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As The World Turns

The Forbes March Interview – As The World Turns

July 9, 2009

forbesMain.jpg

Next week is the debut of Forbes March in the new role of Mason Jarvis on As the World Turns. Soap fans have eagerly awaited his arrival back on daytime, since his demise as Nash Brennan on One Life to Live. Many were upset that this fan favorite has been off daytime screens for sometime, when “OLTL” chose to kill him off. Now, with a new role and a fictional town (Oakdale) to play in, Forbes, one of daytime’s all-time leading men, is back…but this time he is playing gay. Mason is introduced to us as a film advisor who will be involved in story with Luke and Noah. Is Mason the ultimate spoiler in the Luke and Noah romance? How will he shake things up?

On-Air On-Soaps chatted with the witty, funny, and charming heartthrob. Forbes gives us his take on stepping into Mason’s skin. However, and of note, this is not the first time Forbes has played a gay role. In (We Love Soaps) Roger Newcomb’s recently released new film, Manhanttanites; Forbes plays a guy who steals the fiancé of his former One Life co-star, Ilene Kristen. You can see that performance currently on DVD.

So, without further adieu, here is Forbes on how he plans to take ‘World Turns’ in a bit of a…different orbit!

Listen to the audio:

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MICHAEL:

Forbes, next week you are debuting on As the World Turns and you are playing a gay character, which means there are more than two gay characters in Oakdale!

FORBES:

Apparently so. There are three points to a triangle, isn’t there? Oh-oh!

MICHAEL:

When you auditioned for this role, did you know at the time you would
be playing a gay character?

manhattanites.jpgFORBES:

I had an inkling. I had heard the role would be available, and called my agent to look into it. I got the ‘sides’ for the audition, and saw I was going to be talking to two guys. I thought, “That was odd,” because usually in a soap audition if you are reading for a male character it is usually opposite the young lady you are having a story with. I ‘googled’ it before hand, and went, “Oh, Luke and Noah, the new Luke and Laura.” So, I had an inkling. I went into the meeting. I had read for Chris Goutman (exec producer “ATWT”) before. I find him to be a real charming guy. I did my audition and he went, “Ok, I kind of like that.” Then he says, “There are a couple things you need to know about the role.” I said, “You are going to tell me the guy is gay, right?” and he goes, “YEAH.” He was waiting for my reaction, right? And I went, “That’s great.” That was about it. He said, “All right, we will call your agent.” And that is how I got the role.

MICHAEL:

So, when you found out you got the role, what was your initial reaction?

FORBES:

Oh, I was very excited.

MICHAEL:

So, it wasn’t, “Oh God. Now I have to play gay?”

FORBES:

I knew there was going to be some kind of reaction to the whole gay thing. But, I really did not anticipate that people would be this excited by it.

MICHAEL:

We are in a different day and time, and we have seen how popular recent gay storylines have been in soap operas. Like what Luke and Noah have done for “ATWT” and what Otalia has done for “GL”. So it’s great to see that they are integrating another gay character into the canvas. That is one reason I think so many people are excited about it, plus having you playing the part!

forbesWife.jpgFORBES:

Now that I am in the role, I understand it. Maybe because I have always been surrounded by very diverse people in my life, it did not cross my mind that much. I grew up in a diverse neighborhood, and it was a neighborhood that was not quite gentrified yet. To the left of me, I had a biker clubhouse. My dad was an academic. The next house was a cathouse, and the next house was a gay couple that had been together for 20 years, and I never saw them in any way being different. I never thought it was a big deal or had a major discussion about it; that it was a man and a man who lived together. They are like husband and wife, but man and man, and that was the end of it… and that was when I was three or four years old. So I never had any contact with homophobia, really. I had been in the arts my whole life and that is a very open culture. I am a little surprised about how much attention it’s getting because this is a gay role. But, you know what’s been really weird? The number of people who have been concerned for my wife, which is so bizarre! They keep saying, “What does your wife think”? Like this should be a real point of concern for her. I mean, she is this bodacious blond! If anybody can attest to my straight-hood, it is my wife. Do people think I am going to turn gay? I don’t think it works that way! (He laughs)

MICHAEL:

Mason has a boyfriend named George, who is bored and needy in Oakdale, and there is tension between the two of you. True?

FORBES:

Yes, I do have a relationship, but he promptly gets annoyed and stands up and stomps out. And that’s the end of George. That is the first and last we see of him. That’s how we find out that Mason is gay.

MICHAEL

So he walks out right away? Well, that’s pretty funny! So, that frees Mason up pretty early on!

FORBES:

It’s actually really funny and was a lot of fun to shoot.

