ATWT: Barbie Bloom on Nuke fallout

[Sylph]

Daytime Boss Addresses ATWT's "Nuke" Fallout



Why won't As the World Turns let gay teens Noah (Jake Silbermann) and Luke (Van Hansis) kiss on screen, much less have sex? Are execs at the CBS Procter & Gamble soap homophobic? Are they running scared of antigay Christian groups? Or is this a brilliantly masterminded tease guaranteed to make salivating Nuke fans tune in tomorrow?

Whatever the case, this is the biggest controversy to hit soaps in years. Legions of pissed-off Nuke-anistas — a lot of them straight — have spammed the media with complaints about bias against the duo, and many are calling for a viewer boycott. Meanwhile, the right-wing American Family Association reportedly wants the teens dropped from the soap and has asked P&G to make it happen. P&G has banned ATWT executive producer Chris Goutman from speaking to the press about Nuke, so I contacted CBS daytime chief Barbara Bloom to get her POV.

"I can assure you there is no homophobia on the part of the network, nor are we pandering to any group," Bloom claims. "We have not censored ATWT or asked them to hold back in any way." And she's all for having the two boys go all the way — some day. "I really hope the show will continue to evolve the Luke and Noah story, and that they culminate their relationship the way all couples in love do."

But until then, why the almost puritanical lack of intimacy? At Christmas, the camera panned away as the boys were about to smooch, and focused instead on the mistletoe. On Valentine's Day, every ATWT couple shared a liplock except Nuke. And the roadblocks! Earlier this month Noah married Iraqi refugee Ameera (Tala Ashe) to keep her from getting deported.

"I understand why all this makes people scream," Bloom admits. "The only thing you're going to get out of me is that the pacing is slower with Luke and Noah than it is with other romances on ATWT. But that's good storytelling. We're in the business of getting people to watch more."

My take? I think the folks at ATWT are loving the scandal and milking it for all it's worth. How else to explain that recent scene where Luke — in a nod to the controversy — leaned into Noah and seductively whispered, "What is hotter than a forbidden romance?" — Michael Logan

http://community.tvguide.com/blog-entry/TVGuide-Editors-Blog/Soaps-News/Atwt-Gay-Nuke/800036717

[brimike]

Isn't this from.. like... two weeks ago's TV Guide? I feel like this has been sitting on my coffee table forever.

[dragonflies]

Blah, blah, blah, personally I'm sick of hearing about them not being able to kiss. When they take Luke and make him bisexual & then try to pair him with a woman who's really a man like AMC did to Bianca when they tried to pair her with a man who was really a woman, come back then we'll talk.....

You reap what you sew......

[bakedghoti]

atwt is loving the controversy, but the reports are getting so repetitive already...................

[Actor87]

^^I agree, bakedghoti.

Interesting how PGP has banned Chris from speaking out about Nuke. Maybe because he makes a fool out of himself everytime he opens his mouth. Hence, the Martha Byrne ordeal.

[Soapsuds]

I am so over Nuke. Why are they couple? Because they kissed 2 times...rolls eyes. I want a Levin pairing.

[Soapsuds]

[juppiter]

That pic is HOT! I agree, I want Levin. I'm so over Luke and Noah.

[Soapsuds]

I am glad you agree. I thought Levin's storyline was better develped than Nuke's. Luke and Kevin had a lot of chemistry.

[BinkyMimo88]

I want Levin too. If only to piss off the intolerant masses of Nuke fans...I'm a little peeved at something I just read.

Hot pics Suds. Keep 'em coming

[EastMA2]

I'd love for Kevin to come back also. Nuje just doesn't do it for me. Mainly because of Silbermann and his lack of acting ability.

[Soapsuds]

I was going to ask you to PM me what you had read. But the PM function is not working right now. I really thought Levin were better written. Luke had an edge to him which he has lost with Noah. The pic is of Kevin and Luke at Lucinda's place.

[Soapsuds]

Yeah, Nuke has fallen flat. Silbermann is probably a nice guy but his acting is boring to watch. Bring back Kevin and make Luke alive again.

[dragonflies]

Silbermann is the weak link in "Nuke" and Noah is dragging Luke down IMO

[Soapsuds]