ATWT: THE KISS

This past Friday on As the World Turns, it was the kiss heard 'round the world. After weeks of sexual tension and awkwardness around each other, Luke (Van Hansis) and Noah (Jake Silbermann) finally kissed. For me, it was much anticipated and long overdue. For it to be 2007, and soap operas have finally aired a passionate male/male kiss is a bit bittersweet. I am happy it finally happened, but disappointed that it took so long. But, better late than never.

What is even more disappointing to me is all of the negative and disparaging remarks I am reading about it on message boards. Some are just downright mean, and I won't reprint the remarks here.

And some are downright hypocritical, like: "I don't mind people being gay, I just don't want to watch it" and "I have watched for 30 years and do not tune in to see man-on-man kissing. If characters are going to be gay, that is fine. I just don't want to see it."

People need to realize that gays and lesbians make up a portion our population and should be represented. Just as African-Americans, Asians and other minorities have fought for airtime and representation, I think it's high time that the same consideration is given to the homosexual communitiy.

Just like the kiss that got cut from Melrose Place with resident token gay male, Matt Fielding (Doug Savant), some viewers want their gay characters to remain in closet. If not in the closet, at least, let's not talk about it or have to see it. Well, that is unrealistic and demoralizing.

Some people need to wake up and join the new millenia, for crikey's sake! They're here, they're queer, get used to it!

A video of the kiss is posted below:

Talk to Your Favorite "Passions" Cast Members Live

Soap Opera Stars Face Their Fans Live and Uncensored on National Television When Passions LIVE! Debuts August 23 on The 101

For the First-Time Fans Get “Air Time” With Their Favorite Passions Cast Members As They Prepare to Move from NBC to DIRECTV

EL SEGUNDO, Calif., August 13, 2007 - DIRECTV, the nation’s leading satellite television provider, is letting fans get up close and personal with their favorite Passions cast members this summer with Passions LIVE!, four weekly, 30-minute live call-in shows featuring the cast from the hit soap-opera. The specials will air on DIRECTV’s original entertainment channel, The 101, starting August 23 at 8 p.m. EST/5 p.m. PST with new shows every Thursday leading up to Passions debut on DIRECTV September 17. Fans can participate in each show by calling 1-800-860-8537 during the live broadcast. Passions fans that don’t have DIRECTV still have still plenty of time to get connected by calling (888-999-0433) or going to www.directv.com/passions.

“With Passions moving exclusively to DIRECTV, we’re in a unique position to put our own mark on the show by catering directly to the fans and giving them more opportunities to interact with their favorite cast members,” said Patty Ishimoto, General Manager of DIRECTV’s The 101. “Passions LIVE! will bring fans into the action with a direct link to their favorite stars to keep them up-to-date with all the happenings in Harmony.”

Passions LIVE! will not only provide fans an opportunity to call-in and talk live with their favorite cast members, they will also learn about the history of the show and get to know the real people behind the characters. Each show will provide an inside look into what the future holds for the town of Harmony and all its inhabitants, as they make the transition from NBC to DIRECTV’s The 101 on September 17.

Passions LIVE! will be hosted by Eric Martsolf (Ethan Winthrop) and two different cast members each week that will discuss their roles and answer questions from a live call-in audience. Fans can also submit questions for the show via email viewermail@passionsondirectv.com to be answered on-air. Shows will include a “Passions 101” tutorial recapping the highs and lows from each of the previous nine seasons, character and plot highlights, bloopers and a behind-the-scenes trivia on the cast and crew of Passions.

Juliet Mills (Tabitha) and Heidi Mueller (Kay) will kick off Passions LIVE! with Martsolf on August 23 with a special focusing on the witches of Harmony and the mystical undertones of the New England town. The following week, Emily Harper (Fancy) and Erin Cardillo (Esme) will lead the August 30 show along with Martsolf, as the ladies discuss their on-screen friendship and the various cat fights that take place within the daytime drama. September 6 will feature the sexy men of Harmony as James Hyde (Sam) and Dylan Fergus (Noah) join Martsolf to discuss the rigorous task of being a daytime hunk and having to go shirtless on set. Eva Tamargo (Pilar) and Galen Gering (Luis) will lead the final call-in show on September 13 as they tease the new season and the fate of Theresa and Ethan.

Each episode of Passions LIVE! will be broadcast on DIRECTV’s The 101, as well as streamed live on Passions’ website http://www.nbc.com/passionsassions. DIRECTV is making it easy for Passions viewers to keep track of the happenings in “Harmony” by providing fans free installation, a DVR or HD receiver upgrade, and a portable DVD player by calling a special phone number (888-999-0433) or visiting the Web (www.directv.com/passions). Passions fans can also visit www.nbc.com/passions for more information about the show.

Fall 2007 Teasers for "The Young and the Restless"

* With Phyllis in prison, will Nick find his way back to Sharon?

* What will Neil do when he sees Lily attracted to an older man?

* Will Neil's relationship with Karen be threatened by his memories of Dru?

* Michael’s efforts to save Kevin, Daniel and Amber from prosecution are threatened by Heather.

* When Victor's plan to destroy Jack is put in motion, the fall-out engulfs the entire Newman clan.

* How far will Gloria go to bring Jack down?

* As Victor and Nikki grow further apart, will Nikki give into temptation which could end their marriage?

* The Professor, who has been trying to find out about Brad's secret, is confronted by the demons of his own past. Will Adrian and Colleen's relationship survive his indiscretion?

* Will Paul's daughter Heather realize she holds the secret to Adrian's past?

