Days Of Our Lives
Chick-Fil-A Controversy Rages On! Y&R's Rikaart Takes To Twitter To Voice Displeasure on DAYS Reeves Tweet!
Photo credit: Kathy Hutchins
Over the past few days On-Air On-Soaps has been following the Chick-fil-A mess and the restaurant chain’s stance on gay marriage. And while many soap stars have denounced the popular fast food chains bigoted remarks, the situation was also under fire by Advocate.com, the leading LGBT platform.
In addition, The Young and the Restless, Greg Rikaart (Kevin Fisher) took to Twitter to voice his disdain and displeasure over the weekend for Days of our Lives star, Melissa Reeves (Jennifer Horton Deveraux) controversial tweet which was, “Chick-fil-a today!!!! Loved every bite of it;)!! Land of the free and home of the brave. Love that we all appreciate free speech, right?” On face value, it appears that Reeves took part in Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day. Rikkart tweeted “Melissa Reeves, it’s disappointing that you’ve aligned yourself with a company that supports hatred & bigotry. This is not an issue of free speech.”
Later Advocate.com, the leading LGBT news site posted a piece on Reeve’s tweet and pointed out what the Chick-fil-A issue is really about, “Actually, the message that got somewhat lost in the Chick-fil-A controversy is not that company president Dan Cathy shouldn’t be able to state his opposition to marriage equality, but that the company is funding anti-gay organizations that have been designated “hate groups” — and LGBT people and their allies don’t want to be funneling money to them.”
Whatever the case, and the intent of words used in tweets, freedom of speech, your stand on gay marriage, bottom line (according to Advocate.com) is Chick-fil-A appears to have a bigger agenda of bigotry and hate. However, many feel this is just about a freedom of speech issue. And, whether you are straight or gay, people should have the right to feel safe from harm, and have basic human rights. What do you think? Weigh-in Soapers!
I was hoping this would not appear on this blog but here goes! First of all Greg Rikkart go over and run your mouth in front of her husband and see if he does not clean your clock. Second Boycotting what about the families that work for this restaurant I guess their jobs and making a living for their families doesn’t mean anything. We have fans of the show now rallying for her to be fired. It is utter and complete stupidity All his tweet and several others means to me they are big men behind the Twitter. Scott Reeves you have my permission to shut his mouth the only reason he is jumping on her is because she is a Christian and we can’t have that can we?
You mean that husband she cheated on with her co-star and her husband then ordered her to quit her job. So much for freedom and her Christian beliefs.
You said it Mel! Seems that same husband made her admit her affairs in front of family and friends. That hypocrisy must taste good!
Yep, Missy is a hypocrite! Winky face and all! The BIGGEST threat to marriage is people like HER. And to think ALL she had to do was keep her mouth SHUT, but she has had a history of having a problem keeping things shut!
Nobody is perfect except God that is why you do not worship people you worship god, people are imperfect and it is my understanding it was thru God they were able to save their marriage. Let he who is without sin cast the first stone never did I get the impression she hated gays.. FYI A Black Detroit football player said he did not care if they were pro slavery he was still eating there because they were the best chicken sandwiches ever.In other words more bull/s as usual.
Christians don’t claim to be sinless, we know we are sinners, that’s why we need Jesus.
@kay/kay.
why would Scott Reeves, feel it necessary to shut Greg Rikkart up?
when a corporation… “pays” for….. ie: you can say contributes to. let’s be dramatic… overthrow a people that belong.
ie: Mr. Greg Rikkart was correct: “this is not an issue of FREE speech”. WINK.
Oh dang, I replied in the wrong spot. I wanted to say, I too am starting to see the humor in all this, read The Onion’s take, I am ROFL 😉
I went to Chick-Fil-A last Wednesday because I was INCENSED at the comments of Chicago mayor Rahm Emanuel, and wanted to “stick it to him”. Free speech and freedom of religion ARE constitutional rights! Gay marriage is not. Which issue do you think the average American is going to champion? Melissa Reeves’ twitter stated that she was eating Chick-Fil-A to support free speech. She did not say one word about gay people. As an actress in Hollywood, I’m sure she has many gay friends and co-workers. As a devout Christian, I doubt if she meant malice to anyone. Those who know Melissa will come out to defend her, I’m sure. I don’t know her, but my mother met her at the Soap Opera Awards, and she said Melissa and her husband were the nicest stars of all. They sat down and talked to the “peasants” as if they were equals, lol. I know some nasty, intolerant leftist bigots are writing NBC to demand that Melissa be fired, and if that happens I am done with “Days of our Lives” forever!
I’ll ff through ALL of her scenes from now on because I don’t want to hurt the show and other actors by boycotting Days. She had a choice — when it comes to marriage gay people DON’T. If MR is such a good Christian, she should care more about how other people feel.
Gay or straight you can’t & shouldn’t force your beliefs on others! Everyone has an opinion! That’s life! No one agrees all the time! Except it!
Thank you Maddie the crowds were off the charts everywhere and the guy who harrased the employee from Chic Fillet and put it on U tube got fired in fact a gay group was appalled at his behaviour. Welcome to Obama’s world where we pit everybody against each other he only came out for gay marriage to BUY your vote!!!
Oh yes, I know, I had to wait half an hour for my food, and I went at 10:30 AM! My folks (who are liberal, btw, but I convinced them to go to support free speech) couldn’t even get in the parking lot when they went at dinner time, to a different Chick-fil-A. As for Obama, this could backfire on him. I saw a poll last week that said 57% of Americans think his views are “extreme”. Only 37% think the same thing of Romney.
@kay/kay.
I disagree with your stating that “welcome to Obama’s world where we pit everybody against each other”.
the internet was out long before he become our president.
“crowds” as it were…. the masses…. People.
civic rights… our duty to be fair… should be pressed.
does that “10%” mean you any harm?
@patrick, it’s not 10%, it’s more like 2%. Funny how polls show most people think gays are 25% of the population. It’s because they get so much attention in the media. Personally, I only know two.
You DO realize that the HUGE number of voters that turned out in California in 2008 to vote FOR Obama also were the same voters that voted AGAINST gay marriage in that state. Please esplain to me how how his opinion as being for gay marriage now as being about gaining votes instead of loosing them?
So true! Now Obama is for everything so he can get more votes! Has he changed or was he lying last time to be those votes too? He’s really showing what a phoney he is! A true politician! Hope & change!!! Really? Hope is almost gone & change for the worse!
Devout? Everyone loves to call themselves “devout” but she, and most, are far from it. What it more often comes down to is you are or you aren’t gay and everyone who isn’t gets to proclaim it from the rooftops as their one “perfectly Christian” trait. Who cares about all the other horrible, “not devoutly Christian” things they do — at least they aren’t gay right?
you sound pretty defensive. Have you known Christians who were unkind to you? If so, I am sorry. We are all sinners, in need of redemption, that’s the bottom line.
@maddiehayes.
seriously? defensive? He’s simply saying… that… “gay” isn’t the only propaganda…. that’s put out to the masses… to steer from the real issues… that we the people should collectively rally.
I wouldn’t be too sure of your “gay marriage is not a constitutional right”. DOMA (Defense of Marriage Act) is a direct violation of the equal protection clause of the Fifth amendment. It is just a matter of time.
Yes, it’s just a matter of time before polygamy and group marriages are legal, as well. We’re just trying to hold back the flood gates as long as we can.
it would seem to me…. polygamy and group marriages… already “made” their own “laws”.
@patrick, yes, and so have gay marriages, the only thing they are lacking is federal benefits, what about all those poor “sister wives” who don’t get benefits? You know the liberals will be pushing for that next.
maddie,
A more applicable comparison to the present discussion, which, after all is about marriage EQUALITY, is best made by harkening back to the time when people of different races were not allowed to wed in this country. In a similar manner as today, many states legalized interacial marriages -one by one- long before it was finally recognized on a national level by the Supreme Court in 1967.
There is no need to “hold back the flood gates” on marriage equality,
If you do not approve of gay marriage, do not have one. Meanwhile, who are you to stand in the way of two consenting adults, in love, who wish to commit to each other, and to be recognized in the eyes of the law, til death to they part?
I don’t think it’s applicable at all. A man and a woman of two different races are NOT forbidden in the Bible (Old AND New Testaments). And I’m not standing in anybody’s way. Gays can have civil unions in most states. Why do they continually push the envelope for, not just tolerance, but total acceptance and federal recognition? Our government is broke enough as it is.
Riiiiiiiiiiiiiight……Because NOTHING bad has ever been SAID or DONE in the name of religion. We can argue this is all about freedom of speech because that’s a right and gay marriage isn’t….YET. But if people want to do it who gives a ___? It doesn’t infringe on anybody else, so to say you don’t think they should be able to is archaic.
