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will_sonnyFrom Michael Fairman's blog:
In the latest issue of Frontiers IN LA Magazine spotlighting Fall Entertainment out today, there is a brand new piece from On-Air On-Soaps Michael Fairman in the publication and on its website of the current LGBT beat on daytime soaps.
The feature titled: Days Add a Dash of Gay as AMC Gals Bid Adieu takes a look at Days of our Lives approach to their storytelling and bringing on the first gay character in the shows history in Sonny Kiriakis, played by Freddie Smith. With interviews with Smith, DAYS co-executive producer, Greg Meng, and Sonny’s on-screen mom, Daytime Emmy winner, Judi Evans, the NBC soaps tells how they making Sonny fit into the canvas, and what could be a big surprise come fall!
Plus, All My Children’s, Christina Bennett Lind and Sarah Glendening are interviewed, as it is almost time for Bianca and Marissa swansong as the show is soon to go off network television come September 23rd. The actresses discuss how they would like to see their story wrap-up on ABC, and the importance of their roles. Here are a few excerpts below!
Greg Meng on the careful execution of telling Sonny’s story and integrating a gay character into the Salem canvas for the first time: “This has been discussed for a long time with a lot of thought. And yes, there were concerns, but it’s like, ‘Wow. Who are we? What are we thinking? It is time!’ We didn’t want to do some gay love story, or just go off on some extreme ripped-from-the-headlines political story, just to be telling a ‘gay story.’ We are looking at a long-term, longtime beloved characters type of situation for Sonny. It is about a character who is now on the show, and who by the way, is gay!”
Greg Meng on if the show received much pushback for trying to bring in a gay character or story: “There have been rumors that certain affiliates might pull out if we pursue this. We feel strongly about including a gay character or more on our show. It is part of life. We have the full support of the storyline all the way to the top at NBC, and all the way to the top at Sony. They know the challenges and obstacles we have, but they are extremely supportive, and in fact the comment has been, ‘Well, it’s about time.’
Freddie Smith on waiting to find out who Sonny’s love interest will eventually be! “I am excited to see who my love interest is going to be because that has been all the hype for the last four months. We’ve got Chad, Will and “T” as possibilities, unless I am going to go with an older man! [Laughs] You never know. If they picked an older character that would really mix it up. I legitimately don’t know who it’s going to be. I did for a minute, now it’s gone! They have to just go for it. Having Sonny have a love interest and another story going on for him, and mixing that together, makes him a three-dimensional character. Everyone on the show has a boy or a girl, and I am like the fifth wheel!” (Laughs)
Make sure to visit frontiersla.com to read the entire feature by clicking here!
Source.
In the latest issue of Frontiers IN LA Magazine spotlighting Fall Entertainment out today, there is a brand new piece from On-Air On-Soaps Michael Fairman in the publication and on its website of the current LGBT beat on daytime soaps.
The feature titled: Days Add a Dash of Gay as AMC Gals Bid Adieu takes a look at Days of our Lives approach to their storytelling and bringing on the first gay character in the shows history in Sonny Kiriakis, played by Freddie Smith. With interviews with Smith, DAYS co-executive producer, Greg Meng, and Sonny’s on-screen mom, Daytime Emmy winner, Judi Evans, the NBC soaps tells how they making Sonny fit into the canvas, and what could be a big surprise come fall!
Plus, All My Children’s, Christina Bennett Lind and Sarah Glendening are interviewed, as it is almost time for Bianca and Marissa swansong as the show is soon to go off network television come September 23rd. The actresses discuss how they would like to see their story wrap-up on ABC, and the importance of their roles. Here are a few excerpts below!
Greg Meng on the careful execution of telling Sonny’s story and integrating a gay character into the Salem canvas for the first time: “This has been discussed for a long time with a lot of thought. And yes, there were concerns, but it’s like, ‘Wow. Who are we? What are we thinking? It is time!’ We didn’t want to do some gay love story, or just go off on some extreme ripped-from-the-headlines political story, just to be telling a ‘gay story.’ We are looking at a long-term, longtime beloved characters type of situation for Sonny. It is about a character who is now on the show, and who by the way, is gay!”
Greg Meng on if the show received much pushback for trying to bring in a gay character or story: “There have been rumors that certain affiliates might pull out if we pursue this. We feel strongly about including a gay character or more on our show. It is part of life. We have the full support of the storyline all the way to the top at NBC, and all the way to the top at Sony. They know the challenges and obstacles we have, but they are extremely supportive, and in fact the comment has been, ‘Well, it’s about time.’
Freddie Smith on waiting to find out who Sonny’s love interest will eventually be! “I am excited to see who my love interest is going to be because that has been all the hype for the last four months. We’ve got Chad, Will and “T” as possibilities, unless I am going to go with an older man! [Laughs] You never know. If they picked an older character that would really mix it up. I legitimately don’t know who it’s going to be. I did for a minute, now it’s gone! They have to just go for it. Having Sonny have a love interest and another story going on for him, and mixing that together, makes him a three-dimensional character. Everyone on the show has a boy or a girl, and I am like the fifth wheel!” (Laughs)
Make sure to visit frontiersla.com to read the entire feature by clicking here!
Source.
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no subject
Date: 2011-08-24 06:21 pm (UTC)the NBC soaps tells how they making Sonny fit into the canvas, and what could be a big surprise come fall!
I suspect that Freddie has been told to play coy with interviewers to add some suspense. This has WILL written all over it. But, I guess we'll seeeee!
no subject
Date: 2011-08-24 06:22 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-08-24 07:05 pm (UTC)We are looking at a long-term, longtime beloved characters type of situation for Sonny.
Has to be Will. T is not long-term, longtime or beloved. Not by a long shot.
Wheeeeeeeeeee!
no subject
Date: 2011-08-24 07:11 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-08-24 10:18 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-08-24 06:55 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-08-24 07:10 pm (UTC)We are looking at a long-term, longtime beloved characters type of situation for Sonny. It is about a character who is now on the show, and who by the way, is gay!”
Does he mean that this is how they want viewers to see Sonny? That they want him to be a long-term, beloved character who just happens to be gay? I think that's what he means. :|
no subject
Date: 2011-08-24 07:11 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-08-24 07:16 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-08-24 07:14 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-08-24 07:17 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-08-24 08:06 pm (UTC)I've never watched DOOL before, but I do know that they have a reputation for really drawing stories out. If they wait too long to give him a love interest, though, it ends up looking like they are shying away from the gay storyline. I mean, it's soap - EVERYBODY has a romantic storyline going on, as Freddie points out.
no subject
Date: 2011-08-26 06:19 pm (UTC)