Days Cast Appearances

* September 1, 2007: James Scott ("E.J.") appearing at the Youngstown, OH County Fair
Time: 12:00-3:00 p.m.
Location: Canfield Fairgrounds in Canfield, OH

* September 8, 2007: Brandon Beemer ("Shawn") and Jay Johnson ("Philip") appearing at the Bakersfield Health Fair in Bakersfield
Time: 10am - 3/4pm

* September 8 and 9, 2007: Joseph Mascolo ("Stefano") appearing at the Connecticut Women's Expo
Time: Saturday, Sept 8: 12 - 5 and Sunday, Sept 9: 12 - 4
Location: Connecticut Expo Center - Hartford, CT
More info: http://www.ctexpos.com/

* September 15 and 16, 2007: Rachel Melvin ("Chelsea") and Blake Berris ("Nick") appearing at the NBC10 Healthfit Expo in Rhode Island
Time: Sat 9/15 11a-4p, Sunday 9/16 11a-3pm
Location: Rhode Island Convention Center

Teeny Tiny Spoiler for B&B

Don't miss tomorrow's episode when Brooke finds herself in a dangerous and impossible situation!

SPOILERS for B&B

Tomorrow on THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL:

* Constantine surprises Felicia during their first date.
* Nick catches on to Stephanie's plan a delivers a threat.

I Wanna Be a Soap Star 4

(I Wanna Be a Soap Star, a one-hour reality drama from LMNO Cable Group, is the casting call of a lifetime. One winner will receive the ultimate prize … a role on NBC’s Days of our Lives. The series captures 10 aspiring actors who will live full time on the set of an actual soap opera. The cameras will roll 24/7, capturing every victory, tear, betrayal and tantrum as the contestants work toward their dream of becoming a soap star. Host Cameron Mathison of ABC’s All My Children returns for the fourth installment of the series.)

If you missed the show's premiere this past Tuesday, August 14, there is still plenty of time to catch up. Don't miss next week's episode when contestants act out love scenes for the judges (Michael Bruno, Hogan Sheffer and Mary Beth Evans). Shows air each Tuesday night at 8 p.m. on SOAPnet.

SPOILERS for B&B, Days, Passions and Y&R!

THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL

Tomorrow:

* Brooke’s "secret admirer" reveals himself to her.
* Ashley and Ridge make a decision regarding Brooke.

DAYS OF OUR LIVES
Next Week:
* Max is exposed (literally) in a casino elevator.
* Adrienne offers Steve parenting advice.
* Stefano calls on Kate for a favor.
* Jeremy professes his love to Stephanie.
* Belle must choose between Shawn and Philip.
VCR Alerts
* Thursday - Colleen and Santo's relationship intensifies.
* Friday - Nick and Chelsea have a falling out.

PASSIONS
Next Week:
Monday, August 20
* Ethan and Theresa finally get married!
* Alistair is alive!
* Fancy is sure Luis hates her.

Tuesday, August 21
* Chad threatens Gwen to keep quiet.
* Pretty feels guilty for tearing Fancy and Luis apart.
* Eve and Julian discover Vincent has escaped from the hospital.

Wednesday, August 22
* Vincent attacks Sheridan.
* Ethan and Theresa begin their honeymoon.
* Fancy pulls a gun on Alistair.

Thursday, August 23
* Gwen and Rebecca plan to crash the honeymoon!
* Luis tries to revive a wounded Sheridan.
* Tabitha tries to set a good example for Endora.

Friday, August 24
* Alistair plots to kill Theresa.
* Fancy admits the truth to Luis.
* Miguel worries he is going crazy.

THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS
This Week:
* Trapped together, Nick and Sharon share a tender moment, and finally give into temptation.
* After learning the verdict is in, Phyllis makes a rash decision that could threaten her future. Can Nick, Michael, Jack and Daniel stop her in time?
* Nikki makes a risky deal with Victor to secure a loan for Clear Springs, but Victor has his own plans for the project.
* A determined Kevin blackmails Gloria into paying for Jana’s surgery. However, it may already be too late for Jana.
* Devon secretly harbors feelings for Lily. Will he have the courage to tell her how he truly feels?

Season Finale of Lifetime's "Army Wives"

Lifetime network's highest-rated series in its 23-year history is the new nighttime soap "Army Wives." It stars former "All My Children" actress Kim Delaney, who played Jenny, one-half of 1980s supercouple Greg & Jenny. Delaney went on to star in "NYPD Blue" and has landed another hit show in "Army Wives," where she plays Claudia Holden, who is married to a colonel.

The season finale airs Sunday, Aug. 26 at 10 p.m. EST. In the episode, "Goodbye Stranger," the army post is put on high alert due to a suspected terrorist threat, and Roland, Pamela, Denise, Roxy and Claudia discover their lives may be in jeopardy. And like all good soapy season finales, there will be a cliffhanger!

(NOTE FROM CINDY: Last night I watched the preview copy of the finale that Lifetime sent over, and I can tell you personally that this episode is one you cannot miss!)

"Army Wives" will return in 2008 with 18 new episodes.

Spoilers! Week of Aug. 13th

AMC: Annie gets an unsettling phone call featuring a child's nursery rhyme.
ATWT: Henry's poker playing finally pays off when he becomes the proud new owner of Al's Diner.
B&B: Brooke finds herself in danger in her own home.
Days: EJ whisks Sami away from Lucas, promising an end to the DiMera-Brady feud.
GH: Sam and Lucky find they have a lot in common, namely heartbreak.
GL: Olivia puts a near deadly stop to Cassie and Josh's wedding.
OLTL: Look for some old favorites to return to Llanview this week in celebration of "OLTL's" 10,000th episode!
Passions: After 9 long years, Theresa gets her wish as she and Ethan are about to say "I Do."
Y&R: Phyllis is caught red-handed preparing to flee Genoa City.