(SOAP Q) From Nuke to WilSon: The History of U.S. Daytime Gay Soap Kisses Part ONE!!

August 17th marks the fifth anniversary of a landmark moment on U.S. daytime TV, as well as gay pop culture. It was on that day, on the CBS soap opera As The World Turns, that closeted, insecure television intern Noah Mayer let his guard down, and allowed fellow intern (and proudly out) Luke Snyder to ... help him tie his tie.

SOAP Q: No Emmy Nod for Luke?

It’s a bit of a shock to learn that Van Hansis, who did some of his finest work as Luke Snyder during the final months of As the World Turns, decided not to enter himself into the Daytime Emmy race.

Anyway, the LukeandReid blog broke the news and Van has explained his decision via Facebook:

SOAP Q: Jake Silbermann leaves Noah behind as producer-writer-star of new indie flick “The Stuffer”

I’m a big fan of the We Love Soaps site for many reasons, one of which is that they snag really cool interviews with some of my favorite actors from the world of daytime soaps.

Editor Roger Newcomb recently chatted with As the World Turns alum Jake Silbermann not about the past, but about the future.

The young actor who was Noah to Van Hansis’s Luke for so many years has completed a short film called Stuffer. It’s about a female Sgt. who returns from the front lines of Afghanistan to her husband and daughter for fear that they will foreclose on their home. But she is coming home with a secret: She is smuggling heroin.

Jake acts in the film for which he wrote the script and was a producer on the project. It is currently being submitted to various film festivals around the country. Jake explains how the film came to be and what fans can expect from the project and also talks about what he’s learned from this experience.

“I’ve learned a lot,” he tells We Love Soaps. “I’ve learned that I like my voice as a writer. I want to continue doing that. I found it just as rewarding to be behind the camera working, helping in whatever way I could as a writer or producer, to help form a scene. It’s really gratifying to see the whole story take shape. I’ve learned how important a script supervisor is. In the production I wore different hats, as a producer, a writer and an actor. I found them each in their own way just as gratifying and just as interesting. I want to do them all.”

SOAP Q: World Turns writer talks to AfterElton about the controversial ending to RUKE!

It’s been nearly a week since As the World Turns ended its 54 year run on CBS and the residents of Oakdale faded to black.

While many fans were satisfied with the endings for their favorite characters – all of them happy it seems – fans of gay couple Luke Snyder and Reid Oliver did not get that happy ending with Reid being killed off a few weeks before the finale.

Even fans of Luke (Van Hansis) and his ex-boyfriend Noah (Jake Silbermann) did not get a happy ending there as Noah left for LA at Luke’s insistence. So Luke is left in Oakdale alone, vowing to oversee a new hospital wing being built in honor of Reid (Eric Sheffer Stevens).

There has been backlash against how the story played out, backlash fueled by the fact that it seemed to fit into a stereotype that often has gay characters end up dead or alone.

ATWT co-head writer Jean Passanante spoke with AfterElton about the characters and how things ended. She says things would have turned out far differently for Luke and Reid had the show not been canceled.

“Because I love the character of Reid, I knew that our audience loved the character of Reid. I love the actor, and certainly if the show went on, he would have stayed on and on and on.”

Passanante also wants fans to know that they didn’t make the decision to kill Reid lightly and never meant to hurt viewers: “Never ever ever crossing anyone’s mind was ‘Oh thank God, let’s get rid of the gay guy before he can have a really great relationship with Luke.’ It just couldn’t be further from the truth. We had a great couple there and we knew it. We were killing ourselves that the show was coming to an end because let me tell you, I would have loved to have written the hell out of that thing for you. Really.”

“So it wasn’t something we set out to do to annihilate the gay guy, and people must know that. If it did add to a media stereotype, of course that’s horrible and I do feel terrible about that, but that was certainly never the intention. I do think we got a great story out of him and he became kind of a heroic character.”

She also points out the Reid wasn’t the only gay character on the show: “We haven’t killed off … I mean, we have three gay characters on the show and one of them died, so I don’t think we can be blamed for killing off the gay characters because we don’t know what to do with them. We certainly have the sense that Luke will go on and he’s proudly gay and openly out and everything else, and that Noah is as well, and that their lives will continue and perhaps intersect.”

Okay, she explained Reid’s death. But what about the ludicrous fact that two young and attractive men like Reid and Luke, obviously hot for each other, never had sex?

