‘Judy’ Fact Check: Is the Gay Couple Judy Garland Beiends Based on a Real Couple?

THE GAY "HEARTSTRGS" EPISO THAT SPARKED A WALKOUT AT DOLLYWOODAND WHY THE SCREENWRER BEHD ISN'T {FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}{FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}TVBY CHRISTOPHER RUDOLPHNOVEMBER 23, 2019/6:43 {HEIGHT:HER;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;POSN:RELATIVE;-WEBK-FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;-MS-FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;-WEBK-ALIGN-EMS:CENTER;-WEBK-BOX-ALIGN:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-ALIGN:CENTER;ALIGN-EMS:CENTER;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-WEBK-TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;-MS-TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;} IMG{HEIGHT:100%;WIDTH:100%;OBJECT-F:VER;}{HEIGHT:2400PX;WIDTH:3600PX;}NETFLIXDOLLY PARTON'S HEARTSTRINGSBY CHRISTOPHER RUDOLPHNOVEMBER 23, 2019 / 6:43 PM{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"NEWSARTICLE","HEADLE":"THE GAY \"HEARTSTRGS\" EPISO THAT SPARKED A WALKOUT AT DOLLYWOOD","THUMBNAILURL":","DATEPUBLISHED":"2019-11-23T23:43:36.000+0000","DATEMODIFIED":"2019-11-23T23:43:36.000+0000","IMAGE":{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","URL":","WIDTH":1920,"HEIGHT":1080},"URL":","THOR":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","NAME":"LOGO TV"},"MAENTYOFPAGE":{"@TYPE":"WEBPAGE","@ID":"},"PUBLISHER":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","@ID":","NAME":"LOGO TV","URL":","LOGO":{"@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT"}},"CREATOR":"CHRISTOPHER RUDOLPH","ARTICLESECTN":"TV"}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"TWO DOORS DOWN," THE FAL EPISO OM DOLLY PARTON'S HEARTSTRGS, IS NOTABLE NOT JT BEE IS THE SERI' HOLIDAY EPISO, BUT ALSO BEE S PLOT CENTERS ON A GAY UPLE, TYLER (ANDY MIENT) AND COLE (MICHAEL J. WILLETT), AS WELL AS TYLER'S NSERVATIVE SOUTHERN FAY, TO WHOM HE ISN'T {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AN EPISO FOCG ON GAY CHARACTERS A SERI BASED ON DOLLY SONGS AND GEARED TOWARD FAI ULD BE SEEN AS A SURPRISG CHOICE, AND SEEMED LIKE SOME DIENCE MEMBERS WERE UGHT OFF-GUARD AT A RECENT SCREENG OF HEARTSTRGS. THE STALLMENT WAS PART OF A DAYLONG MARATHON OF ALL EIGHT EPISOS OF HEARTSTRGS AT DOLLYWOOD PIGEON FE, TENNSEE, WHICH NEWNOWNEXT ATTEND. AFTER "TWO DOORS DOWN" BEGAN TO PLAY, SOME DIENCE MEMBERS LEFT THE SCREENG WHEN WAS REVEALED THAT TYLER AND COLE WERE A UPLE.NETFLIXDOLLY PARTON'S {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WE UGHT UP WH THE EPISO'S SCREENWRER, MARK B. PERRY, TO TALK ABOUT HIS VOLVEMENT WH HEARTSTRGS, DOLLY'S UNIVERSAL APPEAL, AND HIS THOUGHTS ON THAT EPISO SPARKG A WALKOUT AT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}HI, MARK. FIRST OFF, I WAS WONRG: WAS THE SONG "TWO DOORS DOWN" ALREADY ASSIGNED TO THAT EPISO, OR DID YOU GET TO PICK? HOW DID THE PLOT E ABOUT?