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Brett Claywell speaks in first interview since Kish got the AX!

By Michael Fairman

Published

16 years ago

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Photo Credit: JPI Studios

Photo Credit: JPI Studios

In a doozy of an interview from Fancast’s, Sara Bibel, One Life to Live’s Brett Claywell (Kyle) answers questions surrounding the abrupt ending of the Kish same-sex storyline, and responds to the online rumors  that questioned his and Scott Evans’s professionalism,  that could have figured into why the duo got the boot.  Here are some enlightening excerpts below on the performance standard issues, the Kish fan base, if the couple will ever return, and Brett’s feelings toward the show’s head writer, and executive producer.

Brett on the TV Guide Canada column which reported rumors of their performance issues a being a reason they were written-off: “Scott informed me of that yesterday.  It’s amazing to me that two people can put so much of their heart into a story that can be so passionate and serious and tell a story as honestly and as truthfully as we tried to and just open our hearts to the world and just try to make a difference, try and touch people and stories like this will come out that are absolutely, 100% false.  I’d love for anyone to watch one day of any of the work we’ve done and tell me that Scott and I were not 100% committed to what we were doing.  We were so dedicated to our work. It’s hurtful.  I’m really offended that someone would make completely false claims.  I’m angry.  It’s slander. One of the last days that Scott and I worked together, the argument scene that just aired two weeks ago when I had the DNA test, we had all these scenes that were from different episodes, 41 pages of dialogue that Scott and I filmed in maybe an hour and a half.  We work so methodically together and so well together.  We would film scenes in one take like everybody does.  You ask the directors we worked with.  The fact that you can spend a year and a half pouring your heart into a story and one person with one article can try to bruise that reputation you have, it’s disheartening and it’s offensive.”

Brett on whether he thinks Kish will ever return: “I think they intentionally left it open.  Whether or not it’s going to happen, I can’t predict the future.  But Scott and I would both love to work together again.  We filmed our last day together and we didn’t even know it was our last day together.  I feel like there’s still some closure [needed] both for the story and us working together.”

Brett on what he sees as the response from fans: “I realized this week that we don’t have a fanbase.  We have an army.  I think I need to start making uniforms for them.  I couldn’t be more appreciative.  Moving to New York and telling this story… being an actor you’re on an island sometimes.  You’re just standing on your own two feet dealing with all the pressure and the stress that come with certain things.  Playing this role was more difficult than anything I’ve ever done in my life and it was more rewarding than anything I’ve ever done in my life.  It’s probably the proudest accomplishment I’ve ever had in my life.  A lot of that is a testament to the fans because they give you strength.  They help you know in the times that you feel most alone that you really aren’t.  Knowing that your work is really important to somebody, that it means something to somebody… every moment that I might have had a weak moment where I was getting overwhelmed there was a word from somebody that doesn’t even know that I read it that affected me just enough to get me through.  You say fans, because you don’t know them, but they’re more like friendships.  The support they gave is like no other.”

Brett on his feelings now toward One Life’s head writer, Ron Carlivati and EP, Frank Valentini: “I want to make sure that I put on the record that from my eyes and from my perspective I have no bitterness or no anger towards Frank and Ron.  Frank, he kept me around.  The character was created.  The character was revealed to be a gay man.  Through the whole process we had nothing but communication and support and belief and trust with Frank Valentini. People need to remember that this story never would have been told without either of them.  Without Ron’s writing but especially without Frank’s support.  I never would have played this role probably without Frank’s support.  At the end of the day it was sad to go.  It’s our family in a lot of ways and a little part of us feels like we’re being thrown under the bus by our family, maybe, but I am appreciative and indebted to Frank for being bold enough to tell this story and to tell it as truthfully as we did.  That truth may have shocked some people.  It may have created discussions in households and in places that never would have had the discussion.  To be bold enough to make that choice and to stand by it is why we did the work. I forever will be grateful to Frank and I think people should understand that… It might be a slower train than we want for equality to be on the streets or on the air but this still was progress.  The support that ABC gave us, the bravery that One Life To Live had as a show, the beauty in the words that Ron wrote, and the strength of the performances that Scott and I gave, this should be nothing but a celebration for a year that changed daytime television.”

