AS THE WORLD TURNS Fan Club Luncheon

I had a wonderful time at the AS THE WORLD TURNS Fan Club Luncheon on Saturday. Most of the cast attended and all the fans I spoke with had an excellent time. Michael Park co-hosted the introductions with Mick Hazen, whose voice had apparently changed this week per Park. When she was introduced, Colleen Zenk Pinter spoke about her battle with oral cancer and received a nice ovation. She encouraged everyone to demand an oral cancer screening from their dentist. Kathleen Widdoes, Elizabeth Hubbard, Billy Magnussen, Trent Dawson and Van Hansis with Jake Silbermann were introduced to massive screams from the crowd. I attended with a large group of Luke and Noah fans and it was a real pleasure. Michael Park joked that the Hershey Kisses that Luke and Noah fans sent in have impacted his waistline. After the introductions, the actors were escorted to their tables where they began to take pictures and sign autographs with fans. Below are some of my favorite photos from the day. 1 With Jake Silbermann and Van Hansis, who left the luncheon with a truckload of gifts from adoring fans. 1 With Dylan Bruce who was trying to be taller than me. 1 With Billy Magnussen who entertained fans all day long. 1 With daytime legend Eileen Fulton. 1 With Chaunteé Schuler and Wolé Parks. Parks by the way is leading the ATWT AIDS Walk team on May 18.

Nuke-a-Palooza

Last night following the AS THE WORLD TURNS Fan Club luncheon was the first ever Nuke-a-Palooza, organized by fans of Noah and Luke. Held at Social bar, fans were treated to three hours of fun and good times. Six ATWT stars attended the event including Ewa Da Cruz, Dylan Bruce, Tala Ashe, Billy Magnussen and, of course, Jake Silbermann and Van Hansis. The actors were incredibly gracious with their time talking with fans and taking pictures and enjoying the evening. 1 With Jake Silbermann and Ewa Da Cruz. 1 Van Hansis and Dylan Bruce share a laugh. 1 The ATWT folks pose for a group shot.

Nelson Branco's "Suds Report"

Jason Cook reunites with Kirsten Storms at ‘GH’! ‘OLTL’s Thom Christopher returns! Omigod — Nuke kissed on ‘ATWT’! Gruesome death on ‘B&B’! Read it all here. Update: May 2 is the day Carlivati’s storylines are set to debut, so mark your calendars for the soap god’s official first day back in Llanview.

Coming Friday: Interview with NPR: The Bryant Park Project

As a follow up to my previous interview with NPR's "The Bryant Park Project," I was interviewed this afternoon again on the AS THE WORLD TURNS kissing ban, this time happily reporting the ban had been lifted with the Wednesday Luke and Noah kiss. The interview will air on the Friday morning show.

P&G promotes explicit open-mouth homosexual kissing

It didn't take long for the crazies at the AFA (American "Family" Association) to come back out of the woodwork to complain about the Luke and Noah kiss on Wednesday's episode of AS THE WORLD TURNS. I seriously doubt these people actually watch the show and probably just found out it while surfing for gossip on Perez Hilton. Below is their latest Action Alert. Open-mouth homosexual kissing? OMFG!!! There is so much I could pick apart here but their hatred speaks for itself. Meanwhile, they have no issues with the rest of ATWT as all the other characters have such high "moral" values. Procter & Gamble promotes explicit open-mouth homosexual kissing Procter & Gamble has resumed using explicit, open-mouth homosexual kissing in their soap opera, "As the World Turns." P&G decided to include this type of content as a commitment to "diversity." P&G stopped showing such scenes some months ago, but has now decided to again help promote the homosexual agenda which includes homosexual marriage. Gay activists are hopeful that the P&G effort will desensitize viewers to the homosexual lifestyle and help make the unhealthy and immoral lifestyle more acceptable to society, especially to children and youth. View a scene from the April 23, 2008 episode by P&G. WARNING – content is repulsive! "As the World Turns" is owned and controlled completely by P&G. No network made this decision. P&G alone made the decision to support the homosexual agenda.

The One Life To Live 40th Anniversary Trivia Book

1 "A Fun, Fact-filled, Everything-you-want-to-know-guide to Your Favorite Soap" is how the new "One Life to Live 40th Anniversary Trivia Book" is described on the cover. I received an advanced copy today and I think fans will be pleased. First, there is a year by year breakout of milestones and news items which succinctly summarize the past 40 years. Then there is a detailed look at many of the memorable cast members featured on the show. The book goes on to cover tales from backstage, personal facts about the actors, interesting plotlines, memorable fan ecounters and a recap of OLTL Emmy history. Some of the interesting trivia samples include: * What kiss caused an ABC affiliate in Texas to drop the show? * Plans to launch a doll of which character sparked outrage? * Which villain spoofed Tom Cruise's couch-jumping antics on "Oprah"? * Which character was based on Paris Hilton? * What popular singer agreed to perform on the show only if her grandmother, a longtime fan, could be on the set? * During which location shoot did one of the show's stars step into an actual pool of quicksand? You'll find all those answers and much more in the book, available in July from Hyperion Books. ABC will celebrate the 40-year milestone with 40 days and 40 nights of ONE LIFE TO LIVE promotions. The book will worked into that publicity.

Today's Soap Star Birthdays

Michael Damian (Danny, THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS) - 46 McKenzie Westmore (Sheridan, PASSIONS) - 31 Olivia Birkelund (ex-Arlene, ALL MY CHILDREN) - 35 Jordana Brewster (ex-Nikki, AS THE WORLD TURNS) - 28 Charissa Cree Chamorro (ex-Sophia, ONE LIFE TO LIVE) - 31

ATWT Fan Club Luncheon

I am attending the AS THE WORLD TURNS Fan Club Luncheon this afternoon. I will return on Sunday afternoon with a full report and pictures.

Evening News

Goutman finally speaks on Nuke Jennifer Lenhart interviewed AS THE WORLD TURNS Executive Producer Christopher Goutman recently for an upcoming issue of Soap Opera Digest and asked all the right questions. An excert has been released with Goutman making the following statements: 1 Digest: Let's talk about the Luke/Noah kiss campaign. What was your reaction to the fact that the fans did this? Goutman: I think it's great. Luke and Noah are terrific. These two actors are fantastic and the response to this story is phenomenal. It's basically moved into the mainstream consciousness internationally, so for us, it's been great. Digest: Why haven't they kissed? Goutman: There are so many things that go into telling a story and telling it the right way. What I'm interested in is having a feeling for the constituency and the way to tell the story. We've told it very very slowly. I'm sure you know that Lily and Holden didn't kiss until three years. I really truly believe that everyone will come out thinking this story is really fantastic. Digest: Yes, but it's been implied that they're kissing off-screen. It almost seems like you're calling attention to the fact that you're not showing it by having them under the mistletoe leaning towards each other and having the camera pan away. Goutman: It makes people mad, doesn't it? Digest: It really does. Goutman: Just as long as we don't make them too mad that they don't keep tuning in. Digest: Have you gotten hate mail? Goutman: No. We've gotten a lot of frustration and a lot of very positive things about this couple. They're two boys. They live in a midwestern town. We're not in New York City. We're not in Greenwich Village. Digest: I just have to come out and ask: Have you specifically been asked to have them not kiss? Goutman: I've never been asked for them not to kiss. I've been asked to keep in mind all of our constituency, as far as who we serve as an audience. At the end of the day, I think people will be very happy. The story is a continuing story, and as we continue this, the Luke/Noah story will develop in a way that will be incredibly interesting and rewarding. Conservative Group Fired Up Over Gay Kiss on TV When it comes to gay kissing and soap operas, you're damned if you do, and damned if you don't. Just ask Procter & Gamble Co., though its long-lagging soap opera AS THE WORLD TURNS just may be benefiting from the controversy. Rowell talks foster care in Iowa A former THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS star was in Iowa Friday to talk about the importance of foster care. Victoria Rowell was the keynote speaker for this year's Children and Families of Iowa "elevate our youth to adulthood event." EVENT: Universal Studios Hollywood “Eco-Fair Sat., April 26, 10 am - 4 pm at the Universal Globe Fountain at main entrance of Universal Studios Hollywood, 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City. DAYS OF OUR LIVES stars will autograph reusable bags and give out CFL bulbs at this free eco-fair, featuring over 30 interactive exhibits. Attendees are also invited to bring their household hazardous waste or e-waste to the event for free drop-off -- and free parking! Hybrid drivers can also park free. Former DAYS star Winter gets raves in Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay "If there's something good about this movie, other than the aforementioned Harris cameo redux, it's DAYS OF OUR LIVES star Eric Winter as the bad guy, Colton. He nails the role, with his disingenuous smile, cocky attitude and glossy good looks." AMC's Thorsten Kaye updates his NHL playoff blog No Forsberg, shaky D...but a win. That's what matters. GH Finally Admits That Mobsters Kill People! Well, it's finally happened. It's come at a horrible price of a fictional child viewers watched grow up, but it had to happen — GENERAL HOSPITAL has finally figured out that mobsters are murderous criminals, that women who chose to be with mobsters put themselves and their families in the line of fire, that professional killers are not more heroic than police officers and members of the Armed Forces, and, generally, that crime doesn't pay. 6th Annual Omni Youth Musical & Actor Awards Gala The 6th Annual Omni Youth Musical & Actor Awards Gala, honoring young dancers, singers, actors, instrumentalists, and comedians, will be held Sunday, May 11. Awards will be presented by stars from shows such as DEXTER, BROTHERS & SISTERS, HEROES, MY NAME IS EARL and DAYS OF OUR LIVES. UGLY BETTY demotes Rebecca Romijn Alexis Meade will become a recurring character next year.