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Ryan Phillippe On His Groundbreaking Role As OLTL’s Billy Douglas 25 Years Later: "I’m Proud That That’s Something I Can Say Was A Part Of My Career."
Photo Credit: HutchinsPhoto.com
One of the most memorable social issue storylines in the history of One Life to Live and daytime television occurred in 1992-1993 when the show brought in the teen-aged character of Billy Douglas, who turned out to be gay. The actor who portrayed Billy was none other than motion picture star Ryan Phillippe in his then first professional acting role.
The tapestry of the gay storyline on OLTL also featured Billy’s relationship with a priest which was put into question, and that dove-tailed into the AIDS quilt appearing on the series, when it became part of a heart-wrenching storyline.
Promoting his new film, “Wish Upon”, Ryan chatted with TooFab, where he discussed his role in Llanview some 25 years ago: “I remember the fan mail that we would get, my mother and I would get, from gay teenagers or from parents of gay teenagers who found a way in to relate to or talk to their child through the show.”
Ryan spoke to the power of the TV medium and how can impact people’s lives: “It can make people think differently or see a different side of something and I do remember and appreciating that — even back then when I was only a teenager myself.”
The talented star admits that at the time he did not have a full understanding of what playing Billy Douglas meant at the time, but he does so now: “In terms of like the larger view, I didn’t have a full understanding of how important it could have been. But I’m proud to have done it, I’m proud that that’s something I can say was a part of my career.”
Watch Ryan talk OLTL and the Billy Douglas storyline after the jump. Then let us know if it was one of the best social issues stories ever told on soaps in the comment section below!
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I have very fond memories of the Billy Douglas story. The story was told very sensitively and courageously. Ryan and the entire cast did a terrific job. As always, our beloved One Life to Live informed and generated thought while keeping us entertained. I miss One Life to Live every day.
OH, I miss OLTL too, especially when the series delved into social issue stories. Agnes Nixon created such wonderful programs that served as platforms for entertainment and discussion. They say this is a golden age of television but it seems daytime drama is being left out. Only four soaps left on the air. Shouldn’t the genre be enjoying a revival with all this opportunity for original programming on broadcast, cavle, and streaming services?
So happy that this snippet of the interview has been posted here!
My admiration for Ryan Phillippe has been further cemented… The gay teen storyline was a major groundbreaking, influential effort; it was an incredible experience. Over the years, OLTL broke ground on occasion and, needless to say, had some terrific storylines and characters. This was one of the show’s finest hours. I am so thrilled I was exposed to, and affected by, it…
As a gay man in his 20s at the time, I was proud that OLTL had the storyline.
I seem to recall the original idea was for Joey Bucanhan to be gay. The writers got Agnes’ blessing, but the network wasn’t ready for a legacy character to be gay. The compromise was the introduction of Billy.
Other than the dull theme song, the Linda Gottleib years on OLTL were darn good.
You are so right. That theme song was a tremendous let down after the wonderful Tour of Llanview.
“Here’s what to do when you don’t find the rainbow’s end, this time……”
The Linda Gottlieb/Michael Malone/Josh Griffith years of OLTL (1991-1995?) were truly some of THE best years of soap storytelling. I was just remarking on Daytime Confidential site how engrossing, engaging, and energizing was the writing during that era, from the Billy Douglas coming out to priest Andrew Carpenter story to Viki’s growing attraction to Andrew’s father General Carpenter and the break-up of her marriage to Clint (who became a bigot at the time in response to Billy) to the introduction of Marty Saybrooke and her eventual gangrape at the hands of Todd Manning, who only later was revealed to be Viki’s half-brother and child of Victor to the ensuing trial with Nora Gannon, who was terrorized by Todd later. Wow! Even up to 1995, when Viki split again, this time into Niki, Jean, and Tommy, all of whom terrorized Dorian down in that basement of the Lord mansion! Such entertaining years, rather like that golden age of storytelling on AMC in the late 80s with the Palmer/Natalie/Ross/Ellen/Mark/Elizabeth/Julie/Nico saga that was storyline gold for about a year and a half. … I too found the OLTL opening during that time to LOOK generic, but never SOUNDED generic! The music that Gottlieb and her music directors used during those years was elegant and riveting and beautiful and really enhanced the drama unfolding onscreen (i.e., the beautiful Pavane for a Princess that played during Megan’s hospital death scenes — how appropriate! That chilling music that would spill out when Alex Olenov would slink down her penthouse steps or appear sinisterly in any scene; the Debussy piano pieces that played in the background as Max and Blair fell in love, Blair first played by an Asian actress before Kassie DePaiva; the theme music for Todd Manning when he was evil) — I still remember it all! Why can’t soaps write and produce like that anymore? I know they don’t have the budgets they used to, but has creativity and engaging storytelling been hijacked as well? #missingmyoldoltl!