“All I will say is that if you think that was a decision that we made just all by ourselves because we thought that was the right way to do it, you know, there are obviously pressure on us and that’s just how it is. I don’t mean to sound so defensive – but of course, I would have liked that, too! And if we had more time I would have been able to get to a point where they were having an active and happy sex life. But as it was, it was all kind of curtailed.”

Asked what those pressures were and if they came from the show’s producers Procter & Gamble, Passanante says only “Well, you know, I won’t go into that. But I think it would be naive of any reader of your site to think that we just go off and do whatever we want. It’s a television show, you know?”

SOAP Q: Will Luke hookup with Chris (Off-screen)?

Van Hansis, the gifted actor who played Luke up until the end, shared his thoughts with Soap Opera Weekly about the final two episodes which had him saying goodbye – for now – to Noah – then flash-forwarding a month and paying a visit to Chris who has the beating heart of Reid.

“Luke is forced to choose Luke instead of choosing somebody else,” Van says. “I think it’s important for Luke to do that, for him to come into his own. And I think it’s going to be up to the audience to interpret if Luke and Noah get back together down the road or not. It’s left up in the air. And I also think that they couldn’t kill off Reid and then have Luke run to Noah because that would be very, very detrimental to the character.”

Of Luke’s final scene with Chris and Katie Van says: “It’s sad but I hope that even though it’s not a happy ending, there’s something in it that really connects.”

Later in the interview, he jokes that in soap opera land, anything is possible and that if the show were to continue, “maybe in a couple of weeks they’ll realize that Reid wasn’t actually dead and he had two hearts or something.”

Either that or Chris will suddenly develop feelings for Luke and not understand why: “Daniel Cosgrove (Chris) and I were joking about that because Luke’s last scene is actually really beautiful as he listens to Reid’s heart in Chris’s chest. And right before we were about to shoot it, Danny was like, ‘What if Chris just all of a sudden starts checking out Luke, and Katie’s sitting there [clueless]? That’s funny. That would be a good soap twist.”

SOAP Q: Pass the tissues! NUKE'S Goodbye!

Well, this final scene between Luke (Van Hansis) and Noah (Jake Silbermann) which aired yesterday, I have no complaints about. It is so moving, so wonderful, and the writers have given both actors a wonderful scene in which to say goodbye.

I’m going to miss them all so much! Pass the tissues, please.


Luke's Final Scene! I was hoping Chris would show some feeling for Luke, but it didn't happen.

SOAP Q: Van Hansis talks to Soap Opera Weekly about RUKE'S end!

In this week's Soap Opera Weekly  is an interview with Van Hansis who, along with his fellow cast members, is having his final week on As the World Turns.

Of Reid’s death Van says: “Of course I would have liked to see Luke happy in the end but I don’t think Luke’s life is going to be terrible from here on out. I think that was has happened is that Luke has come into his own with Reid passing. When we leave Luke, he is at a very sad time in his life, but there’s a strength there because of everything he has to deal with, that he wouldn’t have had otherwise.”

He adds that “even though the character’s going through such awful things, I really, really loved this story. There’s a lot more gravitas than if the story had been, ‘Who does Luke choose: Noah or Reid?” There’s something much deeper in the story that’s being told.”

SOAP Q: Van Hansis talks to SOD about his years as Luke on “World Turns”

How lucky As the World Turns fans have been to have had the role of Luke Snyder in the capable hands of Van Hansis.

We cared so much about Luke not because the storylines (which were sometimes preposterous!) but because Van is such a skilled and appealing actor. He talked to Soap Opera Digest in-depth about his years as Luke, the ending of the show, and about Luke’s great loves Noah and Reid.

“I’m going to miss playing Luke but more than that, I already miss the people,” he says. “A lot of good friendships were made there. It was a really wonderful time in my life.”

Here are some more highlights from the interview:
On Luke’s popularity: “I’m completely honored that this happened for the character and for me. After the coming out episodes and when Luke went a long time without a love interest, I started getting a lot of fan mail like, ‘We want to be with somebody and keep this story going.’ That’s when I realized this could turn into something big. It was a great thing that it did. The only thing I can say, especially to the fans, is thank you so much. I think it’s really wonderful to have people who care so much.”

On Luke and Reid: “I thought everybody loved Luke and Noah! Whenever anybody else came in as a potential third party, they never seemed to get much love from the fans, but people love Reid. Eric [Sheffer Stevens] deserves it; he’s fantastic.”

