Days Of Our Lives - General Discussion

[justinate]

I agree that Chad/Will have chemistry to spare, but to have them both come out as gay would be extremely unrealistic. I still think that, the way Chandler Massey has been playing it, Will could have a one-sided crush on Chad. In this way, they could exploit the actors' chemistry by having Will kiss Chad in the heat of the moment. And if they were REALLY daring, they could have one of those traditionally soapy daydream sequences in which Will imagines Chad responds positively to his declaration of love and they start to make out before Will is brought crashing back to earth. I think Casey Deidrick's Chad would initially be shocked by a come-on from Will, react badly, but eventually come around and be a supportive friend. It would be nice if they had a homophobic student taunt Will only to have Chad stick up for him. I don't think that has been done on the American soaps. I know we are all tired of the usual gay-bashing and I certainly would prefer it not to go that far, so IMO it would be more in tune with reality if Will suffers verbal abuse than physical (although the way soaps portray it every homophobe is waiting to beat up the gay hero).

Although it seems they are choosing Chad as the gay character over Will, I think it is less likely (not impossible). It's true that Will has had two onscreen romances with girls, but they have never shared much chemistry and he is, to my knowledge, a virgin. Chad has had sex with a girl before (more than once) and although they have not really portrayed him in a romance, he has more chemistry with the actresses than Will. Will's main chemistry is with Chad, so I think it would be far more believable for Will to be gay. That's not to say Chad can't be gay, just that the writers have to work a bit harder to convince viewers that he is (and that Will is not). Usually soaps portray parents as intolerant and friends as accepting; so with Will we have the chance for a twist on that if his family is completely supportive and his friends are the ones who are not. But I do note the difficulty of playing out this coming-out s/l with Will when his father is offscreen.

I think it is good to be wary of DOOL's intentions. They may issue casting calls but that doesn't mean anything is set in stone. As we have seen on OLTL, even stories that are executed can be dropped at a moment's notice; what more stories that haven't even begun filming. Also DOOL is one of the more conservative soaps and producer Ken Corday has been widely reported in the past as being against gay stories, saying that it goes against his parents' vision of DOOL as a "family show". (Ken's parents created DOOL.)

As for the interracial pairing, I would personally welcome it as I don't think they've had an African American gay character on the soaps before (except Passions, which I don't consider a true soap). They have had gay interracial pairings before: Kyle/Nick on OLTL and Adam/Rafe on Y&R (even if that was not a real pairing, they did have sex twice, off-camera). Sadly there are still people out there who cannot accept interracial pairings, gay or straight. That is why I advised against having this be the first gay story that they do, in the interest of the story's longevity; we don't need two groups of people (homophobes and racists) gunning against them. I feel a measured approach is more likely to bring about acceptance; I think one of the problems with OLTL's gay story was that they threw in a mass gay wedding early on (and that s/l wreaked havoc on the beloved, long-running character of Dorian Lord, having her fake lesbianism to be elected mayor) before audiences had the time to adjust to the first proper gay romance on their screens.

For DOOL, I would recommend they first explore Chad's sexuality first by addressing his crush on Will, issues of denial and familial acceptance, before they throw in a different-race love interest. It is unfortunate and unfair that we have to bow to the whims of the bigots, but acceptance does not come instantly and I feel we will end up hurting the gay presence on daytime if we push too many issues at them all at once. I don't think it is paranoid to say that, if DOOL's gay storyline tanks, no other soap will touch the issue for years to come.

[md1347]

Frankly, I'm not sure they should do it. I do not think a US soap has the balls to do it right and unless they do it right and have the commitment to continue it even if they get some criticism, then they just shouldn't do it.

I don't watch OLTL anymore because of what they did to Kish. I'm not going to support a show that clearly couldn't come up with a good reason as to why they were taken off the air. As a gay man, I can't support business's that have a problem with gay people.

[overtherainbow]

All of you guys are being so negative even before we know for sure that there will be a gay storyline! Why not be happy that they're doing a gay storyline at all? Sure, they may fail, but they may just do it right this time! Imagine that! And lets face it.. OLTL had a lot of issues, the smallest problem was them being gay: what about the HORRIBLE writing for Kish. That was what ruined Kish, not the fact that they were gay, but the fact that everything that happened was totally unbelievable.

