VW and CK; AW's Angels
AJ
Victoria-
I just wanted to thank you for all the years of strength you had provided for Another World. On the day of the last show, I called off work and spent the afternoon crying with all my favorite "friends" of Bay City. That was the last time I watched Daytime television. Losing Another World was like losing family. You had been playing Rachael since I could remember. When I was little, my Mom and I would curl up on the couch and watch Another World. Those were special times with my Mom and when I moved away, we'd still talk about the show on the phone together. When the show ended, Mom taped it for me and sent it out to me. She enclosed a note with the video, telling me how she cried because she lost some of her best friends when the show stopped. Now, months later, I still recall your "family" and all the residents of Bay City with love and thank you for being a second family to my Mother and Me. Your Rachael reminds me a lot of my mother. She always put family before herself and at any cost to herself. Thank you for so many memories. Thank you for the laughs, the tears, for being a part of my world.
AJ
Tina Amlin
CK and VW have touched my life by allowing me the privilege of watching and enjoying their work, together or apart. I like them together a lot more though. To me they have also shown what loyalty is and faith, in that they stayed true to themselves and their fans when TPTB started to shut down AW and gave every Carl/Rachel fans a heart attack. I stand and applaud them both.
I have been an Another World Fan since 1980 when as a child. I would sit and watch with my mom. It was a hit and miss because of school until CK came back full time in 93 and I fell in love with Carl and Rachel when they were in NY. I remember becoming hooked on AW when Rachel was in Canada looking for Mac after they believed that he had died in a plane crash and after that every opportunity I had from school I made sure I was home for AW. Once the Carl and Rachel started the VCR never missed an episode of AW till June 25th 1999. I still like re-watching the scenes of Carl and Rachel when they were courting in N. And forgive me but I still have to laugh when Charles said Victoria instead of Rachel when Carl kissed Rachel for the 1st time on New Years Eve 93/94, and Victoria's look of surprise was great too. I also get tears in my eyes whenever I watch the last scene of AW too.
I got the chance to meet them this past year when the came to Tupelo Miss. for an Expo. They were great, funny and wonderful and should they ever get close to Texas again, I will be there. I enjoyed the bits and pieces of their shows that they presented that day and one day hope to see all of them in their entirety.
Laureen
I enjoyed watching Carl and Rachael, from the time when he was holding her hostage to the time they fell in love in New York, and beyond! It amazes me with all the things that happened between them, they could work through all that, and actually fall in love! It shows that anything is possible. They were a bright spot in my evening, I watched Another World every night before retiring. It always made the end of my day perfect. Thank you for years of enjoyment.
Rosie Badgett
When people pass through our lives, whether it be in real life, a TV show, movie or in a book I always try to keep some small part of them in my heart. You can learn and grow so much as a person if only you take the time to care.
Victoria and Charles, the first time I saw you come together on AW the sparks just flew! Rachel hated poor Carl (I didn't know why at the time) but it was wonderful to see him finally win her heart. It was magnificent work and great entertainment.
Because of you, I started exploring poetry once more, something I hadn't done since High School! Thank you for introducing me to e. e. cummings!
I truly believe everything happens for a reason and I know God made sure I ended up in a place where your paths would cross mine.
May the New Year bring us all (or some of} our hopes and dreams. I look forward to seeing both of you again on 'stage' in the near future. Be well.
Rosie Badgett
PS-Charles, you were a fabulous Zeus! Did you know that the last person to play that part was Roy Dotrice?
Sweetgab...Geri
I watched AW for at least 30 years. It was a special time of day for me that always took me away from my everyday problems. I have loved Rachel from the first. She always portrayed what I wanted to be in life... a caring and considerate person. One who would stand up for her friends and family no matter what. She had a great love, understanding and compassion for people. I am sure in real life as well. She also loved and stood by Carl when no one else would. I am so sad that AW is no longer on the air but have met some wonderful friend because of it. Would love to see it come back.
Love, Geri
Ted
The last episode of Another World played on June 25, 1999, and to long-time viewers short-time viewers and even curiosity seekers of that fateful, final broadcast the ending scene was tearful and heart-felt. As Carl and Rachel Hutchins entered the Cory Mansion after attending Cass and Lila's wedding, a wave of emotion filled us all as we knew that this was THE END. Carl retired to bed, and we were treated to Rachel viewing a variety of family portraits, which invoked many memories of the finest soap opera in television history. The very last scene as our beloved matriarch leaves the room was an image of her late husband, Mackenzie "Mac" Cory, making a toast... and stays with us as a fitting salute to this wonderful program. Victoria, Charles and the entire cast, both past and present, are to be commended for their years of dedication and talent.