That’s just people imposing their religious beliefs on others…which isn’t what america is about. What ever happened to seperation of Church and State? Basically it’s a supid point to try to make publicly. People should say, “ I don’t agree with gay marriage because of my religious beliefs, but this is America and you should be able to do what you want.” I mean, I don’t agree that the owner of chik fil a should be a mormon, but it’s a free country.
Maddie, there are NO gay marriage LAWS. Don’t you know this? In NC when Amendment One was passed it not only forbid gay marriage BUT ALSO civil unions and included an addendum to allow hospitals to legally discriminate against same-sex couples by refusing to acknowledge the two men or women as a couple. I knew this was already in affect in SC (I lived there once) and hospitals there treat the sick partner and literally do not acknowledge that the other person is there. So it wasn’t JUST about traditional marriage (which has changed through the years since traditional marriage was once ONLY whites could marry). There is more at stake here than free speech… this is a civil rights issue and the marriage amendments prove this by including civil unions and hospital rights.
@maddiehayes.
10 %. Human.
02%. Being.
25%. Feeling.
Majority Rules – Minority Rules.
Sway, alienate – dismember…. OYE.
You don’t pay to ATTACK a sect. of society.
food for thought…. the two sects… IMO… still fighting for leverage… even footing… equality…. African-Americans… and “the” gays.
Propaganda…. steer us away from the economy, healthcare, jobs, our own homes.
The Gays… will continue to get media attention. Till we right the wrongs. It’s not a choice.
You said it Michael! And thank you Greg for having the guts to talk about this and call her out directly.
As of Melissa Reeves, she has lost me as a fan and supporter after this. I won’t care now that she won’t have a story when Jack leaves (because it always happens).
I certainly don’t agree with your “bottom line” here.I see lots of hate being spewed toward people with traditional values of marriage which is no better than what they are blaming the conservatives of in my opinion.I don’t think you are fair or correct in stating” Chick-Fil-A has a bigger agenda of bigotry and hate”.I don’t say this as a conservative or a person against gay marriage.This is a good Post I read from a lesbian on the Chick Fil-A FB page.
” Emily Ruggieri to Chick-fil-A
July 25 at 9:52pm ·
I’m gay and I think that Chick Fil A being strong with what they believe in is awesome. I may not agree with it but who cares, its their money that their using from their privately owned company to do so. Instead of complaining about this one company out of many that donated money to certain causes, you all could be looking for ways to support your cause. You’re for gay rights? Awesome go donate money! Chick Fil A happens to be against it, so they donate money also. I don’t see Chick Fil A banning gay people all because they have different beliefs. Do you? Nope! I eat there and they haven’t complained about me for being gay! I’m sure they love my business just the same as a straight persons. So relax, not everybody will always have the same beliefs as everybody else, its called life. People believe in different things. That’s what makes life fun and worth living.”
Amen………They have a right to their opinion…..If you think they are anti gay .stay away. This calling them bigoted and hatemongers has really hurt them. Since this started they are doing a land office business. Stop talking about it and move on. The Democrats are having their presidential convention soon. Is gay marriage part of their party platform? If it is not, are they bigots and hatemongers too?
For someone that thinks people should stop talking about it and move on….you are replying to an awful lot of comments to this post.
Yes, Gay Marriage IS part of the Democratic Party’s platform. Do your research.
@Leslie.
Semantics? – Passionate, unlike yours?
semanticsplural of se·man·tics (Noun)Noun: 1.The branch of linguistics and logic concerned with meaning.
2.The meaning of a word, phrase, sentence, or text: “such quibbling over semantics may seem petty stuff”.
Freedom of Speech… Our right to bear arms…sharing the same language… understanding your right… Just not living with. Co-exist peacefully…We’re not at war.
As for Obama… bringing to the forefront…. Gay Marriage. In your FACE. No, he wants for us to recognize all sects and facets that make up our world.
To continually, “segregate” “those” KIND’s of people because, you’re not iffilliated with. We belong…. have your right.
So anybody that believes marriage is only between a man and a woman is a bigot and a hatemonger? For years, all that way heard from gay groups is that all we are asking for is tolerance of our lifestyle. This doesn’t sound like tolerance to me. If he you disagree, you are automatically labeled a bigot a hatemonger and you want to do harm to gays. You said this is not free speech issue and that the owner of Chick-fil-A is funneling money to anti gay groups that want to do harm to gays. Can you name them please so that the US attorney general can investigate and then prosecute?
A fine line between factions? Cross over…. Join hands…. Respect our ideals… and bridge our differences…. and together have the right to bear arms… for one another… you bet.
Maybe Ms Reeves could educate herself on what the 1st Amendment is.
To the best of my knowledge, the government hasn’t said Chick-Fil-A can’t speak their mind.
Maybe she could do a simple Google search or drop by Wikipedia.
the owner of Chick-A-fil was asked in an interview if he supports traditional marriage.. He said Yes…….Please take some night courses…….
🙂
Okay, what specific courses would you like me to take? I realise that Chick-Fil-A was asked their opinion. But the whole issue wasn’t about whether or not they had a right to say so. It was about hateful bigotry and everyone else tried to make it about Freedom Of Speech. They absolutely had the right… NO ONE, said they couldn’t say what they want.
The 1st Amendment is not about a generalized freedom of speech. It’s about whether the government specifically can stop you from that right by making laws that prohibit that right.
Seriously friend… GOOGLE IT.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Amendment_to_the_United_States_Constitution
The First Amendment (Amendment I) to the United States Constitution is part of the Bill of Rights. The amendment prohibits the making of any law respecting an establishment of religion, impeding the free exercise of religion, abridging the freedom of speech, infringing on the freedom of the press, interfering with the right to peaceably assemble or prohibiting the petitioning for a governmental redress of grievances.
See, it says THE GOVERNMENT CANNOT TAKE FREEDOM OF SPEECH AWAY FROM YOU.
Again, to the best of my knowlledge NO GOVERNMENT ENTITY SAID CHICK_FIL_A can’t speak their mind, In fact, I don’t remember anyone saying they couldn’ speak their mind, they just said it was hurtful. and kinda tacky.
Have a good day. 🙂
Seriously, Jen, you nailed it! 🙂
Michael,
The soap opera watching audience has dwindled to hardly anything anymore. With this type of intolerance and labeling of people who have a different opinion is not going to help. If you have any information about groups that are doing harm to gays you have a right to name them so they can be charged with a hate crime.. A different opinion is not to be equated with hate or bigotry. This type of language doesn’t help the gay community and only sets back things that they have accomplished over the years.
Richard. I’ll acknowledge that people complaining about her comments is doing nothing to help counteract a dwindling soap audience if you acknowledge that her controversial comments have the exact same effect.
I wouldn’t be so sure that gays are a huge part of the soap audience. Every soap that has had a prominent gay storyline has been canceled. Now DAYS has a prominent gay storyline and it is at the bottom of the ratings.
@maddiehayes.
you’re probably right… ie: gay audience. however… i don’t think that would be the reason that a soap opera was cancelled…. one storyline?
as was stated… tolerance of said lifestyle… is acceptance.
Tom,
Bigot and Hatemonger was not the words used by Melissa only Greg Rikkart………..
Why is Greg Rikkart hiding the fact that he is gay? Isn’t he proud of his lifestyle? He just wants to call others who disagree with him bigots and hatemongers but is afraid to come out of the closet himself. He knows that if he does, the remaining soap opera audience will probably not take him seriously in a man woman relationship and he might loose his job. Way to go Greg………………………
Where do you get your “facts”? How do you know for a “fact” that Greg is gay? Do you know him personally? Or do you just “think” he’s gay and are spreading unproven rumors? Get your “facts” straight before you start calling people out. If you DO know him, and IF he is gay, then prove your “facts” here…I dare you. Otherwise, keep your mouth shut about things you know nothing about. “Way to go, Leslie……………..”
It is not up to anyone else to tell someone when to come out. If he is gay then he will do it when he’s ready, not when you or anyone else thinks he should.
@Leslie – Being gay is not a life style! Types of lifestyles ex: city, urban, country, etc. Gay is not one. If so please tell me what it is. Maybe I want to live it. Fyi, it is not a choice either. If that was true then you are saying heterosexuals have the desire to be with the same sex and just choose not to. So Leslie do you desire to be with the same sex? Also, rather Greg is gay or not is none of your business.
Remember “EAT MOR BEEF”.
Amazing how all the people who have responded to my post are reading me the riot act but Greg Rikkart using words like bigot and hatemonger are totally acceptable……..Double Standard folks…….
Stop with the semantics……….tolerance was all that was asked for for decades, now it is that there is no difference between gay and straight……..
