Ceasefire Called in Newsweek-Gay Actor Debacle

By John Mitchell Posted May 14th 2010 01:55PM

Newsweek writer Ramin Setoodeh has had a pretty rough week, but things are looking up now that he's accepted 'Glee' creator Ryan Murphy's invitation to visit the show's set to discuss why his recent article 'Straight Jacket,' which ignited a firestorm by questioning whether openly gay actors were believable when playing straight roles, offended the producer so much that he called for a boycott of the magazine.

Soon after the article went to press, actress Kristin Chenoweth, a 'Glee' guest star who co-stars with Sean Hayes -- one of the article's main targets -- on Broadway in 'Promises, Promises,' penned a lengthy response, slamming Newsweek for irresponsible reporting and calling Setoodeh, who is openly gay, a self-hating homophobe.

As media outlets began to pick up on Chenoweth's outrage, the topic quickly gained further traction in the press as a seemingly-unprepared Setoodeh appeared on 'The Joy Behar Show' to discuss the controversy. He was soon being slammed left and right by actors and pundits who felt his argument was weak in the face of acclaimed performances by gay actors such as Neil Patrick Harris on 'How I Met Your Mother' and Cheyenne Jackson on '30 Rock,' both of whom play straight on their respective shows. (NPH has been nominated for three Emmys and two Golden Globes for his 'HIMYM' turn.)

The outrage reached a peak late this week when Jarrett Barrios, president of the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), penned an op-ed exclusively for Popeater detailing his displeasure with the article and Murphy called for a boycott, saying, "What is the most shocking of all is that Newsweek went ahead and published such a blatantly homophobic article in the first place ... and has remained silent in the face of ongoing (and justified) criticism. Would the magazine have published an article where the author makes a thesis statement that minority actors should only be allowed and encouraged to play domestics?"

Murphy added: "I have asked GLAAD president Jarrett Barrios to stand with me and others and ask for an immediate boycott of Newsweek magazine until an apology is issued to Sean Hayes and other brave out actors who were cruelly singled out in this damaging, needlessly cruel and mind-blowingly bigoted piece."

'Glee' actor Jonathan Groff was, like Hayes, highlighted as an example in the article. On the show, Groff plays the character Jesse St. James, the love interest of Lea Michelle's character, Rachel Berry. Groff was nominated for a Tony for playing the romantic lead opposite Michelle on Broadway in the hit 'Spring Awakening' and has received praise for his turn on 'Glee'; however, Setoodeh opines, "When [Groff's character] smiles or giggles, he seems more like your average theater queen, a better romantic match for Kurt than Rachel."

Setoodeh has reported receiving anonymous threats in the wake of the controversy. While he and Newsweek have stood behind his article, the writer has also stated that it has been widely misinterpreted.

Just two days after Murphy called for the Newsweek boycott, the producer/writer -- who also created 'Nip/Tuck' and is directing the upcoming Julia Roberts vehicle 'Eat, Pray, Love' -- announced in an open letter to Entertainment Weekly that Setoodeh had accepted his invitation to talk with himself and writers of the hit FOX show.

"In better more constructive news: Ramin Setoodeh, the author of the article, reached out to me today and accepted my offer to sit with myself and the writers of 'Glee' -- Brad Falchuk and Ian Brennan -- to discuss not only why we found the piece so offensive, but also to observe our creative process and see how we construct a TV show dedicated exclusively to the idea of inclusiveness and acceptance for all -- ideas solely absent in his 'Straight Jacket' article," Murphy told EW. "In my telephone conversation with him, Mr. Setoodeh mentioned how he feels cornered, misunderstood and unfairly attacked. I look forward to hearing his reasons for writing the article, and will of course listen with an open heart and mind."

Tags: Cheyenne Jackson, Glee, Jonathan Groff, joy behar, kristen chenoweth, neil patrick harris, newsweek, PromisesPromises, ryan murphy, sean hayes

Comments

(50)

Saturday 15 May

By stone

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I am a gay man and I think we as minorities are a little hyper sensitve. Because we have been beaten to death and not protected by law in most states. We are just waiting for someone to hold against us what we are doing in the privacy of our own bedroom.

By dumbneasy

I think it depends on the actor. NP Harris acts straight and puts on a good show - or if you prefer, a fine product. OTOH, JR Knight(?) caused me to quit watching Grey's Anatomy, and even after his leaving I never went back. And let's not forget Rock Hudson, for those of you old enough to remember. He fooled everybody, and more power to him.

I think it's all in the casting....and great, or lack of great controversy. If you can pull it off it works, and if you can't it doesn't.

By fishiee

Theres a case in Tenn that makes any case in the USA look like nothing out of Tenn.Two white teens keep for a week by blacks and had things done you cant imagine,The media dosent even cover it.

By jason

wow, i am jealous. i need to be kept by some big black bucks from tenn-and dont rescue me!

The media is a joke.Shannon Chritenson,Ted Newsom.

When Oboma was running he lied so much about the war it was stipid.I think if theres a gay bashing Jane the coward Mitchel will cover it.

By What was the question again? :D

Is it a New Week yet?...LOL

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i would prefer not to know an actors sexual preference, marital status, or religious/political views. i find it very distracting. as for the newsweek article, the author is entitled to his or her, or its' opinion, and i have no problem with it. as a liberal white middle aged perhaps (gay) male, i am far from a hater or basher. as far as i am concerned, some of these actors have taken advantage of their celebrity to the point of annoyance. for example, i would not consider sitting through a movie "starring" rosie o'donnell playing a married or abused subordinated housewife. in my minds eye, i would keep seeing her in leather SM garb, with a whip-not buying the housewife thing. people are obsessed with these "stars." there are stars are in the sky! NOT ON SCREEN! acting is an occupation. i do not ask my waiter, mechanic, or anyone i deal with on a day to day basis what their preferences are because i could care less-just get the job done. sir lawrence olivier, bettte davis, bogart, etc., were believable as corrupt nazi officer's or holocaust victims alike, spuse lover or killer. Those were the days! These days i only see foreign and art house films because actors type cast or exclude themselves trying to get publicity. as for ricky martin, who cares if he is gay. but now that i know-please do not cast him as a straight man. and, if mario lopez or say, lebron james is gay, please keep it to yourself! mario is a handsome multi talented dude whose smile and dimples cheers me up, and i presently enjoy basketball! may god bless america, home of the moron millions...

By Laura

This is yet another example of people who feel that they need to prove their own open-mindedness by going after anyone who expresses a different point of view. Kristin Chenoweth should be ashamed of herself for seeking offense so strongly. We all know what that article meant; after watching Sean Hayes lisp and mince for years, it boggles the mind to see him romancing a woman. Why should this man be ruined professionally for saying that? And I don't watch NPH in How I met your Mother, because, quite frankly, he'll always be Doogie Howser to me. You gonna sic Mensa on me?

Tuesday 18 May

By docdrew23

i agree that this article can be considered very damaging and hurtful to many, but ultimately it's his opinion and he's entitled to it. if he doesn't believe that so and so, who is gay, is not believable in a straight role, then that speaks more to the lack of talent of said actor than his sexuality. i also agree that there seem to be way more pressing issues that we should perhaps focus our energy on.

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