Despite their shrinking numbers on network television, more and more companies are realizing the importance of the soap opera genre. With All My Children and One Life to Live headed to the Internet, there is now word that more recently ended soaps could find their way to new audiences in a streaming online format.
But before that, As the World Turns fans will have a chance to capitalize on the renewed interest in all things soap. A collection of 20 classic episodes of As the World Turns on a 4-DVD set has been been released to allow fans to relive the memorable weddings, the secrets and scandals, and many of the show's most entertainment moments.
Here is a listing of the episodes available on the DVD set, now on sale for just $19.95.
Disc 1: Great Weddings
There were over 100 weddings during the 54 year course of As the World Turns. Presented here are five fan favorites, including the "Carjack" episode, starring Maura West and Michael Park, and the "Steve and Betsy" episode, featuring a young Meg Ryan, which was the highest-rated episode in the history of the series.
Episode 1: Tom Hughes Marries Margo Montgomery (June 1, 1983)
Episode 2: Steve Andropolous Marries Betsy Stewart (May 31, 1984)
Episode 3: Bob Hughes marries Kim Andropolous (April 12, 1985)
Episode 4: Holden Snyder Marries Lily Walsh (January 12, 1998)
Episode 5: Jack Snyder Marries Carly Tenney (July 3, 2003)
Disc 2: Secrets and Scandals
As the World Turns was not shy about provocative topics. Some of its most interesting and best-written episodes dealt with deceptions, betrayals, and moral choices with far-reaching consequences.
Episode 1: Bob and Dana Face the Music (September 29, 1979)
Episode 2: Lily Learns a Shattering Truth (June 24, 1987)
Episode 3: Something About Carly (August 2, 1999)
Episode 4. The Explosive Truth (June 18, 2001).
Episode 5 . Luke Comes Out (May 9, 2006)
Disc 3: Oakdale Through the Years
Some of the most entertaining episodes of the series revolved around celebrations or occasions where the cast would gather and nostalgically reminisce about the past. Three of these, referred to as the "Anniversary Shows", were full of great flashbacks and guest appearances. This disc also contains the movingly-written Christmas 2009 episode, and the landmark "Bob and Kim Hughes 25th Wedding Anniversary" episode.
Episode 1. The 30th Anniversary Show ( April 2, 1986)
Episode 2: The 40th Anniversary Show ( April 2, 1996)
Episode 3: The 50th Anniversary Show (April 3, 2006)
Episode 4. Christmas at the Snyder Farm ( December 25, 2009)
Episode 5. Bob and Kim Hughes' 25th Anniversary (April 5, 2010)
Disc 4: Villains and Vixens
No collection of episodes from As the World Turns would be complete without revisiting some of its most famous schemers and seducers. Included on this disc are episodes featuring classic villains James Stenbeck (Anthony Herrera) and John Dixon (Emmy winner Larry Bryggman). Also appearing are three of the most powerful and fascinating female characters in the history of the series: Lisa Grimaldi (Emmy Lifetime Achievement Award winner Eileen Fulton), Lucinda Walsh (Emmy winner Elizabeth Hubbard), and Barbara Ryan (Emmy nominee Colleen Zenk).
Episode 1: John Dixon Takes a Fall (May 14, 1981)
Episode 2: The Return of James Stenbeck (November 7, 1986)
Episode 3: When Villain Meets Vixen (March 20, 1987)
Episode 4: Humiliation (April 15, 1996)
Episode 5: The Trials of Barbara Ryan (July 22, 2002)