I wouldn’t be a bit surprised if Jennifer is written off of Days,TPTB can’t come right out and fire Reeves for her remarks,but they can find another way to let her go.
Well without Jack she never had a decent storyline before so it’s coming anyway since he’s leaving again. Writing’s on the wall for Jennifer.
If I had to watch another SL as boring as hers with Daniel, I’d STOP watching Days. That SL was so bad and so boring that it made the ads between scenes seem INTERESTING!
Yes, Jack will be one of the casualties in the DaysASTER. So, I expect that Jennifer (Melissa Reeves) will be back-burnered at some point down the road. However, Days has a gold mine in Kate Mansi (Abigail) and I certainly hope that they keep her on the show.
LOL true Matt!
And you are right Michael, Kate (Abigail) is the best young actress they have.
I’ve already posted this before…. Ms. Jennifer Horton’s return… SOS… she’s haggie maggied out (tired)…. i love her on DAYS. I don’t see how they could possibly bring Passion to her persona… it would have to be this big… and that’s bringing Peter Blake back… aside from Jack…. where was Jenn? what was jenn? She’s grans jewel… and i can’t dismiss that. currently? I wish they’d at least show her and Maggie having tea… at the very least.
ATTENTION… the HOT about town… Abby Deveraux… has that it factor…her acting and aura: presence… is SERIAL. she was a hoot with Austin… and i love her chemistry with Cameron.
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You +1’d this publicly. Undo
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Abby is earning her wings, candy stripes… Much to do. LOL.
I dunno what Chick-Fil-A supports or what not but all I know is that Melissa seemed to support them over free speech and not on their decision on equality… but that is how i took it and i feel bad people are attacking her for her freedom of speech… all this is just out of control! ugh… i’m tired of it really…
Me too………..I would bet that the gays who have responded to this post all voted for Obama. He was for gay marriage against gay marriage and now he is for it again. Of course he waited almost 4 years to support it again because that idiot biden forced him to but want has he done other then to give lip service to the cause. Did he say that in his second term he will do all he can to get gay marriage the law of the land? You call traditionalists hatemongers and bigots but the dems just give u there bull that they are with you and laugh at you behind your backs………..Wake UP
Media Attention… for or against…. left. right. Democrat, republican, liberal, independant… etc… across the board… WE ARE EVERYWHERE… Gay and Straight…. Hetero… Homo… why discriminate? The greater purpose of the American people is to collectively uphold our democracy for a greater purpose.. andthats for the USA to live prosper and let be.
It was very disappointing to read Melissa Reeve’s tweet. It isn’t about the words that man has spoken (although that’s bad enough) the real issue is that by supporting his “freedom of speech” as she wants to say, she is supporting hate and bigotry.
It is not hate or bigotry to support traditional marriage. He has a right to his opinion………….
Where was her belief in traditional marriage when she cheated on her husband?? Isn’t adultery a sin?
And people have a right to say they don’t want THEIR money going to these groups that in THEIR opinion are hate groups without being accused of attacking someone’s right to free speech…which is the basic claim Missy has made about everyone that has chosen to take a stand against this company. I know many people that have different opinions than I about same sex marriage, but they are not using MY money to support groups trying to stop it. Those cases are about speech, not using my money to support something I don’t believe in.
It is just an opinion UNLESS you’ve setup a foundation hat gives monies to groups that target gays… Then it’s much more than an opinion, it would be like someone voicing their opinion about Christians (free speech) and channeling money to “hurt” Christians. See? Not exactly JUST free speech. Free speech is fine if that were ALL … it’s not.
Melissa Reeves is seriously an idiot to tweet that. Its one thing to think it but another to tweet it in and open forum for millions to read. She knew exactly what she was doing, she hurt lots of ppl, she didn’t even clarify what she meant , Her tweet was SMUG , She is not one to judge others since she herself cheated on her husband with her former co star.
Will not support Mellisa Reeves ever again > Jennifer Horton #RIP
You mean like the two gay girls that went into a Chick-A-Fil and kissed for the cameras…….
Everyone has a right to speak their opinion. Chickfila did. Meliisa did and now I do. Just rrad everything and move on, people. There is no right or wrong to free speech!
Actually, Eileen there IS a right and a wrong to freedom of speech and that’s why freedom of speech has consequences. You can say anything you like — as long as you take responsibility for what you say. If MR didn’t know this, she does now!
IT IS NOT ABOUT FREE SPEECH! Stop posting comments and do a search and find out what Dan Cathy does with his money. Then maybe just maybe you would understand the issues.
Please post what he does with his money and give us the sources to research this.
You are one of the few intelligent people to post on this site……
Judge not lest you be judged.
Look like a bigot, walk like a bigot and talk like a bigot – guess what?
Free speech or whatever. Missy Reeves is not stupid. She had to know tweeting something like that would not go unnoticed. I think it was a real stupid move on her part. Now she has to be prepared for the backlash. If she’s smart she’ll get back on twitter and apologize for upsetting so many people
She should do it when Greg Rikkart apologizes for calling her a bigot and hatemonger….
Greg, did NOT call her either of the things you posted. His comments on that were general not direct. He DID go directly to her with his tweet, which WAS the right thing to do. I am sick of seeing people beat up for doing the right thing. Greg did the right thing just as I held a 35 lb. bag of pet food so the cashier could scan it w/o having to lift it last week and she railed on me about she could do it herself how offensive it was to women.
Leslie you need to go back and reread what Greg Rikkart said. He owes no one an apology.He was not pointing his finger at Missy Reeves or calling her names. His words were aimed at Chick-Fil-A and his words were right on the money. GR was the one practicing free speech here. Missy however, had to realize her words would not go unnoticed. People really need to think before they voice their opinions on social media. When you make statements like that you better be ready to deal with the backlash. Missy screwed up and you honey your ignorance is showing.
Melissa Reeves had a lot to lose. Too bad she couldn’t have kept her mouth shut. Worst yet she used the “winky face” when tweeting about “free speech”. Greg is right; it’s a civil rights issue. As Judge Judy (who supports gay marriage) says: “Marriage is a legal contract between two people.” It’s not a religious institution as some would like to claim, if it were: You wouldn’t need a license from the government. BTW Free speech cuts both ways: You can say anything you like “as long as you know you’re responsible for what you say and others can have a say as well’. It’s the equivalent of “you can say anything you like — as long as you know that what you say can and will be used against you”. MR, you are not one to argue about marital rights after what you did, just a another hypocrite. I’ll ff through all of her scenes until she’s gone. I don’t want to see the other actors or the show suffer because of the comments of one nutter who could have kept her mouth closed, so I won’t boycott unless MR gets major airtime (then ffing though won’t really work). “Freedom of speech is great, isn’t it, MR!? 😉 “
And Greg Rikkart has nothing to lose? He can call names and nothing happens to him? Another example of this country going to hell in a hand basket……..
Greg was gracious in going to Melissa and NOT doing a whole public display thing complete with photo like she did. If Greg had commented anything but directly to her, it’d be different but he did the right thing in expressing his feelings to her. BTW he did NOT call her names or anyone just expressing that he feels this is hatred and bigotry and not really free speech. Melissa tweeted without thinking that Days is doing a gay SL and it might reflect bad on the show and her employers. Worst yet she tweeted again to Candace Cameron that she had lost a lot of fans and actually LAUGHING about it. How’s that for appreciating her fans? I guess we were all just good for a laugh?!
@Matt.
“Worse yet, she tweeted again to Candace Cameron that she had lost a lot of fans and actually LAUGHING about it.”
Respect. What a Shame. Period.
I liken this to Abuse of Power. – You lose TRUST. Forever, alienating thyself.
be it corporate, “stars”… you and me. Irrevocable harm unneccessarily.
We’ve all co-existed, i’m not impeding your will.
BTW MR is NOT being attacked: She threw the first stone. If she can claim Freedom of Speech, then everyone who comments about her can do so as well. That is how free speech works, but many people (maybe even MR herself) don’t understand this. I am not sure MR knew this when she “stupidly” tweeted, but I hope every bite of her yummy Chick-fil-a was worth it because she will pay a hefty price for every bite! She may wish she had kept her mouth closed when she bit into that sandwich too because it was very costly. Sony and her co-stars cannot be thrilled over the firestorm she has created. You know you’re in deep when a star from another other (Sony) show calls you out. MR, freedom of speech doesn’t mean there are NO consequences, ALWAYS think BEFORE you speak (or tweet!)
She did not call anyone a bigot or a hatemonger………..
