Catching up with the Nukies: Scoop, spoilers, and a poll on "As the World Turns"

What is this, 1978?  The best way for Luke to "explore his identity as a gay man" is to go to the next hot tub party!

I appreciate that this is the Midwest and all, but Luke has been out for rather a while now and it no longer makes sense that he should have any identity issues.  Relationship issues, yes.  Indeed, he actually seemed okay with his outness until the big doofus came along.

The whole NUKE storyline has just gotten too unbelievable even by soap standards.  By now they should be acting like Olli and Christian on Verbotene Liebe as a couple   and interacting in other storylines like other couples do on ATWT.  They are acting like two friends who happen to kiss every now and then, very adolescent.   And Noah seems still to have one foot in the closet.  It's been over a year since their first kiss and we are basically back at square one.

Will we ever see NUKE have a mature gay relationship on ATWT?  I really wonder.

well...not really.

Yeah right! Is this their excuse now? They are having a hard time scheduling Luke and Noah to be on the show for over 3 months? What?! How in the world can they justify themselves for the lack of Luke and Noah airtime anymore? You mean to tell me that ATWT is having a hard time scheduling Luke and Noah to be on the show for over 2 or 3 months? This seems like BS to me. CBS said they would have a strong presence in September. Passanante(the headwriter) said they would be on a lot more. What the hell are they all smoking!

It seems ATWT doesn't want Luke and Noah to be on the show anymore for more than 1 episode every 2 months. They are all big liars. To tell us that we would see more of them when we won't is criminal.

to raise money for his foundation. he could then invite Neil Patrick Harris, Christine Chenoweth and Christine Ebersole to star in it. The climax finds Sondheim rushing to thank Luke for finally saving his show, after all these years, only to discover Luke in mid hot tub orgy.

Sondheim then launches into a reprise of "Everybody Says Don't" as the steam rises and we fade oiut. 

 

Not on in September? Sort of like they weren't on in August. And for one day (the Pride episode) in July. Frankly, will there be anyone who will care by October? But, hey, we're getting TONS of Liberty and Parker! Woo-hoo. Yeah.

I so want to see more of Liberty and Parker. WTF is the show's problem. There is no reason for Luke and Noah to be on the backburner. Wow Van and Jake sure must have taken a long vacation. They must have taken a 6 months vacation. What a joke.

I will be having a root canal and going the funeral of my brother in September.  At least I can have some fun for a change.

INSIDEGUY

PS: Is Noah going to Provincetown in the off-season for his vacation.

Wheatables: I the impression that Wheatables (Greg to me no matter what work he's done post Greg and Jenny) is former titan who Lucinda rubbed elbows with (before she was defanged as a woman and business woman by the writers) might have had to leave a few jobs for ethical purposes. As such, I am guessing that he's now little more than a yet to be captured white collar con man who got a little wood when we saw Fily.

While this story sounds like another Nuke dud to me, a possible "greater good" that could come out of it was if the writers the writes has Wheatables be a closeted self-hating homophobe who lost it all partly by remaining closeted. The could excuse the lecherous looks at Fily as part of the game and an OK red herring while serving as another PSA and educating "America" that some homophobes are gay. Does not sound entertaining to me as this show only works for me these days when it is over the top ridiculous, funny (intentionally or not), or manages to show moments of veterans chewing on some good lines to remind me of yesteryear.

Luke and Noah (Scheduling and vacations): Tragic is all I have to say. I try never to read anything into why they are rarely on and more than ever trying to base my judgment on what I see. See I don't like what I see, I am kind of glad to rarely see them.

On an analytical note, plots are story-boarded based on actors and their schedules. Some of daytime's biggest negotiate time off for what might seem to be ridiculous periods (see Anthony Geary) to audience members who crave to see them daily. Van is a contract player and does not have that type of power so in principle could be on as much as Sofie.

It does not take a rocket-scientist to see that TPTB don't know what to do with Nuke as it may be the only show on television to not use what is arguably one of its most important assets. What is not arguable is that it is one of its most cost-efficient assets as Van cannot command "veteran" money yet has to be available all the time and TPTB have not even put Noah's portrayer on contract.

