Normally my column this week would be about something I like or dislike about one of the many controversial story lines we are experiencing across all three of ABC’s “stories”.

But today I want to appeal to you about the genre of soaps in general.

Let’s face it, you and I both know that in the past 10 to 15 years the soaps really have become a shell of what they once used to be.

Imagine, for a moment, if Irna Philips or any of the Daytime serial greats were alive today! Imagine the compelling stories we’d be enjoying based on what is happening in the world around us.

I can see it now.

The Banner and The Sun doing battle in Llanview over opposing political candidates…with some investigative reporting thrown into the mix.

Or maybe have Erica Kane go off on a tangent on her talk show, which propels her to national fame for a controversial position she took.

Or how about if General Hospital kicked up a commotion over the building of a mosque next to the hospital.

The bottom line is that studio executives (Mr. Frons, are you reading?) just don’t get the missed opportunities.

Had they the vision and integrity of Irna Philips, Agnes Nixon and all the greats – they WOULD be pulling stories from the news and finding a way to weave those magic threads through the tapestries of our serials.

American soap opera is about imitating real life….a metaphor. What we have today is a cheap imitation of Reality TV which is neither real nor television.

Anyway, back to my point…

This week I am going to be on air every night on BlogTalkRadio as we head in to the final week of As the World Turns on CBS.

That’s right. Just because CBS has pulled the plug does not mean the battle is over. It has just begun.

And here’s why ABC fans should care.

First of all, I’ve been through this before with Another World. And, believe it or not, 10 years later there are at least a million AW fans out there who would love to see their show back. I’m certain Guiding Light fans feel the same way.

And over here in the ABC side of things, I’ll bet there are a slew of you who would give anything to see Loving or Ryan’s Hope.

The bottom line is the studios want us to believe that Daytime serials are dying and that it is OUR fault! They want you to buy into their argument that viewership has changed…that there’s more to pick from on television these days and that the double income family has made the homemaker obsolete.

News flash: Were it not for our great Grannies, our Grandma’s, our Moms and ourselves – there would be no worldwide giant known as Procter & Gamble or Colgate-Palmolive.

Our families bought all their detergents, hair sprays, shampoos and depilatories. We fed into the commercials we watched. And when we were hooked and needed that second income just to buy the products – POOF – no more “stories”!

It’s time for Daytime fans to prove their worth in today’s market.

We have a unique opportunity to show that woven into all those silly little stories we’ve watched all these years was a message – We are empowered!

We get the cost of producing a daily show.

We understand that viewership has dropped.

So why not find other ways of creating an environment which would make this genre viable? Why just walk away from a socially valuable commodity?

These soap companies got as big as some of those “too big to fail” outfits on Wall Street. They’re so busy investing money into markets overseas that they’ve lost touch with the people who put them there in the first place!

How many of us who are on union pensions even know that P&G may be in our union’s investment portfolio? How many of us are aware that a great deal of these “American” products aren’t even manufactured here any longer?

The bottom line is a dedicated soap fan knows that he/she has the ability to figure this entire thing out.

Remember, we’re the ones that micromanage our shows. We complain when a director is changed. We’re convulsive when a new Executive Producer takes over. And, well, when a new Head Writer is announced – we are as rabid as bats in a belfry.

For ABC fans, the red flag should be the move of All My Children to LA. Brian Frons has his office on the West Coast. The only ABC property he seems to care about is The View. Were he as committed to One Life to Live as he proclaims, why are they not in Hollywood as well?

ABC can deny rumors and claim loyalty to OLTL. The bottom line is the show is on shaky ground even if Roger Howarth and Kim Zimmer return.

The soap press won’t report it.

They live in constant fear the studios will pull the plug and deny access of soap media.

It’s sad.

The majority of printed soap media is nothing but a glorified fan club.

Where are the rabble rousing fans with opinions that matter?

Well, they’re right here on the Internet.

Soap Opera Digest and Soap Opera Weekly are hereby served notice. We’re picking up where you dropped the ball.

We don’t need access to the studios and the gossip. This isn’t about the private lives of celebrities. And this most certainly is NOT about spoilers.

