All My Children
Pride Month Celebrating LGBTQ+ Soap Supercouples: Nuke, Kish, Otalia & WilSon … Which Stands the Test of Time?
June is Pride Month, the time when across the U.S and the world there are celebrations and commemorations to recognize all who identify as LGBTQ and their allies.
Daytime soap operas have had a rocky road when it comes to the representation of same-sex couples. The soaps have been at one time leaders in portraying key social issues of our time, as well as treading lightly on other subjects, as to its concerns to ‘turn-off’ its core audiences.
When you look back at the groundbreaking first same-sex weddings, and the first gay kiss, the soaps have come far in some ways in their representations of gay characters, but there is always work to be done to serve and to shed light on the under-represented.
As we reflect back to the then and the now, which LGBTQ soap supercouple remains your favorite and had made a lasting impact? Let’s take a look at four duos who captivated many viewers.
Nuke – Luke Snyder and Noah Mayer – As the World Turns
Van Hansis (Luke) and Jake Silbermann (Noah) were a key part of the evolution of, and representation of LGBTQ character on the soaps. ‘Nuke’, as they were known as, became the first gay male soap couple to share an on-screen kiss back in 2007. ATWT also became known as the first soap to depict a fully realized romantic male couple as an integral part of the show. There was plenty of backlash along the way for the long-awaited kiss to happen, but when it did, the show moved forward to tell their love story.
Otalia – Olivia Spencer and Natalia Rivera Aitoro – Guiding Light
When Crystal Chappell (Olivia) and Jessica Leccia (Natalia) began to play the love story of Otalia, they had to show their affection by a kiss on the head, or holding hands. It took quite some time for GL to move forward to have two women, two moms, no less, share a lip lock. The complicated love story featured Natalia being conflicted to face her true romantic feelings for Olivia, because of her value system and religions upbringing, and that made this all the more riveting and frustrating at the same time. In the end, the rabid fan base for this duo was so great that Chappell wound up creating her own series, Venice, to honor and serve them, remaining one of the LGBTQ communities greatest allies.
Kish – Kyle Lewis and Oliver Fish – One Life to Live
In 2009, One Life to Live’s Kyle Lewis (Brett Claywell) was an out lab tech in Llanview, who back in college had a relationship with Officer Oliver Fish (Scott Evans). It imploded when Oliver denied he was gay. For years, Oliver remained in the closet, before finally coming out to himself and Kyle.
Kish had been a big success with the media and One Life’s gay audience. LGBTQ-advocacy groups honored the couple and the story. However, Kish was cut short when the network felt that the data showed that the storyline was not resonating with the show’s core audience.
WilSon – Will Horton and Sonny Kiriakis – Days of our Lives
Days of our Lives delivered daytime’s first-ever gay male wedding in 2014, between Will (then played by Guy Wilson) and Sonny (then played by Freddie Smith).
In an interview with EW, Days of our Lives executive producer, Ken Corday shared on the union, “Will and Sonny have been together for a while and it was the natural progression of their love story. We didn’t feel like there was anything we could or couldn’t do, we treated them like any other couple on the canvas and continued to grow their romance as such.”
In addition, the coming out story of Will Horton was critically praised and noteworthy for the performances of Chandler Massey, who won three Daytime Emmys for his work in the Outstanding Younger Actor category 2012, 2013 and 2014. Freddie Smith also won in the same category in 2015. Will has been played over the years by Chandler Massey and Guy Wilson, while Sonny has been portrayed by Freddie Smith and Zach Tinker.
There have been several other key LGBTQ couples throughout the course of daytime history including All My Children’s Bianca (Eden Riegel) and Reese (Tamara Braun). These two characters were involved in the first same-sex lesbian wedding on daytime. Problem was … Reese kissed Zach (Thorsten Kaye) before the wedding, making this infuriating for viewers at home.