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WELL, THE SONG HAD ALREADY BEEN PRE-SELECTED. I THK THEY WENT THROUGH A HARD PROCS TO SELECT THE EIGHT SONGS BEFORE THEY ACTUALLY GOT TO THE WRG. AND WHEN I WENT TO MEET THEY HAD THE BARE BON OF A PREMISE THAT HAD BEEN WORKED OUT. WE KNEW THAT THEY WANTED TO BE THE LGBTQ EPISO. THE BASIC SETUP WAS THEY WANTED TO DO AN EPISO ABOUT A RELATIVELY NSERVATIVE WOMAN WHO DISVERS THAT SOMEONE VERY CLOSE TO HER IS GAY. AND WE JT RAN WH THAT. I MEAN, THAT'S ONE OF THE OLST PLOTS THE WORLD. BUT 'S ALWAYS FUN TO SEE HOW YOU DO . I SAT DOWN AND STARTED THKG OF CHARACTERS AND SUATNS, AND THEN THE NEXT THG I KNEW, I HAD THE MEEGERS FAY MY HEAD, WHICH WAS PRETTY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}DID YOU EVER HEAR OM DOLLY'S TEAM WHY WAS IMPORTANT TO HAVE AN LGBTQ EPISO?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}I WAS TOLD THAT DOLLY HERSELF WANTED TO DO AN LGBTQ-CLIVE EPISO BASED ON THE FACT THAT SHE HAS SUCH A UNIVERSAL APPEAL. HER FAN BASE CROSS EVERY MOGRAPHIC, AND YOU STAND SI-BY-SI WH PEOPLE YOU MIGHT NOT SOCIALIZE WH AT A DOLLY PARTON NCERT. SHE WAS VOLVED READG [PLOT] OUTL AND SO FORTH, AND WAS REALLY A PHENOMENAL EXPERIENCE. I HAVE TO SAY 'S A LOVELY GROUP OF PEOPLE—VERY SUPPORTIVE, AND QUE A LOT OF FUN, {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;} .TWTER-TWEET-RENRED, {M-WIDTH:65%;WIDTH:TO !IMPORTANT;} {WIDTH:100%;} {MARG-LEFT:TO !IMPORTANT;MARG-RIGHT:TO !IMPORTANT;} IMG{MAX-WIDTH:100%;WIDTH:100%;} > IAME{BORR:NONE;MAX-WIDTH:100%;} > *{MAX-WIDTH:NONE !IMPORTANT;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}I THK PEOPLE WILL BE SURPRISED TO HEAR THAT THERE IS AN LGBTQ EPISO HEARTSTRGS, AND 'S SUCH A GOOD ONE. YOU'VE WORKED TELEVISN FOR YEARS. HOW HAVE YOU SEEN QUEER REPRENTATN TV EVOLVE?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}OH, MY GOD. WELL, AS RECENTLY AS 1998, I HAD A SHOW THAT I WAS DOG FOR ABC. I RECEIVED A PHONE LL RMG ME THAT I HAD TO TAKE A CHARACTER—WHO HAD BEEN GAY OM THE PCH AND THROUGH THE PILOT PROCS, AND [CLUD] WHEN WE GOT THE SERI ORR—I HAD TO TAKE HIS BACKSTORY AND DO SOMETHG OTHER THAN HAVE THE CHARACTER BE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}YEAH. AND THAT WAS '98, SO THAT'S NOT THAT LONG AGO. THEN, TO GET A LL OM DOLLY PARTON SAYG, "PLEASE DO OUR GAY EPISO"—I THK THAT'S A LOT OF GREAT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}NETFLIX HELD A HEARTSTRGS "FILM FTIVAL" AT DOLLYWOOD WHERE THEY PLAYED THE ENTIRE SEASON. SO I WATCHED THE ENTIRE SHOW THAT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}GOOD FOR YOU!