I know we all want Chill, and that MAY happen in the future, you never know.. I'm just glad they're going down this road at all, and like I said, hopefully they'll do it right this time.

And please Blake, just ignore the negativity here. Some of us (including me) are actually interested in this storyline! I would really appreciate you giving up some updates

[dkp]

In the latest issue of Soap Opera Digest:
We hear DAYS is planning to tell a gay storyline with Will (Chandler Massey) that will rope in another family's offspring.

[blake]

I have some very new information and this is coming from Dayscafe it seems the producers are going with Will here's what it reads.Will will be a closeted gay so yes it will be Will after all also Daytime Royalty reported that Soap Opera Digest indicated the gay storyline Will and that the story will incorporate a guy that's already part of another family.But that wasn't good enough for me so I contacted by buddy the writer here's what I was told he said that inside sources are saying that Days plans to pair up Will and Chad he said that revealed that Will has a crush on Chad.It was also be revealed that Chad could return the same feelings I asked him about Ryan.He said that he heard that Ryan could still be for Will since Will will be the one that is gay but he also heard that they may pair Ryan up for either Abby or Gabby.He said that the producers of the show have been watching fan made videos of Will and Chad and are quite suprise that they have a large fan base already.But like I keep saying nothing and I do mean nothing is set in stone and there is a chance Ryan could still be for Will.But it looks like Chill will be a go I asked him when can we expect this storyline to start up he said that no timeline has been giving but he heard that this storyline will begin in the next couple on months.

[boyofgod]

Please Let Ryan be straight and Chad and Will be a couple! Chill is the best!
Tell your friend that we all want Chill!

[overtherainbow]

OMG! YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEES! The best new in a long time! You have no idea how happy I am! Chill would be AMAZING! And yeah.. I still know that "nothing is set in stone" yet, and that it may all fall through.. but it seems like the last few weeks have been about WHO will be gay and WHO will be the love interest, so it seems like they ARE committed to do a gay storyline. That much is clear. Who it will be, how it will play out and stuff can still change. But I am starting to get more and more confident that they actually will do a gay storyline, so that is awesome!

And Blake, thanks for giving us some information, please keep us updated We appreciate it

[blake]

Mar 31, 2011 7:56:16 GMT -5 boyofgod said:

Please Let Ryan be straight and Chad and Will be a couple! Chill is the best!
Tell your friend that we all want Chill!

I will pass it off.I wished he would have some say but he doesn't work for Days or NBC.He his a independent script writer and he work for different companies like theater and commercials and stuff like that but I will pass it along to him!

[blake]

Mar 31, 2011 7:56:45 GMT -5 overtherainbow said:

OMG! YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEES! The best new in a long time! You have no idea how happy I am! Chill would be AMAZING! And yeah.. I still now that "nothing is set in stone" yet, and that it may all fall through.. but it seems like the last few weeks have been about WHO will be gay and WHO will be the love interest, so it seems like they ARE committed to do a gay storyline. That much is clear. Who it will be, how it will play out and stuff can still change. But I am starting to get more and more confident that they actually will do a gay storyline, so that is awesome!

And Blake, thanks for giving us some information, please keep us updated We appreciate it

You are more then welcome I do my best I will be on the look out more information and I will post when I hear something.I'm always on the look out for more information as this story developes!!!!

[overtherainbow]

Mar 31, 2011 8:11:43 GMT -5 blake said:

Mar 31, 2011 7:56:16 GMT -5 boyofgod said:

Please Let Ryan be straight and Chad and Will be a couple! Chill is the best!
Tell your friend that we all want Chill!

I will pass it off.I wished he would have some say but he doesn't work for Days or NBC.He his a independent script writer and he work for different companies like theater and commercials and stuff like that but I will pass it along to him!

Oh, I thought he worked for DAYS.. lol. But if he's not working for them, then how does he get his information? Does he know other writers that write for DAYS, and get his information from them?

Don't get me wrong.. I believe you, I'm just curious

[jjose712]

The good thing is that if they wanted Will to have a crush on Chad the actor just doesn't have to change a bit his acting because it actually seems that he has a crush on Chad.

I think most of us are sceptical because all what happens on OLTL and ATWT. If they finally do the Chill route, the actors had a great advantage over Scott and Brett (and Jake) that they are popular before the storyline begins wich make them less vulnerable to being axed if this won't make the ratings up.

