News Brief

New York Daily News: On the Valentine's Day episode of the CBS soap AS THE WORLD TURNS, all the couples kissed - except Luke and Noah. That did it for a group of the show's fans. They have launched a campaign protesting what they call discrimination against the gay pair, who got together last September and have not gone much beyond hugging since then. The show's producers, however, defend the pace at which the relationship has developed, and a leading gay media monitor group praises the pioneering relationship. While there remain inequities in TV's treatment of gays and straights, says entertainment media director Damon Romine of the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Discrimination, he notes that "ATWT" has been nominated for a GLAAD Media Award because of "the thoughtful writing of both characters' individual journeys." Critics, who started their media blitz Wednesday through a Web site for Van Hansis - the actor who plays Luke, say the lack of physical contact between the couple reflects the broader media discomfort with gay romance.

Towleroad: A group of AS THE WORLD TURNS fans have started an online campaign aimed at the show's producers and Procter and Gamble claiming that CBS treats the love between gay characters Luke and Noah differently than it treats the heterosexual couples on the show. While the show has presented a groundbreaking storyline, fans say that while heterosexual couples are given graphic love and kissing scenes, Luke (Van Hansis) and Noah's (Jake Silbermann) affection takes place mainly off-screen, and passionate kisses are few and far between.

New York Daily News: Soap Dish: Out of the hospital, Bo recalls DAYS gone by. Also, David Rasche joins ALL MY CHILDREN as Tad's uncle Rob Gardner next Friday. ... MacKenzie Mauzy (Phoebe) is back on THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL Thursday. ... Catherine Mary Stewart plays a mom on "One Life to Live" on March 11. ... Tom Pelphrey exits the role of volatile Jonathan Randall on GUIDING LIGHT next month.

Daytime Dial: Bronson Pinchot (PERFECT STRANGERS) appears as Patrick the publicist on THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS on March 14, 18, 19, 24, 25 and 26.

Sun Herald: Lifetime Television has ordered production on the Lifetime Original Movie, "Fab Five: The Texas Cheerleader Scandal," starring Ashley Benson (DAYS OF OUR LIVES) and others, it was announced today by Tanya Lopez, Senior Vice President, Original Movies, Lifetime Networks.

Pasadena Now: The Fremont Centre Theatre will present "Ravensridge," a play by T.S. Cook, with the opening performance scheduled for 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 23. Directing is James Reynolds. Best known for his Emmy-nominated role of over 20 years as Abe Carver on DAYS OF OUR LIVES, he owns and operates the Fremont Centre Theatre with his wife Lissa. His recent credits there include directing the long-running hits "National Pastime" and "The Tangled Snarl/Murder Me Once," as well as starring in his solo play surveying Black history, "I, Too, Am America."