I don’t recall saying she DID. I simply stated the fact: Free speech is free, you can say anything you like, but free speech is not completely free of consequences. If anyone said they believe in traditional marriage as between “whites” only, we’d have a different set of circumstances… Let’s no kid ourselves. Free speech is NOT a shield — you are responsible for what you say and what you say (often) CAN and WILL be used against you. This is the way free speech works: It cuts both ways and using free speech doesn’t necessarily mean you’re intolerant, but free speech should NEVER be taken for granted. People should be careful what they say and weigh the costs for doing so. It’s really not that complicated. MR made her statement and now she’s seeing how free speech really works. Free speech is one of the great things about America.
You can read my take on the Chik-Fil-A controversy at my blog: http://chikfila-michaelandrews.blogspot.com/
So people are still watching DOOL? GO SMOOCH ur Guy/Chick outside ‘Chick & fill their mouth’s’ with ur love for me .I’m from the UK so won’t get over for a while. I have no wish to say their name as they aint worthy. No comment on a chick I don’t know, but people of visibility putting their name’s to people who support homophobic hate & bare in mind these hate group’s promote ‘Death etc.’ to gay/lesbian people should be held accountable. GO support a LGBTQ organisation power to all who do.
AS a previous fan of Melissa Reeves for many years, i have to move on. I don’t have a problem with her going to there, but I do have a problem with her boasting on twitter about her going. She can have all the conversations with her friends and family about it, but in the world of soaps and many of her male fans being gay.. that was unacceptable. She should of known better…
This is not a Free speech issue. Chick-Fil-A gives nearly 2 million in donations to anti gay groups. One of which is exodous which believes you can make gay people straight by repairative therapy. Other groups CFA gives money to want to exile gays and one even helped back the original Uganda Kill the Gay Bill.
Thats the issue, CFA gives money to groups that want to do harm to and kill gays just for being who they are
If what you are saying it would have been blasted all over the internet, Please direct me to where you got this information I would like to confirm it………
It’s not true that these groups want to exile or kill gays. Go to snopes.com to get the facts.
It IS true they do not believe that gays should hold public office or marry and that they would like to see gays exiled or jailed. Look up the Family Research Council, which ChickFil-A’s Cathy financially supports.
Just for starters: http://minnesotaindependent.com/75958/minnesota-family-council-to-hold-marriage-amendment-course-for-legislators
ghhshirley, I read your link .. okay, I did not know Peter what’shisname said all that .. LOL .. that was idiotic .. you WILL take note that he apologized for it later, google it. Also, yes, I know FRC is a fundamentalist Christian organization, they believe gayness is immoral. They get it from the Bible. BUT they don’t condone violence against gays. I do agree with them that gays should not “marry”, maybe find another word for it and give them their legal rights, because marriage was ordained by God in the Bible as one man-one woman. Also, did you check out snopes.com? FRC was NOT against the Bill to keep Uganda from killing gays. They were merely against the language in the bill that said “gay sex is an internationally recognized human right”. Something like that.
To Maddie Hayes by the way my daughter’s name is Maddy also give it up almost 200 hits on a subject that has nothing to do with the enjoyment of soaps i am so sorry I even made any comments on 2 people fussing on twitter. I for one am so sorry that this country has become full of so much hate. Just remember for everyone who has made comments about two people and their personal lives myself included all I can say is “Let who is without sin cast the first stone. Let’s just stop it ok and get back to the enjoyment of soaps ok. This thread has become like my Aunt Roberta’s backside it goes on forever and just as frightening.
maddie, I am glad you agree that what Peter Sprigg said is idiotic. However, he is not an outlier–what he is saying is the norm for the type of hate-groups that Chickfil-A is funding. See my two posts towards the bottom of the comments section. One is in reply to someone else, an one is free-standing.
Speaking of hate groups, there are plenty of companies that donate to Planned Parenthood, which kills babies. To me, that is a heck of a lot worse than being against gay marriage.
LOL Kaykay, you are right, I will make this my last post. I guess for me, this IS about soaps, I’ve been watching DAYS for 25 years, and Melissa/Jennifer is my favorite. Just wanted to defend HER, did not intend to get into a debate about gay rights, lol. Actually, DAYS has a prominent gay storyline right now, and I have not quit watching over it. So I guess I’m more tolerant than some of you would like to believe. 😉
Thanks Kaykay, we can’t all agree, and I too am beginning to see the humor in all this. My son was showing me The Onion’s take, and it is HILARIOUS! Google it. 😉
My family become aware of the hate groups that ChickfilA supported well over a year ago and have not eaten there since. I have been married nearly 30 years to the same man and have two grown (straight) children. No one in our family is gay. However, I firmly believe that gay people should be afforded the same rights and respect as any other American, up to and including wedded bliss.
I was extremely disturbed and sickened by Melissa Reeves tweet and by all those who actively discriminate and promote intolerance of their fellow countrymen/women.
If Chick A Fil is so anti gay why is it the first I am hearing of it? Why have they done record business since this controversy started? Not because they are anti gay or want to hurt gays. It is because the vast majority of Americans still support traditional marriage. Gays can’t have it both ways. For decades it was tolerance and today it is that there is no difference between heterosexual and homosexual…
I heard this years ago. I guess because I live in the South? Not sure, but it’s not a new development, it’s just that Mr. Cathy keeps putting his views out there for public consumption. He has the right to say whatever he likes (free speech) and people have a right to respond (also free speech).
If you didn’t hear about it, it is simply because you are not one to read extensively from various media sources and do extensive research on the issues of the day. Low information voters are a hazard to our democracy.
Sorry,, but this has been going on for many, many years.. they have good food… but hate the gays!!!!!!! I guess not the individuals, but our right to make love to who ever we want to
So would Melissa Reeves support the “free speech” of this bigoted chain if they were against African Americans, women, and other groups of people? My guess would be no. She knew exactly what she was doing by tweeting that, boasting about her support of this disgusting business, so if she now has to deal with the consquences of people wanting her fired- so be it. Good for Greg Rikkart for not supporting the hate and bigotry that Reeves appears to. For everyone making comments, “why doesn’t he come out of the closet”- you are just as close minded as Chick-Fil-A affiliates. Supporting EQUALITY is not a sign of homosexuality, and even if Greg were gay- so what?
Also I guarantee about 90% of gay marriages are probably better than Melissa’s. At least the LGBT community is fighting FOR marriage, unlike Melissa who betrated hers.
]She says she supports traditional marriage. She doesn’t want any harm to gays or they should be barred from the chain.Grow Up…….
Now you’re speaking FOR MR. I think she is capable of speaking for herself. She never said she was speaking up for traditional marriage, she SAID she was speaking up for FREE SPEECH. That’s all I saw in her tweet. Correct me if I’m wrong and present proof, please.
Supporting bigotry IS harm to homosexual individuals because it another roadblock in them getting their rightfully deservd equality. Melissa’s stance on “traditional marriage” is a farce. Correct me if I’m wrong but last time I checked, her so-called “traditional” matrimony didn’t include cheatng.
I would like to comment about my own perspective on this. I have a lot of labels and backgrounds that describe me: Cherokee, French, English, Irish, Catholic, professional, gay, etc. However, my favorite label to describe myself is American, period (not a hyphen-American).
I weep for this nation, because we have become so petty on so many fronts, from the religious conservatives who so brazenly promote inequality and hatred, to the liberals who so fervently try to silence those who do not share their opinions, all in the name of political correctness. People are becoming ever more polarized and angry about issue after issue.
I don’t want to speak directly about any of the parties in this argument, but I will say, generally speaking, that we Americans seem to overly focus on our differences, rather than concentrate on our sameness. Now while I may not agree with things that are said, I do celebrate everyone’s right to free speech, no matter how ugly the speech may be.
I really liked your post, Jared. It is so true. So true that it saddens me, too.
I agree with you so much about the pettiness part. We [Americans] have become so litigious too. No one seems to care about anyone but themselves. Everyone is better than the other person. No one has time to have a face-to-face conversation because they have to talk on the stupid cell phone or text. And one of the worst is that how so many people cannot hold themselves accountable for their own actions – they have to have someone ELSE to blame. I am far from perfect, but I have learned to accept my faults and take responsibility for my actions.
I agree with most of what you say but supporting traditional marriage is not ugly………..
Leslie, they continually say marriage as set forth by the Bible, the problem is traditional marriage is just ONE of eight types of marriage set forth by the Bible. Besides, this shouldn’t be a religious matter when the courthouse issues the marriage licenses. Marriage is NOT a religious rite, it is a legal contract between two people and issued by the state. Period. If it’s a moral issue for anyone, then DON’T marry a gay person. I see people like Bachmann saying gay people are free to marry, they just have to marriage straight people of the opposite sex. That’s just crazy talk, it’ll lead to more heartbreak and broken homes. Gays should marry other gays and straights should marry straights.
Who said anything about being in favor of traditional marriage being ugly? I don’t believe I said that. My parents are straight and married, and I totally support their right to be married. As true patriots who believe in equality and the American dream for all, they support mine as well. See how easy it is when people respect others and just mind their own damned business?
