NEW YORK – It’s the last go-round for “As the World Turns.”

TV’s oldest daytime drama aired its final episode Friday, concluding a run that began in April 1956.

Additional Photos

In this 1983 photo released by CBS, Meg Ryan, as Betsy Stewart Montgomery, is shown with Scott Bryce, as Craig Montgomery, in a scene from “As the World Turns.” The Associated Press

Russell Brand ASSOCIATED PRESS

Paris Hilton

Always full of emotional turmoil, “World” was set in the mythical town of Oakdale, Ill., where there was no shortage of couplings, heartbreak, double-dealing and hairpin plot twists.

CBS announced in December that it was pulling the plug on the New York-based show, which ranked at the bottom of the ratings among network soaps. It wrapped production in June.

Big events last week included Jack (Michael Park) remarrying oft-wed Carly (Maura West). Janet (Julie Pinson) gave birth to her ex-husband Jack’s son. Then a DNA test revealed the father of the child was really Janet’s betrothed, Dusty (Grayson McCouch). And — more joyous news — Carly learned she was pregnant with Jack’s child.

“I think things turned out exactly the way they were supposed to,” Janet said.

Friday’s finale found Dr. Bob Hughes (played for a half-century by Don Hastings) in a reflective mood as he prepared to retire at day’s end as head of Oakdale Memorial Hospital.

“I was just thinking about this place,” he mused — “how many patients I’ve taken care of here, some of them from their first breath (dramatic pause) to their last.”

“Good night,” said Dr. Bob at the close of the hour, as he doused the lights of his office and took his leave. On his desk, an illuminated globe was seen spinning at the poignant fade-out.

Brand charged with battery after altercation

LOS ANGELES – Russell Brand has been arrested following an altercation with a photographer.

The 35-year-old British actor-comedian was taken into custody Friday at Los Angeles International Airport for a misdemeanor charge of simple battery, police said.

Brand was released Friday on his own recognizance, Los Angeles Airport Police spokeswoman Belinda Nettles said.

A video of the alleged attack involving the two-time MTV Video Music Awards host and “Get Him to the Greek” star was posted on TMZ, that occurred as he and his fiancee, Katy Perry, entered the terminal.

Hilton gets year of probation

LAS VEGAS – Paris Hilton will serve a year of probation and avoid a felony conviction under the terms of a plea deal worked out with prosecutors following her arrest on drug charges in Las Vegas, Clark County District Attorney David Roger said Friday.

Roger said the celebrity socialite has agreed to plead guilty Monday in Las Vegas Justice Court to two misdemeanors stemming from the Aug. 27 arrest.

Hilton, 29, was arrested inside the Wynn resort, after police say a small plastic bag containing 0.8 grams of cocaine fell out of her Chanel purse as she reached for a tube of lip balm in front of a police lieutenant.

A plea agreement obtained by the Las Vegas Review-Journal shows Hilton will plead guilty to drug possession and obstructing an officer.

Hilton will serve a year of probation, the newspaper reported. She also must complete a drug abuse program, pay a $2,000 fine and serve 200 hours of community service.

Lohan admits she failed drug test

LOS ANGELES – Lindsay Lohan has confirmed on her Twitter page that she failed a court-ordered drug and alcohol screening, and she said that if asked, she is ready to appear before the judge in her case and face the consequences for her actions.

In a series of messages posted late Friday, the actress said “Regrettably, I did in fact fail my most recent drug test.”

She also said, “Substance abuse is a disease, which unfortunately doesn’t go away over night. I am working hard to overcome it.”

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