{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;POSN:RELATIVE;PADDG-BOTTOM:56.49999999999999%;} .TWTER-TWEET-RENRED, {M-WIDTH:65%;WIDTH:TO !IMPORTANT;} {WIDTH:100%;} {MARG-LEFT:TO !IMPORTANT;MARG-RIGHT:TO !IMPORTANT;} IMG{MAX-WIDTH:100%;WIDTH:100%;} > IAME{BORR:NONE;MAX-WIDTH:100%;} > *{MAX-WIDTH:NONE !IMPORTANT;POSN:ABSOLUTE;HEIGHT:100% !IMPORTANT;WIDTH:100% !IMPORTANT;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}I LOVED . "TWO DOORS DOWN" WAS THE LAST EPISO SCREENED, AND NEAR THE BEGNG OF EPISO, WHEN 'S REVEALED THAT TYLER AND COLE ARE A UPLE, SOME PEOPLE THE DIENCE ACTUALLY LEFT! WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THAT?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WELL, I GREW UP THE SOUTH, SO I LL MYSELF AN EXPAT SOUTHERNER, AND I FELT THAT I HAD A CHANCE TO WRE FAIRLY AND THENTILLY ABOUT SOME OF THE ATTUS THE SOUTH ABOUT BEG GAY. SO I WAS NOT SURPRISED WHEN I HEARD THAT SOME PEOPLE GOT UP AND WALKED OUT. BUT DID MAKE ME A LTLE SAD [BEE] THERE'S NOTHG OFFENSIVE MY EPISO, AS FAR AS I'M NCERNED. YOU KNOW, 'S TOO BAD THAT WE'RE STILL AT A POT TIME WHERE THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO N BE OFFEND ENOUGH BY THAT, THAT THEY WOULD PRIVE THEMSELV OF WHAT ULTIMATELY IS A JOYO {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}SO YOU HAD ALREADY HEARD THAT PEOPLE WALKED OUT?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}Y. I HAVE IENDS WHO WERE AT THE SCREENGS, AND THEY HAD TOLD ME ABOUT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}I WAS SURPRISED AND SAD WHEN I SAW THAT, AND THEY MISSED OUT ON WHAT I THK IS THE BT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WELL, THANK YOU. AND I LIKE TO THK 'S THEIR LOSS.NETFLIXDOLLY PARTON'S {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}EXACTLY. I FELT THAT YOU REALLY NAILED THE CHARACTERS, AND THE EXPERIENCE OF HAVG TO E OUT TO YOUR PARENTS. IT FELT VERY REAL. WERE THERE ANY TOBGRAPHIL ELEMENTS THERE?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}I WOULDN'T LL TOBGRAPHIL. THERE'S A LOT OF DIFFERENC MY STORY AND THE MEEGERS' STORY. BUT HAVG GROWN UP THE SOUTH, I CERTALY WAS AROUND ENOUGH OF THE ATTUS THAT I BELIEVE REALLY FUELED WHO AMELIA IS. THAT'S MELISSA LEO'S CHARACTER. THE NIGHT I ME OUT TO MY PARENTS AND OUR WORLD SHIFTED ON S AXIS FOR AWHILE, I WENT OUTSI AND SAT DOWN ALONE AT THE END OF THE DRIVEWAY. A MOMENT OR TWO PASSED, THEN SOMETHG STLED THE BH AND A POSSUM ME WADDLG TOWARD ME. IT STOPPED A FEW FEET AWAY, JT