Wow! Wow! Wow! What a firestorm. When I do have time for Twitter, I follow Greg Rikaart, and am not surprised at all by his response. The bottom line is that Greg has a right to speak his mind as does Melissa Reeves. HOWEVER, Melissa’s response seems to have been done almost with the notion that it would start trouble. I think she made her bed and now she has to lie in it.
I was born and raised Roman Catholic, but I can see the flaws of my religion. I really hate when people start thumping the Bible and spouting off scripture. The fact is, we do not know what lies ahead and even if there is anything ahead, I am afraid to say. So why can’t we all just live our lives the best we can and be kind to our fellow HUMAN being. As far as religion, I guess the thing I hate the most is the corruption and the solicitation, but the outright REFUSAL to change to match the way the world is today. I believe in marriage between a man and a woman, but why shouldn’t every other consenting adult have this right especially if the laws are changing to make it happen?
I guess if the private donations plus the debeaking and animal cruelty were not enough reasons to avoid Chick-fil-A, then you have Sarah “ready for a photo op” Palin mugging her support of the company in Texas.
I debated whether I would respond to this, but I read all the responses and it seemed they were very black and white. I wanted to show my perspective and I am not necessarily looking for a response, but I am just telling all of you how I feel. As always, I applaud you, Michael, for creating such engaging forum topics.
prop·a·gan·da/ˌpräpəˈgandə/Noun: 1.Information, esp. of a biased or misleading nature, used to promote or publicize a particular political cause or point of view.
2.The dissemination of such information as a political strategy.
Synonyms: publicity – propagation
why promote hate? evil, as it were. I simply will say… less is MORE. Vote People.
my personal opinion? ignorance? reach – imagine their walk – stimulate your mind positively. if we don’t see eye to eye… our shared interests are not that. be that as it may… we’ve existed on all fronts… it’s co-existing, that binds us together? I’m neither here nor there with your perfection.
Horse’s Backside/ hors’s bak-side/ Noun: 1. A condescending and patronizing person who feels the need to define simple words and phrases for other people; a blockhead. 2. An offensive jackass.
Synonyms: a person with an ill-founded superiority complex — an egomaniac
Objectivity. Separating the ignorant? keep at bay… thru illicit means… doesn’t have a warranty. the internet… has too much power to freely speak?
it’s taking a platform thru other means… ie: contributions, religion, peer pressure, family beliefs… stepping outside ourselves and being KIND. not overkill… just letting be. I honestly believe that the “gay” lifestyle isn’t here to be in your face….
Spirituality is an inner being that should resonate. Thank You.
My GAYDAR goes off every time I see her husband Scott Reeves on screen, so you do the math. I mean, just sayin….
LOL.. .funny.. but I don’t think sooooooo…. Lets not go attacking her good looking husband.. I wish he was gay also, but no gaydar going off for me..
No, the guy is too tan and too untalented to be anything other than what he is. Cardboard. And that goes for his cutout wife.
Who knew she could talk?
At least this is proof she can’t think.
I think Missy made a mistake in tweeting it but I don’t think she is malicious or nasty and I doubt she expected the storm that ensued. I don’t agree with what she did BUT I think the attack on her and calling into question mistakes from her past were completely uncalled for and unfair. There were so called journalists calling for her to be fired and then making fun of her acting and then trying to argue that they are upset about being judged and the hate. That was exactly what people were doing to her though. If you want to get your opinion across, if you want people to understand where you are coming from then do it respectfully and informative and nine times out of ten they will end up apologizing and seeing things in the right way.
Melissa Reeves is entitled to her opinion and I will not hold it against anyone who chose to eat at the restaurant last week. People do not need to go a personal attack for someone who does not agree with their beliefs. I am amazed with the number og gay people working on the crew of “Days” that she would have chosen to be vocal about it, but again, that is her choice. Last week, the most painful part of the CFA controversy who have told me in the past that they did not have a problem with me, my partnet, lifestyle, etc., then goes on Facebook on mutual friends’ page and wrote derragatory words. Believe it or not, these same people wanto to call themselves good Christians. If you are calling people bad names and showing hatred, you obviously are not getting anything out of all of those trips to church on Sunday mornings.
Wow, this whole thing has gotten so out of hand. Christianity is not about hate, but love. We may hate the sin but still love the sinner. Being against gay marriage has nothing to do with hating gays. The greatest commandment is to love your neighbor. Please stop hating each other over something so petty. I love Greg Rikkart, but his comments were hateful. Still love him anyway!
Greg wasn’t being hateful. He went directly to MR which was the gentlemanly thing to do. He did NOT call her anything, his statements were indirect. He wasn’t being hateful, he was trying to show her that this is not a free speech issue: It’s a civil rights issue. I am always saying Christianity SHOULD be about LOVE. I am a spiritualist, though, not a Christian because I do NOT believe in organized religion. I also agree with your comment about loving your neighbor, but didn’t that apply more directly to MR who cast the first stone? It seems that people twist God’s Word to suit their purpose: Love thy neighbor as thyself, unless he or she is gay, right? That’s what I have been getting from some Christians, although I didn’t think the Bible made that distinction.
History proves you wrong. Take a look at what Christians did to each other in Ireland for 500 years, at the brutality of the Reformation, the horrors of the Inquisition, folks like Westboro Baptist and others of their ilk, the destruction of the Hawaiian people in the name of Christ, and that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
People who say “hate the sin love the sinner” – well, I’ve never seen that in action.
And it’s pretty condescending no matter how you look at.
I am on Greg’s side of the argument. While Melissa has every right to eat there and support their whole thing and state of mind, I am more with Greg in that it’s supporting their bigotry and their ignorance.
Bigot – Hatemonger.
Queer.
Indifference? Desensitize your fellow man.
Semantics…. I’m on my soap box… holding my own….. Guarding my ? that’s too much energy – we’re all hearing right? the pressure isn’t worth your convictions… a staunch ally is a joining of power.
I am not gay but have people close to me who are..If you make a comment in support of a business that funnels money into hate groups..then you had better be prepared for the backlash..I certainly look at her differently now..If the comment offends then maybe she should take a look at that..because she has make herself responsible for that business that funds hate..I now have great respect for Greg Rikkart to excercise his freedom of speech & confront a stupidly biased statement made by Ms.Reeves..the Jesus I believe would not hate gays..or say gays are sinners…the Bible is just another spiritual text of many in this world that a lot of people have manipulated the text they read into whatever they want it to be so they can stand on some moral high ground & look down upon others..to feel better about themselves..I went to 12 years of catholic school so I respect those who are not hypocritical but loving & tolerant..tolerance is something we don’t have a lot of in our society..
I am for equal rights which does include gay marriage. If your for gay rights vote for Obama. If your for polygamy vote for Romney.
My only opinion on same sex marriage is that the couples involved should be made to pay alimony and/or child support if they divorce. As for Mr. Cathy he was asked by a Baptist publication about same sex marriage. He said he believes in traditional marriage. Why is it hateful to hold a religious belief. I don’t believe in abortion, does that make me hateful? If Mr. Cathy want to contribute his own money under his own name he has every right to do so. I contributed to Mitt Romney’s campaign. If that pisses people off too bad. This is America and we all have the right of free speech. It’s very sad some people don’t think so.
You have the right to hold your opinions and contribute lawfully. No-one disputes that. But people also have the right to withhold from you economically if you contribute to an organization that you feel is harmful or antithetical to your beliefs. Mr. Cathy is being held to his own beliefs and no-one has any business complaining that people are taking LAWFUL action in response to it.
And he is contributing to organizations that spread hate, hate which far too often ends up in physical violence. What happened to Mathew Shepherd and many others didn’t happen in a vacumn. People may want to hide their head in the sand and pretend their exclusions, their “hate the sin love the sinner” nonsense doesn’t encourage violence and oppression, but that’s not true. It does.
Melissa wants to spout off, let her. But people GET TO SPOUT BACK!
The real reason for criticism of Chick fil-A is its support of organizations that spread false propaganda.
In 2010, Chick-Fil-A donated nearly $2 million to groups who make it their mission to attack the gay community through lies and distortions. These groups push several false notions from homosexuality is connected to pedophilia to the idea that gays can change their orientation – an idea frowned on by the legitimate scientific community.
Groups such as the Family Research Council, the American Family Association, Americans for Truth About Homosexuality, Concerned Women for America, the National Organization for Marriage and others identified by the Southern Poverty Law Center as anti-gay hate groups for peddling false and misleading propaganda about the LGBT community (not for their Biblical stances) have made it their business to lobby against gays, whether over marriage, civil unions, service in the military, or hate crime protection.
Generally, the folks boycotting Chick fil-A do not want their money supporting those causes.
and it’s their right to boycott, just as it’s my right to boycott companies that donate to causes I don’t agree with, like being FOR gay marriage. But I’m not twittering to Greg Rikaart and saying “How dare you shop at TARGET! You’re just supporting hate and bigotry (towards traditional marriage)” And emailing Y&R to get him fired.
maddie,
Lets time I checked, absolutely NO ONE is against traditional marriage, including Target.
I would like to know what Michel Fairman thinks on this ….
Is Greg thisclose to “Coming OUT”?
That’s HIS business. It’s a personal choice. If Greg is gay, he’ll come out when HE is ready. I hope you weren’t “chiding” him on.
Wow! Scrolling through all of these comments (almost) leaves me speechless. What I would suggest to those railing about the sanctity of “traditional” marriage (and I’ve been in one for 32 years now), is that you not worry so much about gay marriage and spend even a fraction of that time worryinfg about the state of traditional marriage today. Why aren’t you screaming from the rooftops about the 50-plus percent of those marriages ending in divorce, or the nearly 40% of all babies born out of wedlock these days? Where are you in denouncing television shows like The Bachelor/Bachelorette that turn marriage into a pornographic game? Or why not publicly denounce those celebs that fall in and out of marriage in mere months, turning this sacrament into fodder for jokes on all the late-night talk shows. Please, clean up your own backyards before worrying about what the gays are going to do to the institution.
I live in Vermont, where gay marriage is legal. I can tell you who are so distraught that traditional marriage has not been impacted in the least. Considering how messed up the straights have made traditional marriage, we could only hope that gays getting married would help set a higher standard for the institution. At least they seem to want to get married and hold it in high enough esteem to fight for the right to do so. That’s more than I’ve seen from most straight folks.
@Grace.
your 2nd paragraph… made me tear up. Thank you, for sharing. It’s with a stiff upper lip… a letting go… of differences…ie: straight and gay… that. I had to struggle with the campaign’ing against a lifestyle, that is not a choice. Asking, we the people… for more than tolerance… isn’t about fighting. we’ve all had hardships to bear. In spirit… can I ask, you to help the plight of the human race. you’ve done that.
@Grace.
I should further say… that, your post was one of the first to state what an affect “LEGAL’izing” equal status for all has had. it’s something…. to stand up for your beliefs.
Maybe you haven’t noticed, but this is about Melissa Reeves eating at Chick-Fil-A, and her right to do so without having the gay community jumping all over her, calling her a bigot and a hater. And trying to get her fired.
“say what you will… about Gay “LIFE”. You have taken out of context what this is about. The Gay community is not “…jumping all over her, calling her a bigot and a hater. And trying to get her fired.” If you take the word… Tolerance.. which is bandied about… using that as the GAY creed, if you will… I hardly think… that we’d adhere to any one non-plussing… the standard we set. DEFEAT’ists… are all part of the drawing board. I can’t imagine, any one hearing we want more than you. I cannot take this personal… as, the bigger picture is much more than one person. Co-Existing.. for the greater purpose.
Funny you should say that, that is EXACTLY what “Focus on the Family” is all about (one of the so-called “hate groups”) strengthening marriages and families, they are a wonderful organization who are about SO much more than being against gay marriage, they have helped SO many people, it is really a shame that the left is being allowed to control the national dialogue here. And yes, I have donated money to FOTF myself.
Oh please. Do NOT imply I would in any way support a group that “strengthened marriage” by trying to deny it to others.
Well put, Grace.
In our time of social media, Tweets, Facebook, etc a lot times what is written and what a person actually means doesn’t come across well. Sometimes people are well intentioned and others are more snarky than they normally would be, having a computer to hide behind. I am disappointed with how Melissa Reeves comment came across in her sentence, ” and I loved every bite”. I don’t know what her intention was, but it would be nice to have an open dialogue, with her explaining exactly what she meant. Because we don’t have that, we don’t know.
I think the name calling, attacks, and judements are not helpful. She may never elaborate on her tweet and that’s her choice. I choose to live supporting, loving, and caring for people the way I want to be.
Melissa Reeves and others hiding behind the claim that they are just standing up for free speech are, in fact, hypocrites. Their agenda is clearly one of intolerance, discrimination and worse.
The rules appear to be different for conservative Christians. Religious right groups have recently boycotted and/or started letter writing campaigns to companies that are gay-friendly, such as General Mills (for “mocking God with homosexual sin”), Home Depot, Office Depot, Oreo Cookies (Kraft), the Girls Scouts, Starbucks, Archie Comics, McDonalds, Old Navy, JC Penney, and Wal-Mart. Tony Perkins criticized the Girl Scouts for hiring LGBT staff members because “the progressive agenda behind this liberal indoctrination, they are going to where the kids are. They’re not having kids so they want to make sure they can get our kids, and they are going to these organizations.” There was even talk by the American Family Association about boycotting Google!
The National Organization for Marriage (NOM) in its “Dump Starbucks” campaign, launched because NOM “will not tolerate” Starbucks’ stance for marriage equality in Washington state, made a point of saying that not only would it place anti-Starbucks ads throughout the United States, but it was also going to place ads throughout the Middle East and Southeast Asia. Why fan the flames in the Middle East, which is notorious for killing gays and lesbians?
There have been recent public calls by Christian extremists for the death and/or incarceration of gays and lesbians in the U.S.
The People for the American Way’s Right Wing Watch reports that last week, pastor and radio host Kevin Swanson of Generations with Vision “longed for a time when Christians ‘brought the death penalty upon homosexuality’ and ‘for about 1,500 years that form of life had pretty much been eliminated except here and there.'”
Pastor Curtis Knapp of New Hope Baptist Church in Kansas suggested in May that the government should kill homosexuals because God commands it and he’s not ashamed to say it. Check it out yourself:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lWtSmw5d0ko&feature=player_embedded
Also in May, Pastor Charles Worley, of Providence Road Baptist Church in Maiden, North Carolina, said that gays and lesbians needed to be tossed in a type of concentration camp, with an electrified fence so that they cannot get out. He said they could get fed, but in time, would die out because they cannot reproduce.
Christians — even the ones who dislike gay marriage — are not all hate-filled homophobes and liars. Gays and lesbians are not out to destroy Christianity.
On the other hand, David Blankenhorn, who was called by the Prop. 8 Proponents as their star witness against marriage for gay and lesbian couples, is a thoughtful, honest man who is brave enough to look at both sides of the issue. Last June, he opined,
…I do believe, with growing numbers of Americans, that the time for denigrating or stigmatizing same-sex relationships is over. Whatever one’s definition of marriage, legally recognizing gay and lesbian couples and their children is a victory for basic fairness.
Instead of fighting gay marriage, I’d like to help build new coalitions bringing together gays who want to strengthen marriage with straight people who want to do the same.”
Will there ever be an end to the false claims, finger pointing and hate? Perhaps if we all follow the words of a famous Biblical character named Jesus who didn’t talk about homosexuals, but who is quoted in Luke 6:31 as saying, “Do to others as you would have them do to you,” the madness will stop.
Greg Rikkart… doesn’t have to disclose his right to privacy. whether he is or isn’t.. is immaterial. he brought to our attention… an injustice. IMO.
I’ll use Anderson… as an example… he is in a position of “power”, he has a security that “stars” earn. it would seem an enviable position to ascribe. Anderson, chose to disclose his identity. God… I’m happy for him… Societies “norms” are catching on to the “upward” TREND? Are we relinquishing our stronghold over the ill-conveived standards? Thank God for freedom of speech, and the internet… as this, in it’s own way… allows persons an outlet to thoroughly examine one’s thought process. having said all this… Anderson… hopes, as does Obama… that letting be… americans… co-existing… BULLYING happens. FEAR Exists. Intimidation…. FACT. Security for you and me. having the same opportunities to Fly. expand our horizons… is Free’ing. Imagine how thoughtful, taking care of what is ours was ours.
ill-conveived = ill-conceived.
“a company that supports hatred & bigotry. This is not an issue of free speech.”
Taken directly from his quote. Since some people have such poor reading comprehension and cannot understand that GR did NOT refer to MR as a bigot or hateful …but the COMPANY as those things.
It was her boasting about supporting a COMPANY that supports those qualities he was taking issue against. He does not ever refer to her as either of those things.
she ate at Chick-fil-A. So did a bunch of other celebrities, like Valerie Bertinelli. where’s the firestorm about that?! And you’ll notice that the “hateful, bigoted Christians” aren’t bashing Genie Francis, who recently said in Soap Opera Digest that she donates money to the gay marriage cause. Nobody’s criticizing her. she’s free to do what she wants with her money, but Melissa doesn’t have the same freedom. Double standard.
