As the World Turns News (Page 8)

Dominic Fumusa recently chatted with CBS.com about his new character on As the World Turns. Just what is this Gray Gerald guy up to?

CBS.com: Tell me a little about Gray.
Dominic Fumusa: Well, he comes to town as a mystery man. No one really knows what he's doing. He shows up to a poker game with Henry. Gray's a man of means and engages in high stakes poker with Henry. Over the course of the evening Gray wins a large amount of money from Henry.

Henry claims that he doesn't have the money, but he does offer up the diner and there starts the whole, what people are calling, the "Indecent Proposal" when I say I'll forgive the bet, but instead of the diner, I take your girlfriend for a night.

CBS.com: What are Gray's intentions?
Dominic Fumusa: The funny thing is, is that it's not clear what Gray's intentions are but what is clear is that he doesn't seem to be the nicest guy but you, as the viewer, aren't sure why you don't like him. As the name implies Gray is very gray.

Read the full interview with Fumusa now.

To the chagrin of many As the World Turns fans, it's been confirmed that Jennifer Landon, Jesse Soffer will be exiting the series this spring.

We now have brief, inside information regarding how their characters - Gwen and Will - will be written out...

Their exit will be related to the custody issues surrounding Hallie, which popped up again this week as Gwen returned the baby to birth-mother Sofie.

Both Will and Gwen have had their ups and downs in Oakdale since they came on the scene; and it appears as though the drama with Hallie and Sofie will be the last straw for each.

Will this type of explanation for the elimination of two key cast members satisfy you? Share your thought now in our forum.

Now that Martha Byrne is officially leaving As the World Turns, the actress has a response to the show's side of her departure, which went as follows:

"We have made Martha an incredibly generous offer in hopes that she would remain a valuable member of the As the World Turns cast."

Byrne doesn't see it the same way. She recently told Soap Opera Digest:

"Last year, understanding the impending fiscal constraints the show faced, I willingly signed a one-year contract with a substantial pay reduction. With six weeks remaining on that contract, the show began negotiations on a new one. I made it known I was willing to sign a multi-year contract and was committed to stay with the show...

"I then learned the show, that same afternoon, put out a breakdown for my immediate replacement. That was the end of any further negotiations for me. Unfortunately, what I thought to be a reasonable and workable request, the show determined [to be] unworkable."

This week on As the World Turns, Jack, Carly, Brad, Katie and Henry converge in Chicago. The adventure culminates in Henry's being freed and Jack getting shot.

"Brad and Katie go to this warehouse looking for Henry," Austin Peck, who plays Brad, told The New York Daily News. "Jack and Carly are there looking for Kit, so they all work together."

Kit is wanted back in Oakdale, where Parker is on trial for murder.

"Kit is the key to keeping Parker from being sent to prison for killing Sam. [Parker] fired one shot that hit Sam, but Kit fired the second shot that killed him," said Peck.

As for Henry?

"Gray wants Vienna, so he tried to get Henry out of the picture by kidnapping him. As it happens, Kit and Henry are both in the same warehouse in Chicago. Kit, for some reason, has [the ventriloquist's dummy] Cowboy Jack with her. She tries to kill Carly and Jack by dropping Cowboy Jack on them."

She can't throw her voice, much less the doll. An escape attempt ensues.

Read the rest of this ATWT preview now.

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.