A few select news stories. Things we just want to talk/rant/snark about. Briefly.

by Lorraine Mazza & Amanda Vontobel

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Who doesn’t love cup cakes? Good thing those two collaborated on their stories before talking to the reporter (heavy sarcasm).  The family values defense is really lame.  There’s nothing valuable in teaching kids how to discriminate or to be ignorant to the rest of the world and all our differences.  And besides, they’re just cupcakes.
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Dan Savage starts a new project. More and more kids are getting bullied these days in schools.  This project puts out an excellent message to kids who may be going through a tough time.  It shows a collection of stories by people who went through similar situations in their HS days.  The message as the title says, is simple, It Gets Better.  This time in your life is brief and you will move beyond it and meet real friends who accept you for you, and so on.  It’s exactly what kids need to hear, and hopefully this project will save many from giving in to the bullies. 

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The World turned one last time on September 17, 2010 after 54 years on the air. We’re not going to get into too much here. Because Michael Fairman wrote some wonderful things over at the Advocate. But, this show will be missed for many reasons. But, on the topic of Luke, Noah & Reid, this show had some monumentual moments. Good and bad. The characters, actors and their story ended too soon. Good night, ATWT.

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Big congrats to Florida!  Rosie O’Donnell first brought this problem into the public spotlight when she was interviewed by Diane Sawyer in 2002. We are very happy that this fight has had a positive outcome. There are lots of gay couples in the Sunshine State who want to adopt kids, and now they can.  We bet those kids will get as many rainbow cupcakes AND cookies that their little hearts desire. 

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As we know, Don’t Ask Don’t Tell is still intact because Republicans blocked the repeal, not even giving it a chance to be debated.  If that’s not enough of a slap in the face, this gay slur (aka death threat) surely is.  It’s pretty sickening that people in such high places have this opinion about gays.  In fact, it’s extremely frightening. 

On a similar note, here is something else to ponder on in regards to DADT. This photo has been making the rounds on the internet: 

Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell started out as a compromise and has turned into a witch hunt.  It needs to end, NOW.  Gays and Lesbians are willingly fighting for a country that does not accept them, and forces them to hide who they are.  This is also sickening and frightening. They have fought for our freedom, it’s only right that we try and help them be free themselves.  

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Thank you, Rachel Maddow. This is proof of the aforementioned witch hunt. 

And because we always try to find the humor in things, we’ll end this WTG on a hilarious note with the remix of Senator McCain stating just how much he just doesn’t care WHAT we say.  Thank you, Senator…your compassion (or lack of) is duly noted.

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written by & layout by Amanda Vontobel

I sit here after watching the first episode of As The World Turns to air after Helen Wagner’s passing. The first episode she will never get to see. Helen passed away on May 1, 2010 at the age of 91. She played the role of Nancy Hughes since day one, April 2, 1956. And she spoke the very first words, “Good morning, dear.”, to ever be spoken on the show. Fans had hoped she’d speak the last words, as the show had been canceled by CBS, last air day is September 18, 2010. The show finishes filming at the end of June. I have to hope the show will feature her in a respectful and fitting fashion for the last broadcast.

I know this a different type of blog for Something To Say. But, I think any tribute to this woman and her career is a good thing. And she touched my life. I grew up watching ATWT. And it became “my story”, as my grandma would say. Helen Wagner’s character of Nancy Hughes has been a constant in my life. As has the show, of course. A show that has changed through the years. From the 1950s more “traditional” world to 2010, with now 3 gay characters. One of which is a legacy character. And part of one of the most popular super couples in the show’s history.

I have to share this quote from Colleen Zenk-Pinter, Helen’s fellow cast member and friend. “Much can be and will be said about her passing. Helen was a consummate pro. In 1978, Helen scared the living daylights out of me as a new young actress! My second day on the show, I (Barbara) had to go knocking on her (Nancy’s) door to apologize for all my bad-doings, which I (Colleen) had not acted years before. All she said was, ‘Barbara Ryan’ with perfect diction, and I knew I was in uncharted territory with an actress of supreme discipline and professionalism. Even this spring, when Julianne Moore returned to her roots, Helen was there giving Julie notes on her performance. She was one-of-a-kind. I learned immensely from her. Helen’s humor, her smile, her words of advice, her take-no-prisoner attitude …she was the professional we should all aspire to be. For 54 years, she read every script from front to back and knew more about the storylines and characters than most of the actors who played them. Helen cared. I’m so sorry she will not be with us at the end of our dearly beloved show.”

Helen did care. And her fans cared about her. From former cast member Martha Byrne, “For me, it’s hard to imagine the show ending without her in the final scene. I hope World Turns gives her the tribute she deserves and includes her in some way on that last show.”Martha asked this on Facebook: “How would you honor Helen Wagner on ATWT?”  My answer is, the show needs to write in her character’s death, obviously. And I think it would be fitting for the last scene to be of her son Bob, played by Don Hastings since 1960, to say a goodbye to his mother. Perhaps then cut to an old scene of her. And fade to black. This all after a nice long tribute to her.

(2006 Daytime Emmys, ATWT 50th Anniversary tribute)

Helen’s most recent air date was April 5, 2010, the  25th wedding anniversary of her character’s son Bob & his wife Kim, coinciding with the show’s 54th anniversary. Here are some of the scenes.

With her passing just before the show finishes filming, it just makes me think of these lyrics, “restless world, with it’s stops and starts, will do its best to break your heart” (Borrowed Time by Antigone Rising). But, Helen Wagner lived a full & happy life. She will be missed.