[Bonobochick]

daytimeroyaltyonline.com/topic/8484369/1/

[blake]

Mar 31, 2011 9:03:34 GMT -5 overtherainbow said:

Mar 31, 2011 8:11:43 GMT -5 blake said:

I will pass it off.I wished he would have some say but he doesn't work for Days or NBC.He his a independent script writer and he work for different companies like theater and commercials and stuff like that but I will pass it along to him!

Oh, I thought he worked for DAYS.. lol. But if he's not working for them, then how does he get his information? Does he know other writers that write for DAYS, and get his information from them?

Don't get me wrong.. I believe you, I'm just curious

I understand yes he knows one of the writers at Days he said that he meet him at a writing convention a couple of years ago.And when he was writing his piolt and gave him some tips that's how he gets information.

[blake]

Here's some interesting stuff I was reading about it appears as if Days had wanted to do a same-sex storyline for years from what I read if this correct when All My Children started their same-sex storyline with Bianca and that it was a hit.Days started to toy with the idea of doing a same-sex storyline the only problem was they couldn't figrue out which character to involve in it.So they scrapped it then they got word that As The World Turns was going to be doing a same-sex storyline and with one of their main character which was Luke.So they started to think about it again but then backstage drama happened with producers and writers changing and all that it got scrapped again.Well in around 2007/2008 they brought the idea up again but the executives at NBC had order Days to cut their budget by 50%.Which meant storylines had to be cut the cast had to be cut everything had to be alot to meet the demands of NBC to stay on the air.Well we get to 2009 and their is great buzz about Guiding Lights Otalia so Days starts to think about it again but then the Carrie Prejean controversy starts up.Then there's word that Y&R and OLTL will be doing same-sex storylines in the Summer which they start to think about it again.But their's more controversy word has it that Chris Engen (Adam) has quit the show then a couple of weeks go by word comes that Patricia Mauceri (Carlotta Vega) off of OLTL has been fired.Now what has this got to do with Days?Well Days was afraid that some of their core characters and core actors/actress would quit and the budget was already cut so much.But here is when Days decied to give this a shoot there was so much anger in the gay community about how Y&R had made a mockery out of gay relationships and how OLTL had just dropped the Kish storyline.Then when it was announced that ATWT was going to be cancelled they realized that Daytime soaps would not have a gay couple on the air anymore.So they start planning on doing this storyline but they have to figure out which character to use.They then decied that it should be one of the teens and that it should be from a core family so they decided to go with Will.Now here is where they changed actors to play Will apparently Dylan Patton was asked but said that he was very uncomfortable doing this type of storyline so they sent out a casting call.They meet with Chandler and said that they were planning a coming out storyline with Will and that they were just in the planning stages of it.And that it could fall through.Would he still consider doing it?And he said that he would now I know that Dylan did an interview right after he got the ax and said that he was fired because they wanted to age Will.Well his agents and managers told him to do this interview because they didn't want him to look a homophobic actor or person.And it end his acting career but Days has been planning this for quite some time.

[overtherainbow]

Mar 31, 2011 12:26:48 GMT -5 blake said:

Here's some interesting stuff I was reading about it appears as if Days had wanted to do a same-sex storyline for years from what I read if this correct when All My Children started their same-sex storyline with Bianca and that it was a hit.Days started to toy with the idea of doing a same-sex storyline the only problem was they couldn't figrue out which character to involve in it.So they scrapped it then they got word that As The World Turns was going to be doing a same-sex storyline and with one of their main character which was Luke.So they started to think about it again but then backstage drama happened with producers and writers changing and all that it got scrapped again.Well in around 2007/2008 they brought the idea up again but the executives at NBC had order Days to cut their budget by 50%.Which meant storylines had to be cut the cast had to be cut everything had to be alot to meet the demands of NBC to stay on the air.Well we get to 2009 and their is great buzz about Guiding Lights Otalia so Days starts to think about it again but then the Carrie Prejean controversy starts up.Then there's word that Y&R and OLTL will be doing same-sex storylines in the Summer which they start to think about it again.But their's more controversy word has it that Chris Engen (Adam) has quit the show then a couple of weeks go by word comes that Patricia Mauceri (Carlotta Vega) off of OLTL has been fired.Now what has this got to do with Days?Well Days was afraid that some of their core characters and core actors/actress would quit and the budget was already cut so much.But here is when Days decied to give this a shoot there was so much anger in the gay community about how Y&R had made a mockery out of gay relationships and how OLTL had just dropped the Kish storyline.Then when it was announced that ATWT was going to be cancelled they realized that Daytime soaps would not have a gay couple on the air anymore.So they start planning on doing this storyline but they have to figure out which character to use.They then decied that it should be one of the teens and that it should be from a core family so they decided to go with Will.Now here is where they changed actors to play Will apparently Dylan Patton was asked but said that he was very uncomfortable doing this type of storyline so they sent out a casting call.They meet with Chandler and said that they were planning a coming out storyline with Will and that they were just in the planning stages of it.And that it could fall through.Would he still consider doing it?And he said that he would now I know that Dylan did an interview right after he got the ax and said that he was fired because they wanted to age Will.Well his agents and managers told him to do this interview because they didn't want him to look a homophobic actor or person.And it end his acting career but Days has been planning this for quite some time.

