News
OLTL issues statement on end of Kish/GLAAD's response to ABC!
The LGBT community is not taking kindly to the pull-out by ABC and One Life to Live of the Kish storyline featuring Brett Claywell and Scott Evans. In a news item from Advocate.com, a One Life to Live spokesperson issued the following statement today, “The groundbreaking Kyle-Fish relationship on One Life to Live was embraced by fans both as a great story and a fair and honest reflection of the LGBT community. We’re glad their story resonated with the audience, and understand the fans’ disappointment now that it has concluded. The show has a history of bringing LGBT stories to the screen — earning two GLAAD awards in the process — as well as returning popular characters when they serve the ongoing story. These great characters remain in Llanview, and while there are no immediate plans to advance their story, the door is always open for their return.”The statement comes after the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation announced Friday morning that it is lobbying ABC Daytime to review its decision to end the storyline. “Last summer One Live to Live brought a groundbreaking relationship into the homes of millions with Kyle and Fish’s story, one that build acceptance and understanding of gay people,” GLAAD president Jarrett Barrios said in a statement. He went on to say that ending the story is a step backward in the representation of gay Americans, even though plot changes and cancellations are common in daytime dramas.
“We remain disappointed that ABC Daytime has chosen to stop sharing this powerful story with viewers of One Life to Live. GLAAD will continue to advocate that in the near future producers and writers at ABC Daytime incorporate gay and transgendered characters in their programming.”
There have been rumors that One Life to Live was ending the gay story line because of low ratings and poor response to the characters.
General Hospital
‘General Hospital’s’ Cynthia Watros Honors Former ‘Titus’ Co-Star Stacy Keach Following His Passing
General Hospital star Cynthia Watros, who can currently be seen in on the ABC soap opera in the role of Nina Reeves, has had a enduring career in television. That included her time on the 2000-2002 Fox sitcom, Titus.
In Titus, Watros starred along with Stacy Keach as Erin Fitzpatrick and Ken Titus, respectively. After the November 10th news that Keach had passed away at 85 while living in Poland, Cynthia took to her Instagram on Thursday, November 12 to pay tribute to the great actor.
Watros expressed, “My first prime time show was along side Stacy. I loved him instantly. What an amazing talent and man.❤️”
Photo: ABC
In Titus, Stacy played stand up comedian Christopher Titus’ heavy-drinking, chain-smoking, five-times-divorced father who frequently pulled cruel pranks and tried to toughen his kids up. Cynthia played by Christopher’s level-headed, big-hearted girlfriend trying to build a normal life with him. In fact, Cynthia’s role on the sitcom was first series regular role after her Daytime Emmy run of Annie Dutton on Guiding Light which ran from 1994-1998.
STACY KEACH’S WIFE ON HIS PASSING
Keach’s wife, Malgosia shared the news of the actor’s death publicly in a statement with PEOPLE. Malgosia expressed, that Stacy had, “a long and difficult battle with a serious heart condition and heart failure.”
She added, “Stacy peacefully departed this world. He fought for so long, with extraordinary courage, determination and strength. He was a true warrior, facing his illness with the same remarkable spirit and resilience that defined his life.”
Małgosia continued, “Stacy was not only a legendary actor, admired and loved by audiences the world over, but also my beloved husband, my companion and the heart of our family. His passing leaves an immeasurable emptiness in our lives. But his extraordinary spirit, his unforgettable voice and the love he gave so generously will remain with us forever.”
Now, let us know do you remember when Cynthia made her sitcom debut in Titus? Share your thoughts via the comment section on Cynthia’s many TV roles and the passing of Stacy Keach in the comment section. But first, check out the very first episode of Titus with Cynthia Watros below!
Beyond the Gates
‘Beyond the Gates’ Emmy Winner Ambyr Michelle Wants to Compete on ‘Dancing with the Stars’: ‘Pick Me’ (Exclusive)
Soap opera fans are always clamoring for when Dancing with the Stars reveals their cast each season, that they would include a familiar face from daytime drama, but it rarely happens, if ever, anymore.
Over the last several years, the series has leaned heavily into casting celebrities with massive TikTok or Instagram followers, which in turn, have helped this season and last have their best ratings numbers in years.
But, how about for next season’s cast of Dancing with the Stars, that it could include newly-awarded Daytime Emmy winner, Ambyr Michelle (Eva Thomas) of Beyond the Gates?