On his storylines: “I love it when my character goes through the ringer. My favorite storylines have always been the ones that are not the most pleasant for Luke. It’s really cathartic, in a way, to be able to fully express really, really powerful emotions. I love it when I get to go someplace deep and a little bit scary because it’s more fun that way. It’s not safe. … The best part about [Luke's final storyline] is that he finally grows up. He’s always had a bit of childishness and youthfulness about him. That first time when something happens to you, the world is never going to be the same and that’s what happens to Luke.”

On the end of ATWT: “The last day of taping was kind of sad, but it was special. I was in the last episode and so is the majority of the cast, but a lot of focus is on the people who’ve been there the longest – as it should be. It doesn’t wrap everything up in a nice little bow, but I think it gives you a chance to say goodbye to each character.”

SOAP Q: Luke is Stunned by Reid’s death!

If this is the writers way of trying to make sense of the fact that Luke and Reid never had sex (They should have had Hate-sex when they first met!) , forget it. No way these two would not have been all over each other long ago if this storyline resembled the real world in any way. I’m angry that they never got their big love scene the way every straight couple in town gets their love scene.

Anyway, it’s a pity Reid had to die for the annoying Chris Hughes to live. Chris is having a fit because he has Reid’s heart. He should just shut up and live.

SOAP Q: Luke mourns Reid! Will Noah save him?

SOAP Q: Heartbroken Noah expresses his regrets to Luke; Reid tries to save sick and stubborn Chris from himself

SOAP Q: Spoiler Alert! RUKE/NUKE Shocking Finale details!

Executive Producer Chris Goutman tells TV Guide Magazine: “Without giving too much away, I do think NUKE will always have a deep and abiding relationship,” Goutman says. “Reid came along and challenged that love and his presence made NUKE grow up. Their relationship will endure.”

That said, Goutman admits that if ATWT had not been cancelled, RUKE could well have been a couple for the ages. “Their connection was immediate and they are dynamic together,” says the boss. “Soon after Reid’s arrival, we had a lot of diehard NUKE fans suddenly rooting for RUKE. It was the best of what soap opera can be.”

RUKE will not live happily ever after because Reid will not live.

AfterElton.com’s Gays of Our Lives column writes: As for how Reid will die remains to be seen, though the prevailing rumor still seems to be that he’ll be critically injured in a train wreck. Reid’s death will not just affect Luke and Noah, but Reid’s BFF Katie Snyder and her beau Chris Hughes, who is dying of a heart ailment. And if you haven’t guessed that Reid’s heart will be given to Chris (a decision made by Reid himself, we hear) then you haven’t ever watched a soap opera.

It looks like Reid and Luke will consummate their love before Reid’s demise. Actor Eric Sheffer Stevens, a shoo-in for next year’s supporting actor Daytime Emmy, tells TV Guide Canada: It would be great if Luke and Reid could throw caution to the wind. I’m not sure what the reasoning is … Having said that, it is nice that World Turns is building up to that big moment. I think because Reid and Luke know each other very well and they’ve embarked on this beautiful journey together, their first time will be very meaningful. And who knows when the last time was that Reid even had sex!

SOAP Q: Luke contronts Reid!

Dr. Reid is BUSTED by his competiton for Luke by Noah!

Noah saw Reid helping an ailing Chris into a hotel elevator and planted the unfaithful seed into Luke’s pretty little head. Luke is skeptical but after Reid fibs about being at the hospital, Luke wants to know this: “Dammit Reid. Who are you seeing behind my back?” If you don’t trust me Luke, then what the hell are we doing here?”

Remember, They still haven't gone all the way yet!

SOAP Q: NUKE's Final Goodbye?

Noah Mayer is back in Oakdale before heading to LA where he is going to begin his new life as a filmmaker. He meets his old boyfriend, Luke, for coffee and laments how Luke will not be accompanying him out west.

Luke wonders is Noah is only feeling regret because Luke is now dating the dashing Dr. Reid.

Things get more fun though when Noah sees Reid helping an ailing Chris into the hotel elevator and thinks the good doctor is cheating on Luke!

SOAP Q: Van Hansis reflects on the end of NUKE and RUKE!

Van Hansis and Jake Silbermann (Noah) met with fans at an event in Paris recently where they posed for photos and answered questions for their international audience. (AfterElton.com’s Gays of Our Lives column has a full report).

