Folks around the gay blogosphere are applauding last night’s episode of The Office — “Gay Witch Hunt” — which focused on the unintentional outing of the show’s paper supply accountant, played by Oscar Nuñez. After watching the above clip and reading the reviews, I’m sorry I missed it.
A few reactions:
Viva la Graham: “I think they handled this very well. they got the most laughs by making fools of those who can only identify gay people through stereotypes, which is commendable.”
Queer Beacon: “In Gay Witch Hunt, it is clear that being homophobic is idiotic and ignorant. What an unbelievable season premiere. It could not have been more positive for us gays. Oh, and in a very awkward demonstration of acceptance, both Steve Carell and Rainn Wilson (the office’s eccentric brownnoser paper salesman) kiss Oscar on the lips. That’s Steve’s crazy way of showing he is, in the end, fine with Oscar being gay. I’ll take it.”
AfterElton: “Humor often allows touchy subjects to be addressed in ways that get past viewers’ protective walls. Last night’s episode probably did more to educate viewers on why the use of the word ‘fag’ is inappropriate than a year’s worth of well-intentioned public service announcements could ever do. But The Office went one better. Oscar was never the butt of the show’s jokes—that was usually his ignorant, homophobic co-workers who think gay people wear dresses, who giggle uncontrollably at the thought someone is gay, or gullibly believe that ‘gaydar’ is a product to be ordered online.”
Looks like I’ll have to download this one from iTunes and set my DVR for the rest of this season.
