How has "As The World Turns" handled its gay storyline?

But has Luke and Noah’s storyline been “cyclical” in the same way as other soap opera couples? Not according to TV Guide Magazine’s Michael Logan, who has written his “Michael Logan on Soaps” column since 1989. “It’s not typical,” he said. “I think that it’s pretty clear it is playing out in fit and starts. It’s gone in to periods where the audience wondered ‘Did they drop this?’ Affairs [on soaps] tend to move much more quickly.”

Michael Logan

Fans of Nuke often speculated that either complaints from conservative viewers or pressure from advertisers had been brought to bear on the show and that accounted for the couple’s infrequent appearances. “The vast majority of the feedback we've received about the Luke/Noah storyline has been supportive,” Cahill said. As to whether advertisers had balked at the gay storyline, he said only, “That question should be directed to CBS.”

When asked if religious groups had pressured the show over its content as they have frequently done in the past with gay-themed programs such as The Book of Daniel, Cahill said, “I understand why you are asking the questions, but I can assure you that we make decisions on how to tell a story based solely on what we think will be best for the show creatively and our diverse audience.”

Cahill would know, as the executive producer for ATWT reports directly to him and he is regularly involved in all aspects of the show’s production and storylines.

Logan said he hasn’t heard anything about corporate pressure being brought to bear on the show, but has heard conservative viewers have complained. “I know they got some hate mail and some right-wingers are upset. ATWT has an older conservative audience, which is odd as these show are all about breaking the Ten Commandments. But they got gripes.”

Given that the show itself is produced by Procter & Gamble Productions, many viewers wondered if it might not be self-censorship holding the gay content back. Again Cahill said that isn’t the case. “Both Procter & Gamble Productions and As The World Turns fully support the Luke and Noah storyline. It’s a story unlike any other in daytime television and one we’re proud to tell.

Can a show sponsored by a corporation selling products to Middle America actually treat a gay couple in the exact same way as a straight couple? “The fact that we are having this conversation means, ‘Yes’,” Cahill said. “We are so proud to have relatable characters like Luke and Noah, who many people identify with and enjoy watching. And we’re taking great care to handle their love story and their relationship with the respect, forthrightness and sensitivity it deserves. We strive to give all our fans characters that entertain, touch their hearts and keep them coming back every day.”

When asked if there might be disconnect between the show’s writing staff and those corporate interests outside of the show, Cahill said, “Everyone at the show is committed to telling this important story in a manner that is realistic, sensitive and has an entertaining dramatic arc. Everyone involved has done an extraordinary job, from Van and Jake, to the producers and writers. It’s clear to me that we’ve done something right with this storyline as we continue to receive support from the fans and the industry alike. In fact, ATWT was nominated for a GLAAD Media Award in the category of Daily Drama, and Luke and Noah were named Best Couple of 2007 in five different media outlets, including AfterElton.com. And, just this week EW.com name Luke and Noah one of their “17 Great Soap Supercouples.”