Photo: CBS
LOVE OF DANCE TO LOVE OF ACTING
Michael Fairman TV spoke to Michelle about her dance background and if she would love a shot at lifting the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy during Wednesday’s November 11, livestream chat on the Michael Fairman Channel.
Ambyr explained to fans (who joined in on the live chat), how she began her show business career. “I started off as a dancer, first and foremost. Acting wasn’t really something I wanted to go after. I did plays when I was younger, but it was just something we did in school, but I really wanted to be a dancer. I moved out to LA to dance, and I fell out of love with dance, which was so weird.”
This year’s Emerging Talent in a Daytime Drama Series winner, added, “I was like, ‘What is going on?’ I moved all the way out here for dance. I found I was forcing myself to go to dance class, and I just didn’t have the passion for it. I was working at this restaurant at the time, and one of my coworker was like, ‘What about taking an acting class out here?'”
Next, Ambyr took the coworker up on the idea. “So, I took an acting class and I fell in love with it that day,” shared Michelle. “I was like, ‘I want to do this for the rest of my life.’ I thought, I would love to book a role, of course, as a dancer, but I think acting has a little bit more longevity.”
Photo: ABC
A SHOT AT THE LEN GOODMAN MIRRORBALL TROPHY
When the talked turned to if Ambyr would consider or be interested in appearing on the ballroom dance competition series, she piped up with, “I would love to do Dancing with the Stars! Pick me!”
As those in the live chat rallied around this idea, it made us think, Ambyr could be the first contestant from Beyond the Gates, and someone representing the soaps. It checks off so many boxes! To which Ambyr replied, “That would be beautiful.”
You can check out the full conversation with Ambyr below.
So, what do you think soap fans? Can we make sure Ambyr’s name gets in front of the producers and casting director for next season’s Dancing with the Stars? Would you like to see her in the competition? If so, who would be your dream pro professional dance partner for her? Let us know in the comment section.
The latest ratings are out for the week of October 26-30, 2026 and the big takeaways include: that CBS daytime’s Beyond the Gates was separated by only 23,000 viewers behind third place (of the soaps) General Hospital! For the last several weeks, Beyond the Gates has been closing the gap on this year’s winner for Outstanding Daytime Drama Series, and continuing to best GH in the key demos.
According to the latest Nielsen ratings breakdown from Soap Opera Network, the final week of October brought Beyond the Gates 1.790 million on average tuning-in and the show set a season high in total viewers. Meanwhile, General Hospital hit a new season low! The long-running ABC soap had 1.813 million for the week, and once again the series did not go over the 2 million mark.
Meanwhile, in the key Women 18-49 demo, Beyond the Gates was firmly ahead of GH with a rating share of 0.21, while General Hospital had 0.17 rating share.Then, in the key Women 25-54 demo, Beyond the Gates was once again ahead of the ABC soap with a ratings share for that demo at 0.30 while GH came in with 0.26.
Photo: CBS
MORE BY THE NUMBERS
In addition and comparatively, Beyond the Gates +22,000 viewers week-to-week, and had the largest gains in viewership year-to-year in daytime TV with +267,000 from this in 2025.. However, General Hospital seems to be going in reverse. The show was down -56,000 viewers week-over-week and down -22,000 year-over-year .
BEYOND THE GATES
Let’s take a look at some of the storylines that had people tuning-in to Beyond the Gates during the ratings week:
Hayley (Marquita Goings) attempted a massive shocker regarding her pregnancy and tried to use it to extract money from Bill Hamilton (Timon Kyle Durrett). Although, Bill saw right through her game, he demanded a paternity test, and made it clear he has no intention of raising the child—planning instead to pay her off to take the baby and leave. Meanwhile, Hayley confided her plan to her cousin Randy (Maurice P. Kerry).
Jacob Hawthorne (Jibre Hordges) and Naomi Hamilton (Arielle Prepetit) clashed over Jacob’s ongoing investigation into The Impaler, causing significant strain in their marriage. At the same time, Smitty (Mike Manning) considered taking matters into his own hands—including potentially heading to Mexico for evidence—while Martin Richardson (Brandon Claybon) worried about what comes next.
Photo: ABC
GENERAL HOSPITAL
Over at General Hospital for the ratings period, the story served up included:
Carly (Laura Wright) and Valentin (James Patrick Stuart) teamed up to investigate what really happened to Jack Brennan (Chris McKenna). Later, Danny (Asher Antonyzyn) leads them to Jack’s dead body.
Jude (Wil Traval) dropped a bombshell claim to Alexis (Nancy Lee Grahn); that he is Phoebe’s father, while Brook Lynn (Amanda Setton) and Chase (Josh Swickard) signed their divorce papers.
