It’s been the most anticipated casting announcement since Vivian Leigh got Gone with the Wind: Who would play Lea Michele’s queer papas on Glee?
We’ve known almost since the first episode that Rachel Berry had two fathers—you don’t think her love of Barbra came from nowhere, did you?—but we’re finally going to meet Hiram and LeRoy Berry .
TVLine.com’s Michale Ausiello tells us Jeff Goldblum (Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Jurassic Park) and Broadway veteran Brian Stokes Mitchell (Ugly Betty, Kiss Me Kate) will appear—and sing—in the Valentine’s Day episode on February 14, appropriately titled “Heart.”
God we hope that means the sing Heart songs. (Barracuda!)
We’re fans of both Mitchell and Goldblum, and we’re sure they’ll do a great job, but it would’ve been nice for Ryan Murphy to cast someone like oh, we don’t know…Sean Hayes, Nathan Lane, Leslie Jordan, Colman Domingo, Rupert Everett, Richard Chamberlain, George Takei, Chris Sieber, John Benjamin Hickey, Ricky Martin or any other openly gay Hollywood actor?
Just sayin’.
Photo: David E. Steele/The Martha Stewart Show; Fox
verybookish
I agree, it would have been nice if they’d cast an out actor. It also would have been nice if they’d cast actors a little younger. Jeff Goldblum annoys me and seems more like Rachel’s grandfather, but I do love Brian Stokes Mitchell.
MEJ
I’m starting to get the impression that gay people behind the scenes–writers, producers, directors, etc., don’t want to work with gay actors. Maybe it makes them feel like they are a part of the “normal” group, or maybe they just don’t like gay people. Maybe they think hiring straight actors validates their work.
christopher di spirito
John Barrowman told Graham Norton is was interested in one of the roles. He would’ve been a far better choice than Jeff Goldblum.
Arek
Or maybe they should cast the people who are right for the parts! What a novel idea.
Besides, isn’t it kind of inspiring to see straight actors perfectly willing to play gay? There was a time when that was risky.
Cam
@Arek: said…
“Besides, isn’t it kind of inspiring to see straight actors perfectly willing to play gay? There was a time when that was risky.”
__________
Yes, ant that time was 40 years ago. To pretend that it is refreshing to see a straight actor “Daring” enough to play gay is beyond foolish.
Also,
1. I could be wrong, but I thought in the first episode, when you saw a blurry picture of Rachels dads, that one was White and one was Black.
2. The fact that her dads were supposed to be SO overly involved in her life and yet NEVER went to any of their performances..even though we all met the other parents, Kurts, Finns, Quinns, etc… Shows they were trying to hide them because their never being at the school doesn’t fit with the characters.
3. If you cast famous actors you don’t have to make them regular characters because you can use the excuse that it is too difficult to get them for regular appearances.
4. Perhaps Glee finally realized with the ratings going down that maybe they should actually do something interesting.
Arek
Mitchell IS black…
But beyond that, I’m so confused what your point is. If you’re claiming that Glee is afraid of having gays on the show, that’s obviously ridiculous. If you’re looking for logic on the show, that’s also ridiculous.
MEJ
@Cam:
Yes, ant that time was 40 years ago. To pretend that it is refreshing to see a straight actor “Daring” enough to play gay is beyond foolish.
You beat me to it, Cam.
Ginasf
Much as I love gorgeous Brian Stokes Mitchell and his incredible singing, casting two straight men to play gay is very 1990 (and was tired even then). I’m so sick of people in the biz saying “we’re hiring the best people for the job” as though gay actors couldn’t possibly be suitable or that it’s just somehow coincidental out gay performers aren’t getting cast. But then, this is the same producer who cast non-trans people in insulting trans roles in his other shows (and when pointing that out I heard lots of voices from the gay community telling me ‘actors play characters… they cast the best person for the role *yawn*). So, no big surprise. And this way, producers can avoid the unpleasantness of having to use anyone from the LGBTQ alliance since many viewers find them uncomfortable to look at, especially in romantic situations.
Cam
@Arek: said..
“But beyond that, I’m so confused what your point is. If you’re claiming that Glee is afraid of having gays on the show, that’s obviously ridiculous.”
_____________________________________
There is a difference between having Kurt be gay on the show, and showing an example of gay parenting. Pretty much every other students parents have been shown, and YET, even through it has been pointed out MULTIPLE times that Rachel’s dads are…in her words…overly involved in her life….they have never once been shown ever, not at her performances, not before dances, not when students were pelting her with eggs.
Please don’t try to convince me that “OVerly involved parents” would not have been at that school multiple times in such cases.
