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As the World Turns literally turns up the heat at the end of this week and next, as Luke is going to be torn between two men: Reid and Noah.   If ever a soap opera triangle has generated so much buzz, it is this one.  And how cool!  Because this time, this soapy triangle is between three men!  Van Hansis (Luke), who delivers powerful and believable performances day in and day out, chatted with On-Air On-Soaps about Luke’s latest and most challenging conundrum to date.   And what started out as a predictable sure bet that when As the World Turns airs its final episode come September, that Luke and Noah would reunite, has done a complete 180… or has it?

With the arrival of Eric Sheffer Stevens (Dr. Reid Oliver) to the Oakdale scene, as a very pompous neurosurgeon that first hated Luke’s guts, this hate-at-first-sight dynamic has set off sparks and electrical currents between Luke and Reid that fans are raving about, and in love with, and for good reason.  So while the great debate of who will be Luke’s true love will continue on for the next several months, Van discusses Luke’s current journey, and the incredible opportunity that he has to affect so many people’s lives worldwide with his portrayal of a leading soap character who happens to be gay.  And with daytime shunning so many of the gay characters you love to love over the past year, it is Van who has carried so much of the torch, when so many other LGBT characters came and went.

Now, with his first feature film under his belt, a bright future ahead of him, and a huge fan fest coming up next month for Van fans to see the guy in the flesh, he has it going on! On-Air On-Soaps heard you, the fans, on this one.  For months you have been requesting and emailing us to chat with Van, and we got him.  So, without further ado, here’s Van!

MICHAEL:

Luke and Reid have had such a phenomenal response, and are generating the hottest buzz right now in all of daytime.  Did you have any idea that this was going to take off like this?

VAN:

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I guess so, because Eric is a fantastic actor.  He is a really inventive actor.  I think it takes a really special actor to take a character like that, who on paper can look like an asshole, and he has basically made him someone to root for.  Eric has done a really fantastic job of that.  Honestly, going into this thing when Eric was cast, I had the idea that he and Luke would hook-up.  But I did not know it would go as far as it has gone, or that it would become a real triangle, and a real relationship!  It’s exciting for me to play, since Luke has been with the same person for three years now.  But it’s interesting, because Reid brings out things in Luke that Noah hasn’t in a long time.  I feel that Luke has a lot more fun now with Reid.  I think it’s kind of back to what first started with Luke and Noah: the thrill of a new relationship.  There is new stuff to discover about yourself and this person, when a relationship is so fresh.  Of course, playing that is exciting.  That being said, I think Noah brings something that Reid doesn’t.  So, I actually think Luke is torn.  I think he really, really cares about Noah, and always will.  I think he is kind of intrigued by Reid and what Reid offers.  But Reid has a lot of issues himself, and I don’t know if Luke is ready to go there and be with somebody who isn’t that nice a person to him.  That being said, there were times when Noah wasn’t trying to be actively mean, like Reid was.  But Noah could ignore Luke, and Luke would get needy around Noah.  So, Luke is in a very interesting place now.  It’s a very fun story to tell.

MICHAEL:

It sounds like you are having a good time with this triangle!

VAN:

I am having a great time!  This is one of my favorite stories I have ever told, and it is so nice to go out with a bang.  This is good soap opera, in my mind.

MICHAEL:

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Recently, I interviewed ATWT’s head writer, Jean Passanante, and she spoke about the introduction of Reid to the Oakdale canvas as a spoiler for Nuke, and how she was shocked by the response from a good portion of the fans.  She said, “We are getting positive feedback for Luke and Reid.  And who would’ve imagined we could bring anyone between Luke and Noah?  You never know.   I thought people would yell, ‘You can’t do that.’  But it’s been great!”

VAN:

I also think there are a lot of people who are also upset that someone has come between Noah and Luke, as well.

MICHAEL:

What do you think about the acronym being used online for Luke and Reid: LuRe? Have you heard about it?  Do you like it?

VAN:

I have heard that, and I have heard, Ruke.  I think LuRe sort of rolls off the tongue better than Ruke.  I mean Ruke, sounds like a fungal disease.  I got a nasty case of the “Ruke”. (Laughs)

MICHAEL:

When I spoke to Jean, I also asked her if she was to foresee what the lives of Luke, Noah and Reid would be like five years from now after ATWT goes off the air, what would she envision?  Jean stated, “Since this is completely speculative; someone gets married, and someone wants to adopt children.  I think Luke would like to get married.  It would be interesting to play that there is nothing in the world that Reid would like to do less than get married… and/or one of them wants a child they become attached to.  There are lot of things, and an endless supply of stories that would have been done.”   How do you feel about that?  What would you envision down the line for Luke, since fans will not get to see that ever played out on-air?

