Freddie Smith / Sonny Kiriakis

[bystander9529]

Thanks, meaghan and saffronphoenix. Maybe Days is trying to coordinate publicity until things settle a bit in their fandoms. Things did get hot on several fronts lately.

[WillNSonny]

SourceRyan and TVSource are the same thing ;D.

Just found another interview I think that's coming:

Deanna Barnert @tvdeeva
So #Days fans, got any burning questions for @freddiemsmith - talking to him tomorrow about #SonnySeptember

Deanna Barnert ‏@tvdeeva
Just got off the horn w @freddiemsmith & have been sworn 2 secrecy (4 now) but I promise you this: You will NOT want to miss Monday's #Days!

[WillNSonny]

Reading Freddie's interview on DR about the Will/Gabi stuff, does he really not understand the outrage? As much as I like him trying to reassure fans he didn't at all touch upon why fans are outraged. Nobody is addressing the real outrage. Sadly it is not his responsibility and the show is hiding behind him an Chandler to try and defend the writing.

The outrage is not that will Will is having sex. The outrage is the fact this show spent a year for Will's coming out story and he has now been out for months. All of a sudden he's confused again so he has sex with a girl If he was having sex with a guy...Neil, Brian, any random guy this wouldn't be an issue. The problem is they basically put into the garbage a story that took a year to tell. It is also is a fact, yes a fact this show would rather show Will have sex with a girl than show any type of sex between two guys. That is as offensive as it gets. That is the issue.

[jjose712]

Well, if the story last, this is only the first time that they are going to defend the bad writing. During the kissing ban on ATWT it were Van and Jake the ones who have to endure all the anger.
And it's a thin line, because they need to be positive about the storylines and promote the show, but if they are too positive and then the storyline is this type of crap they will be held responsible for that and not the writers.
People were harsh to Chandler for his interviews, but i'm going to be honest, if i were an actor, i must need to be totally desesperate to accept a gay role on a soap. Soap fans are quite protective of the characters and couples that they like, and being a gay character, you will get a quite specific fanbase, because there's so little to chose (there are tons of straight couples to follow but generally one or two gay couples in the best scenario). The storylines are usually cliche after cliche, the writing usually is really bad (i'm sorry but i don't think it's that hard to make some light fun storylines from time to time) and you will be the one putting your face in every interview trying to look entusiast (when you know the storyline is crap or you are being backburned).

I read the acctress who played (or play) Bianca on AMC refuse to do a similar storyline (probably she didn't refuse but she was able to convince that making a lesbian sleep with a man was a really really bad idea whose only effect it will be alienate the fan base).

Sometimes i think there's a big disconnection between the writers, actors and the fans. It's not that the writers must offer exactly what fans want (that will make the shows very predictable), but at least they must know what not to do. It takes a good amount of time for Jean Passanante to realize how much hate her ATWT final generate. One could think that the fact that the main gay character was the only one without a happy ending (not only not a happy ending but a very sad one and end alone) was very clear, and the people who followed that storyline for years won't be pleased, but she was completely clueless.

Sometimes i think it's better to hire gay actors for this kind storylines, at least they will understand a little better how the fans feel (and we don't have to read any more stupid interviews about how hard it to kiss a guy). Not that the actors have real power to change things, but at least they could give a fundamented opinion

[milena84]

Seriously guys, more outrage? I understand that you are unhappy about the story, but I don't get why you read that much into interviews. Actors get paid for saying only positive things about their story. And the shows producers have the freedom to tell any story they want, if a liked it or not. the show might get canceled for that, but they can do it.
And sorry but the idea that only fast actors should play gay roles, is nonsense. Otherwise it would also apply vice versa.

[WillNSonny]

Let me clarify I am referring to the outrage that occurred the past week. And it is still pretty fluid righy now lol. Various outlets are now even mentioning it. I get actors get paid yo spin it but I was simply wondering if he did get what the outrage was about. That's all. Nothing more meant by it.

[cathy29]

Aug 17, 2012 10:34:53 GMT -5 WillNSonny said:

Let me clarify I am referring to the outrage that occurred the past week. And it is still pretty fluid righy now lol. Various outlets are now even mentioning it. I get actors get paid yo spin it but I was simply wondering if he did get what the outrage was about. That's all. Nothing more meant by it.

Where is the interview that Freddie did and what is DR.

[jjose712]

Aug 17, 2012 10:23:59 GMT -5 milena84 said:

Seriously guys, more outrage? I understand that you are unhappy about the story, but I don't get why you read that much into interviews. Actors get paid for saying only positive things about their story. And the shows producers have the freedom to tell any story they want, if a liked it or not. the show might get canceled for that, but they can do it.
And sorry but the idea that only fast actors should play gay roles, is nonsense. Otherwise it would also apply vice versa.

Sorry, but i think you didn't read my post at all. I never said that only gay actors should play gay roles (curiously i read the opposite quite a few times even printed on press articles), i said maybe gay actor will know why people get angry with some storylines (and to be honest, i can live without another "it's very tough to kiss another guy" interview). Nothing more and nothing less.

