Gannascoli: Doesn't GLAAD have better things to do than to care about ads that joke about hate crimes?

Last week we told you about Sopranos actor Joseph Gannascoli's controversial ads for a pool cue. Gannascoli, whose gay character on The Sopranos, Vito, was raped and beaten to death with a pool cue after being outed, appeared in the ads with the tagline "A Cue to Die For." Since then, the product has been pulled by the manufacturer, who says that the "to die for" slogan is used in all merchandise endorsed by Gannascoli.

Gannascoli talked about the controversy with The Oregonian and he doesn't acquit himself well. He says, "Now it's become ... personal because my money is involved. They have their panties in a bunch." He adds, "It wasn't done intentionally. I'm sure there are other issues GLAAD has to deal with that are more important than a fictional character. I've been supportive of the gay community, and it was my idea to make my character gay so, hopefully, we can reach an understanding."

GLAAD has more important issues to deal with than a high-profile fictional character who was ruthlessly beaten to death before he was gay, only to have that fact lampooned in a quick-buck marketing gag? I wonder if Gannascoli is aware of what GLAAD does -- fictional characters are a big part of GLAAD's concern. And as great as it is that Vito's storyline was handled realistically and sensitively, much of that could be credited to the show's writers. Gannascoli suggested to make his character gay, but I've wondered if that suggestion indicated an interest in depicting a gay character or just an angle to get more screen time for his character. This response leads me to suspect the latter.

There's a part of me willing to buy that the appalling message was a mistake. I've personally seen how an advertiser can fail to see how two ideas that seem innocent combine to say something very offensive. However, Gannascoli's remarks leave me less likely to seek out such a forgiving stance.