Would any show risk having having any of its major assets disappear due to possible mismanagement? I don't think that Noah's portrayer has much to offer, but his mug and being the other half of Nuke should be enough to have Chris Goutman want to sign up the guy ASAP as he might be cast in say the new 90210 just because he's not a bad looking guy who's face has gotten some play in the media. If that happens, then what? "Nuke" is gone.

I may be rambling, but the issue is one of misuse of assets. Nuke has not been used when both actors are available, of course won't be used if either or gets a side-gig, and it seems to me that they need to be called on it. I am not talking about their alleged story lines, quantity of kisses, and/or interpretations which may or may not have merit. It's about airtime as popular characters get air time, period. Even if they were treated as brother a la The Hardy Boys, you put them on the screen and even give them Scrappy-Doo, but this non-sense about availability and scheduling sounds like another cruel way to keep Nuke-lovers waiting for the moment when the stars line up. If they are not on in February, people speculative that they will of course be on in the summer the "kids" are watching. Second summer on nothing, with a hall pass for fall.

I stopped caring a long time ago as I enjoyed this show for too many years and still get my scraps via laughter, cheesiness, shirtless hunks, and little sappy moments that remind me of the past glory.

Maybe October will bring great things for Nuke, maybe it won't. I'll enjoy what I see and when Nuke comes up in this discussions I can only think of the lost opportunities and general bad asset management that has what appear to be a popular duo in mothballs. They could easily lose one or the other actor for not thinking logically. How ironic would it be if Jake, for example, were to land a role on a CW mid-season replacement show on the CW? Bye ATWT, hi to making more some cash, getting his mug seen by a limited audience, but one made up of those prized teens/tweens/and gay men who drive up market value, and not waiting to be called to come in for a day or two of shooting (with commensurate salary) every month.

I am just putting forth yet another possible wrinkle in the horizon. Scheduling? Vacations? How about just even random air time that revolves around them? Walks around the Snyder pond, a tennis match in Parker's court, horse back riding, sharing an ice cream cone don't even require story-boarding. My view is that they should sneak those guys in there even if they don't know what to do with them. It does not prevent them from putting Meg and Shrek on and there is certainly no rhyme or reason there? No sex? Whatever, but not being on except as support for bigger fish to fry or waiting for a "moment" will lead to more of the status quo.

Californication: I just caught the first few episodes of the first season. While I am very underwhelmed, does anyone what the show? I am pretty sure that the character who plays future husband of Duchovny's ex might be non other than the actor who played the deprogrammer guy that Damien hired to strong-arm Luke to ex-gay wannabe camp. Talk about random, but then this is me :-)

Guillermo's Media Guillotine: Entertainment, journalism, politics, and popular culture.

http://springintoaction.typepad.com

 

Parker/Butters has done more wild sexual things than Nuke EVER! Call me back when that changes.

To whoever thinks that Luke and Noah just appeals to a gay audience, they are wrong. I am hetero and will continue to support Luke and Noah. I just can't believe that the author of the blog would take what they get from CBS with face value. It's apparent now that they just tell Luke and Noah fans things to placate them. However they said we would see more of them and it's time to own up to the things they are advertising and quit backing out on them.

To whoever thinks that Luke and Noah just appeals to a gay audience, they are wrong. I am hetero and will continue to support Luke and Noah. I just can't believe that the author of the blog would take what they get from CBS with face value. It's apparent now that they just tell Luke and Noah fans things to placate them. However they said we would see more of them and it's time to own up to the things they are advertising and quit backing out on them.

Well, this viewer has been "on a break" from watching ATWT since the Valentine's Day episode. This is absolutely ridiculous, but I'm so glad for the liveblog, since I get much more entertainment and enjoyment out of MOST of the comments from the folks on this forum. I'm also glad for YouTube, because as a viewer, I've the pleasure of seeing what a fictionalized soap opera gay couple can truly BE on other shows like: Verbotene Liebe, Hollyoaks, El Cor De La Ciutat (a new fav!!) and even AWZ. This past week, I spent 6 hours catching up on the Max and Iago saga (El Cor De La Ciutat) and I shouldn't be amazed that a Catalan soap opera could have enough faith in their viewers, to be able to create a traditional soap opera storyline for their young male couple, but I am. I don't even understand the language, but I can definitely understand that I amazed that their storyline has nothing to do with their sexual identity at all. It's about bad boy falling for a good boy and their struggles to overcome the internal and external situations, that cause problems for their budding relationship.

