Matt Fielding
Matt Fielding | |
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green card marriage) | |
Stepdaughters | Nikki Petrova (stepdaughter, via Katya) |
Nieces | Chelsea Fielding (legal ward) |
Matthew Fielding, Jr. is a fictional character in the American television series Melrose Place, portrayed by Doug Savant. Matt was an openly gay man working as a social worker in Los Angeles. Initially Matt was not the focus of ongoing storylines, a situation that would not substantially change until the series became a serial drama in its second season. Matt Fielding appeared as a regular character from 1992 until 1997, when he was killed off-screen in a car crash.
In contrast to the promiscuous sexual behaviour and relationship issues that drove the stories for Melrose's straight characters, Matt's storylines tended to be about subjects like gay bashing and workplace discrimination. Matt occasionally became romantically involved with another man but the character was never shown in any sexual situations. The one planned instance of Matt's kissing another man was edited to remove the kiss, with a reaction shot of another character substituted. Broadcaster Fox and series creator Darren Star feared backlash from social conservatives and advertisers should Matt engage in any sexual conduct. Critics questioned this decision throughout Matt's tenure on the series.
Although Matt was killed, Savant expressed interest in returning for the 2009 series revival but producers were not interested.
Fictional biography
Matt Fielding is a social worker at the L.A. Halfway House for Teens, one of a group of friends who live together in the same West Hollywood apartment complex. Shortly after being gay bashed by three people, Matt is fired from his job at the halfway house for being gay. He sues the center and accepts a $10,000 settlement, which he donates to a gay legal defense fund.
Michael Mancini (
Matt meets Jeffrey Lindley (Jason Beghe), a closeted lieutenant in the United States Navy. Matt encourages him to come out, which leads to Jeffrey's being transferred to the East Coast. Jeffrey returns later and he and Matt resume their relationship.[3] A few days later, Jeffrey reveals that he has tested positive for HIV.[4] After initially struggling, Matt decides to commit himself to the relationship. Jeffrey, however, decides they are better off simply being friends.[3]
When Matt is gay bashed a second time, a gay detective, John Rawlings (Tom Schanley), is assigned to the case and begins to become obsessive, eventually taking Matt and photographer friend Jo Reynolds (Daphne Zuniga) hostage.[5]
Following the end of his relationship with Jeffrey, Matt becomes involved with Dr. Paul Graham (David Beecroft) a married plastic surgeon. Paul murders his wife and frames Matt for the crime, temporarily landing Matt in jail. Matt clears himself by tricking Paul into admitting his guilt.[6] Exonerated of the murder charges, Matt once again faces discrimination when the chief of staff fires him from his social work job at the hospital. Matt wins his case following the doctor's homophobic outburst at a deposition.[7] He begins dating movie star Alan Ross (Lonnie Schuyler). Alan's refusal to come out leads Matt to take up with David Erikson, the man who replaced him as the hospital social worker. Matt and Alan break up when David tells Alan he and Matt had sex, and Alan marries a closeted lesbian actor.[8]
Unable to keep up with his med school studies, Matt begins abusing prescription uppers (speed). When his drug addiction becomes known, he enters a rehabilitation facility and becomes romantically involved with rehab director Dan Hathaway (Greg Evigan). Matt breaks up with him because Dan is physically and emotionally abusive.[8]
Matt's niece Chelsea (Katie Wright) comes to live with him after her father dies, but her mother Denise (Nancy Lee Grahn) files a custody suit. Matt loses custody but Chelsea ends up living with him anyway when Denise decides she would be better off with him.[9] The two move to San Francisco where Matt takes a job working with AIDS patients.[10]
About a year later, word arrives at the apartment complex that Matt has been killed in a car accident. With his death, a diary surfaces, in which Matt had recorded the secrets told him by several residents of the complex.[11]
Development and criticism
Melrose Place was criticized for not featuring Matt and his love life as prominently as it did other characters. In the 90-minute series premiere, Matt got 90 seconds of screen time and would not appear more regularly until episode four, when he began serving as "the show's conscience", acting as a confidante to the show's heterosexual characters.
In the 1994 episode "Til Death Do Us Part", Matt is attracted to Rob (
In December 1994, gay-interest magazine
Return
According to Savant's wife and Melrose Place co-star Laura Leighton, Savant was interested in discussing the possibility of returning to the role in the 2009 series revival. However, having already brought Leighton's character Sydney Andrews back from the dead for the new series, producers were uninterested in doing the same with a second character.[18]
In other media
Doug Savant playing Matt Fielding appears as a character in the 2015 Lifetime Television film The Unauthorized Melrose Place Story. He is portrayed by Joseph John Coleman.[19]
Notes
- ^ The Advocate. pp. 44–9. Retrieved 2010-08-02.
- ^ "Flirting With Disaster". Melrose Place. Season 2. Episode 7. 1993-10-20. Fox.
- ^ a b Miller, p. 287
- ^ "In Living Color: A Look Back at Memorable AIDS-Related TV Moments". HIV Plus. Here. November 2004. p. 23. Retrieved 2010-08-02.
- ^ "Breakfast at Tiffany's, Dinner at Eight". Melrose Place. Season 3. Episode 21. 1995-02-20. Fox.
- ^ "Blind Ambition". Melrose Place. Season 4. Episode 3. 1995-09-20. Fox.
- ^ "The Jane Mutiny". Melrose Place. Season 4. Episode 6. 1995-10-09. Fox.
- ^ a b Miller, p. 288
- ^ "Who's Afraid of Amanda Woodward, pt. 2". Melrose Place. Season 5. Episode 33. 1997-05-19. Fox.
- ^ "Brand New Day". Melrose Place. Season 6. Episode 1. 1997-09-08. Fox.
- ^ "The World According to Matt". Melrose Place. Season 7. Episode 8. 1998-09-14. Fox.
- ^ Capsuto, p. 282
- ^ a b Cerrone, Daniel (1992-10-28). "'Melrose Place' to tackle gay bashing". The St. Petersburg Times. St. Petersburg, Florida: Los Angeles Times. p. 5D. Retrieved 2010-07-30.
- ^ "A Change of Heart". 21 Jump Street. Season 4. Episode 14. 1990-01-15. Fox.
- ^ a b Capsuto, p. 338
- ^ Becker, p. 138
- ^ quoted in Capsuto, p. 338
- The Advocate. Retrieved 2010-07-30.
- ^ Lifetime’s The Unauthorized Melrose Place Story Had a Weird Definition of Drama
References
- Becker, Ron (2006). Gay TV and Straight America. Rutgers University Press. ISBN 0-8135-3689-8.
- Capsuto, Steven (2000). Alternate Channels: The Uncensored Story of Gay and Lesbian Images on Radio and Television. Ballantine Books. ISBN 0-345-41243-5.
- Miller, Toby (2003). Television: Critical Concepts in Media and Cultural Studies, Volume 2. Taylor & Francis. ISBN 0-415-25504-X.
- Tropiano, Stephen (2002). The Prime Time Closet: A History of Gays and Lesbians on TV. New York, Applause Theatre and Cinema Books. ISBN 1-55783-557-8.