OMG! Thanks so much for this info! It is very interesting. I know that Days was nearly axed a year or two ago because of low ratings, and that they decided to cut a lot of the budget instead of canceling it. It's also very interesting that they've planned this for a long time. Maybe Chandler played Will like a gay guy because Will was supposed to be gay all along? Who knows. I'm glad they got an actor who's aboard on it though, willing to do it. I'm glad thy fired the other homophobic actor! I honestly don't understand what homophobic people are doing in the acting business in the first place.. acting is basically the gayest occupation that ever existed, but I digress. Anyway, I'm glad they have this actor now, because he's actually willing to do it! And I guess the actor who plays Chad is willing to do it too? I certainly hope so!

I understand yes he knows one of the writers at Days he said that he meet him at a writing convention a couple of years ago.And when he was writing his piolt and gave him some tips that's how he gets information.

I understand Thanks for the information! You can thank your writer friend from us too We appreciate all of the information he can give us, and we're very grateful that he's doing this, and for you too for bringing this information to us! So thanks again

[jjose712]

Well, that will answer why they have so much chemistry, and why some of the Chill videos are so good at selling them like a couple.

To be honest, don't wanting to make a gay character on daytime doesn't mean the actor is homophobe. We have all the fuss about Engen (he was right about the storyline) and Lozano, probably both are really homophobes, but everybody says that daytime is really gay friendly (at leas the enviroment) and there are a lot of gay actors on daytime.
But playing a gay role on daytime is not exactly thrilling for an actor.
Watching in perspective, you have to endure a lot of criticism from conservative viewers, then after the coming out, or the begining of the relationship, you know your screen time will be less and less. You will not be integrated in other storylines, Luke was a core character, Fish was a cop and Kyle a doctor, but their shows failed miserably in making them part of the other characters life (ATWT did a really awful job in that department, showing how bad their writers were, because making Luke and Noah part of other stories would minimize the effect of the lack of physical affection).
Of course there are good parts, all actors became really popular, and in one case (Van Hansis) his job was recognized several times.

Everybody seems to think that an actor who rejects a gay role is homophobe, but in a good bunch of cases the actor is in fact gay. Closeted actors avoid gay roles like the plague, because they will be questioned about all the things they don't want to answer. And even some openly gay actors avoid gay roles for not being typecasted (but i think that it's a really small minority, maybe because there are not that many openly gay actors).

I really miss a gay storyline on an american soap (that maybe has the effect of Gays of our lives will be weekly again on afterelton, that was one of my favourite sections), maybe the third time will be the good one (i really has no hope that B&B will be serious about their gay storyline)

[blake]

Ok I was reading on another message board and it says that yes Will will be the one coming out gay but the rumors about Chad are false.Days plans on paring up Ryan and Will.

[overtherainbow]

Mar 31, 2011 14:41:03 GMT -5 jjose712 said:

Well, that will answer why they have so much chemistry, and why some of the Chill videos are so good at selling them like a couple.

