Kristin Chenoweth Slams Newsweek's 'Horrendously Homophobic' Article

By PopEater Staff Posted May 11th 2010 06:42AM

Broadway actress Kristin Chenoweth has slammed Newsweek writer Ramin Setoodeh, who criticized Sean Hayes for not being able to successfully play a straight man in 'Promises, Promises.' He went on to generalize the casting problem to all gay actors.

An upset Chenoweth immediately wrote a lengthy response to support her Broadway co-star. "This article offends me because I am a human being, a woman and a Christian. For example, there was a time when Jewish actors had to change their names because anti-Semites thought no Jew could convincingly play Gentile," she wrote.

"Setoodeh even goes so far as to justify his knee-jerk homophobic reaction to gay actors by accepting and endorsing that 'as viewers, we are molded by a society obsessed with dissecting sexuality, starting with the locker room torture in junior high school.' Really? We want to maintain and proliferate the same kind of bullying that makes children cry and in some recent cases have even taken their own lives? That's so sad, Newsweek! The examples he provides (what scientists call 'selection bias') to prove his 'gays can't play straight' hypothesis are sloppy in my opinion. Come on now!" Chenoweth continued.

"I am told on good authority that Mr. Setoodeh is a gay man himself and I would hope, as the author of this article, he would at least understand that. I encourage Newsweek to embrace stories which promote acceptance, love, unity and singing and dancing for all!" she finished.

In Setoodeh's original article, he went to great lengths to criticize gay actors. "But frankly, it's weird seeing Hayes play straight. He comes off as wooden and insincere, like he's trying to hide something, which of course he is. Even the play's most hilarious scene, when Chuck tries to pick up a drunk woman at a bar, devolves into unintentional camp. Is it funny because of all the '60s-era one-liners, or because the woman is so drunk (and clueless) that she agrees to go home with a guy we all know is gay?" Setoodeh wrote.

"The truth is, openly gay actors still have reason to be scared. While it's OK for straight actors to play gay (as Jake Gyllenhaal and Heath Ledger did in 'Brokeback Mountain'), it's rare for someone to pull off the trick in reverse," he added.

Tags: kristen chenoweth, sean hayes

Comments

(58)

Tuesday 11 May

By Rick

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Liberace - oh, my bad.

By esprix

Does anyone remember Bob "Bulldog" Briscoe from "Fraiser?" Straightest character you ever saw, right? Sportscaster, womanizer, loud, rude and obnoxious?

The actor that played him, Dan Butler, is openly gay.

I think Setoodeh's own personal biases are showing.

Friday 14 May

By tana green

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So is the actor who played Frazier's dad, sorry I forget his name.

By rita

The article was ignorant. I saw the play. It was soooo great, as soon as I got home, I ordered tickets to see it again. Actors play parts and whatever you might know about their private life has NOTHING to do with the part they are playing on stage or in a movie. Sean and Kristin's chemistry is great and anyone who sees this play will have a day filled with such fun. I can't wait for the CD of the show. The songs are so joyful and it really is a play that makes you laugh out loud. Sean was unbelievable. I could care less what he does when he leaves the stage.

By Skinnyminny2006

I love Sean Hayes and don't give a fig if he's gay. He's a great actor and as far as I am concerned, if he wants to play a straight character, let him go for it. Neil Patrick Harris is gay and plays a straight man to the hilt. 'Nuff said!

By Joey

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Why are they calling the writer homophobic? Is he afraid of homosexuals? or does he just not like homosexuals? Phobic implies fear. Everyone has their own preferences as to their likes and dislikes. Just because you dont like something doesnt mean you fear it. You may not like broccoli but that doesnt mean you fear it. And I am sure that anyone who is either straight or gay can attest to the fact that we dont like certain things about the other's lifestyle or we would have that lifestyle ourselves. So before you go picking on a person for criticising someone's sexuality, think about your own, and how you would feel about doing acts of your opposite sexuality. Are you afraid of them? Or do they just not appeal to your likes and dislikes?

By MTM

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Once again, some clown in Hollywood thinks they know everything and has proven herself wrong.

By jake192168

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rock hudson did a great job of pulling it off. he did a good job with his portrayl of a straight man. kristin is right tho we need to embrace the humanities and accept people for what they can do. this kristin gal is the hottest she can sing dance and act. being a medical person she has really opened my eyes to the humanties and arts.

By Jose

Joey
You make a good point. I wonder what the hooplah would have been if it the oppisite would'vd been written.

By bandit

Well there's 'gay' and then there's "GAY"...Sean Hayes screams "GAY"...it's kind of like asking Richard Simmons to play Spartacus. There are plenty of gay actors who can play straight...look at Raymond Burr...Montgomery Clift...Tyrone Power...unfortunately Sean Hayes is probably not one of them.

By PAMARMARIE

KC you protest to loudly.

By ajschrod

What's going on here? A critic points out that a gay actor is having trouble playing a straight part and gets criticised for it? In fact-as the article claims-the writer is himself a gay man, so who better could judge a performance by one? What is this co-star defending: That he's actually doing a good job at his role, or that no one should see differences between how gay and straight men speak or act--which is utterly ridiculous! If gay men want to blend into society and not be singled out, they should be aware they are NOT ACTING THE SAME and change that, and Kristen Chenowith could help! Sounding off was stupid of her!

By bubba ho-tep

Setoodeh's issues go way beyond self loathing. He hates everyone.

By avgjoedc

I was beginning to think I was the only one who caught that idiotic Newsweek article. Its writer must live under a rock. John Barrowman, Ian McKellan, Cheyenne Jackson, Neil Patrick Harris, Cherry Jones, etc. are all recent B'way stars who are gay and won awards for straight roles. The author also seemed to not "get" the character Sean Hayes plays in Promises, Promises - he's a callow, milquetoast character - he's not meant to be played like Rambo. If Hayes had any problems in the role, it was letting in one or two Jack-isms from his old TV show. Other than that - it was a great, fun revivial. Writer Ramin Seetodah should stay away from writing about topics of which he apparently has little knowledge.

By Mary

So what if she is offended? Our society is making it a crime to speak your opinion. I guess I could say I'm offended by her being offended...

Well written, Joey. I was once called racist because I wouldn't date a black man. I told him it was not racism, it was preference. I don't date women, either. Again preference, not sexism. I am not afraid (phobic) of black men or women; I just don't want to date them. They can be offended if they want; I make no apologies.

By jayne

I saw Sean Hayes in Promises, Promises and he was great!! He deserves to win the Tony for his performance. I don't care if he's gay or straight, he's a great entertainer. He made me laugh, touched my heart and sang beautifully. Good for Kristin standing up for her costar. By the way she was robbed of a Tony nomination. She was fabulous in the show too.

By stugots798

HEY Zbe-bi?????????? Your husband must be f-ing sheep with the likes of you....F-OFFF until you can make an adult statement!!!!!

By Renie

I hope this story brings out more people to see the show for themselves. Sean Hayes is a great actor, and I am sure does an excellent job.

By anon

Neil Patrick Harris plays a straight man very convincingly. So did T.R. Knight. This generalization on "gays can't play straight" is ridiculous.

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