Soap opera fans fired up over tepid gay romance
Last Updated: Sunday, March 2, 2008 | 4:26 PM ET
CBC News
A romance between two men on the CBS soap opera As the World Turns has inspired a campaign by viewers demanding the show's producers allow the characters to kiss again.
Fans say they are bewildered as to why the fictional romance between Luke Snyder and Noah Mayer (played by actors Van Hansis and Jake Silbermann) hasn't culminated in an onscreen smooch since the two characters started their relationship last September, which marked that last time they kissed.
'If they were not going to follow through with it, they shouldn't have started it.'—Soap fan Theresa Webber
"We totally support this show and applaud the show for doing this storyline," said Roger Newcomb, from suburban New York and the man behind the campaign.
"We just don't understand why they have to be censored or treated differently."
Along with Newcomb, fans have started a letter-writing campaign, posted an online petition as well as a website that counts the days, hours, minutes and seconds since Luke and Noah last locked lips.
Fans are puzzled because the 52-year-old soap series is known for its groundbreaking ways — featuring the first gay male character in daytime drama in 1988.
Last August, it hit another milestone, showing two gay men kissing on a soap. They did it a second time in September, at a time Noah was still grappling with his sexuality.
Hugs, no kisses on Valentine's
Around Christmas, the two men proclaimed their love for one another, but as they were about to kiss, the camera panned up to mistletoe.
"I've been watching soaps for decades," Newcomb said, "and that doesn't happen."
Valentine's Day featured fantasy sequences involving several of the show's couples with all the stories ending in a smooch, with the exception of Luke and Noah, who hugged.
The soap is owned, produced and written by Procter & Gamble Productions Inc., a subsidiary of the conglomerate that makes Crest, Pampers and Mr. Clean. While CBS executives consult on the series, the creative direction is set by P&G.
Jeannie Tharrington, spokeswoman for Procter & Gamble Productions, says there's no ban on kissing, but would not divulge what might happen in the future.
"It's always hard to please a diverse audience," Tharrington said. "And we have a diverse audience."
Boston fan Theresa Webber doesn't buy that argument.
"It's 2008. It's something that's real. If they were not going to follow through with it, they shouldn't have started it," she contends.
Share Tools
FILM REVIEW: Men in Black 3 by Eli Glasner May. 25, 2012 11:40 AM Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones are back in the action sequel Men in Black 3, a third instalment of a series now 15 years old. Though new addition Josh Brolin manages some amazing mimicry as a younger version of Jones, the story doesn't measure up to the weird and wonderful charms of the original, says film reviewer Eli Glasner.
Top News Headlines
- Teen struck by lightning in Ottawa dies
- The victim of a Friday lightning strike during a storm in east Ottawa has died, CBC News has learned. more »
- 32 Syrian children die in artillery attack, says UN
- More than 90 people have been killed by regime forces in a district of central Syria, with the head of the UN team in the country confirming at least 32 children and 60 adults were killed the attack. more »
- Missing Winnipeg children found in Mexico, organization says
- Two Winnipeg children reported missing and possibly in Mexico have been found alive, according to unofficial reports from an agency that works to find missing people. more »
- Everest team unable to bring down Toronto woman's body
- Bad weather has hampered the recovery team that is attempting to bring down the body of a Toronto woman who died trying to climb Mt. Everest. more »
Latest Arts & Entertainment News Headlines
- Seniors float above Montreal's Quartier Latin
- In Montreal this weekend, an unusual performance series will have seniors indulging in their favourite hobbies, but perched on chairs suspended five metres above the ground. more »
- Modern and traditional art scores at Joyner auction
- Both traditional and modern works fared well at Joyner Waddington's spring art auction in Toronto, with buyers snapping up lots by Group of Seven members as well as more contemporary artists. more »
- Prophetic Cosmopolis premieres at Cannes
- David Cronenberg says he didn't anticipate the Occupy Wall Street movement as he prepared to shoot Cosmopolis, his new film which made its world premiere Friday at the Cannes Film Festival in southern France. more »
- Jennifer Egan's newest story debuts on Twitter
- The latest short story from Pulitzer-winning writer Jennifer Egan is emerging 140 characters at a time via Twitter. more »
Q Blog
Toni Morrison on her two selves May. 25, 2012 5:57 PM Jian speaks with the celebrated African American author and academic about her two conflicting selves, and her new novel, Home.
CBC Books
Talking about war May. 25, 2012 4:57 PM The public conversation around war has always been complex and thorny. How does Canada's military approach differ from that of other countries? Are we a society of peacekeepers or warriors? These are some of the questions that Noah Richler explores in his new book What We Talk About When We Talk About War.
- Pope's butler arrested in Vatican leaks scandal
- Everest team unable to bring down Toronto woman's body
- Aylmer triple stabbing leads to first-degree murder charges
- Tornado touchdown confirmed near Montreal
- Woman's remains found in hockey bag on Cape Breton river
- B.C. premier unhappy with disgraced Mountie's transfer
- Everest victim's husband says family not seeking government help
- The risks and responsibilities of taking on Mt. Everest
- Teen struck by lightning in Ottawa dies
