04/14/2008
Gay British TV Host Alan Carr: 'Gays Hate Me'
Comedian Alan Carr hosts the Friday Night Project in the UK. The Guardian posted a profile on him in Sunday's edition. Said Carr:
"Gays hate me. I just think gay people need to get over themselves. Just because you're gay and on the telly doesn't mean you're a role model. I'm just a comedian. That's all I am. If you find me funny, good. But they look at me like, "Oh, you're letting the side down. I've done the circuit, I've won competitions and awards and this wasn't just in some tired old drag act. I haven't just minced on to the stage and said, 'Ooh I've got the willies up me.' Please, give me a little bit of credit. What am I meant to do? Do I go down the Julian Clary route and talk about fisting and poppers? I don't talk about being gay and I think what better equality for gays than that?"
AFTER THE JUMP, a clip from Alan Carr's Friday Night Project from last July featuring John Barrowman.
Mr. Nice Guy [the guardian]
Sphere: Related ContentPosted 4:45 PM EST by Andy in Alan Carr, Great Britain, John Barrowman, News | Permalink
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I barely understand his comments, but what really baffles me is his hair. He looks like Dwight, the uptight character from The Office, after being attacked by raccoons.
Posted by: Paul R | Apr 14, 2008 4:55:02 PM
I don't think we hate Mr Carr - i think we're just bored with that look,it is the homosexualist what Minstrel shows are to black people.Thought that style died along with Graham Norton,Larry Grayson and John Inman - all of this would be irrelevant if he was funny to anyone other than middle- england housewives.
Posted by: augustine Hawkins | Apr 14, 2008 5:15:36 PM
Augustine: I get what you're saying, but that fact you could instantly reel off two other major hit hosts -- and I would add Julian Clary there too -- begs the question, where are the out gay hosts in North America??? Graham Norton and even Australia's Dame Edna are huge network stars with multiple hit shows -- it seems, niche-cable like Bravo aside, the U.S. and Canada can't even handle the minstrels!
Posted by: Strepsi | Apr 14, 2008 5:27:09 PM
I'm gay and I LOVE Alan Carr. He's the reason why I watch Friday Night Project!! And I don't even live in the UK!
Posted by: David | Apr 14, 2008 5:34:25 PM
Strepsi: Um, do you watch CBC's Steven and Chris? They host a daytime lifestyle show (that replaced the Gil Deacon Show) and they're openly gay. They've been together for many years have have also hosted Designer Guys, Design Rivals, and So Chic with Steven and Chris.
Posted by: David | Apr 14, 2008 5:43:32 PM
Homegrown Canadian talk shows aren't big in Canada even when the host is straight (The Hour recently surprised everyone by bucking that trend, but it's an unusually great show). There have been popular Canadian homegrown beloved comedy shows with out gay performers and a strong gay sensibility, however, like Kids in the Hall and Codco. Other popular and nationally iconic Canadian comedies like Trailer Park Boys feature gay major characters and pro-gay messages.
Posted by: MG | Apr 14, 2008 5:47:10 PM
No. NO. NO! "Begs the question" does NOT mean "suggests/raises another question/issue". "Begs the question" is a logical fallacy whereby the answer is contained in the stated question.
Sorry. This all too common misstatement drives me nuts. Carry on.
Posted by: rudy | Apr 14, 2008 6:04:22 PM
Sorry Rudy -- I don't like when people misuse "carrot and stick" myself... And David, I love Stephen Sabados and Chris Hyndaman (Where's Chris's favorite place to stand? Be Hyndaman. ba dum dum!) But CBC / HGTV is a far cry from the hosts discussed here - Graham Norton and Dame Edna are bigger than Letterman or Leno. We're talking network stars, household names. There are currently none in Canada or the U.S. Unless.... has Rick Mercer come out yet? Best Julian Clary line is when everyone applauds his intro: "I do so love a warm hand upon my entrance." :D
Posted by: Strepsi | Apr 14, 2008 6:20:24 PM
Rick Mercer is officially out now, after years of living out but not talking about it to the press. He's about as big and as popular as you get in Canada and headlines the Rick Mercer Report.
Posted by: MG | Apr 14, 2008 7:45:00 PM
Love The Friday Night Project and wish it was on American screens, but I can watch it on YouTube just fine. (Elijah Wood just hosted, and Geri Halliwell and Tyra Banks are upcoming!)
The part that's interesting to me is that Justin Lee Collins (the dude with the facial hair) is the one who is usually kissing or being physical with other males on the show (insert "well whoopee for straight European men who are comfortable with their sexuality" comments here).
Regardless-- oftentimes hilarious show that deserves all the praise it seems to get, and very gay-friendly too methinks.
Posted by: Harrison | Apr 14, 2008 9:30:45 PM
I have seen his pics on a celeb dating site named ‘M a r r y M i l l i o n a i r e . C o m’. I don’t understand what he do on that site.Does he want to date with some girls?
Posted by: fhsoier | Apr 15, 2008 12:12:06 AM
I saw him live and he was piss-your-pants hilarious. Not much gay, but a lot of material about class -- and being poor... "I hate my case worker: she has a sign on her desk saying 'YOU DON' HAVE TO BE CRAZY TO WORK HERE... BUT IT HELPS!' It is written in her own shit." lmfao
Posted by: StaleCake | Apr 15, 2008 2:50:48 AM