Other notable LGBTQ couples through the years have included: Bianca and Maggie on All My Children, Mariah and Tessa of The Young and the Restless played bv Camryn Grimes and Cait Fairbanks, Maya and Rick on The Bold and the Beautiful, Lucas and Brad on General Hospital and others.
Which couple do you think has had the most lasting impact on the history of LGBTQ representation on daytime soap operas? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.
Nuke will always be my favorite with the gays that USED TO BE on GH (Bring’ em back!) a close second. Luke and Noah’s slow build up was breath-taking and so exciting for me as an out and proud gay man.
Rodd, you hit on the reason Nuke was so great.. the build-up. We felt the awkward uncertainty they both felt. Remember that first impulse-kiss when Luke was tying Noah’s bow tie? I was concerned my TV would melt down!
KiSH !!! 100% Now you have made me miss OLTL all over again. And why hasn’t Scott Evans ever turned up on GH ? Would love to see Officer Fish join Port Charles PC.
Agreed!
I would say the beginning of the Wilson story but then it dragged on and the actors kinda ‘ phoned ‘ it in. The new Sonny though played by Zach Tinker brought life back to them.
But back to Kish I never watched OLTL however I started catching snippets of the Ron Carlivati years which I wanted to catch because I’m a big fan ( mostly) of him on Days and that’s when I caught Kish! The actors are adorable and really well it. This article reminds me to go back after I took a break from watching their storyline on you tube collected!
Definitely Kish. Through many twists and turns, they were finally able to declare their love for each other and making plans to raise their beautiful baby daughter. I loved the two of them together and was so happy when they gained custody of Sierra Rose.
Not a day goes past that I don’t miss our beloved One Life to Live!!!!!!!!
100%
You could really feel the agony of Scott Evans trying to fight his true feelings while Brett Claywell was on the other side so adorable trying to convince him love can conquer. Their portrayals really resonated with me during that time in my life! Too bad they were cut short but atleast they ended on a high
what a wonderful article Michael.
Some good ones over the years. I’m partial to Nuke myself. ATWT was the first show to really feature a gay couple front and center with Luke and Noah. Days told a wonderful story with Will and Sonny, as well.
Unlike GH, who for whatever reasons and I have my suspicions, has always paid lip service to gay characters, leaving them rotting in the background, never giving them a front burner love story. They had plenty of opportunity with Lucas after his well written coming out story, you had Brad, Felix, they briefly touched on it with Kristina, even now with a trans character like Terry. Where is the story?
God forbid, we wouldn’t want the same stuck in the 1950s homophobes that wish Leave It To Beaver were still on, and boycott Bud Light, Disney, Target etc for daring to be inclusive to all of their customers to boycott GH!
I take exception to use of the term “super couple” as none of these rose to the level of Luke & Laura, Bo & Hope or Greg & Jenny. These were, however, very good pairings.
Kish got a bum deal from ABC. Frank and Ron were doing everything to keep OLTL afloat and couldn’t push back so they sent Kish to live offscreen. Instead, Ron gave us Dorian’s fake lesbian story as part of her mayoral campaign.
Why GH didn’t make Lucas a more prominent character bothers many of us to this day. If Carnes wasn’t working, recast and tell a proper story. Lucas disappeared once the Wiley truth was discovered and we really didn’t get to see Lucas recover from a painful loss.
With Britt gone, Brad needs more connections on the canvas. If not Zeke, then someone should rock his world. And Terry’s glaring absence from Epiphany’s memorial, the Nurses Ball and Willow’s treatment doesn’t bode well for the future of the character. Show some Pride, Frank.
Would you ever really expect mainstream media to call a couple from LBTGQ community a “super couple”? God forbid! And yet, to so many, these couple were, indeed, of that status. Pioneering, touching lives and lifting the community up in ways we had never been lifted before.
I agree with you about the sad lack of story GH devotes to characters like Terry, Lucas, Brad, Kristina and Felix. I can’t help but wonder if any of them will be trotted out for show since it’s Pride month? The same thing happens when it’s time for the Nurses’ Ball.