I don't think that's too much to ask for and see in an American soap opera. Is it really that much to ask for?

Love me less, but love me a long time - Les Chansons D'Amour

Shouldn't he exploring his identity as a gay teenager and try having sex for once? 

Whatever, TPTB: Just please don't have him do drag...

Oh, EL COR DE LA CIUTAT is so awesome, because we've seen Max come out with Enric and now his sexuality is simply not an issue anymore with Iago. They're well accepted within the fictional community and I especially like that Iago is not portrayed as ueber- perfect just because he's a gay charaxcter.

I'm not giving up on ATWT, because I enjoy Van and Jake, but the writers make it very, very hard to stay tuned...

--

The Gays Of Daytime

There were already rumors that the guys hadn't been taping much and hadn't been seen on set for a couple of weeks, so I'm not surprised.    But, IMO, I think the guys got sidelined for the returns of James and Dusty, two storylines that will eat up tons of airtime.   Why the show doesn't just say that is beyond me. 

I still like NUKE. Without this couple, my eyes for gay TV would still be in adamant (ignorant) state.

But I can't just figure out how Luke would want to explore his identity as a gay man. I think, he wants to become adventurous and opts to do bedhopping together with Noah. In that way, I guess he can sort out his homosexuality. LOL

Seriously though, I sometimes have a cold feeling now about NUKE. However, I still feel a tingle when I see them kiss.

Now about El cor, Max and Iago are probably among the hottest gay couple now. They are so cute together. And their storyline, I think, is superb. I am still anticipating for more of their clips with English subtitles. ]

 

MAX and IAGO are great. OLLIAN is still brilliant!

 

 

 

 

jb1483

Exploring his identity as a gay monk, is more like it. Actually monks probably get more action.

I agree with others who've said the writers don't seem to know what to do with Luke and Noah. That whole Ameera storyline should have been about Luke and Noah's relationship, but aside from a few moments of mild jealousy from Luke, did we really learn anything about them? Like every other plot that comes their way, it seemed designed merely to keep them apart physically.

First there was Luke's paralysis which I know had to do with VH doing a play. But being paralyzed below the waist shouldn't keep you from exploring a few possibilities.

Then there was Noah moving into the farm, where Emma had a No Sex rule for anyone who lived there, unless they made an exception. Is there not a cabin on that property? Meg got pregnant there once, didn't she?

Then of course there was Ameera, which meant Luke and Noah having to keep apart. Then there was Col. Pervy "dying", which made Noah too sad to have sex. Then there was Luke's family drama, which prevented Luke from leaving the house long enough to have sex.

Now there's Wheatabulls and his "you shouldn't be so gay in public!" way of doing business. Luke told him to stuff it once, but as soon as Noah said it might be a good idea, Luke seemed to reconsider. I wouldn't be surprised if he falls into line at least for a while.

How is it that nothing, and I mean NOTHING, keeps other couples from getting it on, but after a year of abstinence, even living arrangements and business deals keep Luke and Noah apart? What'll be the next obstacle? Luke and Noah go to a Renaissance Faire, try on chastity belts for fun, and then lose the keys?

The storyline is a natural for these two and it makes perfect sense.
Luke is just the type of person who would get involved in a cause that
is important to him so it's a no brainer that he would take part in
gay issues at school.  And he would have no trouble being very vocal
and outspoken about it.... that's totally in his character.  And Noah
would naturally have issues about being so visible and outspoken and
what not.  They've had this conflict before and it arises from time to
time, but this is a very real way to make these two look at themselves
and each other and see if they are too different to make it work.
It's a character based storyline, something rare for this show.   And
I like that it's a school based story.   JP had her thinking cap on
for once.  Though I suspect some plot driven elements, such as closet
case Brian, will play a role in this story.  However, while the
storyline is a good idea and one of the better ones for them, why does
the storyline have to revolve around being gay?   I just wish the show
would get away from that,  That's my only caveat, even though, as I
say, I think the idea is a good one.

Brian will make love to Luke and run his foundation. Noah will pull his head out of the sand long enough to see that the ship is sailing and will fight for Luke.

 

xxoo Jim