Not really a fan of the storyline but then I wasn’t a fan of either of Michael Malone’s stints as headwriter.
I preferred the coming out stories of AMC’s Bianca, DOOL’s Will, ATWT’s Luke, and OLTL’s Oliver.
The best social issue storylines in my opinion are: GL’s Roger/Holly marital rape trial; GH’s Stone dies from AIDS; ATWT’s Margo pulls the plug on Casey; GH’s Monica’s breast cancer; AMC’s Cindy contracts AIDS; OLTL’s Shane is bullied; AMC’s Mark’s drug intervention; AMC’s Michael Delaney reveals he is gay to his students and nearly loses his job; GL’s Holly learns her baby has Down Syndrome; AMC’s Donna is a teenage hooker; Y&R’s Phillip’s teenage alcoholism; AMC’s Daisy deals with the death of Bonkers; KNOTS LANDINGS’ Olivia’s drug addiction.
Alan, all of those storylines you mentioned were executed with heart and soul. They were told with such love and sensitivity. They were not rushed, and they were topics that so many of us could relate to, even if they did not hit our homes, per say. They were real, adult topics that we could relate to because perhaps our friends, family, neighbors, dealt with these issues, and because they were the focus on news programs and in society. I miss the days when daytime television focused on real, human element storylines. Both AMC and GH did an astounding portrayal of the AIDS epidemic. I remember crying and crying during those scenes with both Cindy and Stone. WOW.
Alan and dmr, oh how I so agree with both of you and I so miss those days…That is what great soaps/daytime & night time drama’s are all about.
What a great memory you have Al! I do remember many of those stories and yes they were groudbreaking!
Nice! Ryan Phillippe went on to have a great career and it is great that he remembers his start. He is sooooo good looking! OLTL had many new young actors as well as provocative and educational storylines. GH is no where near as good, although they have double the cast. If I remember correctly, when Billy Douglas came out his father was terrible to him (RP did an amazing job in this role too). Marty Saybrooke then started a rumor about Andrew, the priest, because she had a crush on him, and that almost got Andrew thrown in jail. Queer as Folk kinda copied the BD storyline, although it was different and also very well done. I hope ABC brings back OLTL now that it has been proven by PP that the show could be streamlined without losing substance or interest.
News
ICYMI WATCH: OWN’s ‘Ambitions’ All-Access Special & Get Ready For Its Soapy Debut Next Week
It’s time you start familiarizing yourselves with the new families of soapdom from the mind of its creator and executive producer, Jamey Giddens (former Daytime Confidential editorial director and co-owner). In Ambitions, it’s the Lancasters. Carlisles and the Banks, who head up the series familial backstabbing power and sex hungry drama.
Giddens new series with producer Will Packer is set to debut next week on Tuesday night, June 18th (10PMET/9PMCST) on OWN.
Robyn Givens heads the cast as Stephanie Lancaster Look for former daytime favorites, Matt Cedeno (Ex-Brandon, DAYS) and Rick Hearst (Ex-Ric, GH) to show up on the series as well during its run.