The truth is, the probabilities of an american soap get cancelled is really high, and telling bad storylines are not gonna help at all.

The question that WillNSonny made is totally valid, are the actors aware why people is upset or not. And in the past, it was quite obvious that some people responsible for gay storylines were totally oblivious about why fans were mad at them

[meaghan]

Aug 17, 2012 11:52:32 GMT -5 cathy29 said:

Aug 17, 2012 10:34:53 GMT -5 WillNSonny said:

Let me clarify I am referring to the outrage that occurred the past week. And it is still pretty fluid righy now lol. Various outlets are now even mentioning it. I get actors get paid yo spin it but I was simply wondering if he did get what the outrage was about. That's all. Nothing more meant by it.

Where is the interview that Freddie did and what is DR.

DR is Daytime Royalty. bystander9529 posted a link to a new interview they did with him on the previous page in this thread.

[meaghan]

I'm a little surprised/bummed there is even a conversation going on about Freddie understanding the issue. That was a promitional interview, not a tell-all. I realize no one is by any means saying otherwise, but he's been such a fantastic advocate so far, I really don't see what gain could come from wondering much about it.

I think it's more important for the folks who came up with the idea to understand why that particular plot point is so upsetting to a lot of people.

[dkp]

Here's an interview with San Diego Gay and Lesbian News:

sdgln.com/news/2012/08/17/freddie-smith-antigay-bullying-homophobia-days-of-our-lives

[vjay]

I just read the San Diego Gay and Lesbian news I thought it was odd that the writer wrote that Freddie Smith hasn't clarified his sexual orientation. Why would a writer write that?

[WillNSonny]

Meghan, I don't think it's an issue for people to wonder about things. But with that...

Such a great interview!!!! Freddie really has me excited for this story. Sounds like Sonny and Brian for a bit until WilSon comes after. Freddie

Very intrigued. I hope my expectations aren't too high but oh well. I'm going with it right now.

Fredde is one of the best interviewers ever and again I must note how I love how he is 100% devoted to his character and the story.

[meaghan]

Aug 17, 2012 13:46:14 GMT -5 WillNSonny said:

Meghan, I don't think it's an issue for people to wonder about things. Why do people nitpick so much around here as if we have to watch every thing we say.

Such a great interview!!!! Freddie really has me excited for this story. Sounds like Sonny and Brian for a bit until WilSon comes after. Freddie

But still so intrigued about how far the bashing goes and the fallout after. I hope my expectations aren't too high but oh well. I'm going with it right now.

Fredde is one of the best interviewers ever and again I must note how I love how he is 100% devoted to his character and the story.

I'm sorry you feel that way. You put it on a message board so I assumed it was up for discussion. I'll keep that in mind next time and post my thoughts elsewhere if they are to be viewed here as 'nitpicking'.

Because that has nothing to do with Freddie and is off-topic, I will also say thank you to dkp for posting that new interview. I have yet to see a bad one from Freddie. Always enthusiastic and well-spoken.

[WillNSonny]

Aug 16, 2012 20:15:06 GMT -5 bystander9529 said:

Thanks, meaghan and saffronphoenix. Maybe Days is trying to coordinate publicity until things settle a bit in their fandoms. Things did get hot on several fronts lately.

Yeah sounds like they are leaving interviews for next week to spread them out. I also wonder if they want to make fans more excited since next week will be a bummer to many fans for other reasons ;D.

[Zathras]

Don't discuss spoilers openly in this thread. Do that in the Spoiler Discussion thread.

And please keep in mind what GayTime posted in the other thread. It's good to have a spirited discussion, but at some point it's better to just let it go and move on to another topic.

Thanks.

[WillNSonny]

Aug 17, 2012 18:33:53 GMT -5 Zathras said:

Don't discuss spoilers openly in this thread. Do that in the Spoiler Discussion thread.

And please keep in mind what GayTime posted in the other thread. It's good to have a spirited discussion, but at some point it's better to just let it go and move on to another topic.

Thanks.

My bad on the spoilers. I just edited out .

[saffronphoenix]

He does give great interviews…so enthusiastic and excited by it all. He makes a great promotion for the show and makes you feel excited about the story even when you know it could turn out bad. I hope it lives up to his hype.

[kedred1]

Aug 17, 2012 13:36:40 GMT -5 vjay said:

I just read the San Diego Gay and Lesbian news I thought it was odd that the writer wrote that Freddie Smith hasn't clarified his sexual orientation. Why would a writer write that?

This bothered me also. It implies that an actors sexual orientation makes a difference in playing a role and that the actor isn't good enough to play against his orientation or be able to transfer it to the role.

[jjose712]

Usually this is used the other way, to discredit gay actors playing straight roles not straight actors playing gay roles

[bsgnut]

I thought the thing about not divulging his sexual orientation said a lot more about Freddie than the interviewer. I'm pretty sure Freddie is straight but I get the feeling he wants to keep it ambiguous in the same way Gale Harold did when he was on Queer as Folk. It's like he doesn't want to beat fans over the head with how straight he is and how difficult it is to kiss guys, etc., which can really detract from how his performances are perceived (hello, Danny Miller). It's clear he has no qualms about being intimate with guys onscreen, in fact he's even enthusiastic about it, which is great to see.

