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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.
Breaking News
Amanda Setton Cast As GH’s New Brook Lynn Ashton
Former One Life to Live alum, Amanda Setton (Ex-Kimberly) is about to make her debut on General Hospital in the role of Ned (Wally Kurth)and Lois’ (formerly B&B’s Rena Sofer) daughter, Brook Lynn Ashton!
The news of the recast came via TV Line, and Setton is set to make her on-screen debut next Monday on the November 18th episode of the ABC soap.
In story, it looks like Ned and his current wife, Olivia (Lisa LoCicero) welcome Brook Lynn back to Port Charles. The role haas previously been played by Brooke Radding and Adrianne Leon.
In addition to her work as the former Mrs. Clint Buchanan in Llanview, (Kimberly started as a Las Vegas stripper who came to Llanview to help her best friend, Stacy Moraso played by Crystal Hunt) Setton has had numerous primetime roles including: Hawaii Five-0, The Crazy Ones, The Mindy Project, and Gossip Girl.
News of the return of Brook Lynn to GH comes on the heels of the return of Nikolas Cassadine now played by actor, Marcus Coloma.
What do you think of the return of Brook Lynn means for the characters of Port Charles? Who might be her romantic interest? Share your thoughts via the comment section below
General Hospital
General Hospital Receives Honor From Ruderman Family Foundation
General Hospital was one of five television shows that has been named and honored by the Ruderman Family Foundation for their accurate depictions of people with disabilities.
According to the Hollywood Reporter, the soap received the recognition for the casting of Maysoon Zayid who portrayed Shilohs’s (Coby Ryan McLaughlin) lawyer, Zahra Amir.
Zayid is an actress and disabilities advocate living with cerebral palsy. In addition, Maysoon is also one of America’s first Muslim women comedians. Zayid said landing on GH was a “lifelong dream,” after finding it difficult to land roles due to her disability.
Along with GH, the foundation’s seal of authentic representation went to: Netflix’s Tales of the City and Raising Dion, and BBC/HBO’s Years and Years and Audience’s Loudermilk, great company for the ABC daytime drama series to be included with.
Jay Ruderman, president of the Ruderman Family Foundation expressed in a statement. “By giving credit where credit is due in Hollywood, we hope to inspire a broader, longer-term, industry-wide sea change when it comes to authentically casting actors of all abilities.”
In addition, Frank Valentini, executive producer of General Hospital stated: “Our goal has always been to provide stories that are authentic and relatable for our viewers. Having the opportunity to welcome Maysoon Zayid onto the show was exciting for us. She is an incredible talent and was a perfect fit to guest-star as Zahra Amir. It takes all kinds of people to tell a story; especially those that are rich and entertaining enough to resonate with our audience.”
Share your congrats to GH and actress Maysoon Zayid on this honor via the comment section below.
Breaking News
Networks To Preempt Daytime Programming For Donald Trump Impeachment Hearing Coverage
Just as your favorite soaps are kicking into high gear for November sweeps next week, comes the news that due to the House public impeachment hearings on President Donald Trump, daytime programming will endure several pre-mptions starting with the first two on Wednesday November 13th and Friday, November 15th.
CBS was the first network to announce their plans for their extensive coverage, and according to the Washington Post all other networks have followed suit. By this move by the networks it gives the hearing some extra weight and exposure to the American voters and viewing audience.
So far, leading network coverage for CBS will be reportedly anchored by Norah O’Donnell and for ABC George Stephanopoulos.
On Wednesday, the hearings begin at 10am EST, the second is scheduled for Friday beginning at 11am EST.
William Taylor, the U.S. diplomat in the Ukraine, is scheduled to testify Wednesday and on Friday Marie Yovanovitch, the former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine, is scheduled to testify.
The networks are expecting big numbers for covering the hearings, as they have in the past for impeachment proceedings and hearings.
No word yet how the soaps plan for you to see the episodes that don’t air at their regularly scheduled times, or if it shifts your soap viewing schedule by several days.
Nevertheless not great timing when the soaps are revving up their stories to make you tune-in for not-to-be missed episodes.
So, what are your thoughts on what the Impeachment hearings could mean for daytime dramas in in the weeks ahead? Comment below.
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Networks To Preempt Daytime Programming For Donald Trump Impeachment Hearing Coverage
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Y&R and GH Alum, William Wintersole Dies At 88
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Days Of Our LivesNovember 10, 2019Days of our Lives Blockbuster Flash-Forward Promo: Where Are Your Favorites One-Year Later?
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NewsNovember 4, 2019Denise Richards Signs On For More B&B; Katrina Bowden Takes Break To Film Movie
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Breaking NewsNovember 10, 2019Networks To Preempt Daytime Programming For Donald Trump Impeachment Hearing Coverage
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Breaking NewsNovember 6, 2019Y&R and GH Alum, William Wintersole Dies At 88
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General HospitalNovember 2, 2019GENERAL HOSPITAL: Ava Checks Into Shadybrook, While Laura Is Unconvinced That Nikolas Is Alive
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Breaking NewsNovember 5, 2019Y&R Casts Their New Chance Chancellor
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General HospitalNovember 3, 2019‘To the Moon and Back’ Starring Dominic Zamprogna Has Premiere Screening (Photos)
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General HospitalNovember 9, 2019GENERAL HOSPITAL: Lucas Needs Fatherly Advice From Tony As Ryan Carnes and Brad Maule Deliver Tender Scenes