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shame on abc

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brett buddy great interview your fans have just begun to fight for you guys along with
gladd i not gay but my wife & i love watching oltl the show should be in black to mourn
you & scott’s loss signed kish petition today.
steve h. – in alabama

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this interview at least cleared up the rumor that Claywell found out online when the news broke and was not told by OLTL. So he was told. Regarding the professionalism issue, what’s Claywell gonna say? “Yes Evans and I partied all the time?” Of course not. He’s gonna say they were professional yada yada yada. Part of being professional is not trashing your former employers, which Claywell did for both primetime and daytime soaps with his “no one writes for me” and “we were thrown under the bus” comments.

so where’s the complaint of racism since daphnee duplaix was let go? she’s a person of color, so based on the mindset of the kish fans, racism must be the reason she was axed. the characters of color on soaps are relegated to the background.

Get over yourself Claywell. There’s no stability in acting, so to whine that he gave his heart and soul into playing Kyle, whatevs, any actor can say that if it was true or not. Claywell and Evans are contributing to this media circus known as Kishtastrophe and are milking it for all its worth. Claywell and Evans seem to be using it to drag out more publicity from this Kishtastrophe.

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Bottomchef,

You’re disgusting. Part of being a human being is standing up for one’s self when one has been wronged! Professionalism does not mean allowing others to screw you over and take it like a champ. Claywell would have probably never said anything but the smear campaign was too much for him.

Please don’t bother to say that studios and networks don’t screw over their actors. Soaps have long histories of doing such. Michael Zaslow was fired infamously by P&G after he became ill. Last year, Sony leaked salary information about Eric Braeden.

Claywell was kind and gracious to OLTL’s executive producer Frank Valentini and to head writer Ron Carlavati. Nice of you to over look this statement by Claywell: “Through the whole process we had nothing but communication and support and belief and trust with Frank Valentini. People need to remember that this story never would have been told without either of them. Without Ron’s writing but especially without Frank’s support. I never would have played this role probably without Frank’s support. ”

This is 2010. Companies have shown that they have no loyalty to their employees. Claywell was more than kind to his former bosses even as they weren’t to him.

For the record, fans of Daphnee Duplaix do look suspiciously at OLTL for her firing because OLTL has a history of hiring and firing minority actors. Paul Rauch is infamous for his firing all of the black actor on OLTL in the 1970s. As of today, rumors are swirling that most of the minority cast is going to be let go. Adios Destiny, Shaun, and Tea. Layla’s portrayer, Tika Sumpter is now recurring.

Soaps, in general, have a poor history of recognizing their diverse audience by hiring and nurturing minority actors. ATWT has no people of color in its cast. When is the last time a person of color had a decent storyline on GH? Days has backburnered the Carvers for years. Y&R is joked about the DaytimeConfidential.com editors for only having its black cast brought out on the 1st and 15th of the month.

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Actors should be open to harsh criticism since they’re “public property” and it’s in the nature of their job to be scrutinized, but you have shown a lot of “class” by calling me names. And all for what? Bec you’re a fan of kish? Bec you’re annoyed at any comment saying Evans’s acting is shoddy? Bec you’re aggravated when ppl don’t support the interviews of the actors who seem to be making their axing into a homophobia issue when it’s not? I won’t stoop to your level.

Yes daytime’s been terrible w/ racial diversity casting. That’s been established long ago. What else is new? But Duplaix was written out bec she’s a racial minority, mich like the kish actors were not written off bec of homophobia.

How can ABC be homophobic? OLTL let kish have a love scene! AMC penned the real groundbreaking lgbtq storyline by letting Bianca come out, w/c was acted by the fantastic Eden Reigel. AMC let Bianca and reese marry! ABC is not homophobic. Evans and Claywell should learn interview etiquette lessons from Eden reigel. Chuck Pratt blamed Eden Reigel for Rianca bec Reigel left AMC. Reigel had nothing but kind words for AMC, her former employer. She didn’t trash AMC, unlike Evans and Claywell. Now she’s on Y&R!