Earlier this week, OWN featured an all-access special so viewers can get a preview of the story and learn more about the characters they are about to take a ride with during the first season. You can watch it in its entirety below.
In addition, the series released a segment on Giddens, illustrating that, as we all already knew, this guy knows his soaps and understands the genre!
Check both videos out below, and let us know if you will be checking out Ambitions when it bows on Tuesday night via the comment section below.
Guiding Light R.I.P.
Guiding Light & ATWT Alum, Tom Pelphrey Is New Series Regular In Upcoming Season of Netflix’s ‘Ozark’
Well, soap fans knew when they saw the character of Jonathan Randall debut in Springfield on Guiding Light that the young man who portrayed him was going to go far in his career, and that has been what’s been happening since he left daytime for Tom Pelphrey.
Pelphrey, who won two Daytime Emmys for his role on GL and later did a run as Mick on As the World Turns, has gone on to star as Ward Meachum on both seasons of Marvel’s Iron Fist on Netflix, appeared on Cinemax’s Banshee and more recently did a guest spot on NBC;’s drama Blindspot to name just a few of his projects.
Now comes word via Deadline that Pelphrey is joining the third season of Netflix’s drama Ozark as a series regular. The series stars Laura Linney and Jason Bateman and details the life of a family as the navigate within a dangerous drug cartel.
Pelphrey has been cast Linney’s younger brother named Ben Davis, and in story, he arrives for an unannounced and inopportune visit. He quickly reminds Wendy (Linney) who she used to be and who she is running from.
Upon the announcement of his casting, Tom took to his Twitter account and said, “Dream job!”
So, will you be checking out Ozark to see Tom in his new role? Did you love him as Jonathan (Reva’s son) on Guiding Light? Comment below. But first watch Tom’s winning moments and acceptance speeches at the 2006 and 2008 Daytime Emmys.
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Matthew Ashford Talks Jack’s Political Decisions & Amnesia On All-New Episode Of ‘Inside Salem: Days of our Lives Podcast’
The latest installment of of NBC’s Inside Salem: Days of our Lives Podcast is out now featuring conversations and segments with three of the popular stars of the long-running daytime drama series.
First, host Michael Fairman chants with Matthew Ashford for a return visit and six-month check-in since he first returned to DAYS as the beloved Jack Deveraux but with a twist! Yup, Dr. Rolf got a hold of the guy, and he has amnesia.
Now after this return, he is won the mayoral race in Salem, placed Eve Donovan (Kassie DePaiva) as the police commissioner, and is trying to get Haley (Thia Megia) deported out of the country in the immigration storyline, even though his son, JJ (Casey Moss) is in love with the young woman. In the meantime, Jack is upsetting his family and loved ones with his latest personality change, while Jennifer (Melissa Reeves) hopes somehow she get still get through to her one true love, so he remember his past. On the podcast, Matt dives into all of it.
Later in a dressing room, segment, Camila Banus (Gabi) and Freddie Smith (Sonny) chat about working on the show, with each other, and some other fun tidbits as they catch up. And as viewers know, Gabi and Sonny, as well as Will (Chandler Massey) all have a unique and special relationship with one another.
To listen to the podcast go to iTunes to download or you can head over to NBC.com/InsideSalem and listen there as well.
Now, let us know in the comment section below; how you are liking the current machinations of Jack, and if you prefer him with Eve, or are you still hoping for a reunion with Jennifer?
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General HospitalJune 11, 2019Veronica Cartwright To Appear In Secret Role On General Hospital
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The Bold and the BeautifulJune 13, 2019Y&R and B&B Official Fan Events On The Way
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Days Of Our LivesJune 12, 2019Matthew Ashford Talks Jack’s Political Decisions & Amnesia On All-New Episode Of ‘Inside Salem: Days of our Lives Podcast’
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Days Of Our LivesJune 15, 2019Next Week On DAYS: Caroline’s Loved Ones Gather to Mourn Her Passing
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