Car
Yeah, but what if …. wait a minute … IT’S A TV SHOW. Seriously – cast actors that do the best in the roles. By saying that gay characters HAVE to be played by gay actors is to continue to keep a wall between “gay” and “straight.” Aren’t we trying to stop that kind of separation? At least, that’s what I would be trying to do.
Also, minor continuity errors aren’t going to trip up a show if it’s good. See also: Lost. Not a fan of Glee myself, but I do enjoy me some logic.
heh “There was a time” means “Yes, it was a time that is technically prior to now.” “That time was 40 years ago” – yup, still means exactly what the first point was.
Cam
@Car: said…
“Yeah, but what if …. wait a minute … IT’S A TV SHOW. Seriously – cast actors that do the best in the roles. By saying that gay characters HAVE to be played by gay actors is to continue to keep a wall between “gay” and “straight.” Aren’t we trying to stop that kind of separation?”
__________________-
Yes, and yet isn’t it interesting just how often those actors that are “Perfect” for gay roles turn out to be straight? Even though there is such a large number of gay actors gagging for parts.
and
You also said “heh “There was a time” means “Yes, it was a time that is technically prior to now.” “That time was 40 years ago” – yup, still means exactly what the first point was.”
_______
No, actually his point was that it was good that these actors were taking it because there was a time when straight actors were scared to do it. He was insinuating that this was brave of them to play the parts. My comment was stating, no, it wasn’t.
But then again you already knew that. The easiest way to spot somebody who has an interest in the subject at hand is that they go out of their way to add in a qualifier.. i.e. they are straight but they lie and say “As a gay man, I feel that…..”
or in your case
I’m not a fan of Glee but…. really? But you clicked on the article, read it, went down to the comments, and took the time to click?
GayBachelorBlog
It was established in the pilot that one of her dads is Jewish and the other is Black. I guess they decided to stay within those constraints and cast based on that. I think they’re fantastic choices! And considering they have an openly gay boy and woman in the cast, and have had Neil Patrick Harris, Cheyenne Jackson and Jonathan Groff as guest characters, they’ve done their part casting gays!
Car
Were I a straight actor, I would still be afraid of playing a gay character. Because it’s still an issue.
I am gay. I’m not a fan of Glee. My boyfriend is. I was a music education major in school – I prefer older music as opposed to more current popular music. I didn’t mean to sound like I was saying I’ve never watched it and hated; I simply prefer other things.
Yes, I made a comment on it – because I was commenting on what actors I thought should be cast. The last comment was flippant because I thought it was humourous. So, honestly, sorry if it was that offensive.
Ashton C
“IT’S A TV SHOW. Seriously – cast actors that do the best in the roles”
Heck by most of your logic then they should have gone and cast Merryl Streep and Whoopi Golddberg as the dads.
Elmwoodmac
This may not go well but I can’t stand this show.
Cam
@Car: said…
“Were I a straight actor, I would still be afraid of playing a gay character. Because it’s still an issue.”
____________________
No, actually it isn’t. Heath Ledger got a nomination for it. The lead in Will and Grace played one for years ages ago.
Trying to pretend that it is still an issue is ridiculous.
But then again, it IS amazing how whenever we talking on here about hollywood and gays, how many accounts never before seen come on to comment in their defense.
Chris
Brian Stokes Mitchell is amazing…and can sing which is a requirement. He is also of varied ethnicity including African American. Many of the leads were cast from Broadway, including Lea Michelle, Jenna Ushkowitz (spelling?), Matthew Morrison, and others. This just continues that tradition, he has been a staple in musicals for years (Ragtime, Kiss me Kate, etc)
In addition, they have to appear the right age to have an adopted daughter of Lea Michelle’s age…none of the suggestions I have seen here fit that requirement at all. Ricky Martin is like 40, old enough to have young children, but unless he adopted at 12, it just doesn’t work. Besides he is already guesting starring as a spanish teacher. How many singing, OUT, 45-55 year old actors can you name?
Not every casting is a political statement, sometimes it just goes to the actor who seems right. Why don’t we see what they do with the characters before we get all political.
Cam
@Chris: said..
“Not every casting is a political statement, sometimes it just goes to the actor who seems right. Why don’t we see what they do with the characters before we get all political.”
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You’re right, but isn’t it interesting just how often the “Right” actor isn’t gay? Kind of like the fact that in all those old Westerns the Native Americans were never played by Native Americans. I guess none of them were right for the part either.
MEJ
@Cam:
Kind of like the fact that in all those old Westerns the Native Americans were never played by Native Americans.
And don’t forget all the white actors who payed Asians–Paul Muni, Mickey Rooney, etc. And going back even further, whites playing blacks.
And before anyone chimes in with skin colour, or race being different than sexuality, which is not often perceptible; let me just say that my point was, at some point people finally figured out that blacks can play black characters. Why is it so taboo to have gays play gay characters?