They DID recast Lucas for about two weeks and then that guy disappeared, too.
At some point, they’ll have to address Bobbie’s passing and woe be to Frank and the writers if they don’t have Lucas around, at least for that story.
And Terry has a new love interest. They were so cute together. I’d love to see more of them and how she’s dealing with the hospital now that Britt’s gone.
There are just too many possibilities for the above mentioned characters, so get with it, writers, and give us what we want….Well, one can dream.
If they are going to reintroduce Lucas as a prominent part of the canvas, then we deserve a new full-time telecast. Otherwise, for Bobbie’s passing, hopefully Frank can lure Ryan Carnes back or get Ben Hogestyn to return to acting so they can use some flashback scenes. It shouldn’t all be about Carly (like every day that ends in Y).
What is Ryan Carnes doing these days? He was by far the best Lucas, imo. Would love to see him return. Seems like he’s still acting based on his Wikipedia. You would think they have to have a Lucas representation for Bobbie’s funeral.
OG Steve, I chuckled at your line about Carly and every day that ends in Y. Man, is that so true. I like Laura Wright, but I’m starting to get really sick of Carly. The way they write the character is nauseating at times. Like the logic that Carly and Drew are literally guilty of insider trading, but somehow Nina is the villain for turning them in. Don’t even get me started, lol.
Cameron Mathison would’ve been perfect as Steven Webber instead of bftd Drew 2. Then his relationship w Carly would’ve made more sense bc of their history and wouldn’t feel forced like it does. But these writers aren’t familiar with past characters they didn’t make up themselves.
And ironically the only times I’ve liked Carly since LW has played her were in scenes where TPTB remembered she’s a Spencer. Those w Bobbie, Lucas, Luke, Laura, Lucky, Lulu, Valerie. The Spencer family grounded & humanized her and brought out her few redeeming qualities. Oh I already miss Jackie Z & Bobbie so much! Won’t be the GH i loved without her!
I LOVED Ryan Carnes as Lucas and Bobbie was my heart! I miss her terribly! GH never let’s endge couples end up together & be happy or reward fans who followed them for decades. I so wish they reunited Bobbie & Tony and Rick & Lesley instead of killing off Rick & Tony. And kept Alan on until the actor wanted to retire. They killed off Emily also, screwing over Nik & Emily fans, refused to bring back Lucky to repair Lucky & Liz or Laura for the longest time to reunite her w Luke. Also loved Ned & Alexis, wish the mob hadn’t ruined her and that Ned married her instead of annoying Olivia. Mac & Felicia were the shows only endgame couple that got lasting happiness.
Wish I could add Justus & Lainey, Tom & Simone, Taggert & Keesha, Shaun & Jordan, Maya & Tommy and Valerie & a Ward bf to that list but the show spent over a decade not writing for black characters.
On DAYS, endgame couples actually end up together esp as they age & move into supporting roles: Mickey & Maggie, Doug & Julie, John & Marlena, Bo & Hope, Tony & Anna, Abe & Lexie, Patch & Kayla, Shane & Kim, Jack & Jennifer, Will & Sony, Lani & Eli, Chad & Abby, Sami & Lucas, Austin & Carrie, Victor & Kate, Shawn & Belle… they were all allowed to be together & happy at least for a time. Wish Bill & Laura had reunited and stuck around.
Not so on GH where the core families were destroyed and patriarchs killed off upon aging out of viability as characters. And now TPTB cares way more about adding new characters ad nauseum while it’s core families of decades are nearly gone. So disheartening.
Anyway I LOVED RCs Lucas. Just have never like Brad. Hes sleezy and Lucas always deserved better n hotter. He was so hot & charming! He should’ve been a male lead along w Dillon, Michael, Tommy, TJ, Nikolas, Lucky & maybe a recast Brad. I always thought a sexually fluid Dillon falling for his best friend Lucas would’ve been a great love story. Another Spencer Quartermaine pairing. Or maybe paired w Steven Webber, Griffin or Nathan who was revealed to be Stefan Cassadines son.
