As The World Turns
Van Hansis & Kit Williamson Chat On The Premise of EastSiders! – Watch The Premiere!
Courtesy/EastSidersTV
Today series creator, Kit Williamson released the first installment of his new web series EastSiders, which tells the story of a four-year relationship between Williamson’s Cal and As the World Turns favorite Van Hansis as Thom, where, from the very first frame, we learn something has gone amiss.
You see, Thom had cheated on Cal, and as the first webisode plays out, the story gets more emotionally riveting as we are introduced to the man that Thom cheated with, and the fallout that is the driving force of this raw and realistic look at the not-so-pleasant side of gay love. But whether you are gay or straight, the themes in this story are universal, and the performances by Hansis (one of the finest actors out there) and Williamson (who will break your heart in this) will leave you beyond impressed!
On-Air On-Soaps Michael Fairman caught up with Van Hansis and Kit Williamson for a new piece for Frontiers LA out today just in time for the series premiere, where the stars talk about what makes EastSiders stand apart from the rest of web series fare, and especially those involving a gay love story! Here are a few excerpts from the Frontiers LA piece below with the in-depth full interview coming next week right here at On-Air On-Soaps!
Van on if he had a bit of trepidation when he heard EastSiders was a gay web series, and how he felt tackling another serialized gay role two and half years after ATWT had ended. “When I got the script and was contacted about it, you hear ‘gay web series’ and you think, either it’s people ripping off their shirts and showing their six-packs, or crying about coming out. So when I was contacted, they said, “Would you be interested in this?” And I said I need to read the script because I do not want to do something that is a bunch of guys sitting around in a steam room. Good for you, if that is what you are interested in telling, but that is not what I am interested in telling. I am not interested in stuff that is easy. Luke on ATWT was crying about coming out seven years ago, that’s over. I got the script and it was so real and so multifaceted. Then I felt so guilty of having a preconceived notion of what a gay web series is, because that was me judging something I didn’t know anything about. ”
Kit on having Van Hansis associated with his project and cast in the key role of Thom: “From the second I knew Van was reading the script, it was one of those things where I did not want to permit myself to think that he would do it,” revealed Kit. “I did not have any idea that I would be able to attract an actor of Van’s quality and caliber to my project, that has very much been my passion project that I have been driving forward out of sheer force of will. The fact that we have him on board is beyond amazing to me. It really feels like a fairy tale experience for me with this being my first time directing, too.”
Van on his enthusiasm to be involved with EastSiders: “I said, ‘I have got to be on the show. I don’t care. I will be a Gaffer. I will hold the boom. I just loved it so much because it’s so rare that you find something that just speaks to you. Thom and Cal, and all the characters in EastSiders, are just so real. They are like my friends, me, my parents—anybody! I loved EastSiders because I think it’s universal. You watch something like the television series Girls, and I am not a girl, but I connect with the characters. You watch something like Mad Men—I don’t live in the ’60s, but you connect with the characters, and you can watch all these shows that have nothing to do with you and you connect with them. That is what I loved about EastSiders. I think, of course, the gay audience is going to connect with it, but I think everybody will connect with it because the characters are so well-written and alive.”
Van weighing on on what has gone wrong in the relationship between Thom and Cal! “I think Thom is very frustrated in his relationship. He loves Cal very much, but obviously something brings him to the point of cheating. I don’t think there is any relationship where one partner cheats on the other and you can call that a healthy relationship. The cheating is a symptom. Thom and Cal have been together for four years. The honeymoon is over. I think they love each other, but I don’t know if they know how to be in love with each other.”
Kit teasing what viewers should look for as the series throughline after watching the first installment: “You’re left with a dramatic question that will be explored throughout the series, which is: Will they, and can they, stay together through this? And, is their relationship strong enough to weather being changed in a fundamental way?”
Now beloe watch the premiere of EastSiders with Van and Kit, and let us know what you think!
“But whether you are gay or straight, the themes in this story are universal”
majority of hollywood writers and showrunners and executives never seem to apply this kind of thinking to racial minority storylines. hollywood treats white chars better bec hollywood expects the audience to accept any storyline that’s told from a white character’s perspective. this is a manifestation of white privilege and a form of discrimination against people of color. hollywood thinks that only white chars are “universal” and can appeal to an entire audience. yet hollywood writes racial minority characters for “niche” audiences that are not “universal” and appeal only to that specific ethnic group. if hollywood expects lgbt storylines to be acceptable for everyone then they should use that same mentality when they write for people of color.
eh, it was just ok. and I was a nuke fan so don’t jump all over me!
Thumbs up. Look forward to watching this!
Will probably watch again. I wasn’t overwhelmed but, willing to give it a chance.
As a Van fan I was expecting more but was a bit underwhelmed. It’s a good storyline to be explored given how relationships are these days, but not crazy about the cast…other than Van.
I don’t think that VH will ever have the on screen chemistry that he had with ESS as Luke and Reid on ATWT, with any other actor. LuRe was pure magic; too bad, that the LuRe romance was cut short by the feeble minds of CG and JP.
I got lost, but hoping it will pick up. Focus on Van, he will bring the drama!
There’s no chemistry, I don’t get it and I probably never will, but it’s “universal”, so what do I know.
As The World Turns
2024 Golden Globes: Justin Hartley and Amanda Seyfried Among First Round of Presenters
The 2024 awards season truly gets underway this Sunday night ,January 7th on CBS with the presentation of the 81st annual Golden Globe Awards honoring the best in motion picture and television as deemed by the voters of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA).