VAN:

Well, first off, with the show coming to a close, certain decisions have to be made, and certain stories have to wrap up that if the show weren’t being canceled, they would not end.   I never heard the idea of the story of Luke wanting to get married, and that it would be the last thing Reid would want to do.  That would be very interesting story.

MICHAEL:

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Do you think Luke would ever want to get married?

VAN:

I don’t know.   I think if the show were to go on, what I would like to see for Luke is that he stops hiding himself behind his relationships.  And to actually get off his ass out there and do something.  He has his foundation, and that is great, but he doesn’t really seem to want to do anything.  He seems to get everyone else to do things for him like his mom, or Holden, or Lucinda.  Somebody always comes in and runs the foundation when he is not really feeling it.  Reid is a brain surgeon, and has such a career and such a passion.   Noah is a filmmaker, and he has a passion for it.  Luke flits around and gets involved in his own love life, and his parent’s love life.  I guess that is what soap opera characters do, but I don’t think I would be a friend with somebody like Luke, who absolutely has zero drive.  You know, I loved the election storyline that led into the Brian storyline, and that too, was one of my other favorites.  It also really set up for Luke that he doesn’t feel he has to work for things.  He tried to buy the election, and when that didn’t work, his parents wanted him to go back to college, but he wanted to work for Damian’s shipping company.  Now, the shipping company hasn’t even been mentioned in… I don’t know how many months!  So I guess he is not working there anymore. (Laughs)  But, I would like to see, before Luke jumps into getting married or anything, Luke really do something with his life. That being said, at the trajectory he is going, Luke doesn’t seem to want to do anything with his life except get involved with everyone else’s life. (Laughs)   However, in regards to marriage, I do know family is important to Luke.

MICHAEL:

This week, and leading into next week, there is a big ‘game-changer’ in this triangle, when Noah sees Reid and Luke kissing inside Lily’s house!  And later, Luke sees a necktie and flashes back to his and Noah’s first kiss!  Did you know that the writing team got a swarm of neckties sent to them in honor of Nuke’s first kiss?  And what is Luke going to do now with all his inner conflict and feelings?  Will he go, “What do I do?”

VAN:

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I did know about the incredible Nuke fans sending the ties to the writing team.  I thought that was so nice, and I thought that was clever.  Luke is going to go, “What do I do?”  And when I said Luke is torn, this is when it comes to a head.   Luke tries to make a decision, but his decision gets made for him.  Through out all of that, Luke has feelings for two people right now, and again, that is a really interesting thing to play because I honestly think it happens.  I think he has true feelings for two people, and he can’t be with one without hurting the other.  That is a really tough predicament to be in, and you are going to end up hurting one of them, or yourself.

MICHAEL:

How does Jake Silbermann (Noah) feel about Luke having another man?

VAN:

Jake and I don’t talk about the show too much.  We just saw Iron Man 2 the other week, but when we hang out, the show is not on our minds.

MICHAEL:

One of my favorite recent soap scenes was when Luke and Reid got stuck in an elevator together.  And, what I liked about it was, what I thought was going to be soap plot device 101, didn’t actually end up like all scenes do when two people who are attracted to each other end up in an elevator.  Usually, on a soap, they end up having sex.  You guys didn’t.  However, the sparks flew!

VAN:

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I loved that scene!  I liked that they did not give in to temptation, and they ended up antagonizing each other.  There was a moment there.  That was the first tangible spark that came between them.  And, that is another part of what I like between Luke and Reid’s relationship.  Through out it all, they do really like each other, and they don’t mind knocking each other down a few pegs.  That speaks to a level of trust that these two characters have between them.  If you do love somebody, and you do feel comfortable with them, it is OK to say these kinds of things, because it’s not really going to hurt the person.  It’s flirting, in a way.

MICHAEL:

Ok.  So how is working with Eric Sheffer Stevens?  Fans want to know: is he a cocky, snarky guy like Reid, or a funny guy in person?

VAN:

No, he is not like Reid at all!  He is a very nice guy, and very funny and smart.  I have had a blast working with him.

MICHAEL:

Can Luke fans expect the triangle of Luke and Reid and Noah to play out till the end of the series in September?

