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Gay News: The creator of the Glee TV series has called for a boycott of Newsweek magazine for an allegedly homophobic article.
By: Nigel Robinson
Groff's performance feels "off" according to writer
Groff's performance feels "off" according to writer
Glee creator seeks Newsweek boycott after gay snub
Ryan Murphy, who co-created the cult high-school musical show, has demanded an apology from the news magazine after it published an article which suggested that gay actors cannot play straight roles.
Murphy described the article as "needlessly cruel and mind-blowingly bigoted".
The essay written by gay writer Ramin Setoodeh singled out for criticism the openly gay actor Jonathan Groff who plays the straight love interest of character Rachel in the hit show.
Setoodeh claimed that Groff’s performance in the series “feels off” and went on to say:
“In half his scenes, he scowls—is that a substitute for being straight? When he smiles or giggles, he seems more like your average theatre queen.”
He also criticised the performance of former Will and Grace actor Sean Hayes in the New York play Promises, Promises.
According to Setoodeh, Hayes’s playing of a heterosexual lead was “insincere” and “unintentionally camp”.
Setoodeh has said that his controversial article was meant to inspire debate, and in a statement Newsweek have stood by their columnist’s opinions.
However, in an open letter, Murphy writes:
"This article is as misguided as it is shocking and hurtful. It shocks me because Mr. Setoodeh is himself gay.
“But what is the most shocking of all is that Newsweek went ahead and published such a blatantly homophobic article in the first place…
"I have asked GLAAD [the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation] 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."