Thanks to your magazines, you’ve destroyed the allure of Daytime. And we’re here to take it back.

As I said, this week I am on air every night.

Drop by my BlogTalkRadio page and see the lineup.

It’s the Surge on Soaps campaign.

We want to find a home for ATWT. And we want to make certain that the shows which remain on Daytime today are given the support they need.

We’re being bold in our approach. We’re not threatening to turn off the TV. We’re not sending box tops to P&G.

This is business. And when I say business, I mean serious business.

This is about finding a way to cultivate a creative mechanism to keep soaps alive. It begins with Oprah Winfrey, who is herself a direct beneficiary of daytime. We’ll continue with farming the cable networks. We’ll even go to Sony and see if there’s any was to breathe new life into Soap City.

Remember Soap City?

That was going to be a cable soap channel until ABC launched SoapNet. And now SoapNet is leaving cable in favor of a childrens network which will hawk more crap to kids — which parents will have to buy to keep up with the Joneses — who can’t afford to keep up because the jobs they once had have been shipped overseas.

That’s right. It’s about the economy, stupid.

And this time Daytime fans are armed with ammunition.

This week fans are coming together every night to discuss the progress of the ATWT campaign.

But we’re going to discuss more than that.

We’re going to get into the business side of things and explain how the cancellation of a soap puts more than cast and crew out of work.

We’re going to talk about the lack of vision from today’s network executives in capitalizing on the tremendous social value of soap opera.

And, when all else fails, we’re going to discuss how soap actors, writers and crew are a valuable asset in teaching our children about the craft of theater.

Sound provocative? Tune in and hear more.

We’ve got some CRAZY ideas that Oprah may just have no choice but consider. You see, we tuned into Oprah after watching our shows. They were her lead in.

That’s right, Oprah, soap fans know the definition of “lead in”.

Ms. Winfrey has taught us about empowerment, taking control and making a difference. Well, we’re going to ask her to put her money where her mouth is. No, we’re not talking about giving away 5,000 cars or building a house. We’re not talking about Oprah’s favorite things or HARPO studios.

We’re talking about an ambitious plan to prop up a genre in a unique way. Join the conversation. We want to hear what you have to say.

And, I promise next week I’ll write my David Hayward column, which may just send you over the edge.

By Joshua

More than a five year anniversary is EXTREMELY rare on soaps, but the Hughes family on ATWT has gotten a few long marriages under their belt.

Original players Nancy and Chris had celebrated over fifty years together, which is AMAZING.

They were the first (and last so far) soap couple to reach the big 5-0.

Just last year, Margo (Ellen Dolan) and Tom Hughes (Scott Holmes) celebrated twenty five years.

And, recently, so did Bob (Don Hastings) and Kim (Kathryn Hayes).

But here’s the twist – they weren’t really married.

In one of the most shocking plot twists, ATWT has erased one of the longest remaining marriages on the show – and soaps. Sure, they have had rough spots (he slept with Susan) and they’ve had few problems in recent years (except for her recent heart attack and his brain condition). All of a sudden, we see everyone gather for their anniversary party, and then see Kim reject Bob’s marriage proposal after they find out about the invalidity of their marriage.

Bob and Kim Hughes

Thankfully, between Barbara (Colleen Zenk Pinter), Nancy (Helen Wagner), Susan (Marie Masters), and Lisa (Eileen Fulton), the two eventually reconciled and wed.

There were outstanding performances by all.

Move over Nuke! Here comes Leid!

Back in 2007, soap fans went nuts when CBS announced As The World Turns was bringing on Noah Mayer (Jake Silbermann) as a love interest for Luke Snyder (Van Hansis). It would be the first male same sex couple on soaps.

And at first, everybody loved them.

Until they broke them up time and time again.

Nuke – the name of the supercouple Luke and Noah – has had to deal with a lot.

First, there was Noah’s homophobic father, who shot Luke. Then, they had to deal with Luke’s paralysis as a result of the shooting.

Eventually, they were happy. But that didn’t last.

Noah’s father, an army man, had served in Iraq. An Iraqi woman, who he had saved, ceme to the US needing a green card. So Noah married her out of obligation.