VAN:

This plays out till the end, and especially, this is the story that is not going to wrap-up till the last couple of episodes.  This is the big story, from what I have heard.  We still have a month left to tape, but I am working a lot now, which is good!   I think it’s going to be pretty exciting all the way till the finale.

MICHAEL:

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Van, what did you think of Noah pushing Luke away during his blindness?  Did you feel that it was too “plot devicy”?

VAN:

I don’t think it was ‘plot devicy’.  I thought it was two people coming to the table with different things.  Noah didn’t know where his life was going to be, so he could not commit fully, and that would not be good for Luke right now, but Noah needed space.  Luke was saying, “I can be here for you.  I can give you whatever you need.”  When all Noah needed from Luke was a little bit of space.  In the history of their relationship, stuff like this had happened before, but never to this degree.  I think it was told well, and in the end, it was Luke who actually broke up with Noah, and said, “I cannot do this anymore,” and that now puts them in a position where Noah wants Luke back.  And now, Luke is not sure about that anymore, even though it was him who broke up with Noah.  I think the entire time Noah did not want to break up… he just wanted some space.  Luke could not handle that.

MICHAEL:

Your cast mates landed several Daytime Emmy nominations including Michael Park (Jack) for Outstanding Lead Actor.   It’s great that as the show goes to soap heaven, it’s got a chance for some of the show’s long time veterans to get some gold!

VAN:

I am very excited for the actors, and Michael Park is fantastic.  But personally, the one I am most excited about is Marnie Schulenburg (Alison).   From the first day she stepped on set, I thought, “Wow.  This girl is really, really good.”  And, I just don’t think she has gotten the recognition she deserves.  If you saw the tribute to Lisa and Eileen Fulton…the 50’s episode…Marnie nailed that.    She had the mannerisms, the voice, everything, and all she had done was watch old clips of Eileen Fulton on You Tube.  She is really is a strong versatile actress.  I think the reason she has not gotten her due is that Marnie is not a showy actor, but she has layers of depth underneath everything she does.  I am thrilled for her, and it’s about damn time, I think.  I am also happy that all the people behind the scenes got nominated, as well.

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MICHAEL:

Did you put yourself in for a pre-nomination this year?  Would you go to Vegas for the ceremonies on June 27th for the last Emmy hurrah for ATWT?

VAN:

I did put myself in, but I did not get pre-nominated.  I would love to go to Vegas for the Emmys, but it kind of depends on some things.  I would go, but I don’t know if I will go, let’s put it that way. (Laughs)

MICHAEL:

You have been very busy working on ATWT, and on a new film, Occupant. Are you done shooting the movie?

VAN:

I am done with the film.  The film, Occupant was absolutely incredible to be a part of, and the biggest learning experience of my life.   It was such a different experience than doing theatre or a soap, and I loved it.  This was my first film.  I am thrilled to see what happens with it, because I believe in it.  It was beautifully shot.  The cinematography was stunning and it looks so beautiful, and that is weird to say for a horror film, even though it’s kind of more like a psychological thriller than a horror film.  I play “a guy”, and I cannot say much more than that.  It is an interesting script, and it’s creepy.

MICHAEL:

Well, this had to be a real treat for you, because if I recall you are a big horror film aficionado.

VAN:

I do love horror films, and to be cast in one was amazing!  I learned so much about myself as an actor, and I learned so much about the business.   It was a real blessing to have gotten this film.

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MICHAEL:

You are heading back to some familiar territory on Sunday, June 13th at the KDKA Soapstar Spectacular in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  In fact, you attended the famed drama school, Carnegie-Mellon, located in Steel town!

VAN:

I did, and I am thrilled to go back to Pittsburgh.  That is a very big deal to get into Carnegie. When I got into Carnegie I had gone to a performing arts drama school before, and I was the only kid in my class to get into Carnegie.  I am originally from Greensfield, Massachusetts and I got scared by how good of a school Carnegie was.  Then I thought, ‘Well maybe, I should just go to USC or NYU’, and then people said to me, “Van, if you got into Carnegie, you are stupid to turn it down.”  So I went to Carnegie, and I loved it.

MICHAEL:

So you know the lay of the land pretty well there!  Going to do some sight seeing?

