Fans have been clamoring for a few As the World Turns spoilers for next week. Here they are:
Here's a small As the World Turns spoiler:
We already reported that Julie Pinson would debut on the show on May 8. We can also now confirm that her character, Janet Ciccone, is the ex-girlfriend of Brad Snyder. Sounds intriguing to us!
Anyone familiar with As the World Turns knows recent Nuke concerns are not related to any sort of WMDs. Unless we're talking about Weapons of Mass Deliciousness, that is, in actors Van Hansis and Jake Silbermann.
But, seriously, folks. Legions angered soap fans have spammed the media with complaints about bias against Luke and Noah on the show, with many calling for a viewer boycott because this gay couple hasn't kissed in months.
TV Guide contacted CBS daytime chief Barbara Bloom to get her view on the controversy.
"I can assure you there is no homophobia on the part of the network, nor are we pandering to any group," Bloom said. "We have not censored As the World Turns or asked them to hold back in any way."
Bloom is all for having the two boys go all the way, eventually.
"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 in the meantime, the show has thrown yet another roadblock in the couple's path: 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 As the World Turns. But that's good storytelling. We're in the business of getting people to watch more."
Noelle Beck has been named as the replacement for As the World Turns' exiting Martha Byrne, whose last day at work as Lily was March 14.
Before the announcement, Byrne offererd advice for the actress who will take over her signature role:
"Have fun. Youll be working with an incredible group of people who will support you and love you and make you feel at home and help you."
Beck's first air date has not yet been released. Her previous television credits include Rescue Me and Cashmere Mafia.
Great news for fans of Julie Pinson:
Not long after she left the role of Billie on Days of Our Lives, Pinson has joined As the World Turns. We hear she'll be playing the recurring character of Janet Ciccone and will first air on May 8.
This should be interesting for Days followers, as the actress will be joining her former on-screen brother Austin Peck who plays Brad Snyder on the CBS soap opera. We can't wait to see how it all unfolds!
Coming up this week on As the World Turns...
What can you expect next week on As the World Turns? Here are a few spoilers...
Now that Martha Byrne has shot her final scene for As the World Turns, the actress is free to discuss her controversial exit from the show. That's exactly what she recently did with TV Guide...
TVGuide.com: Your fans are furious about this, and I know because I'm one of 'em! What the hell happened here?
Martha Byrne: This was the situation: Last year, I was asked to take a tremendous pay cut, and I did so willingly because I love As the World Turns and understood the financial situation the show was facing. I was willing to do anything to keep the show going, including giving up money, so we worked out a one-year contract. One year later, we go into this new contract negotiation and I had only one request.
I thought it was only fair and I wanted it on paper that I would work the same amount of days this year that I did last year. I considered it a gesture of good faith on their part. I asked for nothing else. Zero. But I was told that this could not be put into my contract and, that same day, the show sent out a breakdown notice to recast my role.
TVGuide.com: Was that supposed to be a scare tactic?
Byrne: Maybe. But I thought it was inappropriate. That shouldn't happen in the middle of negotiations. My request didn't warrant that kind of tactic, if in fact it was a tactic. After that, things went from bad to worse. I can't get into those details but it solidified my decision to leave the show.
I never intended to speak about this but I now feel I must after Chris put out that press release saying they did everything they could to keep me. I do not feel that was the case, and I feel the fans deserve the truth.
Read the full Byrne interview now.
Soap Opera Digest is reporting that Martha Byrne's replacement has been hired and it is a "name" actress that didn't even have to screen test.
The series is not giving out this star's name yet, however, because Byrne had not taped her last scenes yet when the magazine went to print. Noelle Beck and Susan Haskell are the names that have most frequently been mentioned.
When Casey was released from jail on As the World Turns, he wasn't the only one starting his life over; his roommate Matt flew the coop, too.
CBS.com caught up with his portrayer, Eric William Morris who filled readers in on Matt, life in Oakdale and more.
CBS.com: Tell me about Matt.
Eric William Morris: Matt grew up in a different part of Illinois because he was in the state prison with Casey, which you'll learn as the plot unfolds. I think he's a really interesting character. He's not fully bad and he's struggling to become a good guy, but he has a lot going on and he has a lot of influences pulling at him. He's got a really interesting struggle so it's really interesting to play.
CBS.com: Do we know why Matt is in prison?
Eric William Morris: You will, eventually, so tune into As the World Turns, weekdays on CBS.
Read the full interview with Morris now.