Annoying Ameeira

Tala Ashe.

Preeya Kalidas.

Watching Eastenders and Chryed again I remember how annoying Amira (Preeya Kalidas), Syed's wife that is. Mostly because she's in the way for Christian and Syed! And she's quite spoiled. And married to Syed. And not Christian Clarke. And I wonder, is she the same character as Ameera (Tala Ashe) in As the World Turns? Seems like it! They are even called the same! Kind of. And she is in the way of Nuke. And married to Noah. Ok, she's not spoiled but she's not Luke Snyder! And there's just something really whiny about them! And I wonder, why are they always making the beards "charlies" with no own will? If the gays takes beards who are strong and have great confidence they will become charlies just as they start a relationship with the gays. Annoying enough. But I am glad Ameera never got pregnant. Noah at least came out in time and avoided impregnating his wife. But, thinking of it, I think Noah was the beard in that storyline! Well well...

Chryed again

John Partridge & Marc Elliott.

After all he depressing storylines (JP screwed James Nightingale, Robron broke up, Paul Coker's gonna die and don't even mention Lalle) I just couldn't stand anything that is not ended because I'm not sure what happens and my next heartbreak will be. I can't even stand Thomas and Florian right now because I know it will not end well. I wanted something casual that I know will end well. So I started watching Chryed again! I at least know that will have a happy ending! I have to say that I'm enjoying it a lot! I loved that storyline! The dynamics between Christian Clarke and Syed Masood is really interesting and the actors John Partridge and Marc Elliott have great chemistry! And it's in english so I don't have to read any subtitles. I don't dislike subtitles at all but sometimes, like when I have over 200 grades to distribute I want something in a language I understand at least so I can surf on knitted socks on my mobile at the same time. So, I think I will stick with Chryed for a while. I am still hoping for them to come back at some point! But that will be after Isaac Mayfield has perform what ever he is up to in Holby City. Too bad Marc can't starr in both Eastenders and Holby City at the same time. I guess. Or maybe he can!

Movember

Ok, I'm back. But barely. I still miss Lalle. This is a great loss for mer. But ok, life has to go on. And I still have hope!

Dolph Lundgren.

What you can see above is Dolph Lundgren as a läderbög, a leather gay that is, in the Swedish show Melodifestivalen. That is what you might think of when you think of gays with a mustache. But I have to tell you, there's not many ut there! At least not many that I have found. Here's my finds:

Emmett J. Scanlan as Brendan Brady.

Of course there's Brendan Brady, the super villain in Hollyoaks. The villain we all love to love because we just can't hate him! I absolutely adore both Brendan and Emmett. But that's old news. Oh I do miss Brendan! And his mustache! Best tash ever!

Murray Bartlett as Dom Basaluzzo.

And here's Dom in Looking. A funny story actually, Murray Bartlett had his mustache grow when he was in Egypt not to look like a tourist and to fit in and he still had it whn he auditioned for Looking and when he got the part they asked him to keep it. An excellent story! Dom is quite boring but at least he is anice guy. With a nice mustache.

John Partridge who played Christian Clarke.

When Jon Partridge came back for Lucy's funeral in 2014 suddenly he had a mustache! I'm not sure if I like it... Mustaches are usually quite creepy. If you have a mustache you should also have a beard! If you're not Brendan Brady that is. Even though I love Emmett with a beard! But at least we can guess that Syed like's the tash. Or at least tolerates it.

Petteri Paavola with a tash.

Ok, this is not really Elias but Pauli, and it's not Salatut Elämät but Satula. but Petteri Paavola has a mustache. He got that from travelling around the world. Perhaps he was in Egypt to?

So, that was all I found. Do you know any more on screen gays with a tash? Pleease tell me!

Finally Ben!

Harry Reid as Ben Mitchell and Jonny Labey as Paul Coker.

Finally it seems like Eastenders is going to start to deliver! I have been waiting for a romance for Ben Mitchell since the character came back this October. I really don't count Abi because SHE IS A GIRL! I really really hope that this will be a romance that lasts. It's been way too long since Christian and Syed left.

