Desperate Housewives star needs a better publicist. Immediately.
I love Desperate Housewives. I really do. Back in high school before I came out I already realized the campy appeal of the pre-air marketing campaign and I was drawn to the series from the first episode. Yeah, I’m one of those.
Then Andrew van de Kamp got caught hooking up with the gardener in the pool, and the show became even more amazing for me. In fact, I know someone who said that that very moment was when he realized he was gay (I’m pretty sure that was a lie, but at least he has a good story to tell). So now that the show has fast-forwarded five years (ingenious, Marc Cherry) Shawn Pyfrom is playing a gay adult as opposed to a gay teen. People magazine interviewed the actor and asked if he has “any qualms playing a gay character.” This is what he had to say:
I mean, I’m straight. If I say I’m uncomfortable with it, then I’m homophobic. If I say I’m okay with it, then I’m gay. It’s an honor. I didn’t know it would be so groundbreaking.
Excuse me? Did you really just say that? Who is this kid’s publicist? You’d think that a straight actor playing a gay character would have been asked this question before, or that he’d at least have a media-friendly answer already in his front pocket. I think you just proved that you’re homophobic. And for the record, Heath Ledger played gay, said he had no qualms about it, and no one said he was gay. Thanks.
Image scan via boy culture
He was talking about others perception of his comment, genius. Because that is the kneejerk reaction if an actor says he’s comfortable with playing gay “OH HE MUST BE GAY IN REAL LIFE, OBVIOUSLY.” as opposed to him being a ACTOR who is ACTING.
Shawn has been asked this questions hundreds of times by now, he knows how to answer it. You’re getting upset about nothing.
I have to agree with D on that one. A lot of nothing to be upset over.
The kids an idiot. Why do straight guys who play gay characters always have to say OVER and OVER that they are straight. Do people really still care? It’ll probably be his one and only acting job.
I think you are the idiot here. What stupid article. The actor is cool and He is RIGHT. and by the way, everybody started thinking Ledger was gay since Brokeback M. But like he had a daughter… But he was gay.
You’re getting upset because you’re an idiot and you don’t understand the ironic overtones of his comment.
“If I say I’m uncomfortable with it, ||—then I’m homophobic—||. If I say I’m okay with it, ||—then I’m gay—||.”
To make it clearer, the sections inbetween the ||— —|| is what he thinks what other people would think. Its not himself thinking it. Yeah, knee-jerk reaction dude. Lrn2Read
um…where exactly was the homophobia in that comment?
There is no irony in his statement, Tom. But thanks for pointing out nothing. The homophobia is evident in the fact that he can’t just answer the question. He feels that by being asked the question his own sexuality is being questioned. It is not. He is merely being asked a question, and instead of just answering it, he feels that he has to defend himself against the outrageous allegation that he is gay. From what I can glean from the question, the question of his sexuality was never brought up. Sure, maybe I’m wrong, but there is definitely something fishy about this answer. If he’s not homophobic, why not just say, “no, I have no qualms,” as opposed to what he actually said, which reeks of homophobia and self-doubt?
Mr P has proven that he isn’t homophobic. The answer he has given is less about what he thinks and more about what others do. He is all to aware that if he says he loves it he’ll be called gay and id he says oooh it’s hard he hates gays. I think it proves a good publicist as he appears to have only pissed you off.
yet another insecure actor. whoever said it will probably be his only acting job is right. yes, i’m offended. again. good post.
Ummm. If you don’t think Hollywood as a whole is oddly homophobic is then I beg you to try to ask people who are openly gay in Hollywood about it. Being a part of the industry, I understand exactly what he is saying. Your interpretation is your own (and you can believe what you want), but I read it as more of a statement about the industry and what he, as a straight actor has to deal with.
In other words, I think he is saying he is absolutely okay with his role playing a gay character, but faces challenges to his career because of it.
Let me tell you something. I´m tired of those “persons” that are disapointed with gay stuff (mostly queers, that thinks that the hole world is against gay people.). I think you´re one of them ´cause you took it by the wrong way.
It´s been posted 7 comments that sais Shawn was rigth (me too), but-.. this is your blog (and your personal opinion). I´m not trying to onfense (like Tom or Daniel), only saying that you´d had to think things before feeling emasculated.
Didn’t he also say”IT WAS AN HONOR?” And anyway- don’t we have an economic crisis to handle and a new president to elect… this is … ????
I think the question of Mr P’s sexuality is being brought up.
After all, why would you ask a person how it feels to play a gay character? The reporter is looking to uncover conflict. He (or she) doesn’t want a shoulder shrug for an answer.
looks like someones a “everyone hates me” queer. get over it bro.. it really isn’t that big of a deal.. do u honeslty think that if he was homophobic he’d play a gay teen who sleeps around or a gay adult now.. and for those of u who says this will prob be his only acting job.. the guys already established.. he did soaps and what not..
sooooo in conclusion.. not everyone is homophobic.. learn to take sarcasm and stop thinking everyone is against u!
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