News

OLTL Alum Tuc Watkins Opens Up On His Sobriety and the Importance of Camaraderie

May 29, 2023

Photo: Jeff Lorch

He made his mark to soap opera fans as David Vickers on One Life to Live (1994-1996, 2001-2013) and as Bob on Desperate Housewives (2007-2012), since then Tuc Watkins has been featured and starred in numerous television, motion pictures and stage roles.

Most recently, Watkins starred opposite Neil Patrick Harris in the Netflix streaming series Uncoupled, the film and stage adaptation of Boys in the Band, and recently on stage in the AIDS-based drama, The Inheritance.

Tuc, who came out on The Marie Osmond Show back in 2013, is the father of twins via surrogacy, and is currently in a relationship with film, TV and stage actor, Andrew Rannells. Earlier in his career, many warned Watkins that it could be detrimental to him, if he played gay roles. However, in the years that have followed, Tuc has proved them wrong taking on some of the most prominent LGBTQ roles out there and earning critical praise for his performances.

A few months ago, in March, Tuc took to his Instagram account to share a before and after photo of him 4 years before he got sober, and 4 years after he got sober with a heartfelt and inspiring message.

Watkins expressed: “If your drinking is making you uncomfortable, tell a sober person. Any sober person. That’s what I did. I don’t remember what I said to him that day. And I don’t remember what he said to me. But I remember the way he made me feel. He made me feel like I was going to be okay. It was the last day I drank. October 28, 2018. I got sober because alcohol was ruining my life. I stay sober because my life got better. #sobriety #recovery”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Tuc Watkins (@tucwatkins)

In a new article on Watkins from Queerty, EastSiders creator and star, Kit Williamson delivered a statement to the LGBTQ outlet about his experience working with Tuc and his consistent support for other gay artists.

Photo: ABC

Kit shared: “I’ve had the pleasure of working with Tuc three times now. On the third season of EastSiders, my new series Unconventional, and the indie film Retake. Tuc is a star in the literal sense of the word, shining light on and lifting up the people around him, and he is as talented and funny as he is dashing and kind. I was a fan of his before I became a friend, and I have seen firsthand how committed he is to supporting other queer artists and making art that matters.”

Photo: Jeff Lorch

As pride month approaches in just a weeks time, Watkins shared on Queerty’s coverage on his Instagram: “Thank you @Queerty for elevating the LGBTQ+ community. 🏳️‍🌈 For highlighting the differences in our backgrounds, identities, and experiences, all through the lens of camaraderie.”

Share your thoughts on the talented Tuc Watkins and his efforts to lift others up, and be an inspiration through his own struggles via the comment section.

Up Next

Sherri Shepherd Loses Her Wig During Talk Show and Says, ‘The Show Must Go On’

Don't Miss

General Hospital ‘Spotlight Channel’ Watch Party with Laura Wright and Maurice Benard

Breaking News

Writers Strike Comes to an End; Leadership Votes To Conclude Work Stoppage

September 26, 2023

It’s over! After 148 days, the 2023 Writers strike will go down as the second longest in WGA union history, only a labor stoppage in 1988 was longer.

The strike will officially come to end on Wednesday at 12:01am PT. This was due to a vote from the guild’s leadership that now has authorized its over 11,500 members to return to work.

That means: pitching and selling scripts, taking meetings, responding to notes, writers’ rooms opening up again, and more, can now restart.

Photo: JPI

The WGA committee shared that the vote, “Allows writers to return to work during the ratification process, but does not affect the membership’s right to make a final determination on contract approval.” However, WGA East and West voted unanimously to lift the “restraining order” on Tuesday.

As the negotiators shared, the end of the strike doesn’t mean that the tentative agreement that the union reached with producers on Sunday night is a surefire thing: Union members still need to vote to ratify the contract. Union leadership announced on Tuesday that will take place between October 2nd and October 9th.

Photo: JPI

However, SAG-AFTRA still remains on strike. So, even with the writers returning to work, many productions can’t move forward without their principal actors and performers.

So soap fans, how do you feel about this news for your favorite shows? Glad that the head writers and their writing teams will be back at work as soon as this week from Days of our Lives, General Hospital, and The Bold and the Beautiful? Y&R’s Josh Griffith, who previously had gone Fi-Core during the 2008 strike, remained at the top rated show during the last several months.

News

It’s Official! Former AEW Champ Jade Cargill Signs with WWE

September 26, 2023

All the reports and the rumors have been confirmed. Former AEW TBS Women’s champion, Jade Cargill has signed a new multi-year contract, but with rival WWE.

Cargill, who was AEW’s longest-reigning TBS champion and wrestled her last match on AEW TV programming just two weeks ago, started with WWE on Tuesday at its Performance Center in Orlando, Florida.

In her first interview since joining WWE, Cargill spoke to ESPN and shared that a decision has already been made if she will go straight to the WWE main roster, or if she will first perform for its developmental brand, NXT. Jade teased that fans are just going to have to stay tuned to see just how she will make her arrival.

In AEW, Cargill was a force to be reckoned with having held the AEW TBS Championship for Cargill for 508 days. She lost the title back in May of this year, and had been off AEW TV for quite some time, until a few weeks ago when she lost her final match to Kris Statlander.

Cargill, 31, has been wrestling professionally for two years. She has close ties to Cody Rhodes, who Jade admitted in her chat with ESPN, was one of the top two reasons she came to WWE.

AEW CEO and Owner, Tony Khan was asked about Cargill’s exit during a media call on Tuesday. Khan shared that he wished Jade all the best in her future and said he has nothing but positive things to say about her. Khan added Cargill would always be welcome in AEW.

Check out Jade’s first interview since becoming a top signing for WWE under their new umbrella TKO Group, below.

Now let us know, who do you think Jade will have her first feud with in the WWE? Do you think she has found the perfect fit for her talent in WWE? Share your thoughts in the comment section.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uSpoy4zUL3I&t=8s

News

One Life to Live and B&B Alum, Joe Lando, Recovering from Surgery

September 26, 2023

Another fan favorite performer is recovering from surgery. Joe Lando (ex-Jake, One Life to Live, ex-Craig, The Bold and the Beautiful, ex-Lee, The Bay) shared on his Instagram that he just completed total knee replacement surgery.

Lando, who is best known for his role as Joe Sully on Dr. Quinn: Medicine Woman, revealed: “Just had my knee replaced, and I’m laying in recovery. And there’s some trouble breathing. But I think I’ll get over it. I’m really, really high right now.”

Next, Joe took his iPhone and panned over to show that he was actually in the hallway of the hospital in his gurney and near the nurses’ station. That’s when Joe added, “There’s the wonderful ladies that are taking care of me. I’ll keep you posted. Bye!”

Photo: ABC

Accompanying the video post, Lando wrote, “Happy total knee replacement Monday. And no, Dr. Quinn didn’t do the surgery. She’s more of an open heart specialist.”

Photo: JPI

Share your well-wishes and speedy recovery for Joe in the comment section below, and let us know if you would like to see him back on The Bold and the Beautiful or another soap in the near future.