can begin to see some of the show's problems. Paul having visions? Oy! Also, I was just going to write a rant about Craig. Jeffrey Meek (who I remember most unfondly as Quinn McCleary on Search for Tomorrow) and who plays Craig as a cartoon villain, is just not the multi-dimensional Craig we used to know. But news has just come in that the divine Scotty Bryce, who originated the role in 1982, is coming back! How we soap magazine editors swooned over his talent back then! Bryce is such a wonderfully multi-faceted actor; the character should spring back to believability and appeal instantly.

I have also read online that some long term viewers are having problems with the show's current headwriter, Jean Passanante. And there other complaints about plot. But during the last few weeks I've watched ATWT, I found that the show really soothed my hurt feelings regarding how crazy and unsatisfying so many soaps have become of late. How truly great it is (thanks, Phil) that I can go home again to a richly crafted, mostly traditional soap opera, As the World Turns.

Marlena DeLacroix is the creation and nom de plume of Connie Passalacqua Hayman. She has written about soaps for 25 years for Newsday, United Features Syndicate, USA Today and Soap Opera Weekly. She was the editor of Afternoon TV magazine from 1980 to 1983. She can be reached at [email protected].

I agree with her... while ATWT has its problems, it maintains something that all other soaps (save B& have lost. When did it become definite that Bryce was taking over as Craig though?

Her French is horrible, lol!

It's boggling to think how different this review would have been if she'd watched January, instead of February's episodes. And if she'd seen Landon's first year, instead of this shell Gwen has become.

I am amazed she bothered to even do a ATWT article though. She usually slurps GH or Y&R.

It's not as bad as some make it out to be. But this show could be 10x better than it is right now.

Yeah. Family's still key. But what about the brats? When will they ever be whipped into shape? And what about Luke? We never see him interacting with Lily/Lucinda/Faith except maybe two or three times a month. Heck, Emma has been letting people fight in her kitchen, have sex on her tables, etc. for months!! She's nowhere to be seen!! And Lisa? We hardly ever see her except when it comes to Crash business.

I do miss John. I wish Larry Bryggman would return. I certainly do.

I, too, agree, though, when she says that Scott is a true talent. I have a feeling that all this ranting and raving about "Craig" will come to an end when SB returns. Yes, they might write Craig poorly over in TPTB's offices....but SB is one of those actors that can make any line sound captivating!!

Edited March 5, 200718 yr by Actor87

Interesting take.... is she watching the same show?

IMO ATWT is the worse its been in years. Jean P. has successfully ruined yet another show.

Keep up the great work Wild Jean!

Interesting take.... is she watching the same show?

IMO ATWT is the worse its been in years. Jean P. has successfully ruined yet another show.

Keep up the great work Wild Jean!

I agree. I don't even see the "improvement" others have mentioned recently. If anything, I think ATWT just keeps getting worse (except for the return of Scott Bryce as Craig).

I agree with her... while ATWT has its problems, it maintains something that all other soaps (save B& have lost. When did it become definite that Bryce was taking over as Craig though?

Her French is horrible, lol!

It is in the spoiler thread. SOD is reporting it as true.

Can you please post the Link? I LOVE Marlena (used to adore her SOW column- my fave of all-time was titled "Our Miss Brooke" and was all about the psychoses of Brooke Logan when she was attempting to seduce Thorne Forrester) so I'd LOVE to catch up on all of her comments. I think her blog could probably use the hits too.

Anyhow, FANTASTIC column. Especially enjoyed the premise of it- that our Miss Marlena hasn't really watched ATWT in a decade so her view is completely fresh and untainted, unlike someone who'd been watching the past years. She makes a lot of good points and interesting that she comes to the defense of Passnante......

Can you please post the Link? I LOVE Marlena (used to adore her SOW column- my fave of all-time was titled "Our Miss Brooke" and was all about the psychoses of Brooke Logan when she was attempting to seduce Thorne Forrester) so I'd LOVE to catch up on all of her comments. I think her blog could probably use the hits too.

Anyhow, FANTASTIC column. Especially enjoyed the premise of it- that our Miss Marlena hasn't really watched ATWT in a decade so her view is completely fresh and untainted, unlike someone who'd been watching the past years. She makes a lot of good points and interesting that she comes to the defense of Passnante......

http://blogs.mediavillage.com/savoring_soaps/

THANKS Chris L! By the way, who is that in your avatar?

Hey Juniorz1,

(off topic) ~ that's actor Bryan Kirkwood in my avatar. Check him out as "Jake" in "the first gay horror flick" - HELLBENT! He's awesome.

Edited March 6, 200718 yr by ChrisL