When that’ended, Luke’s step-grandfat`er, Brian, kame onto Luke%2G causing him to/drink.

When that was resolved, Luoe and Noah fina`ly consummated pheir relationship after two long years.

Then, they had to deal with Noah’s professor, Mason, who had an unhealthy relationship with Noah. And finally, Noah went blind and pushed Luke away.

Last week, they broke up after Noah told Luke they might never get back together.

I’ve almost written the whole article about Nuke, so let’s move on to Dr. Reid.

Dr. Reid Oliver, who is gay, is Noah’s neurosurgeon is the man who is partially responsible for Nuke’s breaking up.

Eric Stevens as Dr. Reid Oliver/ATWT

Reid (Eric Stevens) and Luke hate each other, but it seems like hate may turn into passion. Which will turn into love.

Reid is arrogant, and self-absorbed, but he and Luke have chemistry.

So with the Nuke chapter of Luke’s life over, will the Reid chapter begin?

While As the World Turns comes to an end, I find it hard to say goodbye.

It has been a tough year for soaps – first Guiding Light and now As the World Turns are cancelled.

But there is one thing that keeps me happy.

When Guiding Light ended, it was announced that many fan faves were returning to wish the show a fond farewell…Stars like Maureen Garrett (Holly Thorpe), Tom Pelphrey (Jonathan Randall), Nancy St. Alban (Michelle Bauer Santos), Paul Anthony Stewart (Danny Santos), Krista Terseau (Mindy Sue Lewis), and many others.

And yes, I would have loved for other stars to come back, but having those people was a wonderful blast from the past.

So far on As the World Turns, it has been announced that Jesse Soffer (Will Munson) and Jennifer Landon (Gwen Norbeck Munson) will be returning.

Jennifer Landon/Gwen Norbeck Munson

Also returning is film star and Academy Award nominee Julianne Moore (Frannie Hughes/Sabrina Hughes), who began her career in daytime. Julianne will reprise the character of Frannie for Bob and Kim’s wedding anniversary.

Julianne Moore

Don’t get me wrong – it will be an end of an era on September 17 when ATWT finishes its historic run on CBS. It will leave behind a legacy.

When GL ended, ATWT became the longest running serial drama (for all of one year), but now it is time to say goodbye.

And it looks like there will be a lot of familiar faces to say goodbye to.

There is a romance brewing, and it’s a doozy.

Janet (Julie Pinson) and Dusty (Grayson McCouch) on ATWT were never in the same circle.

I don’t think they ever had a scene together until her sister Teri (Vanessa Ray) hit town and began working for him. But they are the kind of slow, burning romance that soaps are known for.

Julie Pinson, who plays Janet, used to be on Days of Our Lives as Billie Reed and on Port Charles as Eve Lambert. She was no beginner to the soap game when she went to ATWT.

Janet was immediately involved with Brad (Austin Peck), Katie (Terri Columbino), Liberty (Meredith Hagner) and Jack (Michael Park). Now, she is married to Jack and she is growing closer to Dusty.

Grayson McCouch, who plays Dusty, also has a long daytime career. He played Dr. Morgan Winthrop on Another World.

Since being on ATWT, Dusty has had a few good relationships, such as Lucy (Peyton List), and Jennifer (Jennifer Ferrin). But recently, he has gone from Lily (then-Martha Byrne) to Meg (Marie Wilson) and to Bonnie (Chaunteé Schuler). He’s even had a flirtation (including a few kisses) with Teri.

But now, it looks like Dusty and Janet are going to go the distance, or at least until ATWT ends its run.

Janet’s daughter, Liberty, has leukemia, and Dusty is helping out with his big bucks and by being there for Janet.

When Jack and Carly (Maura West) were chasing each other around America in Novermber after he shot Brad, Janet and Dusty grew close. The duo consummated their budding relationship while Jack was stuck with Carly and Craig (Jon Lindstrom) in a snowstorm on New Year’s Eve.

They have been cute together, and their relationship is going to take another large turn.

On Friday’s “Next Week on As the World Turns”, Dusty got down on his knee and proposed to a married Janet. Meanwhile, Carly had just told Jack that Janet and Dusty are having an affair.