VAN:

I am very familiar with the area.  I am going to do a mini-tour for myself, and go back to all my old haunts.  Pittsburgh has a unique accent.  So when they say, “Are you going downtown?”…They say, “Yinz going dahntahn?” I have not heard that accent since I left Pittsburgh; I can’t wait to hear it again. (Laughs)

MICHAEL:

For those who want to see Van Hansis up close and personal (which at this point is probably in the millions worldwide) what will they see you and the other actors doing at the KDKA Soapstar Spectacular event?

VAN:

We are doing some actual soap opera scenes with fans with some of the other actors, and we are going to do a meet and greet.  We are going to have a real soap opera set, and we are going to have a Q&A.  Fans always like to hear funny things that happen behind the scenes.  I always get, “Van, do you like to play practical jokes on people?”  Personally, I don’t, and I don’t see that many practical jokes on As the World Turns, but I hear other shows do.

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MICHAEL:

Since the actors will be sharing anecdotes or stories from behind-the-scenes, do you have a story to tell?

VAN:

I will tell a story, and I am not going to tell it in this interview because then no one will go to Pittsburgh! (Laughs)   The great thing about the event is a portion of the proceeds will go to the Susan G. Komen Foundation in Pittsburgh , to help the fight against breast cancer.  I think what is great about this event is that usually soap events are for one show or one cast, or for me, there will be Nuke events. This is a great because there are eleven actors coming from all three of the CBS’s soaps.

MICHAEL:

Who have you had fun hanging out with in the past, from the list of soap star attendees coming to Pittsburgh?

VAN:

From this list of people who are going, I have done events with Robert Newman (Ex-Josh, GL), and he is an awesome guy, and of course, Kim Zimmer (Ex-Reva, GL).  I mean, she is Kim Zimmer! (Laughs)  I am excited to meet the other actors.  I believe, I am the only As the World Turns actor going.

MICHAEL:

You have done fans events all over the globe; including Paris (with another one this summer).  What do fans at events say to you the most often? Is it about your looks, or something about the character you play?

VAN:

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Well, they generally don’t talk about the way I look.  However, a lot of people tell me I am short, but I don’t really feel like I am short.  Compared to Jake Silbermann, of course, I am short.  He is a giant!   He is very tall.  But I think I am as tall as, or taller than Eric.   I also get a lot of people saying how much the Luke and Noah story has done for them, and how happy they are that it has been told.  That is a really nice thing to hear.  So, I would have to say, that is the main one.

MICHAEL:

This was a story tough year for gay storylines on the soaps, which has left both gay and members of the mainstream audience devastated.  We are all so saddened that when ATWT takes it’s final bow, we will lose Luke Snyder, who has meant so much to so many gay people around the world.  Going back one last time to my conversation with Jean Passanante, she believed when World Turns goes around its final orbit, that it does not mean the end of gay soap stories.  Jean stated, “I don’t think when ATWT goes off it’s the end of gay characters.  We are far from over when we have a world that has all types of people in it.  I think the best soaps will always reflect that.”  Your response to that?

VAN:

First, it has been my pleasure to play Luke and be a part of such an important character.  I also completely agree with Jean.  Somebody referred to telling gay storylines as a fad once, and that is really not what it is.  I don’t think it’s a fad in any way.  A fad to me is a style of clothing, or a haircut.  This is telling people’s true stories in a soap opera environment.  But I just heard they recast Bianca on All My Children, so that is good.  It is sad to see the Luke and Noah storyline go.  I am proud, and I don’t say this with pride for myself, but pride for the industry, that these characters really exploded, and their stories have been told now for four and half years, and that is almost half a decade!  It has become common place for the show, and for the World Turns fans. And, so now when fans say, “I don’t like Luke,” it’s not because, “I don’t like him because he is gay,” it’s “I don’t like him because he is whiny.”   If people don’t like the characters now, it has nothing to do with their sexual orientation.  It has to do with the fact that they don’t like the characters, and that is actually how it should be.  It has been such an honor to have told this story, and I do believe, in soaps there will be more LGBT stories told on daytime even after Luke, Reid, and Noah are gone.

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MICHAEL:

In closing, as you prepare to say good-bye to Luke, will you be leaving with a sense of accomplishment?

VAN:

I am leaving feeling so much.  I was in Central Park the other day, and this Hassidic Jewish woman came up to me and said, “Oh, I love your character on As the World Turns, and I love the story.”  And on my facebook fan page, I have fans from every single part of the world.  It is amazing the way this story has gotten out there, and that it has been seen by so many different types of people.  It has just been incredible!