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Very good strong words from Brett, but very truthful. Kish is composed of two very fine actors who were willing to take that story and run with it. I wish them luck, but I would be surprised if OLTL would bring themback. We shall see….

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Great interview! I wish him the best of luck for all the future opportunities!

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Bottomchef…..you spew a lot of anger about these 2 very talented actors and your attack on them seems very personal……sounds like you might even be a jealous actor who resents their popularity and success…….could that be it???/…..hmm…

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Brett is a very special young man and together with Scott Evans he has made kish one of the most beloved couples ever seen on daytime…..OLTL is making a monumental mistake in ending this beautiful love story and will soon realize just how many new viewers they brought to the show when Kish leaves and their countless fans leave with them…..

Bottomchef…..get over yourself your hateful rants will never deflect from the amazing talent of Brett and Scott and the positive impact they and their story has left on daytime TV………
I could amost believe you are an employee of ABC/OLTL…why else would you have such a
hatred of these wonderfully talented actors??……BTW..point me to a story where Brett or Scott have trashed ABC…they are merely trying to defend their reputation against false allegations which they have every right to do and they are actually the only ones acting professionally is this whole sad situation….

Reply

Bottomchef,

I agree with everyone else here. Brett Claywell and Scott Evans have been nothing but gracious to EVERYONE during this whole situation. I dare you to point out any interview/article where either of them have said anything against OLTL or ABC, or any of the people they worked for or with. Unlike you, these young men are above trashing others and have shown themselves to be nothing but professionals with class and integrity, obviously characteristics their former employer is lacking. Furthermore, actors are not “public property.” They aren’t “property” at all! And they have a right to defend their character when lies and untruths are printed about them. Anybody who wouldn’t do so in the same situation would be crazy as their career would be at stake.

Furthermore, I must agree with others here that you must be carrying a personal vendetta against these wonderful young men because I can’t believe you would spend so much time on a message board spewing your hatred against them when you likely don’t know them personally and can’t vouch for their character one way or the other. They have done nothing to you or anyone else to deserve such hatred, but people like you obviously think anyone that has more class or is a better person than you are should be criticized and shot down (I’m assuming so you can feel better about yourself because of your own self-hatred and what you lack as a human being). You obviously have much more time on your hands than sense! Why else would you come on this board and criticize and bash two wonderful young men that you don’t even know at all just for the sake of a little attention. You know nothing about the character of either of these young men, and you never will.

Why don’t you go “get a life” and try to be somebody instead of criticizing others who have long surpassed you!

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for kyle lewis and oliver fish and their child sierra rose to bring them home to lianview beofre the holiday and keep them stay in lianview oliver fish still employed at lianvew police officer and kyle still employed at lianview hospital since dr greg evans is leaving his role and he needs help his back up at lianview hospital and jonh mcbain need back up at lianview police station with oliver fish and make their return on – screen agian

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General Hospital

‘General Hospital’s’ Steve Burton Shares Reaction to His Lead Actor Daytime Emmy Nomination, ‘It Was to Honor Leslie Charleson’

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8 hours ago

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July 14, 2026

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The 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Award nominations kicked-off on Monday with the announcements of four major categories including, Outstanding Lead Performer in a Daytime Drama Series — Actor, and among the nominees is General Hospital’s Steve Burton (Jason Morgan).

Burton is already a two-time Daytime Emmy winner in the Supporting Actor category for his roles as GH’s Jason and his turn as Dylan McAvoy on Y&R. However, Steve is yet to win in the Lead Actor category and he has received 11 nominations along the way in his daytime career.

Following the reveal that he is a 2026 Daytime Emmy nominee, he and his GH co-star, podcast co-host and comedy show partner, Bradford Anderson (Spinelli) taped a special edition of their That’s Awesome podcast just featuring Burton’s reaction to the news.

Photo: JPI

FOR LESLIE CHARLESON

Steve expressed, “I know it’s such a cliche to say, ‘I’m just so honored to be nominated.’ But truly, I’m so grateful to be nominated, so grateful to just be on the show off and on for 30 plus years and to be nominated with the guys in my category. Just to get the opportunity. Frank (Valentini, executive producer, GH) texted me right away. I was just like, ‘Thank you for the opportunity to get to do what I do.'”