Arek
I think a lot of people here are mistaking the near incompetence of the Glee creative team as some kind of ulterior motive. End of story.
Chris
@Cam: First of all, you don’t really know who is gay and who isn’t, because not everyone is public, even though those in the industry may know.
And how many OUT actors are there at this level? Honestly, I can’t think of any that would work for these parts. Sir Ian..too old, probably can’t sing, NPH..too young and already been on the show as a contemporary of Mr. Schue, John Barrowman…too young, Sean Hayes, same problem, who is left?
So, Cam, since you think the “right actor” is never gay….who is your choice?And since it was already established that one of them was African American….can you name any out African American actors who would be right?
By your logic, if only gay actors should get gay parts, then only straight actors should play straight parts…which is absurd and would kill Broadway. This is entertainment, whether you like it or not…
Chris
Sorry that I find this so frustrating, but there are REAL fights out there. We don’t need to manufacture problems…fight the real ones.
ANd for thos who are saying that Glee has a problem working with gay performers is ridiculous. NPH, Chris Colfer, Ricky Martin (upcoming), Jane Lynch, and monay others including the producer are gay. Whether or not you like the show, it has been amazing for the younger generations to see goos representations of gay teenagers. There are thousands of kids who will have grown up watching Kurt and Blaine date, in a positive light. So I think accusing them of not being gay friendly enough is actually so absurd as to be funny.
Pickles
GLEE characters whose parents haven’t been shown, ever on the show or even in photos:
Artie
Britney
Tina
Mercedes
Blaine
Lauren
Santana (grandma but no mom and dad)
Rachelle was not singled out for not having her parents appear on the show.
This seems like fabulous casting. Can’t wait to see them in action.
Esculapio Mitiríades Torquemada de la Cueva
Right …
Except that Glee also has gay performers (Jonathan Groff, Dot-Marie Jones, Jane Lynch — those are just the ones that I can remember off the top of my head) playing straight characters. If that’s OK, why is the opposite such an issue?
jason
Glee is a crappy show. God help our rights if we need to rely on these jerks to be our yell leaders. Ryan Murphy is a pig.
Triple S
It doesn’t matter if you can sing on Glee. Has anyone heard the HUGE modifications to their voices? They sound like bloody computers singing, for Christ’s sake! Only the black girl (I’ve forgotten her name) really sounds like she’s putting more voice in it than computer, almost anyone could “sing” on Glee and have average acting abilities and get away with it
Carl
@MEJ: Or maybe they simply choose actors who they think will perform the role how they envision it? Jeff Goldblum is a truly exceptional actor. I think it’s a bit of a stretch to say that maybe they “don’t like gay people” based purely on the fact that they don’t cast gay people in gay roles. When casting a role, the directors usually have a ‘vision’ of the role and don’t look too far outside that vision. Personally, I am looking forward to Goldblum’s appearance, it will be very interesting to see how he plays the role.
Personally, a part of me dreads the day gay people are cast as gay characters, because I fear they will quickly become stereotyped (anyone who says hollywood and tv in general, no matter where it is produced, isn’t driven by stereotypes is deluding themselves). The likes of John Barrowman and George Takei will end up only playing gay men. And that would be a bad thing. I don’t care about the sexuality of the actor playing a role, I care that they play the role well and believably. That is the primary factor here. And to be honest, all this “oh no, another none-gay in a gay role” hysteria strikes me as odd – we don’t see blonds complaining when a brunette is cast and dyes their hair, do we? This is the same kind of thing – the only thing that matters is that the actor is convincing in the role.
Cam
@Chris:
said… “And how many OUT actors are there at this level? Honestly, I can’t think of any that would work for these parts.”
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Yes, and perhaps there would be MORE out actors, if shows like Glee would hire gay unknowns to play the part. Can anybody honestly tell me that anybody new is going to tune in based on “Jeff Goldbloom” being on the show? Doubtful.
As for an Out Actor, don’t tell me John Bowrman couldn’t handle the roll.
Cam
@Pickles: said…
“”GLEE characters whose parents haven’t been shown, ever on the show or even in photos:
Artie
Britney
Tina
Mercedes
Blaine
Lauren
Santana (grandma but no mom and dad)
Rachelle was not singled out for not having her parents appear on the show””
_________________________________________
HOWEVER, there is no denying that in the first season Rachel and Finn were singled out as the stars of the show.
Additionally, Rachel has said Multiple times that her Dads are “Overly involved with her life”
Additionally we met Rachel’s birth mother, and yet during such an important time in her life her dads were absent etc…
Come on, trying to pretend it wasn’t a purposeful decision to leave them out is ridiculous.
Ryan J.
I thought they actually showed a picture of her dads early in season 1. If I can remember correctly is was a black guy and a white guy.