To be honest, don't wanting to make a gay character on daytime doesn't mean the actor is homophobe. We have all the fuss about Engen (he was right about the storyline) and Lozano, probably both are really homophobes, but everybody says that daytime is really gay friendly (at leas the enviroment) and there are a lot of gay actors on daytime.
But playing a gay role on daytime is not exactly thrilling for an actor.
Watching in perspective, you have to endure a lot of criticism from conservative viewers, then after the coming out, or the begining of the relationship, you know your screen time will be less and less. You will not be integrated in other storylines, Luke was a core character, Fish was a cop and Kyle a doctor, but their shows failed miserably in making them part of the other characters life (ATWT did a really awful job in that department, showing how bad their writers were, because making Luke and Noah part of other stories would minimize the effect of the lack of physical affection).
Of course there are good parts, all actors became really popular, and in one case (Van Hansis) his job was recognized several times.

Everybody seems to think that an actor who rejects a gay role is homophobe, but in a good bunch of cases the actor is in fact gay. Closeted actors avoid gay roles like the plague, because they will be questioned about all the things they don't want to answer. And even some openly gay actors avoid gay roles for not being typecasted (but i think that it's a really small minority, maybe because there are not that many openly gay actors).

I really miss a gay storyline on an american soap (that maybe has the effect of Gays of our lives will be weekly again on afterelton, that was one of my favourite sections), maybe the third time will be the good one (i really has no hope that B&B will be serious about their gay storyline)

But how do you know that the same thing will happen here? You have to remember that Noah was ALWAYS a guest/recurring character. He was NEVER a regular. And that's why NUKE got so little screen time, because Noah was never part of the main cast and he only had a limited amount of screen time. Besides, the writers of ATWT really jumped the shark when they removed BOTH of Noah's parents. Who else was he gonna interact with? It's different here though, Will is a part of one of the most popular families on DAYS, and Chad is a part of one of the most hated families. The difference between this soap and ATWT is that these characters, and these families most of the time interact with each other. Lucas and Sami always had a difficult relationship to the DiMeras because of EJ and stuff, so this could make for some GREAT viewing. This has so much potential. Not only the fact that they are gay, but the rivaling families aspect, and if they go with Chad you do have the homophobic dad thing too.

What I don't get is WHY you are all being so negative from the start? I get that gay storylines on other soaps have been far from perfect, they basically failed. However, how do you know know the same thing will happen here? Maybe they will get it right this time! I generally like the writing on Days, sure it's "out there" sometimes, but it's much more consistent than the INSANE writing on ATWT ever was! I'm just saying that PLEASE give them the benefit of the doubt. You can complain AFTER the storyline starts if it really is as bad as you all claim it will be. I on the other hand am glad they are doing a gay storyline at all, and I am cautiously optimistic.

And btw.. maybe the actor wasn't homophobic, but I still wouldn't want an actor afraid of the gay scenes playing a gay character. We all saw how that affected Emmerdale, when Danny Miller wouldn't show any PDA or kiss because it didn't "fit the character", because his character was basically afraid of emotions and getting close to people. Anyway.. everything I've read have let me to believe that these actors (Chad and Will) are both committed and interested in playing gay characters. They already have a lot of chemistry and a huge fan base. So everything point to the fact that a gay storyline on daytime might actually work! And I think you saying "who would wants to play a gay character on daytime?" is really negative. Why wouldn't they? I see it as such a great opportunity and challenge for ANY actor to play a convincing gay character. So how is this a bad thing?

And about B&B.. I haven't read ANYTHING about them doing a gay storyline, and who would that involve exactly? I don't believe them just because I've basically heard nothing, so yeah.. I too doubt that B&B is going to go there. I think it's just talks, at least for now. DAYS have actually had some conversations with the cast and has issued casting calls about their gay storyline, so they seem to have come further in the process. And anyway.. I never liked B&B, the soap was just so "fake", I don't know.. it's just something about that soap that doesn't work for me, it's the concept I guess. And I don't see how they could play out a gay storyline on a soap that only has 22 minutes episodes? Anyways, to sum it up: I'm more convinced about the gay storyline on DAYS than a potential storyline on B&B.

[overtherainbow]

Mar 31, 2011 15:36:05 GMT -5 blake said:

Ok I was reading on another message board and it says that yes Will will be the one coming out gay but the rumors about Chad are false.Days plans on paring up Ryan and Will.

Oh:( I wish they would pair up Will with Chad, but hmm.. I guess Ryan can work too. It would basically go like ATWT then: having Will fall for Chad only for Chad to reject him or something like that?