STARG, THEN EVENTUALLY TURNED AND DISAPPEARED BACK TO THE HEDGE. WHEN I TOLD MY THEN-PARTNER, NOW-HBAND ABOUT THE NEXT DAY, HE LOOKED UP POSSUMS A BOOK OF SPIR ANIMALS AND TOLD ME SENTIALLY WHAT REN SAYS TO TYLER THE EPISO. SO I’M PLEASED TO TELL YOU THAT THE POSSUM WAS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}YOU MENTNED DOLLY'S FAN BASE EARLIER. WHY DO YOU THK SHE APPEALS TO SUCH A LARGE DIENCE?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}I THK DOLLY JT HAS AN FECT SPIR. I MEAN, WHEN I MET HER I THOUGHT, MY GOD, SHE'S EXACTLY WHO YOU WOULD EXPECT HER TO BE, AND THEN SOME. YOU KNOW, EVERY TIME YOU SEE HER ON A TALK SHOW AND THEN WHEN YOU GET A CHANCE TO S DOWN WH HER—THAT'S JT WHO SHE IS. PL, SHE WR REALLY GREAT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IF YOU WERE BROUGHT BACK FOR ANOTHER SEASON OF HEARTSTRGS, IS THERE A PARTICULAR DOLLY SONG THAT YOU WOULD LOVE TO TACKLE?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}OH, THAT'S A GOOD QUTN. I SHOULD HAVE THOUGHT ABOUT THAT BEFORE THIS. NO, UNFORTUNATELY I DON'T HAVE A GOOD ANSWER HANDY, BUT I'LL TAKE ANY OF THEM!NETFLIXDOLLY PARTON'S {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}LIKE I SAID, YOUR EPISO WAS MY FAVORE. I HAD HEARD WAS OTHER PEOPLE'S FAVORE AS WELL, AND LIVED UP TO THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}OH, GOOD. I'M SO HAPPY TO HEAR THAT. AND I HOPE THOSE PEOPLE WHO WALKED OUT MIGHT ACTUALLY TUNE AND GIVE ANOTHER {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}YOUR EPISO HAS THE MOST DOLLY OUTSI OF “JOLENE.” WAS THAT ALREADY THE PLAN BEFORE YOU WERE BROUGHT ON TO WRE THE SCRIPT, OR WAS THAT YOUR IA TO HAVE DOLLY PERFORM AT THE WEDDG?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHEN I WAS FIRST APPROACHED ABOUT WRG THE EPISO, THE BROAD STROK WERE THAT WOULD BE THE SEASON FALE, THE LGBTQ EPISO, AND THAT DOLLY PARTON WANTED TO APPEAR AS HERSELF AND PERFORM A MI-NCERT. IN OTHER WORDS, WAS A SOUTHERN GAY BOY’S DREAM E TE! WORKG HER TO THE EPISO WAS A TLY FUN CHALLENGE, AND I WAS QUE HAPPY TO HAVE TYLER [ANDY'S CHARACTER] HAVE ENOUGH NNECTNS WH THE MIC WORLD THAT DOLLY WOULD HAPPILY PERFORM AT HIS SISTER’S WEDDG RECEPTN. THE POWER OF HER MIC HELPS HEAL THE FAY, SO I LIKE TO THK OF AS A LTLE DOLLY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}DOLLY PARTON'S HEARTSTRGS IS NOW STREAMG ON {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;CLEAR:BOTH;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;MARG:0 TO;WIDTH:90%;M-WIDTH:288PX;MAX-WIDTH:1440PX;M-HEIGHT:194PX;}LATT NEWS
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‘JUDY’ FACT CHECK: IS THE GAY COUPLE JUDY GARLAND BEIENDS BASED ON A REAL COUPLE?