Paul Coker.

So, Paul Coker, who is played by Jonny Labey, is the grandson of the etablated characters Les and Pam Coker, and he is stated to be a fun and honest character who is always in the centre of the attention. It also says that:

His natural confidence is born of knowing and being comfortable with exactly who he is.

It really seems promising! He is going to show up in June and you can see some bits that is to come in the Eastenders official summers trailer below. I am really looking forward to it! And seems to be just what our beloved Ben Mitchell needs!

Halo

Some time ago I blogged about some favourite fanvids, among others a special one with Lucas and Edwin from Goede Tijden, Slechte Tijden. Well, as I told you a couple of days ago I haven't seen that storyline yet but I love the video anyway. And there's something very athmosphearic about that fanvid combined with that music. That is Halo with Beyoncé. Well, there's more great fanvids with that music.

How about my favourite couple of all time: Fervid? Ok, it's not the best picture quality, but there's Fer and David and what's not to like?

Well, there's another one. A little shorter, but a little better quality.

An there's a really great WilSon fanvid. WilSon when Chandler Massey played Will. I love that time. Ok, Will and Sonny are not my favourites, but they're really cute. Esecially in their early days.

But McDean are among my favourites. I think they're lovely! John Paul is lovely, whoever he is with! I really loved him with Craig and it breaks my heart again and again that Craig left him.

And speaking of Hollyoaks, here's Ste and Doug, that is: Stug. A really lovely couple. I loved them together, even though I was a Stendan shipper all through the storyline. Ste and Doug where good for eachother. I insist on that.

Another couple that was (or is because they're still together) good together was Christian and Syed in Eastenders. Even though there were lots and lots of angst and agony, they evolved eachother in a good way. Really really good for eachother.

And last but not least: Chrolli! One of the most amazing couples ever! Christian and Oliver was made for eachother and I will never forgive Verbotene Liebe for ruining that beautiful Romeo & Romeo lovestory!

And there's another one.

And another one. There can never be enough wonderful fanvids. Especially such as these.

Love soon?

Harry Reid as Ben Mitchell.

Me and my faghag friend is kind of pissed off. Ok, Ben Mitchell has been back in Eastenders since the end of October, and I know it's not that long ago, but we really thonk that it's about time that Ben will get a love interest! You might think that Ben has a love interest, because he is with Abi, but that just won't do! Alright, she is a sweet girl and all, but she is just that: a girl, and she also is a bit annoying! And I really don't like that they put Ben back into the closet! Didn't he come out back in the days when he fancied Christian Clarke? But let's not go there, we all know what happened and it was ugly. But ok, Ben is gay, I know that for a fact because the other day we saw that he was on Grindr. You are not on Grindr if you don't want a boyfriend. Or sex. And you might think, everyone doesn't look for love all the time, but really, he has a beard. A beard called Abi! I really think he does want a boyfriend. Or sex. And since he came back he haven't had any action except for an almost snog with Johnny...

Johnny Carter and Ben Mitchell.

...which didn't end well because Johnny wouldn't let him! I guess Johnny realized how messed up Ben was. But I like Ben! I think he's an intriguing character that deserves more attention than he has been given since October. And he really needs some snogging with a nice bloke! We have waited long enough Eastenders! Love for Ben now! Por favor! Otherwhise I will strike by not watching until he will get some sweet loving. So bring it on!

When girls fall for the gay guys...

Don't you just hate it? I mean, you can't help who you fall in love with but who would expose themself for the pain of falling for someone who there is a very very limited chance respond the feelings. I won't say that a gay guy can't fall for a woman, I mean we have seen it in Bob & Rose. If you haven't seen Bob & Rose? Just do it! Anyway, when a girl falls for the gay character, I really hate it. They just cause unecessary fuss. Here are some really irritating examples:

Olli, Christian and Rebecca in Verbotene Liebe.