Luke and Noah will be forever my favorite gay couple. It’s a shame what they did to this couple. They deserved better and so their fans, but it’s amazing how year after year they are remembered for their legacy.
Sonny & Will on Days were amazing
Nuke and WilSon (WilSon with Chandler Massey) were the best. Nuke was the only reason to watch As The World Turns.
Luke and Noah are special. They had my favorite actors, and their chemistry is amazing. Noah resonated with me so much, that is scary.
Starting on May 1, All My Children fans in Canada will be able to see classic episodes of the beloved former ABC soap opera when they stream on Pluto TV Canada.
Pluto TV picked-up the All My Children Channel that the Nixon family has created in partnership with BEONDTV +. The show which aired for 41 years on ABC and ended on the network in 2011, had so many memorable storylines and characters; the least of which is the enduring run of Erica Kane played by soap icon, Susan Lucci.
As previously reported, starting with episodes from the year 1995, which was the 25th anniversary of the soap. Pluto TV Canada viewers will be able to catch 8 episodes on repeat per day. With the success of the venture, the Nixons are hopeful that they will bring viewers many more years of the show to come.
Photo: ABC
Sarah Nixon, producer, shared with Michael Fairman TV exclusively, “We are thrilled that Pluto TV has launched All My Children in Canada! Let’s hope the engagement from our incredibly loyal fans across the border will encourage ABC to bring it to the U.S.! We share what Aggie (Agnes Nixon) always felt, that it is the enthusiasm and love from the fans that has kept this legacy beloved and relevant – to this day!”
In addition, 0ne week ago, during Susan Lucci’s visit to Los Angeles promoting her book La Lucci, she was joined by her former Pine Valley castmates, Rebecca Budig (ex-Greenlee, AMC, now Taylor, B&B) and Eva LaRue (ex-Maria, AMC) and the trio posed for a pic. At that time, LaRue shared via Instagram, “NEW All My Children channel streaming classic episodes 24/7 now on Pluto TV Canada! Fingers crossed to watch soon on Pluto US.”
That was also confirmed this week by TV Watercooler’s Jeevan Brar who took to X and expressed, “The All My Children channel begins streaming this Friday, May 1 on Pluto TV Canada.
So, Canadian viewers, excited about Pluto TV’s All My Children channel? United States fans, hopeful from Sarah’s message that perhaps soon, we can see the beloved soap once again as well? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.
View this post on Instagram
Saul Consuelos, the father of All My Children alum and Live with Kelly and Mark co-host, Mark Consuelos (ex0-Mateo, AMC), has died. During an emotional moment on this mornings, April 6 edition of the syndicated talk show, Mark shared, that his dad, “passed away peacefully” back on March 23 following a long illness.
His wife and co-host, Kelly Ripa (ex-Hayley, AMC) paid tribute to her her father-in-law expressing, he was, “the greatest person I’ve ever known. I can honestly say I will miss him every day for the rest of my life, as I know you will, as our children will. He really is so symbolic of everything you are.”
Kelly and Mark’s children, Joaquin, Michael and Lola Consuelos are said to be taking this extremely hard. Ripa added, “This is the first loss they’ve ever experienced in their lives. And I said, ‘By the time I was 8, I had no grandparents. You got to grow up (with grandparents). You got to have deep, meaningful conversations (with them).”
Photo: KRipaIG
In another moment, Mark reflected on his dad. “It’s funny, I used to make a joke about my dad … if you asked him what time it was, he would tell you how to build a watch. There were a lot of lectures, a lot of lectures and I learned so much. If he was fixing something in the house, he’d make me watch and do it. And I didn’t know at the time why he was doing that. But now at the house, I’m able to do at least half of the stuff that he did. I learned the most by just watching him.”
