As the World Turns Rocks Daytime T.V

Since 1956

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.