[talula]

Aug 18, 2012 16:00:42 GMT -5 bsgnut said:

I thought the thing about not divulging his sexual orientation said a lot more about Freddie than the interviewer. I'm pretty sure Freddie is straight but I get the feeling he wants to keep it ambiguous in the same way Gale Harold did when he was on Queer as Folk. It's like he doesn't want to beat fans over the head with how straight he is and how difficult it is to kiss guys, etc., which can really detract from how his performances are perceived (hello, Danny Miller). It's clear he has no qualms about being intimate with guys onscreen, in fact he's even enthusiastic about it, which is great to see.

yup, that what i think too, i remeber year ago when Freddie gave interview to AfterElton site and there were people who noticed how Freddie never clearly identifies his orientation in interviews and how refreshing it is, Freddie is very classy guy

[jjose712]

I don't know if it's a good idea. Queer as folk was a gay show, so i understand some of the actors (Gale Harold was the last to talk about being straight but i think most of them, gay and straight spent a little time before talking about their sexual orientation) wanted to focus on the character and not on the person.

I totally hate when an actor spend the whole interview making clear how straight he is, its a big mistake not only becaus ethe effects that it has in some fans, but because he usually came across as homophobic, or even has the opposite effect he wanted (after a couple of it's to tough to kiss other dudes, an intensive description of the type of woman he likes and how he would love to find the right one to settle down, i end thinking he is a closet case).
There's a lot of ways to let people know you are straight, specially because when you play a gay character you are asked (probably not directly) about it, of course you can avoid the subject (Van Hansis or Jo Weil always find a wait to not answer that type of question) and i think that type of questions are one of the reasons that a lot of gay actors are reluctant to play gay roles on tv (on films it's a different story), but if you are not gay (or openly gay) there's a lot of ways to slip a former girlfriend or something that let people know you are straight, without making it too obvious.
The truth is that it's not easy to give a good interview when the journalist is centered in something that it's not of his/her business (i remember an interview when Jo and Thore where asked if they were a couple in real life).
And i think a lot of actors (specially the ones who started in theatre or the ones who were in contact with gay people since very young) are more reluctant to give information about it, even when they are straight. Sometimes because they want the focus on the character, sometimes because they don't feel the need to talk about it (one of the guys of big bang theory refuse to denie gay rumours because he said he wasn't offended by them), and some are (i am this type of person) reluctant to give the interviewer what they want, they more they questioned about that the more they refuse to answer.

Freedie is a nice guy (and he know how to sell an storyline with his entusiams), he obviously doesn't have any problem to play gay characters (his most known character are both gays), unfortunately till know he was the boyfriend and not the main character, so i hope they give him more screen time. the gay storyline would benefit if both players are at the same level (or at least quite similar)

[meaghan]

Aug 18, 2012 16:00:42 GMT -5 bsgnut said:

I thought the thing about not divulging his sexual orientation said a lot more about Freddie than the interviewer. I'm pretty sure Freddie is straight but I get the feeling he wants to keep it ambiguous in the same way Gale Harold did when he was on Queer as Folk. It's like he doesn't want to beat fans over the head with how straight he is and how difficult it is to kiss guys, etc., which can really detract from how his performances are perceived (hello, Danny Miller). It's clear he has no qualms about being intimate with guys onscreen, in fact he's even enthusiastic about it, which is great to see.

Agreed. It sounded to me like the interviewer asked him directly, and he basically said 'no thanks' to answering it. For all the reasons you mentioned. Love him for that. He's basically only known for two roles at this point, both of which are gay, and I genuinely believe him when he says that doesn't matter to him in the slightest.

There are a few people I can think of who liked to over-announce their straightness or bring up 'intimate times' with their girlfriends which always made me sort of want to roll my eyes. Like, we get it. Now hush up and go do your job.

I kind of think it's my own fault in a way, but in the age of the internet, it's so easy to find out so much about the actor's themselves, that it does actually affect the way I view their performances, like you said. So, while I don't have to go looking, it's always nice when I like what I find.

[saffronphoenix]

Aug 18, 2012 16:00:42 GMT -5 bsgnut said:

I thought the thing about not divulging his sexual orientation said a lot more about Freddie than the interviewer. I'm pretty sure Freddie is straight but I get the feeling he wants to keep it ambiguous in the same way Gale Harold did when he was on Queer as Folk. It's like he doesn't want to beat fans over the head with how straight he is and how difficult it is to kiss guys, etc., which can really detract from how his performances are perceived (hello, Danny Miller). It's clear he has no qualms about being intimate with guys onscreen, in fact he's even enthusiastic about it, which is great to see.

Yeah, I had the same thought as well when I read that. Good move on his part as there is nothing more irritating, to me at least, when some straight actors playing gay feel the need to constantly tell us how very much straight they are, all about their girlfriends etc.