[justinate]

overtherainbow, I think there is a difference between being pessimist and being realist. I am thrilled by the possibility of a gay storyline on DOOL, but I am also inclined to be wary. I have burned too many times in the recent past by the soaps. You only have to look to what happened on ATWT (lack of affection and terribly-written stories), Y&R (utter nonsense) and OLTL (the disgraceful firing of Kish). Especially since how DOOL chooses to handle this could end up hurting the long-term presence of gay people on daytime; I would rather not have two months of poorly-written story if it means we won't have gays on any soap for the next five years.

On the flip side, I think Will can be a good gay character; I think it is highly realistic for him to be gay, and Chandler Massey has been playing him as gay for quite a while, so I believe that he was told about the possibility when he was hired. I think they should explore Will's obvious crush on Chad, even if it is one-sided, and then they can move on to the romance with Ryan. I think it would be realistic to have Chad react badly if Will comes on to him (he misinterprets something Chad says and thinks he returns his feelings) but he will come around and be a very supportive friend (this would be a difference to Luke/Kevin on ATWT). All things considered I feel most straight men won't be immediately okay with their best friends suddenly kissing them, so if it takes a little time for Chad to come around that would be realistic. But ultimately Chad will realize that Will is his best friend and they should make up. I would like it if they could show Chad sticking up for Will if he is bullied (please only verbal abuse, no more physical gay-bashing - that is really overdone on soaps and I think the verbal bullying is more common).

[HQ75]

All this and the storyline hasn't even started yet. What about the children?!!!

[overtherainbow]

Justinate: I get it, but: THE STORYLINE HASN'T EVEN STARTED YET! Why be negative now? Why not wait and see how it'll play out BEFORE starting to complain?!?!

We basically know nothing right now. All is up in the air. All we do know is that they'll do a gay storyline. But people are already starting to complain. I just find that highly annoying. Instead of TRYING to wait and see, instead of just being happy they'll do a gay storyline at all, people complain.. a lot. I think that is so annoying. I mean, I can see where you guys are coming from. It's not like the other gay storylines on American daytime have been that nicely done. I get it. But I just don't understand the need to complain about a storyline that hasn't started yet? All you guys say is basically "what's the point of another gay storyline, they will just mess up this one too", but how do you know that? Why not give it the benefit of the doubt? Why not see it BEFORE starting to complain? Maybe they will do it right this time? Sorry.. all of this is really starting to piss me off, and I'm not sure if I'll post here anymore if all I do is see people complaining.

I'll check this board for updates, and I really hope Blake is willing to give us some more information, but I think I will stop posting here because you people are so fucking annoying. I haven't been this pissed off in a while. All this negativity and pessimism.. fuck it.

[justinate]

Huh? This:
"what's the point of another gay storyline, they will just mess up this one too"
is not my stand at all.

It is more: "yay, a gay storyline, just really hope they will do a good job with it because there is a lot to lose if they don't". I am NOT immediately assuming they will do a bad job. I am thrilled there will be a gay character/story on the soaps again, especially one with Will's strong ties to the core families. There is a most definite need for another gay storyline on daytime, especially since the previous ones did not end very well. I am glad DOOL is stepping in to fill the void. But at the same time I am aware of what there is to lose. Just because I am not fully embracing this story until I see what they do with it, is NOT the same thing as rejecting it before the fact. Again, the difference between realism versus pessimism.

Just as you appreciate no one pointing out the reality of where soaps stand with regards to gay stories, some of us would appreciate not being addressed rudely. So, by all means, enjoy your self-imposed exile. I, for one, certainly will.

[jjose712]

Mar 31, 2011 15:49:21 GMT -5 overtherainbow said:

Mar 31, 2011 14:41:03 GMT -5 jjose712 said:

Well, that will answer why they have so much chemistry, and why some of the Chill videos are so good at selling them like a couple.

To be honest, don't wanting to make a gay character on daytime doesn't mean the actor is homophobe. We have all the fuss about Engen (he was right about the storyline) and Lozano, probably both are really homophobes, but everybody says that daytime is really gay friendly (at leas the enviroment) and there are a lot of gay actors on daytime.
But playing a gay role on daytime is not exactly thrilling for an actor.
Watching in perspective, you have to endure a lot of criticism from conservative viewers, then after the coming out, or the begining of the relationship, you know your screen time will be less and less. You will not be integrated in other storylines, Luke was a core character, Fish was a cop and Kyle a doctor, but their shows failed miserably in making them part of the other characters life (ATWT did a really awful job in that department, showing how bad their writers were, because making Luke and Noah part of other stories would minimize the effect of the lack of physical affection).
Of course there are good parts, all actors became really popular, and in one case (Van Hansis) his job was recognized several times.

