Actress Helen Wagner of As the world Turns has died

[disneyboy20022]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100503/ap_ ... len_wagner


She was 91 years old....

[Escapay]

The woman is a LEGEND in daytime. Everyone could rely on Nancy to always be there whenever they had a problem. And to lose her AND "As the World Turns" in the same year, just heartbreaking. I had always hoped that the last line of the series could be spoken by Nancy, and be a direct reflection of the very first. Instead of "Good morning, dear" to her husband, she would break the fourth wall, look directly at the camera, and say "Good night, dear" to the viewers.

The show wraps production in a month, and I hope they'll be able to incorporate a tribute montage (or preferably a tribute episode) to her that can air before September.

albert

[PatrickvD]

The woman is a LEGEND in daytime. Everyone could rely on Nancy to always be there whenever they had a problem. And to lose her AND "As the World Turns" in the same year, just heartbreaking. I had always hoped that the last line of the series could be spoken by Nancy, and be a direct reflection of the very first. Instead of "Good morning, dear" to her husband, she would break the fourth wall, look directly at the camera, and say "Good night, dear" to the viewers.

I had almost the exact idea for the final episode.

It's sad to see her go. At least she was on recently with Julianne Moore which was nice. I wonder what they had in mind for her with the ending in sight. The final scripts have already been written.

Still, ATWT had gotten really bad the last 3 years, so it's no wonder they've been cancelled. To me, it started going downhill when they replaced Martha Byrne. As if any other actress could play Lily. Horrible casting choice.

for now, RIP Helen Wagner.

[Escapay]

Still, ATWT had gotten really bad the last 3 years, so it's no wonder they've been cancelled.

It's quite ironic that the show started sinking once they let Hogan Sheffer go. Nail number 1 in the coffin, if you ask me.

To me, it started going downhill when they replaced Martha Byrne. As if any other actress could play Lily. Horrible casting choice.

Actually, Byrne was the second actor to play Lily (the first, Lucy Deakins, was only in the role for a year). After Byrne left the first time, Heather Rattray took on the role for a few years, and IIRC, was moderately popular in the role (in that she was accepted as a recast, but still never *the* Lily). When Byrne expressed interest in returning, they fired Rattray and got her back. But Martha Byrne definitely is the definitive Lily. She owned that role just as much as many other daytime divas. It'd be like recasting Erica Kane on "All My Children" or Laura Spencer on "General Hospital" (but given how little interest GH had in Laura, it's no surprise why Genie Francis left).

In Noelle Beck's defense, she is a good actor, just not as Lily. She had a hugely-popular tenure on "Loving" as Trisha Alden, followed by a short time on the short-lived "Central Park West", before seemingly disappearing until ATWT. It's great watching her acting again, but again, not as Lily. I personally wish they'd have just let Lily leave the show with Martha. Have her suddenly decide to visit Sierra or something. Then bring in Noelle Beck anyway as some other role. Maybe a recast Ellie Snyder. Can't have too many Snyders.

albert

[PatrickvD]

To me, it started going downhill when they replaced Martha Byrne. As if any other actress could play Lily. Horrible casting choice.

Actually, Byrne was the second actor to play Lily (the first, Lucy Deakins, was only in the role for a year). After Byrne left the first time, Heather Rattray took on the role for a few years, and IIRC, was moderately popular in the role (in that she was accepted as a recast, but still never *the* Lily). When Byrne expressed interest in returning, they fired Rattray and got her back. But Martha Byrne definitely is the definitive Lily. She owned that role just as much as many other daytime divas. It'd be like recasting Erica Kane on "All My Children" or Laura Spencer on "General Hospital" (but given how little interest GH had in Laura, it's no surprise why Genie Francis left).

In Noelle Beck's defense, she is a good actor, just not as Lily. She had a hugely-popular tenure on "Loving" as Trisha Alden, followed by a short time on the short-lived "Central Park West", before seemingly disappearing until ATWT. It's great watching her acting again, but again, not as Lily. I personally wish they'd have just let Lily leave the show with Martha. Have her suddenly decide to visit Sierra or something. Then bring in Noelle Beck anyway as some other role. Maybe a recast Ellie Snyder. Can't have too many Snyders.

oh I agree. I know Byrne isn't the original Lily either, but she is indeed the definitive. I particularly enjoyed the way she portrayed Rose and Lily simultaneously. After a while, it was almost as if there really were two different actresses playing these parts. Killing off Rose was also a BIG mistake. She was incredibly entertaining. I mean, does anyone care about Meg or Janet? or Noah? anyone? The writing was completely disconnected from what audiences wanted to see. Yet it goes on and on about Meg and Paul. YAWN.

and yes, they shouldn't have fired Hogan Sheffer. Jean whatever-her-name is an awful head writer.