The ceremony will be broadcast live and will air beginning at 8 p.m. EST/5 p.m. PST, from the Beverly Hilton Hotel. The ceremony will also be available on the CBS app and will stream on Paramount+. (Note, however, only Paramount+ subscribers who have Showtime can stream the event live; others can watch the show the next day.)
The first round of presenters was revealed on Wednesday and two soap opera alums are on the list including Justin Hartley (ex-This Is Us, The Young and the Restless, Revenge, Passions) and Amanda Seyfried (ex-Lucy, As the World Turns and ex-Joni Stafford, All My Children).
Photo: HFPA
Joining Justin and Amanda as presenters are: Angela Bassett, Will Ferrell, Michelle Yeoh,George Lopez, Julia Garner, Justin Hartley, Gabriel Macht and Patrick J. Adams. Previously, Jo Koy was named host for the telecast.
The Golden Globes are back on CBS for the first time since 1982. In addition, Dick Clark Productions is back after years away as the longtime Globes producers.
To review the nominees click here.
So, looking forward to the Golden Globes and seeing Justin and Amanda? Comment below.
As The World Turns
Richard Roundtree, ‘Generations’, ‘ATWT” and ‘Shaft’ Star, Dead at 81
Motion picture and television leading man, Richard Roundtree, has passed away at the age of 81. The actor, best known for his role in the iconic film Shaft, and its sequels, died from complications from pancreatic cancer on October 24th in his home in Los Angeles.
In a statement, Roundtree’s manager, Patrick McMinn shared, “Richard’s work and career served as a turning point for African American leading men in film. The impact he had on the industry cannot be overstated.”
During his extensive credits and career, Roundtree made two stops to two daytime soap operas. In 1990 till 1991, Roundtree played Dr. Daniel Ruebens on the defunct NBC soap opera Generations. He later appeared on As the World Turns from 2002-2003, taking on the role of Oliver Travers, the father to T. Marshall Travers played by Lamman Rucker.
Photo: NBC
Roundtree’s leading lady on Generations, Jonelle Allen took to her Facebook upon learning the news of the death of her former castmate and friend, expressing: “My Leading Man on Generations. I Am Very Sad. My Condolences To Your Family. Dearest Richard Roundtree.”
In a subsequent post, Allen shared a photo of their Generations’ characters, Daniel and Doreen about to lip-lock. Jonelle stated, “In the scene with him I kept thinking: ‘Shaft is about to kiss ME!!!’ Thank You.”
On Generations, Roundtree’s character of Daniel Reubens was a brilliant doctor, who was accused of killing someone by causing an explosion at a lab in 1974. He and his daughter, Maya, then went “underground” for the next 15 years. Maya was played by Viveca A. Fox.
Photo: AP
Fox, honored her former on-screen soap father with an Instagram post upon learning of his death. Vivica wrote: “GM Dawlings! My heart is sad this morning as late last night I learned that LEGEND Actor @officialrichardroundtree had passed. I had the blessing of working with Richard on alot of 1st in my acting career! He played my Dad on the soap opera #Generation‘s TV show #90210BeverlyHills Mr Roundtree thank u for your AMAZING GIFTS! U will truly be missed as u were the 1st African American Action Star #SHAFT I’ll never forget the time u stood for ME when a director was being a jerk to me! I’ll miss your smile, jokes, laughs & hugs! REST EASY KING! U DID WELL. #Classic #LEGEND #LeadingMan #Actor #SuperStar #Respect #RestInPeace”
Richard was also known for his roles in Roots and the Brad Pitt thriller Se7en. On television, Roundtree appeared on: Murder, She Wrote, A Different World, Beauty and the Beast, 21 Jump Street, MacGyver, Beverly Hill 90210, L.A. Law, The Fresh Prince of Bel Air, Alias, Desperate Housewives, Heroes, Grey’s Anatomy, Chicago Fire, and Private Practice and many more.
Share your condolences on the passing of Richard Roundtree via the comment section below.
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As The World Turns
Soap Alum John Wesley Shipp Shares Health Update
John Wesley Shipp, best known to daytime fans for his roles on As the World Turns, Guiding Light, One Life to Live et al, and primetime fans for his role in The Flash, shared a heartfelt health update via his Instagram.
While Shipp did not go into specifics, he did say he underwent surgery earlier in September for an urgent medical issue.
In his post, accompanying by his photo, John expressed: “Hello out there! Friends and contacts have written recently, like, “where are you? are you ok?” Well, here’s the deal: I had surgery early this month for a health issue that had to be dealt with immediately. All went well, but I’ve had to postpone a theatre production and personal appearances as the recoup will take some weeks. I do read and appreciate what you share with me, that you entrust me with your thoughts and feelings. You are ever on my mind and in my heart, and I look forward to getting active and out there again as soon as possible. Until then, remember to play nice, be kind, and stay engaged! Our futures depend on it.”
Photo: JPI
John’s soap resume is quite impressive having portrayed: Dr. Kelly Nelson/Victor Laszlo on Guiding Light, Doug Cummings on As the World Turns, Martin Ellis on Santa Barbara, Carter Jones on All My Children and Eddie Ford on One Life to Live. Shipp won two Daytime Emmys along the way.
More recently, John has appeared in primetime’s, Arrow, The Flash, Stargirl and countless other TV appearances.
Share your well-wishes for a speedy recovering to John via the comment section below.
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