Hey Maddie I was not picking on you I was supporting you but I was just saying you were fighting a loosing battle. After I read my previous comment I realized I did not make myself clear. My friend who owns a ranch said his chickens were saying who knew they could raise such a fuss!!! LOL!
I am a Days fan and was very pleasantly surprised by Melissa Reeves’ tweet about Chick-fil-A. I know she is a Christian, but many soap stars are often silent on controversial issues. Nevertheless, I support Melissa Reeves 100%. I also replied to her Chick-fil-A tweet in a positive way.
I have no knowledge of Chick-fil-A’s support of so called anit-gay organizations that have been labled “hate groups”. I am also suspect of who might have labeled such organizations as “hate groups” because the gay community loves to throw around the term “homophobic” in a manner that I consider abusive, mean and terribly out of context. Anyone who believes what the Bible teaches about homosexuality is automatically labled “homophobic” whether they have been mean to gay persons or not.
Not everyone who believes homosexuality is a sin is automatically mean to gay persons or supports violence against gay individuals. I beleive this Chick-fil-A appreciation day is a back lash against the mean, stereotypical bag that everyone who believes in the Biblical view of marriage and family has been lumped into. People get tired of being unjustly maligned by hypocrites who are guilty of the very thing they say they are fighting. I also believe heavy support for Chick-fil-A is just the beginning of a major NON-VIOLENT backlash that is building. I expect support for Chick-fil-A to grow and to see other companies voice sentiments similar to Chick-fil-A as opposition by the gay community fails to effect Chick-fil-A’s bottom line.
Hollywood has been a major vehicle for promoting gay rights through television shows. More and more, the message of “there is nothing wrong with being gay” is being beamed into homes through tv shows that include soaps. People can turn off their television sets or watch other channels. But when persons are maligned, not for saying “gay is bad”, but for verbally expressing their faith, there comes a breaking point to how much people will tolerate.
Persons who are tired of gay storylines being forced into their homes through television, and who are also tired of being called homophobic just because they believe what the Bible teaches about homosexuality can express their discontent using their money! They can support Chick-fil-A and other businesses as a form of protest. Hollywood can put what they want on television and people in television audiences can spend their money where they will.
I am not happy Melissa Reeves was rebuked by one of her professional peers for exercising her right to freedom of speech. This type of intolerance of others’ views by persons who support gay rights is, I believe one of the very things that is fueling support for Chick-fil-A. I know it can cause me to go and spend double what I had planned at Chick-fil-A.
Speaking of Days of Our Lives, I am a long time viewer of the show. I started watching Days around 1967. I did not like the decision of Days execs/writers to add a gay storyline. I cannot make storyline decision regarding Days. I have no intention to stop watching Days because there is so much good that I like about the show. I also respect Ted and Betty Corday and what they left to their son Ken. But I can express my displeasure with gay storylines by eating a Chick-fil-A lunch while watching my favorite soap….and that is exactly what I am going to do!
As a gay man myself, I am somewhat on the fence with all of this controversy (and perhaps in the minority) but I feel that patronizing Chick-fil-A (which I have yet to do) is no worse than buying gasoline.
It could be argued that a large percentage of our nations petrol comes from Arab countries, most of which denounce homosexuality as a sin punishable by DEATH. So, when we fill up at the tank, are we funding radicals that would rather see our kind dead in the street? No offense to either side on this issue, but suddenly eating a chicken sandwich seems like the lesser of two evils. Just my opinion.
Finally–an intelligent and objective post…
I have nothing but respect for you.
Ive been following this website fior awhile but this is my first post here. Im watching each post escalate into more and more hate. Im a Christian but my best friend is gay. We have these discussions on current events and the gay lifestyle alot especially lately and sometmes it gets heated but we always love each other. Why is it othes can not do the same? I do not want Gay marriage legalized but Im not condemning or bad mouthing someone for being Gay as its not my judgement to make. They will answer to God not I. Gays attack Christians and nothing is said but a Christian man is asked his opinion and they knew the answer they always do. Hes a Christian. He says marriage is between a man and a woman and sorry newsflash but it is. Now we have stars attacking because of who Chick fil a donates their money to……..Christian groups. Sorry its their money Greg doesnt get a vote unless he owns Chick fil a. I know the LGBT groups dont ask me if its ok if they donate to groups that hate Christians and lobby against them every chance they get. If Greg doesnt like it donate his paycheck to LGBT. Greg attacking Melissa is however uncalled for. Immediately hes come out with the left hate and name calling. How can anyone think thats right?
Days Of Our Lives
Days of our Lives wins WGA Award for Daytime Drama Series
Sunday night, April 14th in concurrent ceremonies in Los Angeles and New York City, the Writers Guild of America is handing out their 76th annual WGA Awards in the fields of motion picture, television, news media, and radio/audio.
In the Daytime Drama category, Peacock’s Days of our Lives was the winner, taking home its fourth WGA Award in this category in a row.
The DAYS winning writing team consisted of Head Writer Ron Carlivati Creative Consultant Ryan Quan and Writers Sonja Alar, Jazmen Darnell Brown, Joanna Cohen, Carolyn Culliton, Richard Culliton, Cheryl Davis, Kirk Doering, Christopher Dunn, Jamey Giddens, David Kreizman, Henry Newman, Dave Ryan, and Katherine D. Schock.
Photo: JPI
The team from Days of our Lives bested the only other team in the category from General Hospital, which consisted of former GH head writers: Dan O’Connor, Chris Van Etten Writers Ashley Cook, Emily Culliton, Suzanne Flynn, Charlotte Gibson, Lucky Gold, Kate Hall, Elizabeth Korte, Shannon Peace, Stacey Pulwer, Dave Rupel, Lisa Seidman, and Scott Sickles.
Courtesy/Peacock
As previously reported, a show spokesperson for Days of our Lives shared that the episodes submitted for the competition were #14663, #14678 & #14679, and mostly centered around the death, and the funeral of Victor Kiriakis played by the late John Aniston.
This week, DAYS head scribe, Ron Carlivati, confirmed that, and told Michael Fairman TV on the decision of the scripts the team submitted: “I like to have some humor, but it was also the funeral, and then there was Sarah (Linsey Godfrey) giving birth, and then Vivian’s (Louise Sorel) crashing the reading of the will.”
You can follow along with the live updated list of all the winners from tonight’s WGA ceremonies here.
Michael Fairman TV will have more on DAYS WGA Award win as it becomes available.
So, what do you think of Days of our Lives winning the WGA Award writing award for a Daytime Drama series for the fourth year in a row? Comment below.
Days Of Our Lives
Matthew Ashford and Melissa Reeves Talk Return to DAYS for Doug’s Funeral, Susan Seaforth Hayes, and Their Enduring Friendship
Last week, Days of our Lives celebrated the taping of their 15,000th episode which is tentatively scheduled to air on December 3rd. The story will feature emotional and heart-tugging scenes of Doug Williams funeral and honor his portrayer, the beloved Bill Hayes, who passed away on January 12th at the age of 98.
While the actors, producers, and crew took a lunch time break to pose for some pictures and speak with the press, they knew they would have to get back to taping the funeral, which was going to make it a tough day, but also cathartic for all who loved Bill Hayes.
Several returns have thus far been announced including; Melissa Reeves reprising her signature role of Jennifer Horton (a part she first played in 1985), and Matthew Ashford as Jack Deveraux. Reeves had last appeared on the show back in 2021, and she was replaced by Emmy-winner Cady McClain in her absence when Jennifer was in storylines. In real-life, Melissa had moved full-time to Tennessee along with her husband, Scott Reeves (ex-DAYS, GH, Y&R). Now, and as previously reported, Reeves will first appear back on DAYS for the Thanksgiving episodes with the Hortons.
Photo: JPI
Michael Fairman TV caught up with Matt and Melissa during the 15,000th episode celebration to get their take on: being back for these special episodes, how it has been working with and watching Susan Seaforth Hayes portray Julie’s grief over losing Doug, and how they have supported each other through the years. Check out what they shared below.
Melissa, you are back on the set of Days of our Lives for this very emotional and special moment in the series history. How does it feel?
MELISSA: Oh, my goodness. I am honored. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else but to be here for Bill. He was like my real-life dance partner. He taught me how to ballroom dance. And to be here for Susan, of course, who’s just been our sweet hero this whole week. We’re just following her lead. She’s just been this incredibly strong example for us in the midst of this trial and season of her life. She is like just lifting us all up with her. It’s been incredible.
I was at Bill Hayes memorial service which was truly incredible and I know at the time you were in Tennessee. It was moving and celebratory of his life, all at the same time.
MELISSA: That’s all I have heard. I have to watch it on You Tube. They said it was just a real celebration of his life and I love that.