MICHAEL:

How is working with your on-screen cast mates, Van Hansis (Luke) and Jake Silbermann (Noah)?

lukeNoah.jpgFORBES:

They are fantastic! They have been in this storyline a lot longer than I have, but their comfort and their confidence is a lot of fun to be a part of. They are very talented guys, and good actors.

MICHAEL:

And Mason is Noah’s film advisor.

FORBES:

Noah is a film student, and Mason is introduced as his advisor.

MICHAEL:

So, they will obviously be working together. Do you think down the road there will be a Noah and Mason possible pairing/romance?

FORBES:

I don’t know how to answer that. I answered once sarcastically in an interview by saying, “That’s a ridiculous suggestion. J ust because there is another gay character does not mean they are going to be bed-hopping. What is it, 1950? We just assume all gays sleep together?”

MICHAEL:

But. we are dealing with a small gay group on the canvas!

FORBES:

However, there are three points to a triangle. I assume there will be a triangle, because otherwise I am going to be looking for another job in six months.

bree.jpgMICHAEL:

You left such an indelible impression as Nash on One Life to Live. Your exit facilitated heartbreaking story for your former co-star, Bree Williamson (Jessica). Have you ever tuned in to see how it played out after you left?

FORBES:

I have watched only very briefly, and I caught an episode a few weeks ago. I have no doubt Bree is doing very well.

MICHAEL:

Well, the funny thing is; they cast Nash’s dad for some pivotal episodes, and he had similar long hair to you… and resembled you!

FORBES:

Dude, are you kidding me? A friend of mine saw it and said the guy has some of Nash’s mannerisms. I don’t know because I have not seen it. But that’s funny, but good for them.

MICHAEL:

What do we know about Mason? We know he is gay, but what is his emotional make-up? Good guy? Bad guy?

FORBES:

forbesJacket.jpgI am always hesitant to answer that because those decisions are usually dictated by plot. I come up with my own version of the character, but it’s one of the challenges in working in daytime. You have to be very open to changing your character when the plot dictates that you were wrong. I imagine Mason to be very worldly. He has been around. He knows things. He has a high level of confidence. I imagine him as not a soap opera villain, but I am not playing him as a soap opera good guy, although they are pushing me that way. I would like to play him as kind of a pragmatist, and none of the BS, and the fact that he is gay does not define him. He is confident enough in himself without having any arrogance. He is squared and truly not afraid of who he is. This is who he is. Mason does not over compensate because of it. He is not embarrassed about it, and he is like, “So, let’s get on with it.”

MICHAEL:

Obviously, with Proposition 8 and the importance of gay rights in our country at this point in time and the struggle with equality, it makes this another role that people will be closely looking at. Any pressure that you feel comes along with this role?

FORBES:

The whole gay thing was not a big deal to me. I thought it would be a chance to play something interesting. A lot of my friends are gay. I did call them and asked, “How would you like to see a gay person portrayed on TV?” I know it sort of sounds like a kind of a funny question. The consensus was, “Please! Don’t do the campy effected thing.” I have some close friends who are gay and I owe them one. They wanted me to portray a gay person as a human being, as a person.

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Pride Month Celebrating LGBTQ+ Soap Supercouples: Nuke, Kish, Otalia & WilSon … Which Stands the Test of Time?

June 2, 2023

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.

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As The World Turns

As the World Turns Castmates Mourn the Loss of Elizabeth Hubbard

April 10, 2023

UPDATED: Monday, the soap world was saddened by the loss of one of the most respected actress ever in the genre, when the news broke of the death of Daytime Emmy-winner, Elizabeth Hubbard.

This powerhouse performer who was best known for her work as Dr. Althea Davis on The Doctors, and as Lucinda Walsh on As the World Turns, died this past Saturday at her home in Connecticut from cancer.

Throughout this afternoon, several of Hubbard’s former As the World Turns castmates took to social media to share their reactions on the passing of this beloved daytime icon.  In addition, Retro TV, which has been airing vintage episodes of The Doctors, also paid tribute to Hubbard.

Photo: CBS

Martha Byrne (ex-Lily, ATWT) shared on her Instagram: As many of you are finding out this morning, Elizabeth Hubbard passed away. First and foremost I want everyone to know I made sure she was aware of how much everyone loved her. I would share your comments from social media, videos and your fond memories of her as Lucinda, Althea, every time I saw her. She loved the audience and fought like HELL to bring truth and honesty to her performances. On a personal level there aren’t words to describe how much she meant to me. Only feelings, which override words in so many cases when it comes to love. I will be sharing more so we can all grieve together but here are our last words together only just a few days ago. I said, “Liz, do you know how much you have done for me?” She said, “You can do more.” Because of what she has done for me over the last 38 years, the strength and fearless nature in how she lived her life, she is right, I can AND WILL do more. I look forward to sharing more about her life, which encompasses so much more than her INCREDIBLE career on daytime television. She also said to me when I told her how much the fans loved her…”I tried.” She more than tried. She left it all on the screen. I’ll miss her every day but grateful the universe gifted me with such a force of nature, of which the world will not see the likes of again. ❤️”

Michael Park (ex-Jack) shared via Twitter: “If Liz was involved in a scene I was lucky enough to be in, I could always count on learning a little something and laughing a whole lot. She was a ferocious talent in love with her craft. One of the greats that will certainly be missed.”