THE GAY "HEARTSTRGS" EPISO THAT SPARKED A WALKOUT AT DOLLYWOODAND WHY THE SCREENWRER BEHD ISN'T {FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}{FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}TVBY CHRISTOPHER RUDOLPHNOVEMBER 23, 2019/6:43 {HEIGHT:HER;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;POSN:RELATIVE;-WEBK-FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;-MS-FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;-WEBK-ALIGN-EMS:CENTER;-WEBK-BOX-ALIGN:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-ALIGN:CENTER;ALIGN-EMS:CENTER;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-WEBK-TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;-MS-TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;} IMG{HEIGHT:100%;WIDTH:100%;OBJECT-F:VER;}{HEIGHT:2400PX;WIDTH:3600PX;}NETFLIXDOLLY PARTON'S HEARTSTRINGSBY CHRISTOPHER RUDOLPHNOVEMBER 23, 2019 / 6:43 PM{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"NEWSARTICLE","HEADLE":"THE GAY \"HEARTSTRGS\" EPISO THAT SPARKED A WALKOUT AT DOLLYWOOD","THUMBNAILURL":","DATEPUBLISHED":"2019-11-23T23:43:36.000+0000","DATEMODIFIED":"2019-11-23T23:43:36.000+0000","IMAGE":{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","URL":","WIDTH":1920,"HEIGHT":1080},"URL":","THOR":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","NAME":"LOGO TV"},"MAENTYOFPAGE":{"@TYPE":"WEBPAGE","@ID":"},"PUBLISHER":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","@ID":","NAME":"LOGO TV","URL":","LOGO":{"@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT"}},"CREATOR":"CHRISTOPHER RUDOLPH","ARTICLESECTN":"TV"}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"TWO DOORS DOWN," THE FAL EPISO OM DOLLY PARTON'S HEARTSTRGS, IS NOTABLE NOT JT BEE IS THE SERI' HOLIDAY EPISO, BUT ALSO BEE S PLOT CENTERS ON A GAY UPLE, TYLER (ANDY MIENT) AND COLE (MICHAEL J. WILLETT), AS WELL AS TYLER'S NSERVATIVE SOUTHERN FAY, TO WHOM HE ISN'T {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AN EPISO FOCG ON GAY CHARACTERS A SERI BASED ON DOLLY SONGS AND GEARED TOWARD FAI ULD BE SEEN AS A SURPRISG CHOICE, AND SEEMED LIKE SOME DIENCE MEMBERS WERE UGHT OFF-GUARD AT A RECENT SCREENG OF HEARTSTRGS. THE STALLMENT WAS PART OF A DAYLONG MARATHON OF ALL EIGHT EPISOS OF HEARTSTRGS AT DOLLYWOOD PIGEON FE, TENNSEE, WHICH NEWNOWNEXT ATTEND. AFTER "TWO DOORS DOWN" BEGAN TO PLAY, SOME DIENCE MEMBERS LEFT THE SCREENG WHEN WAS REVEALED THAT TYLER AND COLE WERE A UPLE.NETFLIXDOLLY PARTON'S {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WE UGHT UP WH THE EPISO'S SCREENWRER, MARK B. PERRY, TO TALK ABOUT HIS VOLVEMENT WH HEARTSTRGS, DOLLY'S UNIVERSAL APPEAL, AND HIS THOUGHTS ON THAT EPISO SPARKG A WALKOUT AT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}HI, MARK. FIRST OFF, I WAS WONRG: WAS THE SONG "TWO DOORS DOWN" ALREADY ASSIGNED TO THAT EPISO, OR DID YOU GET TO PICK? HOW DID THE PLOT E ABOUT?