More Oakdale returns next week. Paul Leyden (Simon) and Lesli Kay (Molly) reprise their roles on As the World Turns. Watch the promo after the jump. READ MORE

 Next week is Tom Pelphrey's debut on As the World Turns. Watch the promo after the jump. READ MORE

 Want to know what will happen in Oakdale next week? Watch the As the World Turns promo after the jump. READ MORE

 Looks like Barbrara's life is heating up on As the World Turns next week. Watch the promo after the jump. READ MORE

As the World Turns' Meredith Hagner, Van Hansis, Marie Wilson, Jake Silbermann, Jon Lindstrom, Ewa da Cruz and Colleen Zenk Pinter were interviewed on the red carpet at the 36th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards. Watch all 7 clips after the jump. READ MORE

Jake Silbermann

James Scott

Steve Burton

Mark Lawson

James Scott

Jake Silbermann

One family is grieving. Another family is reunited. Next week on As the World Turns.

Perhaps someone passed along my Open Letter to Christopher Goutman. Perhaps Barbara Bloom took a good look at the plummeting ratings and decided that everyone should not lighten up after all. Perhaps head writer Jean Passanante took an extended vacation to Buenos Aires. Whatever has been happening over the last few weeks, let me step out on a limb and utter the words that many fans thought might not ever be said again or even believe: As the World Turns is, at long last, improving.

I fully expect the comments section to be full of invective and angry fist shaking about how ATWT is still "the worst soap on the air," how the vets are misused, and how the "Vortex of Suck" continues to, well, suck. In addition, the now well-documented list of the show's biggest defects remain stubbornly in place: warp-speed storytelling and the soul sucking semi-episodic structure continue to test the rapidly waning patience of the show's dwindling audience.

Having said that, it bears repeating that fans are a stubborn breed. We will praise shows, actors and performances we like, but we are quick to make our displeasure known when we feel things are not up to speed and falling apart. Once the latter narrative has been established it is very hard to turn the tide of opinion, even when a show starts to address its critics and make changes. Therefore, though the longstanding criticisms of ATWT are still valid, I think it is time to once again give credit where credit is due. READ MORE

Mason (Forbes March) invites Noah (Jake Silbermann) to an indie movie screening to help Noah work through the problems he is experiencing with his project. Does anyone else think Noah looks like a deer in the headlights?