Host/Guest name (Photo credit if there is one)

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Dawson's Creek: Same Sex Kiss
With David Monahan
Actor
Thursday, May 3, 2001; 3 p.m. EDT/EST

Last week's anticipated prime-time kiss between Jennifer Aniston and Winona Ryder turned out to be merely "friendly." But this week, popular teen show "Dawson's Creek" puts their own spin on the same-sex kiss by featuring two gay characters who ended up in a liplock on the Wednesday, May 2 episode.

Actor David Monahan plays the character of Tobey on the WB network show. He was online Thursday, May 3, at 3 p.m. EDT to take your questions about his career, character and the controversy surrounding the most recent episode.

Monahan grew up in Vienna, Va. and attended Bishop O'Connell High School in Arlington.

The transcript follows.

Editor's Note: Washingtonpost.com moderators retain editorial control over Live Online discussions and choose the most relevant questions for guests and hosts; guests and hosts can decline to answer questions.

David Monahan: Hello to all the WP.com readers and thanks for signing-on today. Just as a bit of introduction (whether you want it or not), I was raised in the Washington suburb of Vienna, Virginia and attended Bishop Denis J. O’Connell High School in Arlington. I graduated from Harvard University with a degree in government and planned to continue on to law school. This was until I was approached one afternoon on the Harvard campus and asked to audition for the feature film, Swing Kids. Although I did not get the part, the positive response to the audtion caused me to shift his professional aspirations and saved me from law school! Instead of law school, I moved to New York and was tutored in acting by Katherine Gately, Rick Poole and Caymichael Patton over the next few years. After some regional and NY theater and some commercial work I moved out to Los Angeles in the fall of last year where I landed the role of Tobey Barret on The Creek.

New York City: Hi Dave, my name is Sarah. I wanted to ask what your feelings were about "the mainstreaming" of homosexuality in the media. Dont you think this can do some harm to impressionable teens?

David Monahan: Honestly, I think 'mainstreaming' is not a particularly useful or appropriate word. I think art, in its many forms, first reflects important issues in our society that need attention or a voice. I think any kid out there who may be struggling with their sexuality and is offered a positive image of it on television can only benefit.

Gillette, Wyo.: David: Do you see the kiss as something that will help your acting career, or are you concerned about the possibility of being type-cast as a result.

David Monahan: I would hope it would only help the career, but of course any actor is concerned about being type cast. Hopefully I will be seen as more than just a high school prom attendee. And every month when my rent is due I am very glad for the job.

El Paso, Texas: David, did you enjoy your real-life high school prom? Who did you go with?

David Monahan: Loved it and went with my girlfriend at the time, Sara.

Beverly Hills, Calif.: you are so talented and amazing. How long have you been acting and what is your technique? are you a method actor? Thanks, Tracey Jacobs.

David Monahan: 'talented and amazing'....wow, thanks for the compliment. I think that my technique encompasses pieces of many techniques and methods that I have studied along the way. Really, I think that the director and actors and writers set up the rules of the game and just play by them. I've been acting for 5 years....I think.

New York: I thought the entire Tobey-prom story line was fabulous last night. It was handled with such class and dignity. Was there a lot of discussion between the actors and the production team regarding portraying this relationship with respect and sensitivity?

David Monahan: Glad you like the episode. I think that the sensitivity really was borne out of the script which was very well crafted. And yes, there was alot of discussion among Kerr Smith, Jason Moore and myself on how to handle the kiss with respect. The crew of Dawson's is, bar none, an amazing group of people.

Wilmington, N.C.: David: Your character Tobey has "come from out of nowhere" this season on Dawson's Creek to become a significant player. Will Tobey be returning next season? What projects do you plan to pursue over the summer hiatus?

Best Wishes,
Felipe.

David Monahan: RIght now I have no idea if I am returning to The Creek. Rumors abound. Things are left fairly open between Jack and Tobey, so you never know. Hmmmm....summer hiatus, Felipe,....I asked my manager and agent the same question today...."What projects do I plan to pursue over the summer hiatus?"

Arlington, Va.: Dear Cutie, I mean David, How did you get into acting? Are you dating anyone now? Are you bicurious?

David Monahan: Dear Arlington, thanks for the compliment. I was an actor very young, then gave it up to pursue swimming and diving in high school and college. Then, randomly on campus in my junior year of college a casting director approached me and asked me to audition for a movie she was casting. So I guess acting found me...again.

Vienna, Va.: I know Kerr's cousin-in-law... just wanted to say hi and think that both of you are great (and hotties) and the kiss was very convincing.

David Monahan: Thanks man.

Fairfax: If you ever come home to visit, would you like to go out?

David Monahan: Yeah, I'm always up for a night on the town as long as you get me home before my curfew.

Farmington Hills, Mich.: I think your character and you as an actor are a good addition to the show -- which I LOVE (I am in my 30's and my parents love and watch it too and we aren't ashamed at all!)
Are you homosexual? How about Kerr Smith? I know the creater/writer of the show is and I was wondering if he only cares that you are good actors or if prefers to hire gay actors for these parts.