Ok, on this picture Christian is actually kissing Rebecca (Jasmin Lord). Rebecca von Lahnstein... I really didn't like her before she became a lesbian. At first she dated Christians older brother Gregor, then she kissed Olli, then she used Christian for shopliftng and then she fell in love with him, even though she new he were with Olli. That is so disloyal!And she was so clingy and immature in those days. Didn't like her at all. She was clingy and immature at the same time as Olli and Christian had a tiff, and you can just imagine how messy things became! But then she started dating Miriam and became a little bit more interesting and then she went away in 2011. I didn't miss her. But in 2012 she came back with a new actor (Tatjana Kästel) and this is when it started to get interesting. She had a bisexual fling with Miriam as said, but now she completely fell in love with her brothers wife Marlene and this is when the magic happened. She was more mature and interesting in one episode than she had been in all her previous episodes together! So I have forgiven Rebecca. I like the new Rebecca.

Vanessa and Deniz in Alles Was Zählt.

Vanessa Steinkamp (Julia Augustin) has really changed for me through the years. I started by liking her because she was really supportive when Deniz and Roman started seeing eachother. Then she fell in love with Deniz and by then I really couldn't stand her at all! DeRo is a sensitive issue for me. I am a hardcore DeRo-shipper. If you come between Deniz and Roman I get really really angry. And at last death came between them once and for all. I have rarly cried so much... But I started liking Vanessa again. She is a real nice character, even though I can't forgive her for breaking up DeRo. But everyone deserves a second chance.

Carsten and Lucy in Gute Zeiten Schlechte Zeiten.

And what is it with girls being really supportive about gay relationships before falling in love with them? In this case, Lucy Cöster (Sarah Tkotsch) fell for Carsten when her brother and his boyfriend was in jail! That is such a betayal. Thank gods Lenny had done som anger management and could be really cool about it. Lucy was also really cool and mature, and then she fell for her gay BFF and became a small brat. That was such a non-interesting storyline to follow. And it wasnt even a realistic one! The cruc´sh just came out of the blue and I hated it.

Roxy and Christian in Eastenders.

And Roxy Mitchell (Rita Simons) and Christian Clarke... Really? She, his best friend, who always was jealous of Syed were of course in love with Christian. What a joke! She always tried to kibosh everything she could between the couple. Roxy is a quite fun and interesting character, who even volunteered as a surrogate for Christian and Syed, but you can't really like her if you are a Chryed-shipper. And I am. Roxy is in the way!

John Paul and Hannah in Hollyoaks.

And poor poor Hannah Ashworth (Emma Rigby). She was a kind of beard for John Paul when he was in the closet and she completely fell in love with him. I mean, who wouldn't! John Paul is lovely! But he came out and Hannah's heart was broken. But she still couldn't stop being in love with John Paul and she did some quite weird things and really tried to get John Paul back even though she new he was gay and she tried to sabotage his relationship with Spike. She really hated Spike. She even had grudge to him when she met him years later. Quite childish. But Hannah was a nice girl. I liked her anyway, but I really didn't like her actions!

So. don't fall in love with gay guys in soaps! You will have all the soap opera viewers who are faghags, and there ate quite a lot, against you. That is so unecessary.

The last of Johnny

Sam Strike as Johnny Carter.

On the day before Christmas it was the last appearance of Johnny Carter in Eastenders, about a year before he turned up. The storyline was promising with an early snog with Danny Pennant (Gary Lucy), a character I never really liked, but there was some quite cute flirting and it could have been interesting.

Sam Strike as Johnny and Danny Dyer as Mick Carter.

Later on, Eastenders gave us one of the most amazing and beautiful coming out moments ever. When Johnny came out for his father Mick, I think there was more than me who got wet eyes. And Mick Carter really is a perfect example how a parent should react. Johnnys mother, Linda, is an example on how a parent should not react...

Gianluca and Johnny.

This summer, Johnny had fling with an italian guy, Gianluca (Gabriele Lombardo), and at last we could see some more snogging. Don't get me wrong, it was really cute, but a little bit to sweet and awkward. We would have likes a little more passion in the kissing. But it would do.

Harry Reid as Ben Mitchell and Steve McFadden as Phil Mitchell.