This week will be a major turning point, as Janet and Dusty deal with their relationship, Janet and Jack deal with their marriage, and Carly and Jack deal with THEIR attraction to each other, that they have acknowledged many times.

Here’s a clip from Tuesday’s show

What will happen with Jack and Janet….with Jack and Carly….and with Dusty and Janet?

You have to tune in, to see that world turn.

By Joshua

As anyone who watches As the World Turns would know, one of the major storylines is Liberty’s leukemia.

A core character, Liberty is Brad’s lovechild with Janet and she is also Parker’s ex-wife.

Liberty’s cancer was a rumor that began when her current portrayer, Meredith Hagner, announced that she was leaving the show to pursue a primetime career.

Meredith Hagner (Liberty Ciccone/ATWT)

This story has all of the elements needed for a good story.

Jack (Michael Park) and Janet’s (Julie Pinson) marriage has been slowly crumbling since he accidentally killed Brad back in November. He has been drawing closer to his “True North”, Carly (Maura West). In fact, he proclaimed his love for Carly and his intention to leave Janet for her a few weeks ago.

He even went to the farm to tell Janet that he was leaving – which is where he found out about Liberty’s cancer. Jack, being the family man that he is, would never leave Janet in this time of crisis.

Which is where our journey is.

Carly is now working with ex-fiancee Craig (Jon Lindstrom) to keep her mind off of the love of her life, who she had promised to stay away from. Janet’s boss, Dusty (Grayson McCouch) is trying to win her over and the two are growing closer as friends.

Oh, and did I mention Janet and Dusty slept together on New Year’s Eve, while Jack was with Carly?

The big question on everyone’s mind seems to be this: Will Jack make a choice before both contenders for his love are taken?

The big question on my mind, however, is how will As the World Turns tell the storyline of Liberty’s cancer.

It has been announced that Meredith Hagner is leaving and the role is being recast. So I wouldn’t expect Lib to die on us too soon.

However, in the last three years, ATWT has tried to do two other cancer stories: Barbara’s oral cancer, which was just a way to get Sofie (Justine Cotsonas) in Paul’s (Roger Howarth) circle, and Lucinda’s (Elizabeth Hubbard) breast cancer reocurrance, which was just a way to get Brian (Laurence Lau) to marry her

Both of these stories were dropped and never fully resolved (Barbara’s cancer got a passing mention recently when she was told that Mick’s (Tom Pelphrey) miracle drug cured it).

The time is ticking for As the World Turns, whose cancellation was announced back in November. The soap opera has only eight and a half months left before it goes off the air, which is enough time to tell a cancer story that could win Emmy’s for many actors and actresses.

They have the potential, the talent, and the angst for the storyline.

Let’s hope ATWT does the best cancer storyline ever.

By Joshua

I know this was announced a few months ago, but it really took this long to hit me.

After 54 long years on the air – after marriages, divorces, deaths, births, baby switches, broken engagements, affairs, mental breakdowns, comas, and so much more – As the World Turns has been canceled. This is a fact that is made even more sad because it’s sister soap, Guiding Light, ended its historic 72-year run in September.

I started watching As the World Turns when I was 12. It was always close to me.

ATWT is one of the few soaps with so many vets and older characters – Dr. Bob (Don Hastings), Kim (Kathryn Hays), Nancy, Lucinda, Lisa and Barbara – and, especially in the last year, they have been utilized.

Bob’s health crisis mystery combined with Kim’s heart attack was so sweet.

Lisa didn’t get much airtime. But Barbara (Colleen Zenk Pinter) has been canoodling with three (or two, depending on how you look at it) men, two of which are young enough to be her son.

We even got a double dose of Nancy this year. The scenes where she gave Casey her engagement ring from Chris to give to Ali were wonderful.

Now, ATWT has also played a lot of young people: Mick, Ali, Casey, Liberty, Parker, Luke (Van Hansis), Noah (Jake Silbermann), the Pisces twins (ugh), Maddie, Hunter and Adam.

They intermingled the two generations (Ali/Bob/Kim during Bob’s health crisis; Mick and Barbara). They told stories about family, love, hate, and of course, returning from the dead.