David Monahan: Glad you love the show and you are not ashamed to admit it! Hope the kiss did it for ya. I don't think orientation even comes into the equation. They hire the best actor.

LJ Arlington, Va.: Compared to what is going on in Showtime's "Queer As Folks," that was a very chaste, very sweet kiss last night on Dawson's. Was the kiss scripted that way or did the powers that be film a passionate spectrum of kisses and work their way down until they had one that was acceptable to the network? (I sort of imagine filming a hot groping "Queer as Folks" kiss and then "compromising" with the kiss that was telecast.)

LJ

David Monahan: I personally have not seen Queer as Folk, but have heard that it is very racy. Dawson's, I think we would all agree, is not. No the kiss was always scripted as tasteful and sensitive, unless there was a version I never read.

New York City: David,
What are your personal "convictions" regarding same sex relationships? I am a gay teen and found last night's episode to be encouraging. I guess everyone has problems in relationships. Do you think they (gay relationships) can work these days?

David Monahan: I have absolutely no problem with same sex relationships....its all just relationships, isn't it? I'm really glad you found it encouraging as that is a great compliment to the show and our storyline.

Hometown, Va.: David, I love your character and the job you do portraying him. How do you feel though about the content of The Creek moving, this past season, to a more... mature level while the audience being targeted remains young teens and pre-teens. JC

David Monahan: JC...good question. I gotta tell you that most teens I meet today deal with all the issues presented on the show much earlier than I remember and I think its great that there is a show that is brave enough to be honest, sensitive and realistic.

Arlington, Va.: I read some comments this morning along the lines that it was interesting how the gay relationship was the only one that survived the prom while the other characters' relationships were in shambles. Care to comment on those observations?

David Monahan: I haven't read those observations, but I think its great that at least one couple had a great time at prom.

Arlington, Va.: David, it's great seeing you on TV. Seems only yesterday we were watching you and nean diving at Freedom Park! What's next for you after "The Creek?"

David Monahan: Mrs. Pino and Mrs. Carter.....is that you? Call my mom.

San Francisco, Calif.: David,
Great job on the show. How do you feel about the fixation people have with knowing the sexual orientation of actors who play roles of gay characters? What are your plans should the writes labor dispute not be resolved and a strike ensue?

SASHA

David Monahan: Glad you like last night's performance. Gay character or not, I think there is a fixation. I think people are just naturally curious about any public figure's personal life. But I do feel an actor or public figure should be able to protect and have a private life.

New York, NY: Dear David,

Didn't I see you on the Geena Davis show recently? If this was you, how did you like working with Ms. Davis and the other cast?

Regards, S.R.C.

David Monahan: Yeah, I was on the Geena Davis Show, good connection! The week I spent with them was so much fun and it seemed like we laughed the whole time. Most of my scenes were with Mimi Rogers who was hilarious, gorgeous and great to work with. Geena Davis was awesome too.

New York City: David,

How does it feel to play such a controversial role and how will this role affect your acting career?

David Monahan: Hi Sue. I really love playing this role because he has such a definitive point of view. Honestly, I had no idea when I took the part that it would be this controversial. Even while filming the kiss, I was under the impression that it had all been done before. It was only recently and when all the press started, that I realized I was involved in something more important than I thought.

Washington, D.C.: How do you feel about all the hype surrounding the Jack/Tobey kiss?

David Monahan: I was taken totally by surprise by the hype surrounding this kiss. Possibly because it was handled like every other storyline on the show. But, I think its great if it starts dialogue about the issues that kids really deal with today.

Arlington, Va.: Dear David:

It's wonderful to see fellow alum of O'Connell make our school proud! This role is incredibly important for society - it's time that homosexual individuals and relationships to be treated the same way heterosexual ones are. Bravo!

Love,
DJO Alums

David Monahan: Go Knights!

London, U.K.: I want to know what it was like to rehearse this particular episode with actor Kerr Smith? What was it like on the set, how did you both handle it?

David Monahan: Kerr and I have a great time on the set together. Most days we goofed off between takes and carried that fun into the Jack/Tobey relationship. He is an incredibly talented actor and makes even the more difficult scenes work well.

Gillette, Wyo.: Dave:

I sure understand the need to pay the rent every month, and I certainly hope you're offered more roles in the future, you're a very good actor, but as a result of your role as "Tobey," can you see yourself as a role model for young people searching for their sexual identity?

David Monahan: I hope the way I played the role offers something of a model for young people. He has found an inner strength at a young age to be just who he is.

I'm sitting in the nude, drinking from a bottle of scotch and smoking a cigar. I don't think I'm a role model for anyone.....wink, wink. ;)

Alexandria, Va.: So, let's cut to the chase.... is Kerr a good kisser or what?

David Monahan: Dear Alexandria,

I know you have ALL been wondering what kind of a kisser Kerr really is, and the answer is.....


Damn! The Post just informed me its time to wrap this up. Thanks for the time and the great questions. Keep watching The Creek.

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