Taking in the moment, Burton thanked those who helped him select the material for his nominated reel. “Unless you win, you don’t get to say things. So. I’m going just say a few things: Elizabeth Korte (co-head writer, GH) helped me a lot with the material, (as did) Michelle Henry, who’s a producer on the show, Laura Wright (Carly, GH), and then my wife Michelle (Lundstrom). I believe it was Jill Phelps who told me that when A Martinez felt like he had a great show or great scenes, he would mark it down. So, when Emmy time comes, you have all the show numbers written down, and you don’t have to think about it, because that’s half the battle (finding the material).

Burton explained how meaningful this nomination is for him, because of playing the scenes of Jason losing Monica, and his closeness with the late, great Leslie Charleson.

“The nomination’s an amazing thing, and it’s beautiful, but really it’s to honor Leslie Charleson. A lot of my material was because of her, and how I started on the show as a Quartermaine, it just means a ton,” shared Burton. “Maurice Benard (Sonny, GH) has obviously has been instrumental, and I’ve said it from day one and I’ll shout it from the rooftops. If it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t be here, and to be working with the people that we work with is incredible.”

Photo: JPI

SHOULD JOHN OLIVER BE NAMED HOST OF THE DAYTIME EMMYS?

During the end of his conversation with Anderson, Steve suggested that the host of the Daytime Emmy should be Last Week Tonight’s John Oliver, who recently guest starred as the head of the WSB named Z on General Hospital, and is soon to show up on Days of Our Lives in a mystery role in August.

Thus far, the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences has not revealed their host for the upcoming ceremony to be held on October 30 in a venue to be named in Hollywood, California.

You can watch Steve sharing his reaction to receiving his 2026 Lead Actor Daytime Emmy nomination below on a special segment on the That’s Awesome podcast.

Now let us know, are you glad that Steve chose scenes surrounding Jason mourning the loss of the woman that raised him, Monica Quartermaine for his Emmy reel? What do you think of John Oliver as a suggestion to host the Daytime Emmys? Weigh-in via the comment section below.

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Beyond the Gates

53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Nominations: Outstanding Lead Actress Drama Series

Published

22 hours ago

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July 13, 2026

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Monday on Entertainment Tonight, the second set of nominations for the 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards were announced which included the highly-coveted Outstanding Lead Performance in a Daytime Drama Series – Actress and Outstanding Daytime Talk Series.

ET followed suit after Extra announced the nominees, as previously reported, in the Outstanding Lead Performance in a Daytime Drama Series – Actor and Outstanding Daytime Talk Host.

Now, five leading ladies of the soaps are vying for the gold for Lead Actress and the category marked the first-ever nominations for CBS daytime’s Beyond the Gates when two actresses made the final cut. Only General Hospital is not represented among the actresses this year after Nancy Lee Grahn (Alexis Davis) took home the trophy last year.

Photo: NATAS

THE FIVE LEADING LADIES OF THE SOAPS ARE …

The 2026 Lead Actress nominees are: Stacy Haiduk (Kristen DiMera), Days of Our Lives, Karla Mosley (Dani Dupree), Beyond the Gates, Michelle Stafford (Phyllis Summers), The Young and the Restless, Heather Tom (Katie Logan), The Bold and the Beautiful, and Tamara Tunie (Anita Dupree), Beyond the Gates.

This marks the first Daytime Emmy nominations for Karla Mosley and Tamara Tunie. In addition, this marks the first-time in her career that Stacy Haiduk had received a Lead Actress nod after two Supporting Actress nominations.

Meanwhile, Michelle Stafford had previously won 3 Emmys – 2 for Lead Actress and 1 for Supporting, but this recognition makes it her 11th overall nomination.

Heather Tom currently is tied for the most all-time Daytime Emmy wins with One Life to Live alum and General Hospital guest star, Erika Slezak. The B&B star has 19 nominations throughout her career.

Photo: ABC

DAYTIME TALK SERIES

In the Outstanding Daytime Talk Series category, the nominees are: 3rd Hour of Today, The Drew Barrymore Show, The Kelly Clarkson Show, Live with Kelly and Mark, Today with Jenna and Friends and The View.

