THAT'S WHY THEY CALL IT A SOAP OPERA!

Today marks the big debut of Luke Snyder's (Van Hansis) love interest on As the World Turns. His name is Noah and he's played by Jake Silbermann and I know a lot of folks are ready for same-sex lip-locking on the show. However, you're going to have to wait a bit for that. (Must...not...whine.)

Naturally, there first has to be all sorts of trauma brought about by misunderstanding, jealousy, and the need to fill hours and hours of daytime programming. This isn't a twenty-four episode season of Brothers & Sisters we're talking about here, but a five times a week sudser where plot lines can really stretch out. But good things come to those who wait, and I've been assured that for those who start watching the storyline now, you'll be glad you did later on (though be warned it will be a couple of weeks before Noah reappears).

SPEAKING OF GAY TEENS ON SOAP OPERAS!

Folks in the States who have been hoping to see more of the U.K.'s soap opera Hollyoaks (not to be confused with Hollyoaks: In the City) get their wish starting on Monday when the show debuts on BBC America at 10:30 PM. It runs every weeknight thereafter and there is a special on Sunday night at 6:30 PM to get everyone up to speed on the characters. (The show has been in the UK for a number of years, but BBC America has wisely elected to start showing only the most recent season.)

Alas, for fans who have heard a lot about the romance between John Paul (James Sutton) and Craig (Guy Burnet), you'll have to wait a wee bit longer as their storyline doesn't kick in for several months. (I hear it should be about mid-September.) But to tide you over until then, here are James and Guy at the just held "British Soap Opera Awards" discussing what is happening twixt their characters--oh, and we also get to see what I believe is an upcoming kiss between the two. It's a pretty darn good one too!

James seems much more comfortable discussing the storyline while Guy is clearly still getting used to it. Judging from online clips, it looks to be one of the more realistic, well-written and acted gay teen stories out there.