As the World Turns Rocks Daytime T.V

As the World Turns has been on air since 1956, when it debuted as the first ever half-hour daytime soap. Now it's just as edgy and groundbreaking as it was then. Its sets and characters make this the best soap on television. I've never watched another soap opera that pulled me into the story lines and captivated me like this one does.

Set in Oakdale, Illinois, As the World Turns revolves around three primary families - the Snyders, Ryans, and Hughes. Main characters, such as Maddie and Dusty- who aren't a part of one of these families- are usually is deeply involved with one of them. Though there are the usual daytime soap storylines, such as the ever popular "who's the daddy?" and kidnappings, As the World Turns has made history by introducing the first gay character to daytime television in 1988 and then in 2007 airing the first kiss between gay characters.[source:Wikipedia] One actress on As the World Turns, Helen Wagner, holds the record for "longest running-character played by one person on television ever". [source:Wikipedia] She plays the matriarch, Nancy Hughes. Helen has lasted on the show long enough to see her character's first great-great grandchild live and die. Though she's not seen regularly now, she does still pop up now and then. I joined her fan base sometime around 1985.

Today the show focuses many of its storylines on the younger characters. But they don't get off easily. Gwen had a baby with Casey Hughes, and later had to give the up because it was revealed her real baby died and the one for whom she was caring belonged to someone else. Luke Snyder finally came out to his parents which caused Lily, his mother, to freak out and try to "fix him". Will Munson (Ryan) buried his sister, Jennifer, and later his father, Hal (whose portrayer died), after he'd married Gwen (both were teens). And last summer the kids went to the lake for to celebrate their senior year of high school and many of their classmates were massacred. Maddie's sister was revealed to be the killer. These storylines have nudged each teen a little closer to maturity and have added some much needed life to the show. With future changes coming, As the World Turns may be making history again.

The show is currently in a ratings slump, but its future looks promising. Recently CBS announced that production of the show is going to change. Instead of three walled sets and stationary cameras, they're going to use outdoor and four walled sets with cameramen using hand-held digital cameras. The producers are hoping to lure younger audiences by imitating MTV's reality-TV programming. It's already starting to make the transition, as more and more of the scenes are shot outdoors. As the World Turns has always been able to weather the changing tastes of television viewers and this type of filming proves they're doing it again. There's no doubt in my mind that it'll be around when my grandchildren start watching soaps.

I think this soap reigns supreme because of the ability of the actors and crew to bring the best out of everyone. It never fails to draw me in and I never find myself thinking "This could never happen in real life". The writers take real life situations and make them compelling while the actors pour every ounce of talent they have into their roles. I have laughed, cried, and shouted while watching As the World Turns. I wouldn't have it any other way.