Since its premiere 52 years ago, CBS’ “As the World Turns” has been the standard bearer for what constitutes daytime drama. For decades it was daytime TV’s top-rated attraction.

In recent years, other shows have surpassed “As the World Turns” in the ratings race, yet the serial remains a vital force, with a huge, fiercely loyal audience.

In 1989, “As the World Turns” made history when Hank Elliot (Brian Starcher) became daytime’s first gay male character.

“As The World Turns,” always thought to be a bastion of conservative family values, was a show ahead of its time.

On Aug. 17, 2007, the series took another giant leap forward. During that historic episode, Luke Snyder (Van Hansis) and Noah Mayer (Jake Silbermann) shared daytime’s first gay male kiss.

That scene, which viewers did not expect, made history a second time, when it became the most watched selection in the history of You Tube – one million hits and counting.

“I’ve been contacted by people from all over the world,” says actor Jake Silbermann. “They tell me how much the story means to them.”

“I was excited when the role came to me,” Silbermann continued. “The role was unique to daytime. Soaps don’t have many gay characters. This is an interesting storyline.”

“I had no reservations about playing this character,” says Van Hansis. “I was just stoked to get a steady job as an actor. It’s cool to be the first actor to do something.”

Both actors admit that the most difficult aspect of shooting their big kiss was the on set presence of “Entertainment Tonight” paparazzi.

“The press for this storyline has been overwhelming,” says Silbermann.

But the young stars remain proud of the work they’re doing. They attended the GLAAD Media awards together, where the soap opera has twice been nominated for Best Television Show.

Reaction to the Luke/Noah storyline has been overwhelmingly positive – with the exception of viewers who demand to see more of the on-screen couple.

When Luke and Noah locked lips in full close-up, fans were stunned.

Compare “Nuke” (as fans have come to call the soap super couple) to “All My Children’s” Bianca (Eden Riegel), daytime’s first contract lesbian character. ABC allowed Bianca a quick, single dry mouth kiss in 2004, a full four years after she came out.

Recently, though, “As the World Turns” fans are up in arms. What happened?

“As The World Turns had the opportunity to make TV history,” says Mark Booher, a viewer from Atlanta. “They made history of sorts last August. I thought it was a big breakthrough …”

But Booher bristles at what he calls “mistletoe-gate.” On the show’s Christmas episode, Luke and Noah discreetly kissed off camera while a lone mistletoe graced the screen. And don’t get Booher started on “World’s” now infamous Valentine’s Day 2008 episode. All of the show’s couples were seen in a variety of lip locks that day, except “Nuke,” who were allowed a nice hug.

Jeanne Tharringpon, a spokesperson for Proctor and Gamble Productions, admits that the now 52 year old series has a diverse fan base, some of whom might be called “conservative.”

“We are intentionally doing this slowly,” says Tharringpon. “We’re trying to respect all viewers. We want to present what’s best creatively, and what’s best for our diverse audience.”

“It’s sad that they don’t have confidence in their audience,” counters Mark Booher. “It’s almost as though they’re regressing.” Booher refers to the Valentine’s show as “a slap in the face. They’re playing footsie with Nuke’s sex lives, yet they allow straight characters to rip each other’s clothes off in tasteless elevator scenes.”

Despite the backlash, viewers have remained glued to their screens as the out and proud Luke kept his feelings for Noah to himself, while Noah struggled with his sexual identity. When their love story finally began this past August, the show’s ratings began a noticeable climb. World Turns, which had been hovering near the bottom of the daytime heap these past few years, has recently been standing neck to neck with the ever popular “General Hospital.” “World” has even topped “GH” a few times.

The show’s sensitivity has impressed some viewers. When “the boys” spent Christmas with Luke’s Grandma (Helen Wagner), they were asked to occupy separate rooms – just as Luke’s parents had done in the years prior to their marriage. And while Luke’s parents (Jon Hensley, Martha Byrne) have been loving and accepting, Noah hasn’t been so lucky. His widowed father, Colonel Win Mayer (Daniel Hugh Kelly) is a stern, unloving homophobic patriarch.

But the love of Luke and Noah endures. As they prepare to move in together, “As the World Turns” continues to make daytime TV history.

Both actors hope to be on the show for a long time to come.

“Noah’s such a positive, good guy,” says Silbermann.

Adds Van Hansis: “I’ve gotten a lot of amazing letters from people who support this storyline. I hope to play Luke for a long time to come.”

”As The World Turns” airs weekdays on most CBS stations. Check local listings.

Episodes van also be viewed online at CBS.com, where you can read Van Hansis’ blog.