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Neil Patrick Harris Lets it all Hang OutIs Harris giving too much information? His most revealing comments came on The Howard Stern Show, where the host is known for getting his guests to say and do outrageous things. But as Hernandez notes, television audiences are responding favorably to Harris’ growing comfort with himself, and his willingness not to take himself, or his gayness, too seriously — a rare event in an era when television often still presents homosexuality as a “controversial issue.” Indeed, Harris’ honesty on The Howard Stern Show had the effect of helping humanize gay people in the eyes of Stern cast member Artie Lange, a self-described homophobe (who also has become friends with George Takei via Stern's show). "I joke around about this stuff a lot and talk about it in my act, but I'm being dead honest right now," Lange said in the segment. "If my son ever [told me he was gay], the first thing I would do would be to give him a hug and tell him there was no way I have a problem with this and I love you." "I think Neil's growing candor is such a great thing because he is a funny and articulate man who happens to be gay,” Hernandez says. “He seems to downplay the significance of his coming out, but it is a very important thing. He's a major television star who has been famous since he was a kid. Now people feel like they really know him for the first time, and he is a high-profile example of a seemingly happy and well-balanced gay person."
Submitted by on Tue, 2008-06-17 21:54. |
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News, Reviews & Commentary on Gay and Bisexual Men in Entertainment and the Media
talking about David Burtka on the Regis and Kelly Show
I don't know if it was the only time (I don't watch the show, I just read about it) but apparently he discussed David Burtka's recent loss of his mother on the daytime program he hosted, saying:
"David's mother passed away last week from a leukemia and pneumonia. It took her out really quickly, in just four and a half weeks. It's been a really sad time. I just want to wish him and his sister Jen and their amazing dad Dan all the best."
Maybe he didn't add "By the way, we're versatile in bed" but it's not exactly going quiet about the relationship either.
Good to know!
It was during the host chat
He also said " My boyfriend
He also said " My boyfriend of over 4 years, David" before that ( To which Kelly replied "Yaay, David!!!" and seemed to catch herself and think "Oh yeah, it's sad news" :P)
Then a little later Kelly said how wonderful and great David is and Neil said "Yeah, he's super-swell" ( I think that's what he said at least)
So that part about him not mentioning David really doesn't ring true for me.
Harris as an American Barrowman?
Needless to say someone needs to step up to the reigns and take over as our de facto leader. One has to admit to some envy that the Brits have possession of Barrowman and his husband to snog onstage at London Pride. Although we'll see how that goes over this year with somewhat anti-gay Boris the Blonde as mayor.
So, is Harris (and Burtka) up for the title of U.S. first couple of gaydom? Or do we wait for them to get married?
Not so much
I think T.R. and Mark have edged out NPH and David as First Gay Couple. NPH may be funnier, but he and David are not as forthright in their comments in the press. (Note that he declined to be interviewed by AE, a pretty well respected electronic publication in the LGBT world, and David seems to be lying pretty low other than accompanying NPH to events.)
By contrast, T.R. and Mark are, whether reluctantly or not, finding themselves at the forefront of the gay movement. And, judging from their last appearance, they are beginning to work as a team in terms of providing statements to the (far too hungry) press. Contrast this with NPH, who has said that his job title is "jester"; T.R. has taken Ellen DeGeneres and Judy Shepard as role models and is taking his position as a role model seriously. And Mark, as a Point scholar, is a role model for -- at the very least -- the next class of scholars.
I vote for T.R. and Mark as first couple. (And I apologize, Mark, for always giving your soon-to-be husband top billing. But I'll continue that for the time being.)
I pity T.R. and Mark
They've been together only a short period of time, and Mark is still only a teenager really. This is rather substantially different than John Barrowman and Scott Gill, who have been together more than 15 years and are both in their 40's. The expectations that T.R. and Mark could have on them as candidates for "First Couple" of the U.S. gay community might be a little ugly.
But it's understandable that we crave out, partnered role models. Gay kids in the U.K. can look at Barrowman and think that the future isn't necessarily bleak. We're still working on that angle here in terms of celebrities.
There are, however, plenty of same-sex couples on HGTV...
My heart skipped a beat
The first time I saw Neil as Doogie. It was dream that if only he were gay I would be swept off my feet. I thought it was just a fantasy but I followed his career closely. Then when he took stage worl I thought of another closeted gay actor who did that same thing working in Seattle and the UK to develope his talent, even tackling a Broadway musical or two. So when he came back to TV he became an even bigger star playing romantic roles as a heterosexual. His sexuality was often brought into question. But times were different and he had to wait till he was 74 to finally come out as a gay man. Times were different then.
Though I am not even close to David Burtka's categorey, nor his age, I wish he and Neil bliss and happiness in a long and fufilling relationship.
A "rocky" time
May I assume, Insideguy, that you're referring to Rock Hudson? Man -- I remember when we got the news that Rock had died of AIDS. What a horrific time that was: friends getting sick and dying, men who had assumed they'd be able to live out their lives in the closet because saying you were gay (that is, a pervert, a degenerate) was unthinkable and suddenly having to come out at the worst possible time. At first there was no help -- then we realized we had to take care of each other because the establishment was not going to. Finding out who our real friends were -- thank goodness for our allies (in many cases, female -- often our lesbian sisters) coming to the rescue of our gay male friends who seemingly had nowhere to turn.
And then, after Rock died, there was Elizabeth Taylor: fearless, outspoken, who said, "Enough is e-g*dd*mned-nough" and started amFAR. And that started the ball rolling, turning the tide (mixing the metaphors -- whatever helped to get treatment and research and publicity and education).
