The final episode of NBC daytime drama Another World, set in the fictional town of Bay City, aired 15 years ago today (June 25, 1999).Another World, created by Irna Phillips and William J. Bell, launched on May 4, 1964. At the time of its cancellation, the show was NBC's longest-running daytime drama (now surpassed by Days of our Lives).
Another World was the first soap opera to air in an hour format daily (1975) and later in a 90-minute format (1979-1980). The show reached its highest ratings and critical success in the 1970s with Paul Rauch serving as executive producer, and Harding Lemay as head writer.
Despite many producer and writer changes over the years, Another World maintained that something special--a blend of good stories, humor and class. The finale was not necessarily indicative of the show as a whole or even its final months or years, but the heart displayed by the characters was pure Another World.
As the final episode opened, Cass (Stephen Schnetzer) was abducted from his wedding to Lila by Carolyn, a gorilla he had often visited at the zoo. At first, Lila (Lisa Peluso) was enraged that everyone but she knew about her fiance's "relationship" with this primate, but soon she was concerned solely about Cass's safety.
