AS THE SET TURNS

Paul Hickey...who has been nominated for an Emmy 13 times, retired last year after 28 years with the CBS daytime drama As the World Turns.

Hickey told his audience of about 50 Society members and guests of the long working days required to produce the dramas, popularly known as "soaps." He said the actors, producers, directors arrive on the sets every weekday as early as 6:30 a.m. for make-up, rehearsal and live taping, and stay until at least 6 p.m.

"We are on the air 52 weeks a year," he said, "so that requires a lot of hours of live, perfectly taped shows."

Hickey said that the shows often reflect an extravagant lifestyle, "with perfectly coifed actors, elegantly dressed sets and perfect flower arrangements."

More from behind the scenes in Oakdale, here.