Everybody seems to think that an actor who rejects a gay role is homophobe, but in a good bunch of cases the actor is in fact gay. Closeted actors avoid gay roles like the plague, because they will be questioned about all the things they don't want to answer. And even some openly gay actors avoid gay roles for not being typecasted (but i think that it's a really small minority, maybe because there are not that many openly gay actors).

I really miss a gay storyline on an american soap (that maybe has the effect of Gays of our lives will be weekly again on afterelton, that was one of my favourite sections), maybe the third time will be the good one (i really has no hope that B&B will be serious about their gay storyline)

But how do you know that the same thing will happen here? You have to remember that Noah was ALWAYS a guest/recurring character. He was NEVER a regular. And that's why NUKE got so little screen time, because Noah was never part of the main cast and he only had a limited amount of screen time. Besides, the writers of ATWT really jumped the shark when they removed BOTH of Noah's parents. Who else was he gonna interact with? It's different here though, Will is a part of one of the most popular families on DAYS, and Chad is a part of one of the most hated families. The difference between this soap and ATWT is that these characters, and these families most of the time interact with each other. Lucas and Sami always had a difficult relationship to the DiMeras because of EJ and stuff, so this could make for some GREAT viewing. This has so much potential. Not only the fact that they are gay, but the rivaling families aspect, and if they go with Chad you do have the homophobic dad thing too.

What I don't get is WHY you are all being so negative from the start? I get that gay storylines on other soaps have been far from perfect, they basically failed. However, how do you know know the same thing will happen here? Maybe they will get it right this time! I generally like the writing on Days, sure it's "out there" sometimes, but it's much more consistent than the INSANE writing on ATWT ever was! I'm just saying that PLEASE give them the benefit of the doubt. You can complain AFTER the storyline starts if it really is as bad as you all claim it will be. I on the other hand am glad they are doing a gay storyline at all, and I am cautiously optimistic.

And btw.. maybe the actor wasn't homophobic, but I still wouldn't want an actor afraid of the gay scenes playing a gay character. We all saw how that affected Emmerdale, when Danny Miller wouldn't show any PDA or kiss because it didn't "fit the character", because his character was basically afraid of emotions and getting close to people. Anyway.. everything I've read have let me to believe that these actors (Chad and Will) are both committed and interested in playing gay characters. They already have a lot of chemistry and a huge fan base. So everything point to the fact that a gay storyline on daytime might actually work! And I think you saying "who would wants to play a gay character on daytime?" is really negative. Why wouldn't they? I see it as such a great opportunity and challenge for ANY actor to play a convincing gay character. So how is this a bad thing?

And about B&B.. I haven't read ANYTHING about them doing a gay storyline, and who would that involve exactly? I don't believe them just because I've basically heard nothing, so yeah.. I too doubt that B&B is going to go there. I think it's just talks, at least for now. DAYS have actually had some conversations with the cast and has issued casting calls about their gay storyline, so they seem to have come further in the process. And anyway.. I never liked B&B, the soap was just so "fake", I don't know.. it's just something about that soap that doesn't work for me, it's the concept I guess. And I don't see how they could play out a gay storyline on a soap that only has 22 minutes episodes? Anyways, to sum it up: I'm more convinced about the gay storyline on DAYS than a potential storyline on B&B.

