Brett Claywell Shares His Side of the Story

After days of silence, actor Brett Claywell is talking to the press about how he and colleague Scott Evans found out about the demise of their onscreen pairing, "Kish"

Among other revelations, it turns out Claywell was sorely disappointed that he and Evans had already filmed their last scene together without even knowing it. Claywell also shoots down rumors that he and Evans were let go because of "lack of commitment and too much partying," and he offers his take on whether One Life to Live's gay storyline was detrimental to the ratings.

Highlights from his ZAP2IT interview:

How did you and Scott learn that your storyline was being written out?

We found out separately. I found out the day before the story broke; I was at "One Life to Live" because I was submitting my Emmy reel. And the same day I'm submitting my Emmy reel, Frank [Valentini] tells me that they're no longer continuing the storyline and that I've filmed my last day.

I do believe there's a certain way that things have to be done to protect the machine, and there are certain things that could be done differently.  Scott found out through somebody tweeting him, and absolutely, that's not the way he should've found out. It shouldn't happen that way.

Scott and I were disappointed that we'd already filmed our last day together. That would've been nice to know. We were like, "We're not even going to work together again." That was the most upsetting part.

"One Life to Live" has had a rough time in the ratings this year. Do you think that the increased screen time of the gay characters is the reason for that?

I don't want to attack anybody, but I do believe we brought in a much more diverse audience. I believe we added a lot of viewers and a very loyal following.... As to why the decision was made, that's not my concern. I believe in my heart that we were one of the best things on television this year. That might be a completely narcissistic opinion, but I really believe that the heart we put into that story made it one of the most honest things on TV.

You can read the entire Interview with Brett Claywell on Zap2It.com

Claywell, writer Ron Carlivati and actor Scott Evans at the 21st Annual GLAAD Media Awards.

Fancast.com also has an interview with the actor. In it he responds to a recent TV Guide Canada column that alleges he and Evans were written off the show because of performance issues:

It’s amazing to me that two people can put so much of their heart into a story that can be so passionate and serious and tell a story as honestly and as truthfully as we tried to and just open our hearts to the world and just try to make a difference, try and touch people and stories like this will come out that are absolutely, 100% false.  I’d love for anyone to watch one day of any of the work we’ve done and tell me that Scott and I were not 100% committed to what we were doing.  We were so dedicated to our work. It’s hurtful.  I’m really offended that someone would make completely false claims.  I’m angry.  It’s slander.

Fancast's entire Brett Claywell interview here.