Chase
Vicky and Charles brought many years of high drama and enjoyment to my home, and I truly very much miss both of them. I remember Vicky in her debut when she replaced Robin Strasser in the role of Rachel. Watching Rachel mature and become a Real Lady of Stature and the way She demonstrated Her love of Family and Friends were always highly remarkable. When Charles first arrived as Carl (the person we all loved to hate), Charles never let us down in his acting the part of a villain. To watch the chemistry between Rachel and Carl was so magical. These two Loving People not only demonstrated love and compassion on the screen, but they display it in everything they do. The characters of Rachel and Carl could only be sincerely portrayed by the extremely wonderfully talented Vicky and Charles. I wish You, Vicky and Charles, and all of the cast and crew and fans of "Another World" a Season--filled with much love and many very nice surprises
Love,
Chase
Roger-
Victoria especially changed my life by giving me a constant that lasted the whole 35 years. I started watching when my mother called me to sit beside her and visit This World, of course, this was before Victoria but Victoria is the Rachel I remember and I always looked forwarded to each episode that I could catch, until VCRs and then I hardly missed a one. Charles as Hutchins was the man I loved to hate and then I loved when he turned "good" and married Rachel instead of trying to kill her, LOL! They have both changed my life along with Another World by leaving an empty space that can never be filled no other story can take it's place. I miss the world so....
Lorraine-
I started watching Another World back in 1965, during summer vacation but was never home to give it my full attention. My Mother was, and she gave it all of hers, everyday. She even started my sister-in-law watching it! My Mom passed away Feb. 11, 1986 and I was so lonely and unhappy because of that, but then one of my brothers and his wife asked me to come and stay awhile with them and their four kids. Now they live in the same town as me but I had also taken three weeks bereavement leave from work and didn't like being alone, so if it wasn't for them, I don't know what I'd do.... Anyway, every weeknight, after dinner, EVERYONE would gather in the living room and watch what had been taped from that days show...my brother Bob, my sister-in-law Camby, the kids Bobby, Tina, Jason, Nick and me.... All throughout watching the show, we'd constantly take turns saying, "If Mom knew about this she'd be upset or thrilled or she'd cry or she'd laugh." We attached ourselves to the show and the power it had to keep our Mother close to us even in the weeks following her death. Well, after three weeks, I went back to my house but I bought a VCR and started taping the show and I watched it everyday until June 25, 1999. Having Another World there helped not only me but also Bob, Camby and the kids get through my Mom's passing... I will always be grateful.
Lori-
I'm timid in doing this, putting my thoughts of Rachel and Carl and thus Victoria Wyndham and Charles Keating down on paper. I don't have an easy place to begin.
The beginning would be appropriate but I don't remember when I saw Rachel for the first time. I have vague memories of her and Iris fighting and vague memories of her pregnancy with Matthew. But I know I saw the show long before this, I just have no clear memories. The same goes for Carl, fragments but no whole parts. I wish I could remember them when the writing was above par and the stories worth telling. I would love to remember those days when these two great actors were allowed to shine. But I don't.
What I do have is memories of two fine actors and characters that changed my life. I wasn't a full time Another World watcher until November of 1996. I was hit and miss. I'd skim other soaps but AW was always home. And in 1996 I returned home. A lot of bad things had happened in my life that year and in need of the comfort of familiarity I returned to an old friend, AW. It was shortly after Rachel had thrown Carl out and I was immediately hooked. Victoria was playing the role to hilt. The anguish of Rachel's decision to remove Carl from her life spoke in every move Victoria made as Rachel. I think I cried when she left Thanksgiving Dinner over her pain.
And then I figured out Rachel was pregnant long before they ever let us in on the secret. I was fascinated. Being a biologist who loved genetics I was hoping the powers that be would allow for a story that would reflect and educate on the matter of mature pregnancy. Didn't happen but I was still enthralled. Rachel and Carl were the sole reason I was watching the show. I had to watch everyday just for a glimpse into their lives.
During this time period I had started writing Victoria on her fan forum. It was so neat being able to talk to her in some way. I could tell her my likes and dislikes and what made me laugh and what made me cry. Victoria always answered cheerfully whatever I had asked about. Never had I dreamed of encountering such devotion from a celebrity for the fan base. Through the good times on the show and through the bad times, Victoria always took the time to communicate. She is truly a class act.
In August of 1997 I was able to meet Victoria and Charles at a stage production of their 2-man show "Couplets." This was a dream come true for me. Charles can melt butter with his voice. I'd get so enraptured by the sound of it I'd forget to listen to what he was saying.
The years have gone by and sadly I lost something very important to me along the way. Another World is gone but I won't forget. As long as I remember the people of Bay City live on. Rachel and Carl came down the stairs the next morning, drank orange juice and talked of the Grubs over breakfast. Life goes on in Bay City and so does ours.
Rachel and Carl will always be now and forever in my heart but less so than the two beings that gave them voice, body and soul. It is through Victoria Wyndham and Charles Keating that these two characters lived and it is because of them that I will have these memories to cling to. Thank you for the memories.