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WELL, THE SONG HAD ALREADY BEEN PRE-SELECTED. I THK THEY WENT THROUGH A HARD PROCS TO SELECT THE EIGHT SONGS BEFORE THEY ACTUALLY GOT TO THE WRG. AND WHEN I WENT TO MEET THEY HAD THE BARE BON OF A PREMISE THAT HAD BEEN WORKED OUT. WE KNEW THAT THEY WANTED TO BE THE LGBTQ EPISO. THE BASIC SETUP WAS THEY WANTED TO DO AN EPISO ABOUT A RELATIVELY NSERVATIVE WOMAN WHO DISVERS THAT SOMEONE VERY CLOSE TO HER IS GAY. AND WE JT RAN WH THAT. I MEAN, THAT'S ONE OF THE OLST PLOTS THE WORLD. BUT 'S ALWAYS FUN TO SEE HOW YOU DO . I SAT DOWN AND STARTED THKG OF CHARACTERS AND SUATNS, AND THEN THE NEXT THG I KNEW, I HAD THE MEEGERS FAY MY HEAD, WHICH WAS PRETTY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}DID YOU EVER HEAR OM DOLLY'S TEAM WHY WAS IMPORTANT TO HAVE AN LGBTQ EPISO?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}I WAS TOLD THAT DOLLY HERSELF WANTED TO DO AN LGBTQ-CLIVE EPISO BASED ON THE FACT THAT SHE HAS SUCH A UNIVERSAL APPEAL. HER FAN BASE CROSS EVERY MOGRAPHIC, AND YOU STAND SI-BY-SI WH PEOPLE YOU MIGHT NOT SOCIALIZE WH AT A DOLLY PARTON NCERT. SHE WAS VOLVED READG [PLOT] OUTL AND SO FORTH, AND WAS REALLY A PHENOMENAL EXPERIENCE. I HAVE TO SAY 'S A LOVELY GROUP OF PEOPLE—VERY SUPPORTIVE, AND QUE A LOT OF FUN, {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;} .TWTER-TWEET-RENRED, {M-WIDTH:65%;WIDTH:TO !IMPORTANT;} {WIDTH:100%;} {MARG-LEFT:TO !IMPORTANT;MARG-RIGHT:TO !IMPORTANT;} IMG{MAX-WIDTH:100%;WIDTH:100%;} > IAME{BORR:NONE;MAX-WIDTH:100%;} > {MAX-WIDTH:NONE !IMPORTANT;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}I THK PEOPLE WILL BE SURPRISED TO HEAR THAT THERE IS AN LGBTQ EPISO HEARTSTRGS, AND 'S SUCH A GOOD ONE. YOU'VE WORKED TELEVISN FOR YEARS. HOW HAVE YOU SEEN QUEER REPRENTATN TV EVOLVE?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}OH, MY GOD. WELL, AS RECENTLY AS 1998, I HAD A SHOW THAT I WAS DOG FOR ABC. I RECEIVED A PHONE LL RMG ME THAT I HAD TO TAKE A CHARACTER—WHO HAD BEEN GAY OM THE PCH AND THROUGH THE PILOT PROCS, AND [CLUD] WHEN WE GOT THE SERI ORR—I HAD TO TAKE HIS BACKSTORY AND DO SOMETHG OTHER THAN HAVE THE CHARACTER BE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}YEAH. AND THAT WAS '98, SO THAT'S NOT THAT LONG AGO. THEN, TO GET A LL OM DOLLY PARTON SAYG, "PLEASE DO OUR GAY EPISO"—I THK THAT'S A LOT OF GREAT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}NETFLIX HELD A HEARTSTRGS "FILM FTIVAL" AT DOLLYWOOD WHERE THEY PLAYED THE ENTIRE SEASON. SO I WATCHED THE ENTIRE SHOW THAT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}GOOD FOR YOU!{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;POSN:RELATIVE;PADDG-BOTTOM:56.49999999999999%;} .TWTER-TWEET-RENRED, {M-WIDTH:65%;WIDTH:TO !IMPORTANT;} {WIDTH:100%;} {MARG-LEFT:TO !IMPORTANT;MARG-RIGHT:TO !IMPORTANT;} IMG{MAX-WIDTH:100%;WIDTH:100%;} > IAME{BORR:NONE;MAX-WIDTH:100%;} > {MAX-WIDTH:NONE !IMPORTANT;POSN:ABSOLUTE;HEIGHT:100% !IMPORTANT;WIDTH:100% !IMPORTANT;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}I LOVED . "TWO DOORS DOWN" WAS THE LAST EPISO SCREENED, AND NEAR THE BEGNG OF EPISO, WHEN 'S REVEALED THAT TYLER AND COLE ARE A UPLE, SOME PEOPLE THE DIENCE ACTUALLY LEFT! WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THAT?