Now, I’m not saying that ATWT is perfect. There have been many stories that they didn’t do very well. Heck, people went from the Nuke fanbase in droves to support One Life’s gay couple, Kish (which has even been called “Nuke done right”).

Luke (Van Hansis) and Noah (Jake Silbermann)

When Guiding Light went off the air, it felt like a family member died. But there was always ATWT to carry on the legacy.

When GL was cancelled on September 18, 2009 until September 17, 2010 when ATWT has its final air date, ATWT is the longest running soap opera currently on the air. And yes, 54 is not as long as 72, but the cancellation of ATWT has been felt just as hard, if not harder.

Soon, ATWT will join the ranks of GL, Passions and a horde of other canceled soaps, the third in the last few years. As the World Turns has been a staple of history. I will never forget watching the Walshes, the Snyders, the Hughes, the Stewarts, the Stenbecks, and every other family and character to blow through Oakdale.

Here’s to another nine months of wonderful storytelling and the history that will unfortunately be coming to an end. I am not quite happy with CBS for their decision, but what can you do? I will never forget the memories, no matter what.

Even after 9/17/10, you can help keep the world turning within yourself.

By Joshua

Last week was an all around good week for soaps. I was on the edge of my seat many times.

The most dramatic had to be Friday’s General Hospital. I know that Fridays are generally the big cliffhanger days, but I really haven’t seen a good cliffhanger Friday in awhile.

Jason (Steve Burton) gets ready to punch Franco (James Franco). ABC/Chris Chavira

Jason and Dante make a great team, as do Lucky and Dante and Lucky and Jason. These three actors are so talented, and their chemistry with one another makes a great dynamic.

I gotta say, though, I didn’t like Sonny’s reaction to Franco. Sonny has so much potential. When Franco looked Sonny in the eye and called him a coward, the next shot should have been Franco’s body floating in a river. But Sonny proved Franco was right and released him. That just didn’t make sense.

I am glad Franco is leaving next week. He has been used to death, and I hope he has a good send off. I don’t really think GH needed him at all – the story seemed so rushed and the ratings didn’t go up. Next time a celebrity wants to try soaps for a while, I think they should find someone even more high-profile.

Then there was As the World Turns. The scenes with Henry, Katie and Simon early in the week were wonderful. The scene where Katie looked around her house at “her boys” was so sweet; and Henry and Simon waking up together was priceless! Those episodes really made me think: Why did CBS pull the plug on this? It has everything a good soap opera needs – humor and drama mixed in together.

I liked seeing Noah back, but his return wasn’t really written well. He was there and he and Luke got into ANOTHER fight. Yawn. Mick is also another lemon story. Why bring James back AGAIN? He just died less than a year ago. Emily put a mirror under his nose – he wasn’t breathing. Barbara stuck him with a pin – he didn’t flinch. They’ve got a big job to do to justify this story.

And then we have One Life to Live. I’ll be the first to say that Crystal Hunt is an amazing actress. I’ll also be the first to say that Stacy Morasco is a horrible character and her exit is way too late. But dammit if I wasn’t rooting for her the whole time she was facing off against Mitch and his crazy minion. She actually started to seem human. But now Rex will move in with her and she will manipulate once more.

Then there’s the story that I have named “Dorian’s Debacle”. Mitch threatened her girls, so she did what he said. She did what he said, so her girls moved out AND she is the town pariah. I felt every emotion Dorian portrayed throughout all of the scenes. And Mel’s ghostly return was nice, too. I was just a little upset that they said he might be alive – and this was such a tease.

Which brings me to All My Children. The anniversary was a let down in some ways – the old characters never interacted at all. They did get to use nice clips from the past, however. It seemed the writers focused more on what’s happened in the last two years than what happened in the 38 years before that, though.

Watching Adam try and name his wives in order (Althea, Erica, Brooke, Dixie, Natalie, Erica, Gloria, Liza, Arlene, Liza, Krystal, Annie) was funny; as was Erica giving her full name (Erica Kane Martin Brent Cudahy Chandler Roy Montgomery Montgomery Chandler Marick Marick Montgomery).

All around, this week was great for all my soaps.