Noah's Arc: December 2006 Archives

Two of the stars of Logo's "Noah's Arc" were on hand at the "Wedding Wars" premiere last week and it has taken me this long to put together a posting. I am one busy gay dude. I still have about five interviews from the Ribbon of Hope Celebration the week before with "Dante's Creek" stars and others so some treats are in store.
So, first, highlights from my chats with the talented and very sweet Darryl Stephens (Noah) and Jensen Atwood (Wade) who play star-crossed lovers who may or may not find lasting happiness together.
"I hope they never get back together because that's what people want to see and we should disappoint them as often as we can!" Stephens (left) said, only half-joking. "We could be like Bruce Willis and Cybil Sheperd in "Moonlighting."
But whatever happens, Stephens thinks it's great that "Arc" and other shows are featuring gay characters and storylines without much controsversy.
"It's interesting the way it's becoming normal finally for Americans to see gay people on television which is great," he said. "Remember when you couldn't see black people on television? Let's get over it and include the culture. America is so diverse and there's so much going on. Let's have that reflected in the media and on television. It's about time."
For Atwood, "Arc" has given him an opportunity to play something else other than roles many black actors get cast in: a pimp in "Medium," a gang member in "Heist" and most recently, a gang member named "Snoop" on an episode of NBC's "Las Vegas" who "gets to rough Josh Dxxx up a bit."
He's grateful for the work but wants more parts like Wade on "Arc" which casts him as a screenwriter.
"A full-blown, emotional character, not just angry black guy," Atwood said. "It's definitely given me a foundation in the business. People can see my work and they can see what I do. But as far as Hollywood knocking down my door or Hollywood throwing me any parts, I'm still auditioning as I always have."
He also hopes to release a CD by the end of next year that he says is R&B, hip hop flavor. He is writing some of the songs and has recorded two of them already. "Hopefully my fans are my fans and they'll follow my career and anything that I put out they'll watch or listen to."
As for Stephens, he says both actors are awaiting word on the future of the series: "Hopefully there will be a season three of 'Noah's Arc.' It has not been announced yet, we're still waiting to hear. I believe we're supposed to know by Christmas. We shall see."
Stephens had a small role on a recent episode of ABC's "Ugly Betty" and has had a string of strong performances in recent gay indie films including "Another Gay Movie" and "Boy Culture." I saw him in both and he was terrific in each movie.