Then, Danny caught Rocco (Finn Carr) and Scout (Kayden Brenna Tokarski) sharing a kiss, plus the shocking return of Heather Webber (Alley Mills) capped the week.
Now the questions become; without having much promotional synergy in the ABC day-part to draw more eyeballs it is not helping but hurting General Hospital. It seems Beyond the Gates is also a benefactor of a one-two-three punch of CBS soaps (Y&R, B&B and BTG) and promotion.
However, that still doesn’t take away the fact that Beyond the Gates is close to besting GH in all ratings category as they go head-to-head in some markets across the country.
So, are you excited to see Beyond the Gates climb in the ratings? Are you concerned for General Hospital? Do you think they can stave off Beyond the Gates in total viewers or will the upstart soap overtake them in the next ratings report? Share your thoughts in the comment section.
‘General Hospital’s’ Cynthia Watros Honors Former ‘Titus’ Co-Star Stacy Keach Following His Passing
‘Beyond the Gates’ Emmy Winner Ambyr Michelle Wants to Compete on ‘Dancing with the Stars’: ‘Pick Me’ (Exclusive)
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Katie Kicks Bill to the Curb … for Now
RATINGS: ‘Beyond the Gates’ Inches Closer to ‘General Hospital’ in Total Viewers
B&B’s Sydney Bullock Weighs In on Future of Dylan and Will: ‘I Think She Can Hold on to Him for Awhile’ (Exclusive)
Y&R’s New Head Writers Share Vision for Genoa City: Contemporary Homage to Bill Bell, Mixing Heightened Escapism and Grounded Reality
THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS Preview: Episodes From New Co-Head Writers, Jamey Giddens and Dan O’Connor, Begin to Air
‘General Hospital’ Casts Ayla Bullington as the New Avery Jerome-Corinthos
‘Days of our Lives’ Celebrates 61st Anniversary: EP Ken Corday Teases New Character’s Arrival in Spring 2027
‘Days of our Lives’ Kyle Pryor Debuts as Dominic Marino and Says of Alleged TV Mom, “Deidre Hall is the Absolute OG, Amazing” (Exclusive)
‘General Hospital’s’ Cynthia Watros Honors Former ‘Titus’ Co-Star Stacy Keach Following His Passing
‘Beyond the Gates’ Emmy Winner Ambyr Michelle Wants to Compete on ‘Dancing with the Stars’: ‘Pick Me’ (Exclusive)
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Katie Kicks Bill to the Curb … for Now
B&B’s Sydney Bullock Weighs In on Future of Dylan and Will: ‘I Think She Can Hold on to Him for Awhile’ (Exclusive)
‘Days of our Lives’ Veteran James Reynolds Reveals Parkinson’s Diagnosis
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News3 days agoY&R’s New Head Writers Share Vision for Genoa City: Contemporary Homage to Bill Bell, Mixing Heightened Escapism and Grounded Reality
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Previews4 days agoTHE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS Preview: Episodes From New Co-Head Writers, Jamey Giddens and Dan O’Connor, Begin to Air
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General Hospital3 days ago‘General Hospital’ Casts Ayla Bullington as the New Avery Jerome-Corinthos
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Days Of Our Lives4 days ago‘Days of our Lives’ Celebrates 61st Anniversary: EP Ken Corday Teases New Character’s Arrival in Spring 2027
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Days Of Our Lives7 days ago‘Days of our Lives’ Kyle Pryor Debuts as Dominic Marino and Says of Alleged TV Mom, “Deidre Hall is the Absolute OG, Amazing” (Exclusive)
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The same sex marriage aspect harming Kish should be addressed by the soap press when critiquing OLTL axing Kish. With a topic as splintering as same sex unions, it definitely hurt more that it helped Kish. Soaps are about escapism, not political debates. Even in someplace as stereotypically thought to be liberal like Manhattan, many people are not on board w/ same sex unions. And the ratings of a conservative news channel like Fox reflects that sentiment.
Accrdg to TVGCanada’s newest report, it was Frank Valentini who axed Kish. So no one go blame Brian Frons or say some homophobic group engineered their firing. It’ll be interesting how the soap press criticizes Valentini for this move, since OLTL seems to be the golden child of the soap press. Even in TVGC, the only critique for Valentini was a sarcastic “Thanks a lot” for Valentini axing Kish.