Photo: JPI
This must be difficult for Susan Seaforth Hayes depicting the death of Doug, when she is still grieving the loss of her beloved husband. (Susan pictured above with the returning Stephen Schnetzer who plays her on-screen brother, Steve Olson).
MELISSA: I’m sure Susan has those moments at home by herself, but she’s so good at being a leader and leading all of us. We’re following her, you know, and she’s like, “This is how I want to feel today.” And we’re just going along with her, you know? It’s so sweet.
Photo: JPI
How is it to see Matt Ashford again live and in-person?
MELISSA: You know, Matt and I can go years without talking, or seeing each other, and then the minute we see each other we’re chatting away.
MATT: Melissa was out on set doing a scene yesterday on the phone talking to a stage manager; as she was telling some really tough news on the phone. I’m like crying in the background, literally, I’m off-stage crying.
MELISSA: And then we get like back into normal life, and we’re like, okay, “What’s happening? What’s happening with this … or what’s happening with that?”
I had read, Melissa, that you were in touch with Matt about if there night be a possibility for you to reprise your role as Jennifer for these special episodes?
MELISSA: Yes. Well, Matt was like, “Hey! Would you want to come back? “And I was like, “Matt, you know, I would always come back. ”
MATT: Every time I come here to Days of our Lives, they ask, “Where’s Missy? How’s Missy?” Everybody backstage says, “I miss her.” All of the crew is asking about her and saying, “It would be nice to see Missy. Nothing wrong with you Matt, but …” They said, “Where is she?” I said, “She wants to come!”
Photo: JPI
There are some beautiful photos of Missy and Bill and Susan thorough the years that I found. It just reminded me of just the deep and entrenched history we all have had with the show, personally and professionally.
MATT: Missy is roughly the age where Francis Reid (ex-Alice Horton) was when she started the show, which is just crazy.
Photo: JPI
I’ve always said Missy was going to be the next generation Alice. Do you feel that Jennifer is the heir apparent matriarch of the Horton family?
MELISSA: Yes. I mean, this has been greatest blessing of my life, and that would be great. I told Ken Corday (executive producer, Days of our Lives) when I was 17 that this show would be my life. Ken always told me, “This is your home,” and I’ve always felt like that.
How have gotten through the scenes watching Susan Seaforth Hayes as Julie go through the loss of Doug?
MATT: Susan is bringing her best performance life for her and Bill. I mean, she’s a showbiz baby. She always has been one hundred percent, and she’s doing it for him, and this is who they’ve always been. So, you’re seeing this amazing performance colored by her life. She has her private life as Susan, but she has enough plugged into Julie that she’s done amazing work. The director, producers and writers are giving her room to live in these moments and it’s quite wonderful.
Photo: JPI
Have you already broken down in tears during the taping?
MELISSA: Yesterday, but today’s taping of the actual funeral I think they want us to try and be just more celebratory.
MATT: I mean, it is a beautiful long life for Bill Hayes and his character of Doug Williams, and so it will be about that. Then, you get a bunch of us together in the church pews, and there’s going to be hijinks.
MELISSA: We all have been through the waves of grief. You have that awful cry and then all of a sudden you feel okay. There are those family situations we are portraying where you’re like, “What do we do? What do we do now? You know, no one knows what to do. But, it’s so sweet. I’m looking forward to seeing how the scenes all turn out.
So, are you glad that Matt and Melissa are back for the 15K episode and Doug’s funeral? From what we can tell, it’s going to be quite an emotional journey for Days of our Lives fans, and especially the performance of Susan Seaforth Hayes,
Days Of Our Lives
Ron Carlivati Talks on Decision to Make Days of our Lives 15000th Episode About Doug’s Funeral, and Previews Chances for WGA Award
This week, Days of our Lives celebrated the taping of their 15,000th episode. In of it itself, that is an incredible accomplishment for the long-running soap opera currently streaming on Peacock.
However, this on set gathering was a bit different. Though the show is celebrating their achievement, they are also in the middle of taping scenes surrounding the death and the funeral of Doug Williams, played by the late Bill Hayes, who passed away on January 12th of this year at the age of 98.
As previously revealed many longtime favorites are back to honor Bill and the character of Doug including: Gloria Loring (Liz), Melissa Reeves (Jennifer), Matthew Ashford (Jack), Maree Cheatham (Marie), Victoria Konefal (Ciara) and Stephen Schnetzer (Steve) to name but a few.
Photo: JPI
Michael Fairman TV was in attendance and spoke with Days of our Lives head writer, Ron Carlivati to gain some insight into how the 15,000 episode was crafted and the decision to honor the character of Doug Williams and Bill Hayes as its epicenter. In addition, Ron weighed-in on this Sunday’s April 14th WGA (Writers Guild of America) Awards, where he and his writing team are facing off with General Hospital for the daytime drama prize. Here’s what Ron shared below.
Was this your idea to make the 15,000th episode centered around Doug’s funeral and passing?
RON: It was. When you’re looking at it, and laying out the calendar for the whole year and you see 15,000 is coming up, we’re like, “What are we going to do?” And then, we got the news that Bill had passed away and something kind of clicked. I was like, “We should honor Doug on that show.” So then, we started to kind of build around that … when does he pass away? How does he pass away? Who could come back? You know, it’s a lot. I’m very pleased with the returns that we got as there’s so much that you could do. We wanted everybody we could get. So, we put together a wish list and Janet Drucker (co-executive producer, Days of our Lives) made it happen.
Photo: JPI
You have Melissa Reeves back as Jennifer, when the role was last played by Cady McClain. What has it meant to have Missy back for these shows?
RON: It was so nice to see Missy Reeves. I think Cady has done such a good job, but on the 15,000th episode to see Missy as Jennifer, it’s a big deal. So having her was great, and overall, the milestone was a big undertaking, because you want to live up to it. You want the 15,000th episode to be good. Now, it has a lot of real emotion that you’re playing. because for the cast and the crew they’re honoring Bill Hayes just as much as we’re honoring Doug Williams.
Photo: JPI
Was it hard for you and the team to write this episode?
RON: Yes. I’ll tell you why it was hard to write. When I wrote, for example, Asa’s (Phillip Carey) death on One Life to Live or Victor’s (John Aniston) on DAYS, Asa is a different type of character. Like, you could have characters going, “Oh! I’m glad he is dead.” You could have different points of view, but with Doug, you’re not having that. Every person loves this man. No one had a bad relationship with him. So, you’re challenge as a writer is how do you make it that not everybody’s saying the same thing and doing the same thing. And so, we tried to find ways to make the episode about all the familial relationships and yet, how do you make it about Doug and yet broaden the scope.
Photo: JPI
I had spoken to Susan Seaforth Hayes (Julie), a week after Bill’s memorial, for an interview. She said that she felt very fortunate that you did include her on discussions of how you would tackle Doug’s passing. How did that conversation go?
RON: First, I attended Bill’s funeral, which was incredible. I said to so many people it was an emotional service, but it was hard to be sad at this. The guy had an incredible life and it was an incredible celebration. And so, you’re sitting there watching this knowing that you now have to write something similar. And how do you write something that lives up to what you just witnessed? I wanted to talk to Susan to get her thoughts about, you know, how much do you want this to be about keeping Bill separate from Doug. How comfortable are you sharing your grief. She was incredible to talk to. It was a great chat.
You’re in the middle of taping these major scenes for the 15,000 episode to air in December. How do you think it’s going? Have you seen any of the scenes?
RON: I haven’t seeing anything. I mean, we were still making changes to the script up till this morning!
Photo: JPI
The Writers Guild Awards are this Sunday, April 14th and once again this year there are two daytime drama nominees, General Hospital and Days of our Lives. How are you feeling about your chances this year?
RON: It is often just GH and us in the category. I’ve won three years in a row, so I’m kind of feeling like it’s their turn.
Photo: JPI
What episodes did you submit for contention? If I recall, they had to do with Victor’s memorial.
RON: The episodes we submitted were centered around Victor’s funeral. I think one has story with Vivian (Louise Sorel). We had some fun stuff, we had some emotional stuff at Victor’s death, and I am pretty sure that our submission was three episodes right around that time.
Did you make the decision to go with those episodes because there was a mix of humor and drama?
RON: I like to have some humor, but it was also the funeral, then there’s Sarah (Linsey Godfrey) giving birth, and then Vivian’s crashing the reading of the will. So, we had a lot of fun and it’s hard sometimes to pick three that tell a story, as opposed to submitting for the Daytime Emmys, where the writing team only submits two shows. So, we shall see how it goes on Sunday.
Courtesy/Peacock
So, are you looking forward to the emotional 15,000th episode of Days of our Lives? Do you think DAYS will take home the WGA writing award for daytime dramas for the 4th year in a row? Comment below.
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