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WELL, I GREW UP THE SOUTH, SO I LL MYSELF AN EXPAT SOUTHERNER, AND I FELT THAT I HAD A CHANCE TO WRE FAIRLY AND THENTILLY ABOUT SOME OF THE ATTUS THE SOUTH ABOUT BEG GAY. SO I WAS NOT SURPRISED WHEN I HEARD THAT SOME PEOPLE GOT UP AND WALKED OUT. BUT DID MAKE ME A LTLE SAD [BEE] THERE'S NOTHG OFFENSIVE MY EPISO, AS FAR AS I'M NCERNED. YOU KNOW, 'S TOO BAD THAT WE'RE STILL AT A POT TIME WHERE THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO N BE OFFEND ENOUGH BY THAT, THAT THEY WOULD PRIVE THEMSELV OF WHAT ULTIMATELY IS A JOYO {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}SO YOU HAD ALREADY HEARD THAT PEOPLE WALKED OUT?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}Y. I HAVE IENDS WHO WERE AT THE SCREENGS, AND THEY HAD TOLD ME ABOUT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}I WAS SURPRISED AND SAD WHEN I SAW THAT, AND THEY MISSED OUT ON WHAT I THK IS THE BT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WELL, THANK YOU. AND I LIKE TO THK 'S THEIR LOSS.NETFLIXDOLLY PARTON'S {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}EXACTLY. I FELT THAT YOU REALLY NAILED THE CHARACTERS, AND THE EXPERIENCE OF HAVG TO E OUT TO YOUR PARENTS. IT FELT VERY REAL. WERE THERE ANY TOBGRAPHIL ELEMENTS THERE?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}I WOULDN'T LL TOBGRAPHIL. THERE'S A LOT OF DIFFERENC MY STORY AND THE MEEGERS' STORY. BUT HAVG GROWN UP THE SOUTH, I CERTALY WAS AROUND ENOUGH OF THE ATTUS THAT I BELIEVE REALLY FUELED WHO AMELIA IS. THAT'S MELISSA LEO'S CHARACTER. THE NIGHT I ME OUT TO MY PARENTS AND OUR WORLD SHIFTED ON S AXIS FOR AWHILE, I WENT OUTSI AND SAT DOWN ALONE AT THE END OF THE DRIVEWAY. A MOMENT OR TWO PASSED, THEN SOMETHG STLED THE BH AND A POSSUM ME WADDLG TOWARD ME. IT STOPPED A FEW FEET AWAY, JT STARG, THEN EVENTUALLY TURNED AND DISAPPEARED BACK TO THE HEDGE. WHEN I TOLD MY THEN-PARTNER, NOW-HBAND ABOUT THE NEXT DAY, HE LOOKED UP POSSUMS A BOOK OF SPIR ANIMALS AND TOLD ME SENTIALLY WHAT REN SAYS TO TYLER THE EPISO. SO I’M PLEASED TO TELL YOU THAT THE POSSUM WAS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}YOU MENTNED DOLLY'S FAN BASE EARLIER. WHY DO YOU THK SHE APPEALS TO SUCH A LARGE DIENCE?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}I THK DOLLY JT HAS AN FECT SPIR. I MEAN, WHEN I MET HER I THOUGHT, MY GOD, SHE'S EXACTLY WHO YOU WOULD EXPECT HER TO BE, AND THEN SOME. YOU KNOW, EVERY TIME YOU SEE HER ON A TALK SHOW AND THEN WHEN YOU GET A CHANCE TO S DOWN WH HER—THAT'S JT WHO SHE IS. PL, SHE WR REALLY GREAT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IF YOU WERE BROUGHT BACK FOR ANOTHER SEASON OF HEARTSTRGS, IS THERE A PARTICULAR DOLLY SONG THAT YOU WOULD LOVE TO TACKLE?