Goutman was raked through the coals consistently for mishandling Nuke and Ellen Wheeler was all but crucified numerous times for neglecting Otalia. But at least those 2 didn’t fire their same sex couple. Carlivati’s writing should be taken to task, but I think the closest criticism he’d get was TVG’s Michael Logan’s “gay overkill” comment. If this were Megan McTavish, imagine all the harsh reviews she’d get?
Also accrdg to TVGC, speculation is that one of the portrayers of Kish is a hard partying kinda guy. He’d hold up production, so he was axed. My bet goes to Evans, since he admitted to going to the gay bars frequently in the interview here, and anyone who’s been to a gay bar/club knows how out of control it can get, especially in Manhattan.
More from TVGC, speculation is that they are axing 8 actors bec of budgetary constraints but the most interesting speculation is that the Kish storyline hit too close to home for certain execs. Well Carlivati is out, so it can’t be him.
Onto that mess GLAAD, they gave the award to Nuke the year that Nuke was banished from kissing or showing any affection on ATWT! So GLAAD is a joke. And they’d be even more of a joke if they award it to Kish now that kish has been written off.
All this blaming the actors thing is nonsense.
Scott Evans didn’t even have a contract so if they wanted to fire him for whatever reason, they could have done so without so much as a “See ya”.
They replace actors and actresses all the time (even long-time actors and actresses who have contracts).
If they were committed to these characters and their story, the producers would have simply recast or rewritten.
I’m not buying this “actor parties too hard ” crap for one second.
And if this is the reason he was fired, why fired both he AND Brett?
Why even make the statement about “not resonating with the mainstream”?
The “wedding” was like a month of the entire Fish coming out storyline and it was over by the period they claim was the problem area (November 09)
All of these latest excuses are just nonsense spin.
The primary viewership of soaps hasn’t being stay-at-home straight women for like 20 years. Teens, and gay men also make up a huge portion of the viewing audience (if they ever bothered to notice)
They cut KISH and fired Scott and Brett because they got scared and caved into the pressure of the right wing, conservative voices screaming in their ears. It’s a simple as that.
Don’t kid yourself, Persa!
I am a “stay-at-home straight women”; I am also what a lot of people would consider a “right wing, conservative voice”.
That being said, hearing that KISH had been unceremoniously dumped was, for me, like a kick in the gut. I loved their story, and I was really looking forward to the (seemingly) upcoming custody battle story-line! I wanted to see KISH kick stupid GiGi’s Butt, in court, get their baby, and raise their little girl together!
I wanted to see this couple go through all of the trials, tribulations, pride, and joy of parenthood together! It would have been great to watch them cope with being a family, while also facing all of the inevitable prejudices that would have gone along with their relationship.
I, for one, am very, very sorry that we are losing these wonderful characters/actors – along with their ground-breaking story! I can only hope that the Network will, somehow, miraculously, reconsider their unfortunate decision and decide to give our KISH a last minute reprieve from their looming execution!
Oh, and for what it is worth, I have already sent off my letters and e-mails (first time ever doing this!) that fully detail my displeasure with this decision to all concerned parties!
TVGC already reported that it was Frank Valentini who axed Claywell and untalented Evans, and they axed Crystal Hunt prior to them. They were not axed bec of so called pressure by a so called right wing grp. Why is everything homophobic for fans of Kish or Nuke? There’s no conspiracy theory against Crystal Hunt. She was let go bec people disliked Stacy, her acting is awful and she didn’t translate to ratings. The same applied to Kish. Since valentini axed them, complain to him instead of blaming these anonymous right wing groups.
Explain “doesn’t resonate with mainstream viewers ?
If it’s not about the “gay” what is it that doesn’t “resonate”?
Is it both Scott and Brett who don’t “resonate”?
Is it Kyle and Fish together or separately that doesn’t “resonate”?
Did Kyle as a character “resonate” before the viewers realized he was gay? Did Fish?
Scot Evans has never been on contract so did they just keep him around for almost 3 years because he’s pretty? Do tell.
You’re ascribing things to me that aren’t about me. I’m an individual, not some sheep following along and I have a right to voice my opinion and what I see is a heterosexist point of view taking precedence over good storytelling..
ABC made this about the characters being gay, I didn’t start it.
I don’t know what you gripe is with NUKE fans an KISH fans in general and it’s not really relevant to what I’M saying. How do you even know I’m a fan of NUKE? Who’s talking about NUKE, I never even mentioned them.
