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Will Thom Bierdz’s storyline go the way of Adam and Rafe on the suddenly un-gay The Young and the Restless?
I wonder if the writers and producers of The Young and the Restless are watching what is happening over there on One Life to Live.
A gay storyline can be a big draw when done with good writing and a full commitment.
It was not long ago that I started watching Restless because I was really excited about two gay storylines that were being launched. The first involved the back-from-the-dead return of Phillip Chancellor III three decades after he “died” in a car accident.
This was incredibly special because Thom Bierdz played the role back then and, now as an openly gay actor, was back to play Phillip again and the character would now also be openly gay.
That makes Bierdz’s recent interview with The Advocate all the more disappointing to read: “Here is the thing; I know I am on in eight episodes in November and then the truth is, I sort of disappear. My six-month contract is up,. And I really want to support the gay community, and I want the gay community to support me. I would like the gay community to write to CBS and say, ‘We want a gay character on the air,’ and I want to be that.”
Send those emails, cards and letters!
“If anything, I want to push through some traditional barriers and embrace a large contingent of the audience that is out there, rather than alienate them. I think there has been a lot of respect that has been paid to the scenes. They are done in a way where, if you take the sexuality out of it and the identity of the sex being male/male, this story line is no different than a guy who is trapped in a corner and has to make a play on a girl and convince her of false emotions to get what he needs in the end. And in today’s day and age, I like that they are willing to open up a new chapter and have a guy do that to another guy!”Here is video of Adam and Rafe’s “kiss” and of the first time Adam declared his “feelings” for Rafe:
Comments
(All comments are reviewed before being published, and I review submissions several times per day.)
Paul says:
Your extremely well written, no punches-pulled article on Thom should have come as a surprise, but it hasn’t. It’s been very noticeable that Thom is, well, very non-existent at this time. When Chris Engen pulled out of Y&R, I was very angry with him. As we have now learned, it wasn’t about “the kiss” at all. I believe it was about the dark and ugly path his character has taken. This storyline about Adam and the many despicable things he has done, affected many viewers to the extent they wrote letters, signed online petitions to stop this storyline. Nothing worked. I conclude that the writers and MAB are arrogant and will not listen. I will write, but expect nothing. Can you give us an address? Thanks Greg.
Joe Argazzi says:
This is a pro-active letter on behalf of Thom Bierdz. Thom HAS NOT been let go, however his contract is coming up!
Thom really want’s to continue Phillip’s story line as he feels there are so many new positive story lines to tell as a gay man. Reviewing the emails Thom has received, his character Phillip is making a difference and impacting lives in a very positive way already. Your support can and will make a difference! To CBS/Y&R, Supportive viewership means supportive sponsorship which means revenue to them and continued, relevant storylines for our community.
Envision that your letter is being received incredibly well by everyone who reads it, especially Sony, CBS, and the Y&R Execs! Everyone is going to be very inspired and excited by your e-mails and will want to keep Thom/Phillip on Y&R for years to come!
POSITIVE write-in campaigns can make a huge difference.
Here is how you can help Thom and keep a positive gay role model on daytime TV:
Subject line should include “Thom Bierdz AKA Phillip Chancellor III”
You can e-mail
CBS/The Young and the Restless at: yrbb@tvc.cbs.com
You can write:
THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS
Bell-Phillip Television
7800 Beverly Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90036
You can CALL:
Y&R has a comment line set up for fans to leave messages on the show. The number is 323-575-2345. When the operator answers, ask for the Y&R comment line. You will then leave your comments on voice mail.
FYI:
The truth is that more often people will write when they don’t like something.
We need to start a powerful POSITIVE FEEDBACK campaign for Thom to CBS!
Ask your friends and ask them to ask their friends,etc. to email,write or call. Your letters CAN and WILL make a difference.
Thank you!