I'm not negative, i'm realistic.
Days is a conservative soap, the first time the gay storyline was announced there were a good bunch of "i don't want a gay storyline in my soap) in several forums (but to be true there were a lot more of "i want the story to be about with Chad and Will).
The truth is there were a lot of rumours about Days doing a gay storyline for a long long time, in fact i read that they wanted Van Hansis to play one of the characters (that was a year ago, and i don't know if it's true).
Days is not in a good moment on the ratings and in my opinion it's the right timing to do it, because they have nothing to lose.
And yes, if they go the Chand and Will route, they have a great advantage over ATWT (Luke was a core character and very popular before the gay couple started, but Noah was a newbie without any links to other characters) and OLTL (both were practically newbies).
ATWT fail because they were too coward, and the writers were really bad, and it was a pity because they have all to win, because Nuke became really popular, and they had a positive effect on ratings, and it would be very easy to integrate Noah on Oakdale and make them part of eveything. But they make them live in a bubble and most of their storyline revolve around them being gay.
OLTL did a nice job at the begining, but in my opinion they were way overpraised. The truth is that even when the storyline was nice (before all the baby storyline) they made some big mistakes, like the gay massive wedding and the gay bashing storyline (that was even offensive). Kyle and Fish were not part of the core families, but with their professions it would be very easy integrate them.
I remember people telling that OLTL commitment was greater than ATWT, and all that, but we know what happens.

It's better not to mention Y&R, i don't understand why this is the most popular soap, because what i watched was really really awful.

Will Days will do a better job? i hope so, but i keep my hopes low, because everything that it was released to the press is so vague and ambiguous.
It will be good that the actors have a commitment with their roles, because without that the storyline wouldn't work. Nuke, Lure and Kish were a success because of the actors not the writing.
And i agree with you about Emmerdale, Danny can be all good he wants on dramatic scenes, if he play a gay character and he is not able to make believable his atraction to his boyfriend, his interpretation is a faliure , that could be understandable at the begining, because it must be difficult to adjust a character that you built thinking he is straight, but not now, and his explanations about Aaron being restrained are just stupid, because Aaron hadn't any problem in showing his affection for Adam's sister. It's Danny and not Aaron the one who has problems with showing affection (even when the character is a restrained one).

I think it depends the route that Days will follow, if they pair Chad or Will with a newbie, they will do the ATWT route, and that works well for them, so if the storyline is good it can work here too (but with the difference that ATWT did a long arc about Luke's coming out first, so the people were ready for him having a boyfriend when Noah appears).
If they will follow the Chill route, they have an obvious advantage, because, come on, there are even a lot of fan videos about them when people thought they were straight. If the storyline is well done is a win/win situation.

We'll see

[overtherainbow]

Apr 1, 2011 6:33:37 GMT -5 justinate said:

Huh? This:
"what's the point of another gay storyline, they will just mess up this one too"
is not my stand at all.

It is more: "yay, a gay storyline, just really hope they will do a good job with it because there is a lot to lose if they don't". I am NOT immediately assuming they will do a bad job. I am thrilled there will be a gay character/story on the soaps again, especially one with Will's strong ties to the core families. There is a most definite need for another gay storyline on daytime, especially since the previous ones did not end very well. I am glad DOOL is stepping in to fill the void. But at the same time I am aware of what there is to lose. Just because I am not fully embracing this story until I see what they do with it, is NOT the same thing as rejecting it before the fact. Again, the difference between realism versus pessimism.

Just as you appreciate no one pointing out the reality of where soaps stand with regards to gay stories, some of us would appreciate not being addressed rudely. So, by all means, enjoy your self-imposed exile. I, for one, certainly will.

Sorry, that comment wasn't made for you, more like in general for some of the posters in here. All the comments I've seen so far have been mostly negative and I'm just sick of it. Do you really think THAT is helping the cause? If the writers/producers/whoever with ties to the soap read this, do you think THAT ups the chances for a gay storyline to happen? I don't understand the reason behind it, because what I do think is that an attitude like many people have showed here is definitely not helping us to get any more gay storylines on tv.

Did you read all of my post? I said I get where you are coming from! I really do. You have no idea how much I hated what they did to Kish, one of my favorite gay couples ever. And Nuke/Lure would have been much better with some more substantial writing. Y&R was a mess from the start. Like I said, I do get where you are coming from. I think you have the right to criticize soaps. I get it, I even agree. What I don't agree with though is the constant pessimism and people on here saying "I'd rather them not do a storyline at all if they are just going to mess it up". But how do we know they are going to mess it up? I just wish people could criticize, that's fine, but at least TRY to be just a little bit positive too over the fact that they're doing a gay storyline in the first place.

And like I said, that comment wasn't made for you, only the first sentence, but not the following paragraph. That was basically just made for me as a rant because I am so sick and tired of the constant pessimism of SOME posters in here, and I'm not talking about you.