As The Soaps Turn

By CBSNews.com staff CBSNews.com staff

June 28, 1999 / 1:51 PM EDT / CBS

After 35 years of steamy romances, mysterious reincarnations and deadly entanglements, one of television's longest-running soap operas has closed up shop. The final episode of Another World aired Friday.

And while Another World may have ended its run, four of Bay City's most famous citizens will live on in Oakdale. Soon you'll be able to see them on As The World Turns on CBS.

Jake McKinnon and his wife, Vicky, will arrive this Wednesday, followed next week by Cass Winthrop and his new bride, Lila.

Tom Eplin, who plays Jake, and Stephen Schnetzer, better known as Cass, talked about the transition with CBS This Morning's Thalia Assuras.

"I think Tommy's future here is more stable than mine and during this transition with the new executive producer and head writer, they have to determine how to proceed, how to respect the As The World Turns cast and so it is not quite as definite for me," said Schnetzer.

He explained, "The week of July 5th, I'm on for a few episodes and we'll see where it goes from there."

"It is a small business," said Eplin, "and the people that are writing and the powers that be on the new show that we're going to, As The World Turns, they're familiar with our characters. It is not like they're going to have any problem incorporating us."

Part of the reason they will be on CBS is because Another World is over, but also because the soap world is changing.

Eplin said, "They keep saying that the soap world is going to a younger demographic and audiences are getting smaller. The network we're coming from - they're banking on that. CBS is successful with their shows, catering to the audience that watches."