GQ Editor on 'Glee' Photo Shoot: 'They're Old Enough to Do What They Want'

By Zach Dionne Posted Oct 20th 2010 05:18PM

GQ editor in chief Jim Nelson responded to a concerned Parents Television Council on the subject of his magazine's sexy 'Glee' photo shoot, telling The Insider: "The Parents Television Council must not be watching much TV these days and should learn to divide reality from fantasy."

According to TMZ, the Parents Television Council said the magazine's photo shoot "borders on pedophilia," adding it is "disturbing that GQ, which is explicitly written for adult men, is sexualizing the actresses who play high school-aged characters on 'Glee' in this way."

GQ's Nelson responded without mincing words: "As often happens in Hollywood, these 'kids' are in their twenties. Cory Monteith is almost 30! I think they're old enough to do what they want."

In PopEater's recap of the photo shoot and article yesterday, we noted Dianna Agron's comment, "I've never been shot in so little clothing." We also noted she is 24 years old.

In Agron's blog, the actress apologized to all offended parties. "In the land of Madonna, Britney, Miley, Gossip Girl, other public figures and shows that have pushed the envelope and challenged the levels of comfort in their viewers and fans, we are not the first ... If you are hurt or these photos make you uncomfortable, it was never our intention. And if your eight-year-old has a copy of our GQ cover in hand, again I am sorry. But I would have to ask, how on earth did it get there?"

"For GQ, they asked us to play very heightened versions of our school characters. A 'Hit Me Baby One More Time' version. At the time, it wasn't my favorite idea, but I did not walk away. I must say, I am trying to live my life with a sharpie marker approach. You can't erase the strokes you've made, but each step is much bolder and more deliberate. I'm moving forward from this one, and after today, putting it to rest. I am only myself, I can only be me," she wrote.

Nonetheless, the PTC calls the Terry Richardson photo shoot "near-pornographic," adding, "The creators of ['Glee'] have established their intentions on the show's direction. And it isn't good for families."

On The Street: We Ask New Yorkers If They Think the 'Glee' Kids Went Too Far:

Contrary to the PTC's concerns about the negative influence 'Glee' and the GQ piece will have on young viewers, 28-year-old high school dropout Cory Monteith is quoted in the article as saying, "The last thing I want to do is kind of imply to readers in high school that you too can drop out and be an actor and get on a big show and be famous and make a s***load of money."

'Glee' co-creator Ryan Murphy also tells the magazine that while he was skeptical of doing a sugarcoated family show, he knew responsibility would come into play. "I wanted to do my version of a family show. But we try to be as responsible as we can, because we know some young people watch."

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Tags: Glee, GQ, Parents Television Council

Comments

(301)

Wednesday 20 October

By Ginny

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C'mon. The pictures are sexualizing adult, twenty-something ACTRESSES. They're way too old to appeal to pedophiles.

Thursday 21 October

By mmamim

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Nonetheless, the PTC calls the Terry Richardson photo shoot "near-pornographic," adding, "The creators of ['Glee'] have established their intentions on the show's direction. And it isn't good for families."I love this , So does My boyfriend .he is almost 11year older than me .i met him via age'lessmate.c'om a nice place for seeking age le ss love.which gives you a chance to make your life better and open opportunities for you to meet the attractive young girls and treat you like a king. Maybe you wanna check it out or tell your friends..

By vickie

exactly...the girls are 24 years old ...and he is 28....they don't want to stay on glee forever .Once and actor is so recognized by one show they sometimes can't find work in other things ....I think they are beautiful people...they are going on to bigger and better things...

By dumblikeyou2

Tea party douche bags.

By crissie

yes they are 20 something but hello they are acting as high school kids and the pics are way too much teenagers already think they have to be overly sexual this is just adding to the problems of our society today so now lets not all be shocked when teen pregnancy and abortions keep rising

By Sandra

I think it's fine that they posed for GQ as they are, indeed, adults. However, I think the fact that they sexed up their Glee characters was totally inappropriate.