And then Ben Mitchell came back. Ben is the son of Phil Mitchell and Kathy Beale (fun fact: actor Gillian Taylforth also playes Sandy Roscoe in Hollyoaks) who just came out from prison for killing his stepmothers friend. Ben is recasted by Harry Reid, but we have seen him before played by four other actors.

Joshua Pascoe as Ben Mitchell.

Between 2010 and 2012 Ben Mitchell was played by Joshua Pascoe, and back then we learned that he was gay when he had a little snog with his friend Duncan and he also had a crush on no other than Christian Clarke (John Partridge), but is rejected and accuses him for abuse. Chrstian, however is cleared from those accusations. Back then I didn't really like Ben. I mean, his snogging to his friend Duncan is cute, but anyone who tries to break u Christian and Syed (Marc Elliott) doesn't get my approval. But, after a few years jail, I have to say that I like Ben.

Ben tries to kiss Johnny.

But something weird has happened. Well, Ben lost his virginity to a girl, and then stated that he dfinitely is gay, but when he came back from jail and tried to snog Johnny, he was back in denial again. How did that happen? The classical line "I am not gay" has been used several times since Ben came back in October.

Well, Ben and Johnny never happened. On the 23'rd of December actually Johnny left Walford to travel with his old fling Gianluca. I like that Johnny andd Gianluca kind of had a happy ending, but I am annoyed about the meaningless storyline of Johnny Carter. He was only there for a year and he almost had no action at all. I really think that the Johnny and Ben storyline had potential and was hoping for that. But, you'll never know, maybe Johnny will come back to his wacky family. And Ben Mitchell has potential. He is in denial and he has an alibi girlfriend so this might be a real classical soapy gay storyline, just in my taste.

Some New Years specials

There have been som nice New Years episodes through the years. Not all soaps are on a break over Christmas, New Years and summer, thank gods. Here are some of my favourites.

Syed, Amira and Christian.

First of all we have the New Years kiss between Christian and Syed (Eastenders) from 2009. There are just rubbish pictures (even my own screenshots) so you'll have to settle with one of Syed kissing Amira instead, while Christian is watching. Awful. But the Chryed kiss was great! Just before the Masood wedding Christian (John Partridge) leaves Walford because of a broken heart, but comes home just for the midnight to give Syed (Marc Elliott) a kiss. It is so romantic, and there is so much pain. I love it!

Tom & Ulli.

Another favourite is actually from the millennium when Tom and Ulli (Verbotene Liebe) got together. And yet another rubbish picture. Tom (Kay Böger) and Ulli (Andreas Stenschke) had been tangled here and there for a while (well, Ulli had a girlfriend, of course) but in New Years eve Ulli finally had the guts to tell Tom his true feelings and from there there was no turning back. The coupled shared a cozy moment in front of the fireplace, and it is a classical scene indeed. To watch it follow the link.

Deniz and Roman on New Years eve.

The Germans know how to do it. Another cute New Years kiss is actually one of DeRo's (Alles Was Zählt) cutest. And yay, a great picture! Well, all of their kisses were cute. But this was special. It was playful and happy, which was not the case of their relationship at this time. Roman (Dennis Grabosch) was unemployed and Deniz (Igor Dolgatschew) was a model. But it was a happy time if you compare to what was to come... And there was also another New Years eve when Deniz dpent it with Vanessa instead of Roman but let's not talk about that!

Those were my favourites. And they were only three! So here is a bonus. Will and Sonny (Days of our lives) from last New Years eve.

Will (Chandler Massey) and Sonny (Freddie Smith).

I need to collect some more favourites I think... Any suggestions?

Gay weddings

Sonny Kiriakis and Will Horton at their wedding.

This week the first gay male wedding i a daytime soap in USA happened. There are a lot of daily, and long-running, soaps in USA so it was about time. The supercouple Will Horton (played by Guy Wilson, previously by Chandler Massey) and Sonny Kiriakis (played by Freddie Smith) from Days of our lives finally tied bands. The couple has been an item since 2012 and finally there was a wedding. It was just as sugery and sleazy as to expect from an american wedding. This with own wedding vows is nothing we are used to in Sweden. We are quite sparing with feelings. But it was cute and we do need lot's and lot's of same sex weddings in american TV.

