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)

Thursday 21 October

By Jen

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Okay, how many kids read GQ? I think the pictures are hot!

By tal2010

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They said scissoring last episode when the 2 girls were in bed together and there was no controversy over that!

By Ben Allaway

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That was a real-life situation. The cover is not. Is it appropriate, good or right for high school girls to appear on the cover of a national magazine in underwear with some guys hand grabbing their rears? No.

Well its a good thing they are actors and not really in high school...

when they did their britney episode they were wearing next to nothign and everyone thought that episode was brilliant... if these actors were really 16 it would be a different story

if your child has access to GQ or finds these photos... parents need to be parents and talk to their kids... the more people make a huge deal out of it the more kids are going to want to search these photos and since they think they are so terrible they want them more...

By sshumph

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Has anybody been inside a high school (or middle school, for that matter) lately? The students don't run around in their underwear but they try.

By Karen

Yes, they are all adults, and, yes, they are all old enough to do whatever they want to do, but, they are all in a show that appeals to impressionable kids and, being adults, they should know that they are sending out a not very appropriate message to their fan base by posing for those types of pictures. Whether they lIke it or not, they also have a responsibility to project a better image to those kids than what those pictures portray. If these actors want to get into more adult level pursuits, they need to find work where they can portray adults instead of playing high schoolers.

By Russ

Well put, Karen. Looks like to me they want to venture out into the more adult roles with these pics and they can't wait to get there. Actually, I watch Glee for the music and dancing, and any Gay and sexual inferences just don't register. But I'm an adult, not a teenager who is easily impressed with such trivia.

By Del

This sexual crap should never be displayed on prime time TV. It should be late night, early morning for the sex depraved minds that get their kicks from watching this. Better yet, not be broadcast at all. This freakish trash is the reason for all the school and job site shootings and rapes.

By katysmommie

Yes...Glee and their photo shoot is responsible for school shootings....I agree! lol

By Brandie

Bottom line: It is not TV or magazines that should raise our children, it is us as the parent's. If a show is something you deem inappropriate for your child, don't let them watch it! If a magazine is deemed too racy by your standards don't let them read it. It's simple really! I want to know when the role of the parent raising their kids took a backseat. It is interesting when a group like the PTC take a "stand" on an "issue" like this when all anyone really has to do is turn off the TV or change the channel or hide the book or magazine when a show or literature is not for a certain age of child. Easy.

Well Said.

By tropicalkiss1201

If you are letting your 8-12 year old child watch a tv show based on high school, then it is YOUR problem, not the show or the actors on the show. We all went to high school and anyone with a brain should know that what actually goes on in high school is worse than the things they have on this show. I think it's the parents who are overreacting. Just like the whole Katy Perry Sesame Street fiasco..what 2-4 year old do you know is going to look at her dress and say "look mommy, Boobs!!

By franbarb

The parents group should forget about it - turn off the TV, stop watching movies. Everyone knows most actresses are pigs and everyone adores them because of this.

Glee is nothing but a Soddom and Gommorah setting. In case you don't know what happened to that situation, ask your local minister. Even with your mindset, he will discuss with you if you will listen. Regardless of your adult age, these shenanigans should never be displayed on TV.

By Catherine

Here we go...Sodom and Gommorrah - that's fundie speech for homosexuality. That's what you want to turn this into, a slam against gays. FYI - the sin in Sodom and Gommorrah was being inhospitable and threatening forcible rape - it wasn't about being gay. Stop twisting the bible for your own agenda.

By RESPONSIBLE PARENT

I watch Glee with my son who is 15 years-old. We love the show. I don't think there is any thing wrong with the GQ magazine pics. It is an ADULT MAGAINE FOR MEN. If you are an IRRESPONSIBLE PARENT and allow your YOUNG CHILDREN TO READ GQ that is YOUR FAULT and not the magazine or Glee's issue. Be better parents and stop blaming the media for raising your children.

By Never Shocked

I am never shocked at what Hollywood or the media does. We have witnessed a slow decay in the morals of America over the past 50 years... Hollywood is just a reflection (as well as the cause) of our degeneracy. It may be too late.

By Paul

I agree with everyone who says they are adults and can do as they please. However their TV image is of young, mostly innocent, teenage high school kids, and they are paid very well to project that image. Like it or not that is how the public views them. As to whether "kids" will buy the magazine, they don't have to, I can guarantee you that the pictures are already all over you tube and similar venues on the internet.

By Macdaddy

They have the right to do whatever they want to . You parents have the responsibility to monitor what your kids see and read. If you thought that glee was a wholesome family show before this, then you are a moron.

By Sheila

My problem is they exploited the females in their photo shoots and did nothing to exploit the male. That's sexist.

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