By Dawn

So obviously you know how the mind of a pedofile works. It is a downward spiral when trash tries to out-do trash no matter what the age of the participants. Don't be surprised when real perverted pictures start showing up on magazines, videos, tv, and movies...see if you have the same opinion then.

By Rod

They are not only playing high schoolers on TV but also in this photo shoot. I don't know if I'm as concerned about kids seeing the pictures as I am about men who DO subscribe to and purchase GQ leering over sexual images of supposed high school girls. The thought of men getting aroused by these pictures, and then going to the mall or amusement park and seeing actual 15 and 16 year old girls and thinking of them the same way, absolutely creeps me out.

By warren garrison

aren't you the fool. You must be one of the MANY that hit on me as I sit here and try and do my music for my inter net stations, and want me to watch you play with yourself. Your stupidity exceeds your ignorance at how men work, think, and act. Whereas there use to be 1 sex offender in a 10 miles radius, now there are probably 20 per mile. I got yet another notice the other day, the 3rd for my street on a man 62 having molested a 7 year old family member. Again, you and those like you are damn fools an children are paying for your stupidity, AND, immorality.

By Mandi Pinni

They are much older than the characters they play, but when consciously portraying those characters overly provocatively, that's the concern.

By manuel

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not only that but from what i can see there was no differance between the pic or they way they dress at high school or collage just look at the cheerleaders,these people are allways tring to tell someone else what they can see or not see why do they have 20 something potraying high school kids ? 2 nd why is the ptc looking at this mag are they now telling adults what can they see and not see ive moved out of parents house a long time ago.dont need another set of parents

By Kyla

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Exactly - the key word is "actresses." If they were rounding up real 15-year-olds for the pics it'd be a different story entirely.

By sugardaisy

Here is a news flash for you idiots. They are ACTORS who are in their mid-20's and older! They can do whatever they want. They don't need your permission. Go get a life.

By Ben Allaway

So no one should care about the influence they have on young people? A kid does not have to subscribe to GQ to get this cover photo. It totally sends damaging stereotypes. For many, they will never look at the characters in the show the same way.

By Hello stop sexualizing our youth

Is there anything anymore that is not sexualized? These stars are part of a show that is directed toward families.. My 13 year old should not have to see ALL of her favorite stars dressed in playboy playmate outfits and poses... Is it possible that stars and producers/photographers should think about the audiences that will see these photos? Maybe we could tone it down a little and our teenagers will realize not everything is not about sex; how hot you are; or how many pieces of clothing we should take off! I may stop watching the show if they keep getting more and more sexualized (such as the Britney spears episode). For the love of God have some respect for your viewers, and society!!!!

Friday 22 October

By sball58

They are ACTORS playing MINORS on a television program whose following is predominantly MINORS. They are sending a WAY WRONG message to their underage viewers with the pics in GQ. They should have better sense.

By concerned

@ Sugardaisy....You are the idiot!! Its not the fact that they are adults they are ACTING teenagers...We talk about how men look at teenage girls, we bash them for it and go as far to arrest them for it. So WHY is it ok for the ACTORs that are ACTING teenagers to dress provocative as they do..Giving in to the imagination(or reality Because many teens do dress this way) Don't you think it feeds into the minds of these so-called perverted men that look at tenn girls??? We are quick to blame a man when he looks at a "Sexy young thang" but when is it the female's fault????????

By Musicman

I fully agree. They could be doing things a lot worse. Hollywood has a long rap sheet.

By Roan

Absolutely. Furthermore, if any of you out there think that men aren't attracted to 15 and 16 year olds, then you're delusional.

And, if you're a man who tells yourself that you're not attracted to 15 and 16 year olds because you have a 15 or 16 year old daughter - - then you're lying to yourself.

Men like girls - from 13 to 60 - not because they're perverts, but because we the women menstruate. Now, do all men act on it? Of course not! Society would never allow it.

But to deny that it exists, or to call it disgusting because it does exist, is ridiculous. We're animals, made to reproduce. Period. End of story.

Get over it.

By bill

as long glee producers are okay with certain parents banning their younger children from watching, then that's great.
if your not willing to condemn the actions of the actors and actresses, then please don't be so closeminded as to ban the reaction of the parents.

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