Mark added that Saul Consuelos came to the U.S. from Mexico in his early teens and served our county for decades, detailing, he “Ended up at Special Operations Command in Tampa. This young kid from Mexico just got his education from the navy. Was always going to school. Was brilliant. Got his Masters while I was a kid. He loved his country so much, If you’re going to put a face to an immigrant, he would be the prime example of what this country promises people.”
In a very heart-tugging moment, Consuelos shared that now its important they be there for his mother, Camilla. “We gotta take care of mom. We’re trying to convince my mom to move to New York. She’s such a character, she’s stubborn. What do you think, a cooking segment here on Fridays with Camilla?”
Now below, watch the very touching and emotional moments as Mark Consuelos and Kelly Ripa mourn the loss of Saul Consuelos.
Let us know, what you thought of the remarks made by Kelly and Mark on the death of Mark’s father via he comment section.
All My Children
Sarah Michelle Gellar Visits ‘The View’ Where Hosts Sidestep Controversial ‘Buffy’ Reboot Axing, But Talk ‘All My Children’
On yesterday’s March 17 episode of The View, All My Children alum, Sarah Michelle Gellar (ex-Kendall Hart), was the special guest. Since Monday, Gellar has been the subject of a hot-button issue since about the surprising turn of events that the highly-anticipated Buffy the Vampire Slayer reboot, in which she stars, and which was directed in the pilot by Oscar-winning director, Chloé Zhao, was no longer moving forward.
Gellar‘s appearance on the ABC morning talk show was devoid of any mention of Hulu cancelling its planned Buffy: New Sunnydale, in which Sarah was set to appear along with Ryan Kiera Armstrong. However, Gellar did discuss her new movie Ready or Not 2: Here I Come from Searchlight Pictures.
It should be noted that both Hulu and Searchlight Pictures are owned by The Walt Disney Company, while The View is produced by ABC News, which is also owned by The Walt Disney Company.
Courtesy/ABC
During the awkward interview, when it became clear the ‘Buffy’ reboot topic was off the table, The View co-host Sunny Hostin, talked about the “intense fight scenes” that have become a staple of her TV and film career starting with Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Scream 2, and I Know What You Did Last Summer.
The ladies of The View also brought up Sarah’s beginnings on All My Children as Kendall Hart (1993-1995), showing a scene with her and her on-screen mother, the iconic Erica Kane, played by Susan Lucci. The discussion sprung out of another All My Children alum, Michael B. Jordan (ex-Reggie Montgomery) winning the Oscar this past Sunday for Best Actor for his role in Sinners. The View’s Joy Behar was quick to point out with Gellar, the All My Children alums that have gone on to great fame.
Photo: ABC
Previously on Monday, Gellar opened up to PEOPLE about being blindsided before while at the SXSW Film & TV Festival premiere for Ready or Not 2: Here I Come. “I got the call as we were stepping onto stage for the premiere of their own movie. And it’s also the weekend of Chloé going to the Oscars as a best director nominee for Hamnet. For them to call us on the Friday of what should have been Chloé’s victory lap for an incredible film, and my world premiere of something that I worked very hard for is… that says something.”
She went to say, “We had an executive on our show who was not only not a fan of the original, but was proud to constantly remind us that he had never seen the entirety of the series and how it wasn’t for him.” Deadline reports that “multiple sources” identified the executive as Disney Television Group President Craig Erwich.
“I loved the duality that we had with this new, younger slayer who was where Buffy was when the show started, and then we would pick up with where Buffy was now,” Gellar told People about the setup. However, according also to Deadline “After the pilot was completed and delivered, according to multiple sources, Hulu’s main note was that it played too young, with some indicating that the streamer also felt the show was too “small.”’
In the rewrite, sources also told the outlet that the writers did not take big enough swings, so they set out to do a rewrite it again. The last revision was more adult, featuring a lot more of Gellar’s Buffy, and was described as a more of a streaming show than a network one. When all is said and done there is hope that another Buffy IP will be up and running within the next couple of years.
