'AMC' Introducing Transgender Character (in ABC Soap Opera)

SFGate ^ | November 26, 2006 | David Bouder (AP Writer)

[Zakeet]

In a story unusual even for a soap opera and believed to be a television first, ABC's "All My Children" this week will introduce a transgender character who is beginning to make the transition from a man into a woman.

The character, a flamboyant rock star known as Zarf, kisses the lesbian character Bianca and much drama ensues. The storyline begins with Thursday's episode of the daytime drama.

There have been a handful of post-surgical transgender characters in television shows, including a college professor in the 2001 prime-time CBS series "The Education of Max Bickford" and a model in the short-lived ABC soap opera "The City" in 1996, according to the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation. Showtime's "The L Word" currently features a character changing from a woman into a man.

"All My Children" was looking for something new, and knows its audience is always interested in anything to do with sexuality, said Julie Hanan Carruthers, the show's executive producer.

"After 36 years, you start rehashing," she said. "It's inevitable. We didn't want to fall back on the baby-switch story again."

The show wasn't interested in doing something just to be sensational, she said. GLAAD and some transgenders were brought in as consultants in shaping the character, teaching the producers when it is appropriate to call a character "she" even before surgery, she said.

Damon Romine, a spokesman for GLAAD, said he hasn't seen the show yet but feels people involved were genuinely interested in telling the story with dignity.

[Zakeet]

Y'all be sure to tune in.

[Dustbunny]

I have always said that Soap Opera's rot your brain, this proves it.

[ShadowDancer]

I despise soap operas, can't figure out why so many of my friends are so addicted to them. Having said that, I clearly remember running home full speed from school so I wouldn't miss Luke and Laura's wedding.

[Caipirabob]

Thanks, I'll make sure it's blocked.

[Silly]

I think Zarf catered Luke and Laura's wedding.

[Silly]

I think Zarf catered Luke and Laura's wedding.

[WKB]

Baptist ping

[mkjessup]

"The character, a flamboyant rock star known as Zarf, kisses the lesbian character Bianca and much drama ensues."

Hey, one of our own is now FAMOUS!

http://www.freerepublic.com/~zarf/

LOL, hey zarf? What a way to start a Monday, eh? ;)

[Joe Boucher]

I know folks who've watched this crap for decades and accociate with the characters.
Civilization as we know it is lost.

[PBRSTREETGANG]

Well...at least the name rhymes with "BARF".

[Alouette]

There have been a handful of post-surgical transgender characters in television shows, including a college professor in the 2001 prime-time CBS series "The Education of Max Bickford" and a model in the short-lived ABC soap opera "The City" in 1996, according to the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation. Showtime's "The L Word" currently features a character changing from a woman into a man.

They forgot to mention:

[Alouette]

tv transgender ping

[Corin Stormhands]

yer dang famous

[Thrownatbirth]

I punted AMC when they killed off Jenny Gardener.

Jet ski explosion. Seriously.

[metmom]

ping

[MissEdie]

I played hooky that day so I wouldn't miss a second of it!

[zarf]

Well, this is wonderful news to wake up to. Kissing the lesbian isn't so bad, but the fact that I can screw myself isn't appealing to me.

Maybe I should supplement my coffee this morning with a shot of Baileys or Kahlua.

[JimRed]

Pre-op or post-op?

[JustaDumbBlonde]

"Damon Romine, a spokesman for GLAAD, said he hasn't seen the show yet but feels people involved were genuinely interested in telling the story with dignity."

As if there is any dignity in the transgender story.

[MacArthur]

I did the same. I remember when AMC was a great show- Greg and Jenny,the Original Opal Gardner (not the "new " one), Phoebe, Lagley,Palmer and Daisy, etc. Then the show went downhill. Glad I stopped taping it years ago.