What does Crystal Hunt have to do with anything? Lot’s of actors got fired and the reasons given didn’t target their race, gender, ethnicity or sexual orientation. I have no problem with firing an actor that isn’t working out as an actor, I have a problem with an American tv show, in 2010 firing actors because its viewership is upset about all the gay. OLTL has had some of the most preposterous story lines (for good or ill) I’ve ever seen outside of Passions. So to target the Big Gay Wedding as somehow totally out the box and over the line is just coo coo bananas.
I’m responding to the REASONS the producers of OLTL gave for why they fired BOTH Brett and Scott. That’s the issue. They are the one’s who made it about the characters being gay, not me.
If it’s all about Scott, why fire both of them AND why not just say they are firing them because the actors aren’t working out AS ACTORS?
What does their “mainstream” viewers have to do with anything? Whether it was Frank Valenti or The Pied Piper is immaterial to me.
If actors suck, then fire them because they suck.
Don’t claim that you are firing them for a whole host of other reasons that have to do with the sensibilities of your viewing audience then get shocked when members of your viewing audience who don’t happen to have that particular sensibility decide to speak out against your decision.
Scott Evans was on the show for an entire year before he even interacted with Brett Claywell, if his acting sucked so badly they could have fired him then. His character has always been a second-tier character so they could have easily replaced him. Why keep him around if he was so much trouble?
If you think the folks complaining to ABC about gays on OLTL aren’t right-wing, then you’re just not a very critical thinker or you have no idea about the way American culture functions.
I’m not slamming the right-wing viewers. They have a right to their opinion. But they don’t speak for me and my voice is just as valid.
I am simply pointing out that the people who complain are usually right wing and if you read their comments that’s pretty clear. Whether they are lovely people in their personal lives doesn’t matter because that has no effect on the daily lives of gay folks in the US.
Obviously there are right wing folks who like KISH. But, of course not, they aren’t the folks I’m talking about.
If people don’t want to see gay characters on your tv because they are gay, they are conservative homophobes. Period.
If we’re talking about firing actors for being bad actors, then I can think of at least two hands full of other actors on OLTL that I’ve observed who SHOULD be on the chopping block long before Scott Evans of Brett Claywell.
My grandma called what OLTL producers are doing “Spitting on someone’s next and trying to convince them it’s rain”
That dog won’t hunt. That’s all I’m saying.
There’s no pt debating w/ you. As for who’s “complaining” about Kish, I’m a queer male viewer of soaps, I thought Claywell was a good actor and he was the only actor who carried Kish, but I thought Evans sucked at the role majority of the time. So to make a sweeping generalization that only homophobes with an agenda don’t like Kish is closeminded. People can or can’t like a same sex rel storyline based on other factors too, like performances (Claywell’s was good, Evans’s was awful) and writing (Carlivati clearly had many missteps). Majority of the Kish fans seem as closeminded as these so called homophobic grps that they blame for Kish’s axing. I find it strange that you would say it’s immaterial that Frank valentini or the pied piper is who axed Kish. Who axed Kish has everything to do with it. If it was Brian frons who axed Kish then everyone would be complaining at him. It’s very telling that the soap press in particular are not going after Frank valentini on this issue of him axing Kish, but they raked Goutman through the coals for the Nuke kissing banishment, and they all but crucified Wheeler, a Mormon, for not letting Otalia marry in the GL finale. Goutman and Wheeler did not get rid of their same sex couple, but Valentini did.
Persa .. if you watch the video, around 13 minutes in, Brett says something like they do a lot of scenes in 1 take. Doesn’t sound like partying is a huge problem if it’s 1 take.
I only watched OLTL because of Kish and when they are gone, I will be gone as well.
DO NOT stop this storyline. It has been one of the best depictions of just how gay people live in the non-accepting gay world. I lived in the closet for a long, long time — fifty years — going the marriage route for a number of years. It wasn’t until my husband’s death and subsequent psychiatric counseling for other issues that I finally came out. I have been out fourteen years. I never felt as much of whom I was and am until that day when I declared I can be my gay self. The story on One Life To Live has been one of the best, better than All My Children even. It has featured gay men which it seems programs have trouble showing how they really feel, interact, how they think and believe. Women have been portrayed many times. This was a real break through as far as I am concerned. Please do not let naysayers and others decide what you will put in the show. It is certainly more realistic than underground worlds and Mitch Lawrence. Would you please kill him and Allison once and for all!
dont stop this storyline with brett claywell and scott evans and keep going to keep their storyline open and we need to bring scott evans and brett clatwell to bring them back to the show with oltl
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