How different it is today -- still we have the clang of the radical right calling us those same hateful names, but fewer and fewer people pay serious attention to those hateful voices. (Enough that we still have to be vigilant, but because we can be open about who we are, we're able to gather our allies and stand strong against the hate.) We're able to be out at work and to our friends and families and, in a few places, to be married. And, in more places, to raise children if we want to. Oh, it's a different time from the '80s.
My goodness -- where did that soapbox come from?
Richard Chamberlain
Sounds more like he's referring to Richard Chamberlain, who, after his initial TV success in Dr. Kildare, moved to England and trod the boards. He developed some real credibility as a classical actor and then began a somewhat successful movie career. He came back to TV as King of the mini-series in the 80's, was pretty well known to the general public to be gay but didn't officially come out until he wrote that book in his 70's.
Chamberlain
I'm not surprised NPH declined to be interviewed...
Everyone has a different contribution to make
and I'm sure NPH doesn't want to be seen as a "gay spokesperson" -- just as himself, one gay man.
He and David Burtka are performing a delicate career dance. They sang a duet from Rent for the "Broadway Backwards" concert but appear to be chary of doing anything big together. This is a shame because my dream is their starring in the newly refurbished Bounce. But I can well understand their not wanting to risk professional failure as a couple and maintain separate career identities at the same time
Bottom line: NPH was a child star. Few child stars make it to adulthood ALIVE. Fewer still have adult careers after that. He has managed to do both. Therefore coming out was in some sense "no biggie."
BTW, looking back over his career he was the best thing in The Next Best Thing. He had an incredibly moving scene as a (wait for it!) gay man whose lover had died of AIDS. The parents of the deceased wouldn't allow him to come to funeral as they had never acknowledged the relationship. So we see him trying his best to grieve alone.
Devestating.
Neil, if you're reading this (and I'll bet you are) I'd like to apoligize for my bad review of Clara's Heart. I had no idea that you'd become who you so spectacularly are.
First Gay Couple
I think any idea of a competition for "First Gay Couple" between NPH and David and TR and Mark is pretty silly. NPH and David have been together MUCH longer and, as much as I love TR, NPH speaks much better.
Actually, as a Californian right at this moment, my vote for first gay couple is Ellen and Portia (if we're counting lesbians as gay). I think Ellen's announcement is incredibly important in defeating the anti-gay marriage initiative in November.
The Next Best Thing
Didn't see "The Next Best Thing" (its rep for being a train-wreck kinda kept me away) but judging from your description of Neil's subplot, I believe he probably WAS the best reason to see it, because it was probably the most REAL thing in the whole movie.
The Next Best Thing is dreadful
Hmm... wasn't surprised...
Okay - I admit I had a crush on NPH as Doogie Howser. He's my age, and I remember thinking he was cute in a nerdy kind of way as I was growing up and discovering my sexuality. I heard from a friend of mine a couple of years before NPH finally came out that he had been spotted in one of the big gay bars in town. I was shocked - "Doogie Howser is gay?" - but then cheered inside. Needless to say, I then assumed that his being gay was one of those public secrets - everyone knew but no one talked about it; I guess that was the case.
Needless to say, when he finally came out, my reaction was - "Well, it's about time." I'm thrilled to see that he has made the transition smoothly, and I applaud him for approaching his sexuality as a non-issue. While it's good to have a T.R. or an Ellen who wear their sexuality on their sleeve, it's also good to have a star who doesn't trumpet it in front of people. It's balance, and it allows any and all fans to approach these people in the way that makes them feel the most comfortable. My guess is that NPH's approach to coming out impressed some people in the same way that Ellen's more public and pronounced way did for others.
I'm glad that they're all part of our community, and I look forward to seeing how things play out in the future. And, I WILL buy the People magazine that has 'exclusive' shots of Ellen & Portia's wedding. They are our First Gay Couple right now and Ellen's show is going to be HUGE in putting a personal face on the gay marriage issue in California.
First Gay Couple?
First Gay Couple?
Win, Place, Show, Finish
The discussion re: First Gay Couple is interesting to me (and I agree with my friend db that, on some level, it's kind of silly -- but it's silly in a good, clean, fun, theoretical sort of way) because I marvel that now, in 2008, we can actually have any sort of discussion about such a possibility!
Just imagine putting Raymond Burr and his longtime lover up as spokespersons for the LGBT cause -- just being on the red carpet at the Emmys or the GLAAD awards and having Entertainment Tonight ask them questions about (in earlier times) Anita Bryant's campaign in Florida, or the Stonewall Riots, or Matthew Shepard. Imagine getting talking points from Rock Hudson and Mark Christian. Imagine Billie Jean or Martina being able to kiss their lovers upon winning a Grand Slam tournament.
But now we have -- gosh! -- any number of couples who are openly and proudly attending events together (not just the Gayest! Tonys! Ever!) and are being treated by the media as nearly ordinary.
So in terms of who wins, places, or shows in the First Gay Couple Derby: who cares? We're all winners when we have eloquent, wise, and thoughtful couples like Brad Altman and George Takei, and T.R. Knight and Mark Cornelson, and Portia and Ellen, who are only a few of the many faces of gay humanity. And, in California right now, having those couples stand tall as examples of marriage equality can only be good for the November marriage amendment vote in that state.
love them all
i love Ellen and Portia there so cute together, but i TR Knight is beyond gorgeous, he should be with me hehe, kiddding.