“We’re proud to honor the extraordinary talent and creative teams whose work continues to define and elevate daytime television,” NATAS president and CEO Adam Sharp said in a statement on the nominations. “As the Daytime landscape evolves and new forms of storytelling emerge, we remain committed to recognizing the innovation happening across the industry.”

The rest of the nominations will be revealed tomorrow on Tuesday July 14 starting on The View and then the full list of nominees in both the main and creative arts will be released by NATAS. The 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards are slated for October 30th in Hollywood, California.

So, what do you think about the women who are vying for the Lead Actress Daytime Emmy? Happy with who got in? Who do you feel got snubbed? What do you think of the nominees for Daytime Talk Series? Weigh-in via the comment section.

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General Hospital

‘General Hospital’ Marks Unprecedented 16,000th Episode Milestone with New Cast Photo

Published

1 day ago

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July 13, 2026

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Today’s Monday, July 13 episode of General Hospital marks it 16,000 episode to air on the ABC television network. It is a remarkable milestone. The previous television record was held by Guiding Light which clocked in at 15,762 episodes before it went off the air on CBS in 2009.

To mark the occasion, the cast, crew and creative team of General Hospital celebrated with a cake-cutting ceremony on the Prospect Studios lot in Los Angeles back on Monday, June 1, 2026.

In addition, GH has released a new cast photo taken the day of the on set celebration. Pictured in the photo are front row: Rory Gibson, Finn Carr, Kayden Brenna Tokarski, Asher Antonyzyn, Giovanni Mazza, Braedyn Bruner, Dean Geyer and Nathan Dean.

Featured in the back row are: Tabyana Ali, Eden McCoy, Josh Swickard, Kristen Vaganos, Rebecca Herbst, Dominic Zamprogna, Alexa Havins, Cameron Mathison, Brooke Kerr, Cynthia Watros, Steve Burton, Finola Hughes, Jane Elliot, Maurice Benard, Laura Wright, Maura West, Donnell Turner, Nancy Lee Grahn, Tanisha Harper, Kelly Thiebaud, Kristina Wagner, Lynn Herring, Chris McKenna, Katelyn MacMullen and Sawandi Wilson.

In addition, the official GH social media handles shared these sentiments along with some other photos from the cake cutting: “Today’s episode of General Hospital is the 16,000th produced since the show’s inception in 1963. It’s a milestone we couldn’t let pass by without taking some time to celebrate as a family (and, of course… eating some cake). 🍰 We hope you enjoy watching it as much as we did making it.”

WHAT WILL HAPPEN ON THE 16,000th Episode?

The 16,000th episode will feature Jason Morgan returning to the town of Port Charles, Anna and Valentin (James Patrick Stewart) reuniting, and a new surgeon, Dr. Tristan Roberts (Dean Geyer) joining the staff of ‘General Hospital.’

GENERAL HOSPITAL HOLDS SEVERAL RECORDS

Now in its 64th year, Emmy Award-winning daytime drama General Hospital is currently both the longest-running scripted American drama and the longest-running American soap opera currently in production.

General Hospital holds the record for the most Outstanding Daytime Drama award wins, taking home the prestigious Daytime Emmy Award a record 18 times. Will they do it again and make it 19 in 2026? Stay tuned for the 53rd annual Daytime Emmy nominations tomorrow on Tuesday, July 14 to find out if GH will be going for gold in the category, once again.

The ABC daytime drama series was created by Frank and Doris Hursley and premiered back on April 1, 1963. Frank Valentini is the current executive producer with Elizabeth Korte and Chris Van Etten are the show’s co-head writers.

General Hospital airs weekdays on ABC and streams on Hulu.

What do you think of the new cast photo marking General Hospital’s 16000th episode? What do you think of the accomplishment to have that many episodes of a television show and its still thriving and kicking? Share your thoughts and congrats for everyone in front of the camera and behind the scenes on this milestone airing.

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Jonathan Bennett joins the cast of GH as Joe Fitzpatrick. Catch the latest promo! Leave a comment.Leave A Comment

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