As the World Turns
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Here's a look ahead at this coming week episodes on As the World Turns...

• Tragedy strikes when Carly and Jack hone in on Kit.

• Katie and Brad (Austin Peck, pictured) fear foul play when Henry is nowhere to be found.

• Barbara has trouble hiding her illness.

• Emily's (Kelley Menighan Hensley) actions have severe consequences.

• Sofie becomes frantic when Hallie becomes ill.

Give Jeannie Tharrington credit for honesty at least.

Aspokesperson for the As the World Turns' producing company Proctor & Gamble Productions Inc., Tharrington admits that the 52-year-old series has a diverse fan base, some of whom might be called “conservative.”

Hence, the hesitation to advance the story line between Luke and Noah too quickly.

“We are intentionally doing this slowly,” says Tharrington. “We’re trying to respect all viewers. We want to present what’s best creatively and what’s best for our diverse audience.”

As the World Turns fans wanna see actors Van Hansis and Jake Silbermann smooch again.

On CNN's Showbiz Tonight, the anchors recently discussed the controversy surrounding As the World Turns. Namely:

Will Noah and Luke ever kiss?!?

The story was also picked up by USA Today:

According to TV Guide, Procter & Gamble has confirmed that two-time Emmy winner Martha Byrne will soon exit As the World Turns.

Other websites are reporting that the fan favorite — who plays Lily Snyder — turned down an insulting offer to re-sign her contract. But the show's executive producer Chris Goutman says this isn't the case.

“We made Martha an incredibly generous offer in hopes that she would remain a valuable member of the As the World Turns cast,” Goutman says in a statement. “Unfortunately, Martha has decided to leave despite our best efforts to keep her.”

Those close to the situation swear that’s valid.

“When Goutman says ‘generous,’ he means it — the offer was generous by anyone’s standards,” insists one longtime staffer. “I don’t know what else the show could have done for Martha.”

The actress, who is still taping episodes, will be off the air by April.

Here's a look at next week's As the World Turns episodes...

• Carly's life is put in danger.

• Ameera (Tala Ashe) has a difficult time fitting in.

• Katie and Brad (Austin Peck, pictured) lean in for a kiss.

• Vienna makes a decision between Henry (Trent Dawson) and Gray.

• Meg's new nursing assignment is a shocker.

Here's an update on where you can find a few stars from As the World Turns next month...

- Michael Park (pictured) and Martha Byrne will perform at the "When You Wish Upon A Star. . ." event at Maria Fareri Children's Hospital. The evening will be a cabaret event with proceeds benefiting the Children's Hospital.

The event is scheduled from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday, March 8 at the Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla, NY. Tickets are $150. For more information call (914)762-2670.

- Terri Colombino will also take part in the "When You Wish Upon a Star" event for The Maria Fareri Children's Hospital at the same location on March 8.

Here's the first episode of As the World Turns with Ameera, a new character portrayed by Tala Ashe. She's joining the Noah and Luke story line...

Warning: don't read any further if you don't want a glance at a few As the World Turns spoilers...

• Vienna sees Henry with another woman.

• Luke, Noah (Jake Silbermann, pictured) and Ameera's road trip gets them in trouble.

• Sofie (Justine Cotsonas) inadvertently pits brother against brother.

• Margo dashes Carly and Jack's hopes.

• Gwen and Will win big, but it doesn't comfort them.

Yesterday, the Los Angeles Times ran a story about complaints from As the World Turns fans over the treatment of Luke and Noah's relationship.

Online fans began a nationwide media blitz on February 20 to bring attention to the show, which has been twice nominated for an award from the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD).

"Presenting a gay couple on television only to relegate them to insulting hugs and slaps on the back is the 21st century version of putting African Americans on the back of the bus," wrote one disgruntled fan named Tony. "We're simply supposed to be happy that we got the ride at all. This is 2008, and yet CBS and Procter & Gamble are clearly stuck in the past."

That's not the case, says Jeannie Tharrington, a spokeswoman for Procter & Gamble Productions. She denies the show's writers have been discriminating.

"We're trying to be sensitive to all the different audiences who watch our show. We do make our decision based on what we think is best for the show's diverse audience and what's best creatively."

Tharrington adds that the Nuke story line is simply part of the soap opera world, one that is "always trying to keep people wanting more."

CBS spokesmen said the show's ratings have increased since the pair were introduced last year.

"CBS supports the producers' vision for the Luke and Noah storyline," according to a statement. "We have not censored it or asked them to hold back in any way."

What do you think of the situation? Chime in now on our As the World Turns forum!

On the February 28 episode of As the World Turns, Chris Hartl and Will Poston appear as Chad and Grant, two frat boys who make trouble for Luke, Noah and Ameera.

Check out a pair of images from the incident: