http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,546720,00.html??test=faces

If you tuned in to the soap "One Life to Live" this week, you may have noticed there's been a change of character. One character in particular.

Actress Patricia Mauceri says she was fired and abruptly replaced for objecting to a gay storyline because of her religious beliefs.

Mauceri played the recurring role of Carlotta Vega on "OLTL" for the last 14 years. But when she objected to how the writers wanted her deeply religious character, a Latina mother, to handle a storyline involving homosexuality, she objected. And for that she claims she was fired.

Mauceri, 59, a devout Christian, told FOX News that character Vega's gay-friendly dialogue was not in line with the character she helped create by drawing on her own faith.

"I did not object to being in a gay storyline. I objected to speaking the truth of what that person, how that person would live and breathe and act in that storyline," she said. "And this goes against everything I am, my belief system, and what I know the character's belief system is aligned to."

Mauceri said she was replaced despite offering changes to the script and hoping for a compromise.

An ABC spokesperson said they were not aware of any such claims by Mauceri, adding such claims "would be frivolous."

When asked why Mauceri is no longer playing Carlotta Vega, the spokesperson said the show does not comment on personnel matters. The scene in question was scheduled to air Friday afternoon.

Mauceri told FOX News she is exploring her legal options. AFTRA, the actors union that represents her, did not respond to a request for comment.

Has Valentini commented publicly about the Mauceri incident? I thought all of this died down until Mauceri ran to Fox News to push some agenda.

I went back and looked through the archives....

In 2008, Patricia Mauceri was in 28 out of 253 episodes, or 11% of all episodes aired.

That puts her ahead of Jack, Renee, and Madame Delphina, but behind Nigel, Roxy, Addie, and even David Vickers the Dog.

In 2007, she was in 24 out of 255 episodeds, or 9% of the episodes that year.

In 2006, she was in 15 out of 255 episodes, or 6%.

And PM was in 5 episodes as Carlotta this year (and Saundra Santiago in 2 thus far).

So yes, it is not like Carlotta has been a major character in Llanview in quite some time.

Valentini clearly wanted to screw her while building buzz for Kish with an Engen-style scandal.

Prove it.

According to all reports, OLTL brass were taken aback by PM's complaints and tried to meet her halfway.

You're saying things to fit a persecution fantasy in your head. That doesn't make them true.

The fact that he was is a perfect example of the "with us or against us" thinking that will screw this story.

What story? Kish? What do you mean? What mindset regarding Kish is screwing the story? Exactly what other fictional "lines in the sand" have been drawn with this gay storyline between the show and either fans or actors? Those who aren't bigots, that is?

I could easily draw corollaries between RC's treatment of Hank's recent return and his treatment of Carlotta in this situation.

Not really. Good luck with that very transparent attempt at the most vile type of wedge politics, though. I see nothing's beneath you. And judging by this and your comments above about the gay mafia obviously trying to create a "Chris Engen scandal," for the poor maligned homophobes, you have a lot more issues than you're willing to admit to.

Edited September 10, 200916 yr by Vee

I'll say it again... Actor refused to act what actor had been given, actor was fired.

What the hell does Valentini/Carlivati/Frons/Larry Carpenter have to do with any of this? This is some type of fantasy that people are unwilling to let go of. It seems that people feel they should have the right to say "No, Boss! I don't want to do this!" and still keep their job. THIS WOMAN MADE THE DECISION NOT TO PLAY THE SCENE AS WRITTEN AND, THEREFORE, SHE DIDN'T! She was just replaced with someone who would!

Toups or anyone else should be able to express their dislike and/or distrust for Valentini without being accused of giving homophobia a free pass.

You know, if you're going to say something loaded, I really wish you'd be clear about who you're directing it toward and what you mean by it... I may EASILY interpret your post as being directed toward my response to Toups, or some attempt to create a negative translation of my comments - even though it would be a total regurgitation.

I didn't make any accusations, I asked for some clarity, and I merely pointed out how an EP being thought of as an a-hole is apples & oranges to the Mauceri deal.

Looking back on this thread, A LOT of the debate here stems from hazy commentary (or stuff coming out of left field) that practically insists a reader ask who it's directed toward / what it means / how it relates to the subject at hand.

I'll say it again... Actor refused to act what actor had been given, actor was fired.

What the hell does Valentini/Carlivati/Frons/Larry Carpenter have to do with any of this? This is some type of fantasy that people are unwilling to let go of. It seems that people feel they should have the right to say "No, Boss! I don't want to do this!" and still keep their job. THIS WOMAN MADE THE DECISION NOT TO PLAY THE SCENE AS WRITTEN AND, THEREFORE, SHE DIDN'T! She was just replaced with someone who would!

Thanks for the CLARITY.

You're saying it perfectly. So if someone comes to start talking about Ron Carlivati being a bad tipper, please first see R Sinclair's comments above.

marceline was talking to me, not you, and trying to make it about me vs. the mod. "OMG you attacked Toups!" I never attacked Toups, and I'm fairly positive Toups knows that.

As for articulating what she means by any of the inflammatory things she says like "'the 'my gay or the highway agenda' of Kish" or "they did the same thing they did to Carlotta that they did to Hank," (which they didn't, but let's not that get in the way of yet another attempt by marceline to make this a cynical wedge issue) that's never been her strong suit. It's enough to drop a bomb, go too far, offend a lot of people, and then skulk away with an attempt at a modicum of civility (too late) by saying "well, I think it's time for me to go back to the shadows..."

Edited September 10, 200916 yr by Vee

Ugh, why are we still talking about her? This thing has blown up to be bigger than it realy is. Sh-t happens and then you move on

Unfortunately, I think Mauceri's interviews seem to be picking up some steam. I opened the AOL welcome page a couple of days ago and there was her pic with the caption 'Soap Actress Fights Back'. BTW, I've never seen the film, "I Think I Do', but I've just read a blog about Mauceri starring (co-starring? Having a bit role?) in the film with Tuc Watkins! I tried to find the original AOL article and ending up finding the blog reporting the film.

I see that We Love Soaps reported about it too. (Sorry if it's already come up)

I don't know what to make of that, just yet. I still think she went to far to equate her own life and personal beliefs with that of Carlotta's. The movie was released in 1997... is she claiming that she only recently became a Christian and would never do anything supportive of homosexuality (off or onsreen)? What role did she play in the movie, did anyone see it?

Edited September 10, 200916 yr by NorrthCafe

I'm not aware of the details on PM's role in the film. I have heard that her views have grown more conservative, and hardened, in the last ten years.

Again, other things are being dragged into this issue. Things that really don't help her case at all.

She never should've gone to the media about this. She's a 60 year old 59 year old Latina actress. Jobs are scarce enough already. Making herself seem difficult to get along with will make it even worse.

This was just a really bad move on her part. I'm not blaming her for the "leak," but going to FOX was definitely kicking this thing into overdrive.

I figured all along that this was what her firing was really about, but some people still are bent on making Mauceri out to be some sort of bigot. She's right about the character, most older Catholics would not be that tolerant because of how they were raised and because of their belief system.

Yep, I agree with you. It would certainly generate a lot of prayer and personal conflict, particularly among older Catholics.

Had they painted Carlotta as a judgmental homophobe, IMO it would have been equally offensive to the Catholic faith. I think a good Catholic would spend time in meaningful prayer and seeking forgiveness for homophobic attitudes also. I wonder what the response would have been had the actress challenged, by reason of personal belief and faith, being written as a homophobe.

Ugh! I give up!

Ugh, why are we still talking about her? This thing has blown up to be bigger than it realy is. Sh-t happens and then you move on

We don't agree on almost anything, Cheap. Only rarely... and this is one of those rare times.

Had they painted Carlotta as a judgmental homophobe, IMO it would have been equally offensive to the Catholic faith. I think a good Catholic would spend time in meaningful prayer and seeking forgiveness for homophobic attitudes also. I wonder what the response would have been had the actress challenged, by reason of personal belief and faith, being written as a homophobe.

Which leads me to the point that Carlotta is Carlotta (and Patricia is Patricia), not the voice of the Catholic people, Latina mothers, or any other group for that matter. I think fans and the folks behind the scenes are way too wrapped up in political correctness and their own agendas that they are sacrificing such juicy storyline opportunites by ignoring just how gritty, raw, and imperfect life can be. Personally, I think homophobia in a gay storyline coming from a friendly, (questionably) beloved character is the way to go... a refreshing move instead of always passing the buck to some demonized dayplayer. Eileen Fulton and Clint Ritchie weren't too fond of having to play "the heavy" in similar situations, but I welcome the idea of well-known characters pushing our buttons and making us question our allegiances. There are plenty of fans out there who DO have a problem with homosexuality, Patricia is not stepping on everybody's toes. I am a Christian and admittedly, I have an issue with atheists, but that doesn't stop me from loving the ones who are my friends and family members. Not to be all Ellen Wheeler here, but I think if we all were a little more open to understanding where people are coming from even when their beliefs don't jive with ours we'd be much closer to mending our differences than when we immediately haul off and drag out the crosses to nail them to.

Again, an actor was replaced due to her refusal to play a scene as written. It's not about homophobia, Catholicism, Latina woman, out of character... whatever. Actor A said she didn't believe in playing the scene the way it was written so she was replaced with Actor B who was willing to WORK. Santiago has never said "OMG! I totally agree with the way this character has been written!!" She just played the scene as it was written and directed, and did the job she was hired to do. I don't blame Mauceri for taking a stand. I blame the woman for taking a stand and then whining about the consequences of taking that stand. The whole point of taking a stand against something is being willing to accept the consequences of taking that stand. It seems fake to take a stand against your employers, and then try to explore your "legal options" after being replaced. This woman is being viewed as some type of martyr, even though she is the furthest thing from one.