Bitchy Queen Village Voice Writer on Jonathan Frid

[Gerard]

but to compare a bit of cattiness to what phelps and his followers do is a staggeringly stupid and shocking thing to say.

I'm sorry if I offended you.  I apologize.

Gerard

[michaelhacketttodd]

It does not surprise me that the subject of Jonathan's Private Life would come up shortly after his passing.  It was always a subject of much curiosity on my part and obviously a very well guarded secret.  In my opinion, let's keep it that way.  It would be interesting to know the details, but far better to remember Jonathan as a cherished performer and a very good man.  He shared himself with us for 45 wonderlful years.  That is all we have to know and understand.
  

[David]

Very well said, Michaelhackett, and I'm sorry if I brought any personal agendas to this thread.
I was just so pissed when I saw Musto's postings.

[michael c]

I'm sorry if I offended you.  I apologize.

don't worry about it.

whenever this topic comes up here emotions become heightened. my regret is posting in the topic in the first place.

[Gerard]

You have every right to post whatever you want, Michael.  The whole thing surrounding it is a volalile topic.  I've posted on other message boards and blogs about how "our kind" treat each other, and things get so heated that Laura Collins would beat it down the road while tossing fire extinguishers.

You remember Laura Collins, don't you?  She's that incredible actress who played Phoenix on DS.

Gerard

[Nancy]

And Jonathan himself would probably say "So what?"  Obviously it was a slow news day the five months ago the article was written.

[Nancy]

If you are single for most of your adult life, people will gossip as to why.  I prefer to remain single and because of that, I have experienced "gossip" so I get that it happens. 

There are many celebrities who do, in fact, believe they don't owe the public any information about their private lives.  They don't think it's anyone's business and they don't want to expose friends and loved wants to public scrutiny if it can be avoided.  It's not necessarily about "hiding" anything at all.   I remember while working for HBO getting James Gandolfini to do interviews or public appearances was like pulling teeth during The Sopranos run.  He didn't want to talk about his private life or share that much about himself because he didn't think it was that interesting or anyone's business.  It's unfortunate there is suspicion attached to anyone thinking they should be allowed to keep their private life private.  I don't get that at all. 

I agree with you Michael; I have no respect or affection for the closets of public figures, and I don't think it's wrong to out them either, dead or alive.  Being ambiguous and incredibly private particularly in his profession is naturally going to invite speculation.  Gossip is what gossip columnists do, that isn't about to change.

[michael c]

i vowed not to post in this topic again however...

unfortunately for frid the very nature of the barnabas collins character...a man with a "secret"...readily lends itself to a gay subtext whether it's intentionally there or not. an ascot wearing man with a "secret" who hung out with joan bennett and grayson hall.


i've heard from countless gay men who said that as adolescents they identified with the character on that level.

and when the actor who portrayed that character was a, i believe it was once called "confirmed bachelor", it simply opens itself up to that interpretation.

it is what it is kids...and scolding everyone who speculates on the subject isn't going to change it.