Kevin Walker and Scotty Wandell in Brothers & Sisters.

It has happened before, but not in a daytime show. In 2008 Kevin Walker (Matthew Rhys) and Scotty Wandell (Luke Macfarlane) got married in the ABC series Bothers & Sisters. They even had Calista Flockhart (Kevin's sister Kitty) as a wedding officiant. The couple are cute as hell and they even got children. We need more of those role models in american TV.

There might be more gay weddings in american TV-shows but they are few. And we have some here and there in the world, but it is not naturally obvious that a same-sex couple can get married, not even in soaps. It is not for instance not allowed in Finland and Germany, the home of Larias, Chrolli and DeRo among others. But that didn't stop Christian and Oliver to get married - twice.

Jo Weil and Thore Schölermann as Olli and Christian.

In Germany it is allowed to enter into partnership since 2001, and that's what Christian Mann (Thore Schölermann) and Oliver Sabel (Jo Weil) did in 2010. And then again in 2012 after a divorse they regretted just a couple of days afterwards. But in Verbotene Liebe, Christian and Olli never talked about anything else than that they were going to get married. The first wedding was even in a church, with a homosexual priest. You can make a "real" church wedding, even though you are not allowed to. But it is really about time for Germany to institute same sex marriage while being such a modern and gay-friendly country.

Menno Kuiper and Lucas Sanders in white.

The Netherlands was the first country to institute same-sex weddings in 2001 and this year they even got a soap gay wedding. Lucas Sanders (ferry Doedens) finally got to keep a love and gets to marry Menno Kuiper (Dave Mantel) in white, in a church (it seems) with Lucas father as a wedding officiant. Beautiful!

Christian Clarke and Syed Masood.

And there finally was a wedding between Christian Clarke (John Partridge) and Syed Masood (Marc Elliott in the British long running show Eastenders. It almost didn't happen, but Syed appeared just in the last second before the wedding officiant left. This happened in 2012, but it was not until this year, 2014, the law about same-sex marriages has became reality for the citicens of England, Wales and Scotland. Northen Ireland still has som leaps to go. In the Christian and Syed wedding Christian said in his (yet again quite cheesy) vows to Syed that he loves him more than all the stars in the heaven. If that isn't love, I don't know what is.

David and Fer kissing, after David's been steeling one of the grooms.

There almost was a gay wedding in Spanish Física o Química in 2010 between Fer and Borja, but just as the couple was going to say yes, David entered the chapel and Fer got doubts. After kissing in the rain and becoming wet, fer decided to go for David instead (yay!) and the couple even asked the wedding officiant to marry them right there and then. But she didn't want to. Bummer. The home country of the actors Adrian Rodriguez and Javier Calvo has gender neutral marriage since 2005, so it could have become reality, right there and then. Unfortunately Fer dies in the next season. Bummer again.

Stefan Holmberg and Micki Sandell.

Exept for the wedding between Jens Erik and Thomas Wallin in Danish 2900 Happiness I am not aware of any gay marriages in a nordic soap opera or TV-series but the one between Micki Sandell and Stefan Holmberg in Rederiet in 2000. But, and there is a but, same-sex marriages was not instituted in Sweden until 2009, so this was actually a registered partnership. Why do we always have to be so slow in Sweden? We need more same-sex marriages on Swedish television, and in television in general. Love is beautiful and we really do need to teach our children that lova has multiple faces and why not on TV? I borrow the words from Tiamat and say that: It's about time we all get out and vote for love!

Gay-bashing

Kai, Joscha and Nick.

In mondays episode of Alles was zählt Joscha was brutally gay-bashed. Yesterday we learned that it is so serious that he had to be operated and that they have to drill a whole in his scull to ease the pressure. Unpleasant indeed. But I have also read som spoilers that tell that Joscha will be alright. Today I also was reached by the news that both Joscha and Kai (and also Joschas brother Lukas and his father David) will leave the series in May. That is such a shame and I am upset! But I hope that it will be the happy ending we all are hoping for with a profi-Vontrag und ein neues jobb. My tip is that the guy to the right has something to do with the bashing...