Interesting
Consider Barrowman’s background in music, it is surprising they would choose the actor they did.
Jase
@Ryan J.: Yes, and thus, they cast a black guy and a white guy. You’re quick!
As for everyone whining that they didn’t cast gay actors, GET OVER IT. There is a reason it is called ACTING – the role is not the same as the actor. EVERY time a gay role is cast by a straight person you people whine. And yet, if every gay role was cast by a gay actor, you would all be whining that the gays are only getting cast in gay roles. All you people do is whine and it’s getting disgusting.
Danny
Nice that they have an actual openly Jewish guy and openly Black guy playing a Jewish character and a Black character respectively. 😀 They’ll make a handsome couple.
And the fact they both have actual Broadway cred is cool too. And as long as they hire out gay actors to play straight roles then no problem having straight actors play gay roles since it is called ACTING as a profession.
Pickles
I wasn’t trying to pretend anything.
I was responding to the person who said every other character’s parents had been shown on the show.
I have no idea why Rachel’s dads were never cast before now and neither does anyone here.
It’s all conjecture.
My point was, MOST of the kids on the show have never had any on screen interaction with their parents and there is no basis for claiming that we haven’t met Rachels because her dads are gay.
Rachel gets too much screen time and too many songs.
But I don’t see how that relates to the issue of which kids parents have been cast.
The only person who knows is Ryan Murphy he’s crazier than a bag of nuts.
soakman
Pretty sure NPH was on the shoe and Dicky Martin will be soon likely as the sud Spanish teacher also likely straight. And Sue Sylvester is straight. You guys be sasdsacks.
Scott
John Barrowman should have been cast rather then Goldblum.
Hephaestion
John Barrowman would have been a far better choice than Goldblum.
Bryan
@Arek: Oh please it’s just two straight actors playing gay because the series says they’re gay, there’ll probably not be holding hands or too much show of affection, hardly groundbreaking. Now a straight Gale Harold playing gay the way he did in QAF is something risque. I’m not saying there’s any agenda, I’m just saying straight actors playing non-overtly gay roles like this one is hardly amazing.
Cam
@Jase: said…
“As for everyone whining that they didn’t cast gay actors, GET OVER IT. There is a reason it is called ACTING – the role is not the same as the actor. EVERY time a gay role is cast by a straight person you people whine.”
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We People whine? Oh, you know what, I’m SO SORRY about this. You are right, We People are just such assholes about being portrayed, and how awful that we would complain about how homophobic Hollywood is.
But in fairness, here is a question for you. Why is it, that ever time there is an article on one of “We People’s” blogs talking about Hollywood and homophobia, a bunch of “You People” mysteriously show up and pretend to be “We People” and always support the studios?
Perhaps “You People” should be a bit more clever and less obvious about your agenda before coming onto our blogs.
Eric Auerbach
There really is no subject some of you sad queens can’t complain about.
vince
Well, I don’t watch Glee and I’m not into Broadway, but the name Brian Stokes Mitchell was extremely familiar to me. When I googled him, I instantly recognized him as an actor I had a major crush on back in the day when I was a confused gay adolescent. He’s still so sexy!! I might have to watch Glee for the first time.
Pickles
I love John Barrowman and would watch him in anything but he’s not right for this particular role.
There are gay Jewish actors (if the issue is about the actor having to be gay then why not also Jewish?)who could play the role.
But you can’t have it both ways.
You can say that gay characters MUST be played by gay actors but that gay actors must be allowed to play any straight role they want.
The fact that an actor is gay should not figure into whether or not he is chosen for a role. The issue is the homophobia and heterosexism of casting directors and producers.
The issue is not straight actors playing gay characters.
Acting is suppose to be about the craft, inhabiting a character full, pretending to be whomever that character is and making the audience believe it.
Obviously there are limits to what audiences will except as “authentic” or “believable” so not just any actor can play any role and be accepted.
But other than just wanting gay actors to get lots of work and exposure and success, I don’t see the merit in demanding that a gay character be played by only a gay actor (particularly given how few good gay roles there are in comparison to the number of straight roles)
A huge part of Rachel’s identity is her possibly mixed but definitely Jewish features. John Barrowman wouldn’t fit with that aspect of her backstory. I just don’t believe Idina Menzel and John Barrowman would produce a child that looked like Rachel.
What I love about this casting is that they LOOK like either of them could be Rachel’s biological dad and you really can’t tell. And both actors are talented singers and actors.
So THAT is why it seems like perfect casting to me.
J Stratford
Why this uprising about a TV character? Get a life people! The show is not even the best in its time slot. To the guy who wants a gay chrcter to do the parent roles… exactly WHO do you think would have been a better choice AND would have been interested in the role?
If you are a wannabe actor who did not get the role. Buck up!