Previous nights Glee appeared to revisit past season’s Newsweek-induced discussion about gay actors playing straight roles, routed here by Kurt and also Blaine both auditioning for West Side Story. Kurt’s try-out was judged humorous, but their butchier partner Blaine nailed it – proving that of program gay actors (very well, in such cases gay characters) can Perform straight roles. Which no-one ever before truly pondered about, right?
Hop onboard the wayback machine! In May 2010, entertainment writer Ramin Setoodeh wrote an extremely controversial report for Newsweek demeaning Sean Hayes and Jonathan Groff, among others, for not performing persuading straight characters. Ryan Murphy fired again, with a boycott of Newsweek for which he called a “blatantly homophobic” article. (Doesn’t all this seem like a long time ago?) Setoodeh and Murphy seemed to bury the hatchet, but past night’s episode introduced the beef back into the discussion. Kurt lamented that he would need to perform straight to get the “great romantic leads” he wishes. (Though moments afterwards, he complains that “no one’s looking for a Kurt Hummel type to play opposing Kate Hudson in the rom-com.” Kurt, honey, if that’s your perception of a great affectionate lead, you’ve bigger difficulties.) “You’re gay,” Kurt’s dad tells him. “And you aren’t similar to Rock Hudson gay, your are gay. You play like Diana Ross and also you outfit like you own a magic chocolate factory.”
Which is what’s a tiny shocking regarding the episode. Based on Murphy’s previously stated opinion regarding sexuality-blind casting, he would have had Kurt win the role of Tony anyhow. Instead, Blaine smashed his audition, and also the episode didn’t seem to report that Kurt was being unfairly neglected for the part due to his sexuality – simply that he was not suitable for the role, and some other person has a much better audition. Kurt’s father also encouraged Kurt to look invent excellent parts for himself, rather than be worried about those he wasn’t right. The show perceived to display exactly what Murphy had previously railed against: Kurt isn’t difficult enough for that role. Possibly on Setoodeh’s Glee set visit, he persuaded Murphy that, like other actors, not all gay actors are excellent at everything.