“There have been other people who have tried to come between Luke and Noah and people didn’t seem to care,” Hansis said of the Luke-Reid romance. “Now people care. I think it’s because it’s a real viable option. It’s a great story and will continue to be until the middle of September. … One of the sad things about the show being canceled is that the story would have kept going and going and going and it would have been a really cool thing to see what Eric does with all that stuff and what we would have done with it.”

Hansis gave insight regarding the last day of filming: “The last day was sad. It was nice though. A majority of the cast was on set that day. Whenever someone was done with their scenes because the last day has a lot of people in it, the producer would come out and give a round of applause and the crew would give a round of applause for the actors. It was sad, but it was nice.”

SOAP Q: Dr.. Reid quits his career AND Luke!

Reid chooses his job, Luke is pissed and his mom Lily says: “He’s not very smart for being a brain surgeon.”

Reid decides, after like a 30-second conversation with the roomie, that he made the wrong choice and goes in and tells Bob: ‘I quit.” He goes over to tell Luke who, of course, is talking with Noah so Reid gets the wrong idea and blah, blah, blah, blah, Reid decieds to leave tow. Now What?

ah.

SOAP Q: What happened to NUKE/RUKE this week?

SOAP Q: Luke goes CRAZY over Noah and Dr. Ried!

The episode begins with Luke and Reid still making out.

It goes downhill from there!

Noah, with his eyesight back, has seen them kissing. Luke, thinking Noah just saw shapes and colors, suggests they all go out for a drink. Noah decides not to tell them his sight has returned “until the time is right.”

“Honestly, yeah. I do have feelings for you, I can’t deny that anymore. But I’m in love with Noah.”Reid: “Then it seems to me you have a decision to make, don’t you?”

Reid leaves and an alien overtakes Luke’s body. He sits with Noah, takes his hand and says: “I want you back. … I miss you! I want things to go back to the way they were before everything got so crazy.”

GROOOOAAAAN!!!

Then Noah busts Luke (or the alien Luke): “I know what’s going on! I saw you kiss Dr. Oliver.”Luke: “You can see? … Why didn’t you tell me?”Noah: “I didn’t want to interrupt you and Dr. Oliver. … What I saw looked pretty intense.”

Incredulously, Luke says there is “nothing going on” between he and Reid and that he doesn’t love Reid, he loves Noah.

But he admits that he is attracted to Reid but that they have not slept together. He says he knows he and Noah can get back what they had.

I like what Noah says here: “You really think so? Because I don’t. Look, I’m not going to be your safe choice, your fallback guy. You feel guilty? Good. You should. We’re finished Luke. We’re done.”

Luke then goes to Reid’s for comfort and tells him that he tried to get back together with Noah but that he was rejected. Reid, having the emotional intelligence that Luke suddenly seems to have none of, tells him to go lick his wounds somewhere else.”

“Get out.”

He then shows Luke the door.

I hated this episode because all of a sudden, Noah is the one with all the common sense after being an absolute twit while Luke is beginning to show signs of multiple personality!

SOAP Q: What’s up this week with NUKE and RUKE?

The love-triangle of Luke, Noah, and Dr. Reid will take center stage on Friday’s episode of 'World Turns'.

Both TV Guide Magazine and AfterElton.com’s Gays of Our Lives are providing some of the dirt. Basically, Noah finds out!!!

Poor Noah, who went blind right before Thanksgiving, finally has his vision clear up this week. He’s released from the hospital and his first stop is Luke’s house. He treated his boyfriend like crap for about six months but now he wants to patch it up. But Noah looks through the window and sees his cutie pie ex and his seriously sexy surgeon getting busy inside.

The Luke-Reid kisses are said to be quite hot.

TV Guide Magazine talked to Jake Silbermann, the actor who plays Noah, about the predicament Noah finds himself in: “Sure, the breakup was engineered by Noah, but a doctor hooking up with his patient’s significant other is crossing the line. It’s just too close to home and Noah is furious that this has been going on right under his nose.”

Silbermann reveals that in the June 9 episode of ATWT, Noah punches Dr. Reid in the mouth! Ouch!

Says Silbermann: “I think the guy is deserving of a punch, at the very least.”

Maybe Luke will kiss Reid after that and make it all better.

Also Tune in on Tues, June 1st for the Final appearance of the Late, great Helen Wagner.

SOAP Q: Can Luke stay away from Dr. Reid?