Nov 1978 Lynda Hirsch
“As the World Turns” might as well be renamed “As the Cast Changes,” as several cast members and characters have recently left the venerable CBS soap.
Ed Kemmer, who has played lawyer Dick Martin on and off for the last 10 years, is off again.
William Johnston, who once portrayed the Shadow on the famous radio series, departed with his character, Judge Lowell, not too long ago. In the storyline the Judge has decided to look over some New England property he owns; the business trip will be a permanent one.
In recent weeks, the evil charmer Nick Conway played by Doug Travis, dropped out suddenly when his plan to murder his wife backfired and he met his own deadly but Just reward.
Then, Michael Nader, playing Kevin Jameson the past few years, was replaced by Max Brown While Michael will miss the show, he has a lucrative modeling career to fall back on. Max Brown had once filled in for Mike when he was ailing. This new assignment on “As the World Turns” is Max’s first major serial role, but viewers will recognize him from dozens of national commercials.
Also, Dorothy Blackburn, who had been brought in to substitute for the ailing Ethel Remey, has left the program.
There are even more departures. After longstanding’ tenure as head writers of “As the WorlTurns," Ethel Sommer and Robert Soderberg have been replaced The husband and-wife team were let go by the producers for what is termed “irreconcilable differences.” Insiders claim those differences arose when producers demanded a more youthful look for the show, with contemporary storylines to match. Eugenie Hunt and Ralph Ellis, who have - helped with the show’s scripting chores for quite some time, take over as head writers beginning Monday. As for the Soderbergs, don’t be surprised if they turn up on another soap. You can expect even more changes for “As the World Turns" in the coming months
Kemmer, Travis were no great loss.
If Johnstone wanted to retire, Judge Lowell should have been given a proper send off.
And maybe Alma should have been killed off. That would have given Lisa a poignant story and be a nice tribute to that character.
In 79, Susan and Sandy and Dan were dropped. The show needed a housecleaning, but the new characters like Doug and Marcia were not the answer.
By
Paul Raven ·