Tom and Ulli.

But gay-bashing is not a new pehonomenon in the soap operas around the world. In Germany it has happened more than once before. Back in the year 2000 Tom and Ulli from Verbotene Liebe was attacked by two homophobes on their way to the cinema. Tom had a punch in the stomach and Ulli almost got beaten when his brother Nick came to the rescue. No serious enjurys that time.

Olli and Christian in the hospital.

It was worse for Olli some years later when Christians extremely homophobic boxing club pals, Axel, got hold of him. After the big outing in the boxing ring Axel just had to beat Olli almost to death. It is interesting how you can be so provoked by mutual love that is not directed to you. Olli was relatively alright that time, but later on it was discovered that he had cot brain injurys and he almost died. Unpleasant indeed.

Ringo and Yannick in a tense moment.

Also in Unter Uns there has been som gay-bashing, but this time, Yannick was gay-bashed by another gay, that is Ringo, his kind of boyfriend. The only homophobe I have seen in Unter Uns is Ringo. Stop beating Yannick almost to death. Their relationship ended after that. Surprise!

Syed and Christian after the bashing.

There ha salso been som gay-bashing in Great Britain. In 2009 Christian Clarke was brutally gay-bashed by a man he brought home from the pub after som flirting. He was expecting sex but got bashed instead. Well it is simple, if you don't want to have sex with the person, don't follow him/her home! I can't understand what is so provoking with what gays do in their bedroom? Though, this led to a very cute moment when Syed forced Christian to go to the police and waited outside the whole time and the invited himself home to Christian and they had sex for the second time. I think.

There are a lot of more examples of gay-bashing in soaps, but these are the ones that comes to mind right now. It is understandable that gay-bashing is a important and dramatic subject to illuminate. But I think that it is important also to show the utopia of a world where there is no gay-bashing and where gays are naturally accepted and to. There is a lot of homophobia in this world and soap operas are sometimes realistic and sometimes not, and that's why I think it is important to prescribe a world where it is OK to be gay. Because it is. I hope there will be a world where you don't have to "come out" you can just tell everyone that you are in love. And that soon. Both in soaps and in the real world.

Chryed

Christian and Syed.

Today I would like to present Christian Clarke and Syed Masood from the long-running british show Eastenders. Their love story started in 2009 when they started working together in a catering business. There were early sparks but Syed was in bit denial since he was a muslim and also had a girlfriend. He solved that by getting married to her. Christian on his hand had the longest patience in history and fought so hard for his love and didn't get much appreciation back.

Christian has been gay bashed.

This is a couple with lots and lots of on-and-offs and they really had a lot to fight against. Christian was gay bashed once, almost killed by Syeds father in law, he was bullied by Syeds parents and njot even his sister stood behind him when he wanted to fight for his love at first. Syed on his hand had to have sex with a woman against his will, he was disowned by his parents sveral times, he was unemployed, he had a child without knowing it and he was not accepted by his mosque. But he also cheated Christian, lied a lot and swindled his family on a lot of money. For the second time! But I love the story anyways! Some parts are a bit boring and in the clips you can se on youtube there are a lot of the Masood family drama that is not really that interesting. Syeds mother is quite a moody woman. And in a way, I have hard to take the actress Nina Wadia seriously because I saw her Goodness gracious me with the same accent! So her scenes are a litte bit like a scetch comedys. And for the way she treats Syed you can't really like her. Even though she becames good in the end.

Marc Elliott and John Partridge.

The actors John Partridge and Marc Elliott is portraiting the charcters of Christian and Syed very well, and it is really nice to see a couple of grown up men falling in love for once. The most common thing in soap operas is that there are teenagers or guys in the early twenties that get to fall in love. And the couple is a quite ill-matched couple that match really well together in a way. The story almost ended bad when Syed almost fucked everything up but he choose the right way and married Christian and the left Walford with him, and it has been told that Christian and Syed still are together and has a good relationship with their doughter Yasmine. Happy endings do exist, even thou there was a bumby ride there.