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}OH, THAT'S A GOOD QUTN. I SHOULD HAVE THOUGHT ABOUT THAT BEFORE THIS. NO, UNFORTUNATELY I DON'T HAVE A GOOD ANSWER HANDY, BUT I'LL TAKE ANY OF THEM!NETFLIXDOLLY PARTON'S {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}LIKE I SAID, YOUR EPISO WAS MY FAVORE. I HAD HEARD WAS OTHER PEOPLE'S FAVORE AS WELL, AND LIVED UP TO THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}OH, GOOD. I'M SO HAPPY TO HEAR THAT. AND I HOPE THOSE PEOPLE WHO WALKED OUT MIGHT ACTUALLY TUNE AND GIVE ANOTHER {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}YOUR EPISO HAS THE MOST DOLLY OUTSI OF “JOLENE.” WAS THAT ALREADY THE PLAN BEFORE YOU WERE BROUGHT ON TO WRE THE SCRIPT, OR WAS THAT YOUR IA TO HAVE DOLLY PERFORM AT THE WEDDG?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHEN I WAS FIRST APPROACHED ABOUT WRG THE EPISO, THE BROAD STROK WERE THAT WOULD BE THE SEASON FALE, THE LGBTQ EPISO, AND THAT DOLLY PARTON WANTED TO APPEAR AS HERSELF AND PERFORM A MI-NCERT. IN OTHER WORDS, WAS A SOUTHERN GAY BOY’S DREAM E TE! WORKG HER TO THE EPISO WAS A TLY FUN CHALLENGE, AND I WAS QUE HAPPY TO HAVE TYLER [ANDY'S CHARACTER] HAVE ENOUGH NNECTNS WH THE MIC WORLD THAT DOLLY WOULD HAPPILY PERFORM AT HIS SISTER’S WEDDG RECEPTN. THE POWER OF HER MIC HELPS HEAL THE FAY, SO I LIKE TO THK OF AS A LTLE DOLLY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}DOLLY PARTON'S HEARTSTRGS IS NOW STREAMG ON {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;CLEAR:BOTH;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;MARG:0 TO;WIDTH:90%;M-WIDTH:288PX;MAX-WIDTH:1440PX;M-HEIGHT:194PX;}LATT NEWS

Heartstrgs, the new Dolly Parton Netflix seri, is givg the gays all the feelgs wh a same-sex love story based on 'Two Doors Down'. * two doors down gay couple *

"Two Doors Down, " the fal episo om Dolly Parton's Heartstrgs, is notable not jt bee is the seri' holiday episo, but also bee s plot centers on a gay uple, Tyler (Andy Mient) and Cole (Michael J. Willett), as well as Tyler's nservative Southern fay, to whom he isn't episo focg on gay characters a seri based on Dolly songs and geared toward fai uld be seen as a surprisg choice, and seemed like some dience members were ught off-guard at a recent screeng of Heartstrgs.

The basic setup was they wanted to do an episo about a relatively nservative woman who disvers that someone very close to her is gay. I received a phone ll rmg me that I had to take a character—who had been gay om the pch and through the pilot procs, and [clud] when we got the seri orr—I had to take his backstory and do somethg other than have the character be And that was '98, so that's not that long ago.

SIMON CARLYLE: 'AYR WAS AN AWFUL PLACE TO BE GAY'

* two doors down gay couple *

Then, to get a ll om Dolly Parton sayg, "Please do our gay episo"—I thk that's a lot of great progrs. Well, I grew up the South, so I ll myself an expat Southerner, and I felt that I had a chance to wre fairly and thentilly about some of the attus the South about beg gay. In other words, was a Southern gay boy’s dream e te!

Their son Ian is gay.

DOLLY PARTON’S NEW NETFLIX SERI IS GIVG THE GAYS EVERYTHG THEY WANT WH AN EMOTNAL SAME-SEX LOVE STORY

But Ayr was “jt an awful place to be gay. "What helped me was knowg a uple of gay guys om figure skatg.