Quick Takes: March of the moderates

“The Daily Show” host Jon Stewart plans to host a “million moderate march” in Washington — for people who think “that the loudest voices shouldn’t be the only ones that get heard” — but faux political nemesis Stephen Colbert will be nearby to keep fear alive against those “dark, optimistic forces.”

Colbert, host of “The Colbert Report,” and his Comedy Central compatriot hope to hold political rallies on the National Mall Oct. 30, just before the November elections.

The rallies take aim at extremists from the political fringes. Stewart said they will give voice to about 70% to 80% of Americans who aren’t heard in daily political discourse.

Stewart and Colbert have filed a single application for a permit to host 25,000 people on the Washington Monument grounds, National Park Service spokesman Bill Line said Friday. It hasn’t been approved yet.

—Associated Press

‘World’ takes

its final turn

“As the World Turns,” TV’s oldest daytime drama, aired its final episode Friday, concluding a run that began in April 1956.

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.

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

“Good night,” he said 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.

On Oct. 18, CBS will fill the slot “World” occupied with “The Talk,” a daily chat show whose hosts include Julie Chen and Sharon Osbourne.

—Associated Press

Cohen to star

in Mercury film

“Borat” star Sacha Baron Cohen has been signed to star in a movie about flamboyant rock star Freddie Mercury, producers in London said Friday.

Peter Morgan, who wrote “The Queen,” is working on a screenplay about the frontman of the band Queen, who died of AIDS-related causes in 1991. The as-yet-untitled film will climax with Queen’s barnstorming appearance at the 1985 Live Aid concert in London.

The announcement was made by GK Films.

—Associated Press

Dillingham to leave post

Charles Dillingham, who has served as managing director of Los Angeles’ Center Theatre Group for nearly 20 years, will be stepping down in June 2011, the company said Friday.

As one of the top executives of L.A.’s largest theater company, Dillingham has been responsible for overseeing CTG’s finances, marketing and administrative activities.

“We’re a very big company, and it’s a very big job,” Dillingham said in an interview. “There always comes a time when one feels it’s the right moment to let someone else do that.”

Dillingham, 68, who lives in Pasadena, said that he plans to devote his time to consulting and volunteer work.

—David Ng