Photo: Donna Svennevik/ABC
Wednesday, March 10, 2010Â 6:00 PM ET | By Scotty Gore
(SoapOperaNetwork.com) — “One Life to Live” writes its only same-sex couple off into the sunset.
TV Guide’s Michael Logan is reporting that the ABC sudser has decided to axe cast members Brett Claywell (Kyle Lewis) and Scott Evans (Oliver Fish), whose characters are affectionately referred to as ‘Kish’ by “One Life” fans.
The news comes on the heels of several other recent cast firings, including Crystal Hunt (Stacy), Daphnee Duplaix (Rachel), and Scott Clifton (Schuyler). In addition, Amanda Setton (Kim) chose not to renew her contract, and Austin Williams (Shane) was bumped from contract to recurring status.
“OLTL” Executive Producer Frank Valentini comments that “We are concluding the story that we set out to tell with Kyle and Fish. We are very proud to have broken new ground with a same-sex couple on daytime.” However, it is rumored that the decision wasn’t an easy one for the show.
According to Logan, “Kish has been a big success with the media and the show’s gay fans, and gay-advocacy groups have showered OLTL with awards for creating the trail-blazing couple. But sources at the network say the duo failed to resonate with the mainstream audience. Ratings for the ABC soap were particularly dismal in late 2009 during the weeks that Fish came out of the closet and he and Kyle officially became a couple.”
Even though both characters are essentially being written out, they aren’t expected to completely leave the canvas. Instead, they will continue to reside in Llanview (albeit off-camera), in much the same way other several other characters (such as Larry Wolek, Andrew Carpenter, Miles Laurence) have faded into the background over the years. However, the soap hints at the possiblity that Evans may pop-up occassionally in the future, since Oliver Fish is a Llanview police officer, however, a spokesperson for the “One Life to Live” couldn’t make any guarentees.
Claywell and Evans are expected to air until mid-April. In the meantime, look for their story to climate beginning March 29th when Fish receives definite proof that Sierra Rose is his daughter, and he and Kyle are awarded full custody of the baby.
Scott Evans began his recurring role as Oliver Fish on January 15th, 2008. Brett Claywell originated the contract role of Kyle Lewis on February 24th, 2009.Â
“One Life to Live” airs Weekdays on ABC. Weeknights on SOAPnet. Anytime on ABC.com and SOAPnet.com. Check local listings.