Photo: NBC

Mary Beth Evans (ex-Sierra, ATWT and now Kayla, DAYS) expressed: “I was so lucky to have had the opportunity to work with Elizabeth Hubbard for six years on As the World Turns, where she played my mother. What an amazing powerhouse this woman was … always striving for spontaneity and keeping it real. My favorite times with her were riding in the car from Manhattan to Brooklyn — the stories she would tell were so much fun. Rest in peace, sweet lady. #RIPLIZ #ATWT

Photo: CBS

Peter Boynton (ex-Tonio, ATWT) added: “Rest in peace, Boss! Working with/for you at ‘Walsh Enterprises’ was a highlight of my NYC years! Your encouragement and respect meant the world to me. I’m raising a glass to you and feel so lucky to have worked with you in that great ‘ATWT’ community. On angels wings. – Peter ‘Tonio Reyes’ Boynton.”

Scott Bryce (ex-Craig, ATWT) said, “She was astonishing. Liz RIP. Love you woman.”

Retro TV expressed: “We are saddened to hear of soap-opera legend Elizabeth Hubbard’s passing at age 89. A force to be reckoned with, Hubbard stole our hearts with her portrayal of Althea Davis on The Doctors. Please share your favorite memories with us as we remember the beloved Elizabeth Hubbard.”

In addition, Alec Baldwin who played Billy Aldrich on The Doctors wrote: “I worked on The Doctors with the great Liz Hubbard. An amazing woman and remarkable actress.”

Michael Fairman TV will continue to update this post as reactions continue from Liz’s colleagues.

What do you think about the remembrances shared thus far from Martha Byrne, Michael Park, Mary Beth Evans and Peter Boynton on working with the great Elizabeth Hubbard? Share your thoughts in the comment section.

 

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As The World Turns

Daytime Icon Elizabeth Hubbard Passes Away at 89

April 10, 2023

One of daytime drama’s most beloved and revered actresses, Elizabeth Hubbard, has passed away. The legendary Daytime Emmy-winning star was best known for her performances as Dr. Althea Davis on The Doctors and Lucinda Walsh on As the World Turns.

Elizabeth’s son, Jeremy Bennett, broke the heartbreaking news via his Facebook page, sharing, “I’m sorry to say with a broken heart mi mum passed over the weekend. Thank you for being an unmovable rock that guided me through life. I will try to honour your memory for as long as I live.”

Photo: NBC

Hubbard received 11 Daytime Emmy nominations throughout her career on the soaps. Of her 11 Daytime Emmy nods, Hubbard earned eight for her towering work as Lucinda Walsh on CBS’ As the World Turns, a role she played from 1984 till the the beloved soap went off the air in September of 2010.

However, Liz was the very first actress to win the Outstanding Lead Actress award in 1974 for her star-turn as Dr. Althea Davis on NBC’s The Doctors.  She followed that two years later winning a Daytime Emmy for the TV movie, First Ladies Dairies: Edith Wilson.

Liz was born to be an actress and graduated from the distinguished Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London, England,  She got her soap start with roles on Guiding Light, then Edge of Night, and eventually joined The Doctors as Althea.  She played the role from 1964-1969, then again from 1970-1978 and one last time from 1981-1982.  After The Doctors was cancelled, she went over to One Life to Live for a short run in the role of Estelle Chadwick.

Photo: JPI

Later, everything changed in Oakdale when As the World Turns wisely cast Hubbard as Lucinda Walsh, a defining role in her career.  Lucinda was a tough-as-nails corporate business woman with a past, who guarded her heart, and carried on tumultuous relationships with her children and the men in her life.

Photo: JPI

Elizabeth’s final appearance on-screen was in the web series Anacostia in 2015 that reunited Hubbard with her ATWT on-screen adopted daughter, Lily, played by her dear friend, Martha Byrne.

We will continue to provide updates and reactions in the soap community on the death of Elizabeth Hubbard in the days ahead.

Share your condolences and remembrances for the great Elizabeth Hubbard vis the comment section.  But first, we share the last times we had the opportunity to connect with Liz.  One, on the red carpet at the Daytime Emmys along with Martha Bryne in 2018, and her participation as one of our ‘Doctors’ alums during our pandemic game show, ‘Soap-Opera-Know-It-All’, where she was gracious enough to be a part of the episode.

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