Just One of the Guys

With all the wonderful things Miss Arthur has done in her life, wouldn't it be great to see her final interview, in HER OWN WORDS talking about her career etc. I found this clip of Bea Arthur's final interview. The clip also show Betty White, Carol Channing and Phyllis Diller. It says it's in production with Merv Griffin Productions. I'd love to hear what these extraordinarily talent ladies have to say. I'd hate for an full interview with Bea or the other Legends in the clip to go unseen. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yqTi7rsk3GY Enjoy, Phillip

I happen to think effeminate gay characters are not the norm on TV. I think television producers want their audience to sympathize and identify with their characters. Portrayals of gay character as closer to the "average, normal" white middle-class male has long been what we've been given by the networks, ever since Ellen made her faithful decision. Effeminacy may be a gay stereotype, but it is one that has been avoided by the relatively conservative business of television (which lest we forget has a primary objective to sell you products). Advertisers are very, very wary about what kinds of shows and characters are associated with their products. Jack from Will and Grace is the only effeminate gay character that comes to mind in recent memory and he was a full-fledged adult. Having an effeminate gay teenager on my TV screen was something I would have longed for in high-school, but something unheard of in those dark pre-Ellen days.

you all do realize that each one of you are just trying to discredit the last person or a previous person's comment? you should all stop acting like the authority on everything. yes, everyone has opinions, great. let it be what it is. it's entertainment, and kurt is a great addition to the TV family for people to look up to, old or young, gay or straight.

Lwando, I think you completely missed the point of what Michaelandfred was saying. He was embracing the character of Kurt and his effeminate ways, saying that this is how many gay boys are in high school and how great it is to see a character like this, in addition to the butch/masculine/straight-acting ones already on TV. While some might feel that gays need to appear "normal" to get acceptance, the fact is that we all are different and many gay men are effeminate who love fashion and divas and moisturizer and showing them on TV only helps humanize us all.

Actuall Michaelandfred, they do not have to be irritating to be targeted.They can be the sweetest people, they can be the most humble, they usually hang out with their "girlfriends" not looking for trouble, but they are always targeted. There are a number of gay "non-effiminate" characters on tv like Kevin and Scott from Brothers and Sisters, and some on Bravo. I don't know why you have to trash characters on TV because they do not "represent" what you want. I love Kurt from Glee. Just like I love Kevin and Scott and that new couple from Modern Family. If you want a show with "average looking" or "straight acting" gayS (to represent what you want), maybe you should write a script and pitch it to the ABC.

(Irritating....) effeminate gays ARE usually the one targeted in school.

What I enjoy about his character is that he IS a cliche in one of the most horribly homophobic places, high school...AND excepted. While it would be nice to have more "average" gay characters on tv, these are not the ones who face violence and discrimination for the most part in school or life. Effeminate out gays in school are usually not the ones who are targeted for humiliation or violence. The popular jock who comes out is usually fine because because he's not "one of those" gays. This character could pave the way for many students to be who they are and be accepted for such. Congratulations to the show for showing all these characters and mixing and matching to create the most entertainment.... and tolerance.

Vickie: No one, that I'm aware of, accused them of singling out this character. I merely used his rather cliche flamboyancy and femininity to show that this really adds nothing to what's already out there in relation to homosexuality. It's harmless fun, but his character currently lacks depth. I'd want them to add a more masculine homosexual student in the future or make one come out. After all, we don't want Kurt to get too lonely.

Tory, the thing about GLEE is, EVERYONE is more or less a stereotype or OTT. That's one of the show's gimmicks. It's not like they've singled this character out.

Anon, i'm sure the variety of gay characters on tv are getting wider but an effeminate gay guy (who's also usually a pushover) is... THE stereotype. yes there are gays who conform to the stereotype and that doesn't mean it's a bad thing but when we're talking about diversity, it's gay characters who are not effeminate that's making the "gay character" diverse. it is a fallacy that gays equate to effeminate or are transgenders. and i'm not saying that the character Kurt from Glee isn't great. he's great.