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

James Stenbeck (Anthony Herrera) dies again and Liberty (Meredith Hagner) is about to get an abortion – next week on As the World Turns. Watch the promo after the jump. READ MORE

Many of daytime's popular actresses chose classic black, grey or silver on The 36th Annual Daytime Emmy red carpet. Nadia Bjorlin looked amazing in black . Outstanding Supporting Actress winner Tamara Braun–who won for her role on Days of Our Lives–chose a sultry grey. See what Days of Our Lives'  Shelley Hennig and Rachel Melvin, Guiding Light's Kim Zimmer, The Young and the Restless'  Elizabeth Hendrickson, Tracey Bregman and Brenda Dickson, As the World Turns'  Terri Colombino, Julie Pinson, Kelley Menighan Hensley, General Hospital's Laura Wright and The Bold and the Beautiful's Ashley Jones chose to wear HERE.

Photo by PR Photos

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A promo for next week's episodes of As the World Turns.

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

On Monday's thoroughly entertaining and frequently hilarious episode of As the World Turns, nothing was funnier than the sniping between Emily (Kelly Menighan Hensley, having palpable fun) and Barbara (the absolutely divine Colleen Zenk Pinter) as the latter tried to get Paul (an actually enjoyable Roger Howarth) locked up in what would turn out to be a deserted insane asylum. READ MORE

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

Watch next week's promo of As the World Turns for a quick first look at Lynn Herring as Audrey, Henry's (Trent Dawson) mother.