You can check out Sarah Michelle Gellar’s full segment on The View below. Now let us know, bummed there is no Buffy reboot? What do you think about how this high profile Hollywood saga was side-stepped on the morning show? Did you love Sarah as the original Kendall Hart on All My Children? Share your thoughts in the comment section.
‘Brilliant Minds’ Officially Canceled After 2 Seasons at NBC; DAYS Alum Al Calderon, OLTL Alum Teddy Sears and Zachary Quinto Among the Cast
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Has Dylan’s Mystery Caller/Stalker Been Revealed to Be an Alive Luna Nozawa?
THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS: Nick Confesses His Drug Problem to Victor; Joshua Morrow, Mark Grossman, Eric Braeden Bring the Newman Bond
‘General Hospital’s’ Jonathan Bennett Receives 3 ‘Critics Choice Real TV Awards’ Nominations for Hallmark Series, ‘Finding Mr. Christmas’
DAYS OF OUR LIVES: Sophia Seemingly Plans to End Her Life, But Not Before Setting Fire to Johnny’s Apartment With Him Trapped Inside
DAYS Stephen Nichols Remembers Drake Hogestyn as the ‘Most Vital, Enthusiastic, Committed Man I Ever Knew’ Ahead of the PanCan PurpleStride Walk
DAYS Stephen Nichols and Co-Stars Walk in Honor of Drake Hogestyn at PanCan PurpleStride LA, ‘I Felt Him With Us’
Brandon Barash Granted Restraining Order Against ‘General Hospital’s’ Kirsten Storms
‘Days of Our Lives’ Rob Scott Wilson Talks ‘Turning Heel’ as Necktie Killer, Ben Weston
Paige Herschell Marks One-Year as ‘General Hospital’s’ Jacinda Bracken
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Has Dylan’s Mystery Caller/Stalker Been Revealed to Be an Alive Luna Nozawa?
THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS: Nick Confesses His Drug Problem to Victor; Joshua Morrow, Mark Grossman, Eric Braeden Bring the Newman Bond
WWE Hall of Famer Trish Stratus Talks Humble Beginnings, Test and Albert, WrestleMania 22 with Mickie James, Current Women’s Roster (Exclusive)
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Michael Reveals His Plan to Set Up Chase and Willow to Have an Affair
Judith Light Talks Her Role in ‘The Terror: The Devil In Silver’ Dropping on AMC+ with Co-Star ‘Downton Abbey’ Alum, Dan Stevens
-
Days Of Our Lives1 week agoDAYS Stephen Nichols Remembers Drake Hogestyn as the ‘Most Vital, Enthusiastic, Committed Man I Ever Knew’ Ahead of the PanCan PurpleStride Walk
-
Days Of Our Lives5 days agoDAYS Stephen Nichols and Co-Stars Walk in Honor of Drake Hogestyn at PanCan PurpleStride LA, ‘I Felt Him With Us’
-
General Hospital4 days agoBrandon Barash Granted Restraining Order Against ‘General Hospital’s’ Kirsten Storms
-
Days Of Our Lives4 days ago‘Days of Our Lives’ Rob Scott Wilson Talks ‘Turning Heel’ as Necktie Killer, Ben Weston
-
General Hospital1 week agoPaige Herschell Marks One-Year as ‘General Hospital’s’ Jacinda Bracken
-
General Hospital6 days agoGH’s Giovanni Mazza Performs Violin Version of Michael Jackson’s ‘Smooth Criminal’ at LA Lakers Playoff Game; Co-Stars Heap High Praise
-
General Hospital1 week agoSteve Burton’s Wife, Michelle Lundstrom, Raises Alarm on AI Scammers and Hoaxes, Pretending to be the ‘General Hospital’ Star
-
Days Of Our Lives3 days ago‘Days of Our Lives’ Conner Floyd on Chad’s Quest For Abigail’s Resurrection; But Who Should Be Cast as NuAbby?