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

I've been wanting to kiss you for a long time ... Luke.
 
When the formidable Dr. Reid Oliver was blackmailed into coming to Oakdale by Luke to operate on a hilariously blind Noah, who knew that he and the pouty princess would soon become what many people feel is soap's greatest gay supercouple.

It took a long time for the crusty doc to warm to ... well, anybody, and he was by turns conceited, arrogant and appallingly rude, but there was another side to him that was ... obnoxious, flippant, and snotty. But Luke managed to calm the Savage Ginger™, and after he and Noah broke up, found out that there was more to Reid than bubbling smolder and witty retorts.

SOAP Q: Reid Returns...to FOX?

Eric Sheffer Stevens, certain to be an Emmy nominee for his stellar work as Dr. Reid Oliver during the final days of As the World Turns, has landed a new TV gig.

Deadline Hollywood reports that Eric has been cast in the Fox comedy pilot I Hate My Teenage Daughter, playing the ex-husband of Jaime Pressly.

Eric is the recent winner of TV Guide Canada’s Soap Opera Spirit Award for Outstanding Actor in a Recurring Role or Guest Star Role. Here is a LINK to his recent interview with soap writer Michael Fairman.

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: 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: Sheffer Stevens talks to Michael Fairman about Dr. Reid’s demise!

As the World Turns ends its run on Friday but for me, the grieving began when Dr. Reid Oliver was killed by a train that looked like something out of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood! The actor who brought the snarky and sexy Reid to life, Eric Sheffer Stevens, gave a terrific exclusive interview to Michael Fairman’s On Soaps site.

Eric told Michael of the train vs. car scene the resulted in Reid’s demise: “I did not quite get how I was stuck on the tracks, that wasn’t quite clear to me, but overall, as an idea; I loved the idea of Reid dying and giving the heart to Chris, and all of that. I thought, “Yeah sure, that is not a neutral way of going out.” (Laughs) … I am sure Reid would not have died right away if the show, as a whole, was not wrapping up.”

Many fans are bitterly disappointed that while most of the couples on the soap were given a happy ending, the gay couple of Luke and Reid was not. But Eric says: “I feel that it’s the better ending, and it just raises the awareness of it all the more, and to have them interacting with a funeral director… and it’s all about a gay couple. All the focus then is about the gay couple and how they love each other, and how it should be easier to take care of Reid’s remains and effects. But they are not married, but they are a couple and they are not quite being treated the same way, as if they were a straight couple. That is all good stuff, but not satisfying stuff. But, to have the couple be the focus of everybody’s conversation and grieving, I can’t think but that helps bring awareness to gay couples.”

Michael pointed out to Eric that as the 54-year-old soap ends its run, so much of the attention has been on his character of Reid who had only been on the show for nine months!

“It’s bizarre to me and wonderful, and not just for Reid, but to have the gay couple be such a focus at the end of the show,” said Eric. “All the other storylines are dealing with it in someway. It helps raise people’s awareness of gay couples and relationships, and how normal and fantastic they are.”

Eric isn’t sure what he would have wanted to have happen storyline-wise for Luke and Reid had the show continued but he said: “I was interested in seeing how they were developing the relationship and where it was going to lead them. I would love to see them date and have Reid open up some more, like Katie said he was finally doing at the end. And, see him in a relationship, and get really close with Luke, and showing them living together. And Luke is a man now, so whoever Luke would end up with, even if later down the line the Reid relationship didn’t work out, that is the next step… to show him with somebody, and living with him, and being a proper couple as adults.”

Eric is well aware that the gay storyline was handled differently than the straight storylines, most glaring was the fact that Luke and Reid never made love: “That frustrates a lot, and no story is reflected in daytime television, as it would be in life. So that is a given. But it is frustrating for everybody and should be. They are not at a point yet where they should be, to tell a gay storyline as they would a straight storyline. And, that has to do with who their sponsors are and their audiences are. And, they have to take that in to consideration, and everybody understands that, but that does not make it less frustrating.”

SOAP Q/CLASSIC MOMENTS: 30 Days of "World Turns" #4

As the Word Turns stops turning in 4 days! Please enjoy 30 Classic moments as we say goodbye. From the show's 53rd year, Luke is once again pushed away by Noah (He is Blind this time), so he starts having bitch fest with Noah's Doctor, Reid this until Noah finds out and tragedy occurs!

SOAP Q: Fans launch Doctors Without Borders campaign in honor of Sheffer Stevens (Dr. Reid)!

Since the show ends THIS week and all episodes were completed months ago, we know that is not going to happen.

If you need a way to channel out grief at the loss of the character brought to life by the brilliant Eric Sheffer Stevens, some fans have come up with the Eric Sheffer Stevens Doctors without Borders campaign.

According to LoveLure (the Luke and Reid blog), fans of Eric/Reid wanted to find a way to show our appreciation for the actor. A charity drive was suggested, and Eric nominated Doctors without Borders as a charity he is invested in, and in honor of the character of Dr. Reid Oliver.

The campaign raised over $3000 in its first 24 hours, nearly twice that in its first week, and reached its initial goal of $15,000 shortly after Tragic Last Tuesday’s episode.

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: The tragic end to the Luke -Dr. Reid love story

SOAP Q:It’s RUKE'S Tragic end!

SOAP Q: In the final weeks Dr. Reid realizes Love is NOT stupid!

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

SOAP Q: Dr. Chris' illness dominates Dr. Reid!

Here are today’s scenes

SOAP Q: Dr. Reid realizes he is “powerless” as he falls in love with Luke!

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!