Comments on: Setting Zach straight causes some controversy http://www.heroespodcast.com/2006/12/14/nbc-trying-to-set-things-straight/ A podcast devoted to the NBC series Heroes! Thu, 02 Feb 2012 02:54:15 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: My site. http://www.heroespodcast.com/2006/12/14/nbc-trying-to-set-things-straight/comment-page-1/#comment-61642 My site. Sun, 14 Jun 2009 04:39:29 +0000 http://www.thetenthwonder.com/2006/12/14/nbc-trying-to-set-things-straight/#comment-61642 <strong>Look at this....</strong> Sweet site dude, check out mine when you get a min...... Look at this….

Sweet site dude, check out mine when you get a min……

]]> By: konamouse http://www.heroespodcast.com/2006/12/14/nbc-trying-to-set-things-straight/comment-page-1/#comment-242 konamouse Fri, 22 Dec 2006 04:24:47 +0000 http://www.thetenthwonder.com/2006/12/14/nbc-trying-to-set-things-straight/#comment-242 Maybe the Haitian's mind wipe changed Zach's orientation? Maybe TPTB have another hero in the planning stage who will be gay (for those who HAVE to have such a diverse cast - maybe we need more representation of the Survivor:Cook Islands type). In the long run, how many more times was he going to be seen on this show anyway - I figured that Claire wasn't going to go back to school after what happened homecoming. 'squeek' Maybe the Haitian’s mind wipe changed Zach’s orientation?
Maybe TPTB have another hero in the planning stage who will be gay (for those who HAVE to have such a diverse cast – maybe we need more representation of the Survivor:Cook Islands type). In the long run, how many more times was he going to be seen on this show anyway – I figured that Claire wasn’t going to go back to school after what happened homecoming.
’squeek’

]]> By: Jacob http://www.heroespodcast.com/2006/12/14/nbc-trying-to-set-things-straight/comment-page-1/#comment-236 Jacob Tue, 19 Dec 2006 02:14:45 +0000 http://www.thetenthwonder.com/2006/12/14/nbc-trying-to-set-things-straight/#comment-236 I don't know why people are getting so upset they never even said if he was gay or not on the show and I never really thought that he was, I was actually hoping that he and Claire would get together. I hope this whole thing doesn't get out of hand it's not that big a deal. I don’t know why people are getting so upset they never even said if he was gay or not on the show and I never really thought that he was, I was actually hoping that he and Claire would get together. I hope this whole thing doesn’t get out of hand it’s not that big a deal.

]]> By: The REAL Scooter! http://www.heroespodcast.com/2006/12/14/nbc-trying-to-set-things-straight/comment-page-1/#comment-232 The REAL Scooter! Mon, 18 Dec 2006 13:15:32 +0000 http://www.thetenthwonder.com/2006/12/14/nbc-trying-to-set-things-straight/#comment-232 That was because Ian McKellan was actually gay. That was because Ian McKellan was actually gay.

]]> By: Palaemon http://www.heroespodcast.com/2006/12/14/nbc-trying-to-set-things-straight/comment-page-1/#comment-231 Palaemon Mon, 18 Dec 2006 07:44:05 +0000 http://www.thetenthwonder.com/2006/12/14/nbc-trying-to-set-things-straight/#comment-231 I want to know that if "Zack" is leaving the show (well the actor is anyway), Why decide now to state "yay" or "nay." why did it matter? I liked the ambiguousness of the character. You don't purposely make a character ambiguous and then declare his "non-out-ness" to the media unless the actor in question gets the male lead in a decidedly masculine role. Yes, it's a stereotype that gay men are feminine, but that's what John Q. Public knows: stereotypes. Someone must be afraid that "that guy who played that gay guy on the super heroes show" won't be believable, I guess. That sounds like an acting issue. Ian McKellen can play any role and isn't afraid to "Fem" it up on SNL or do a skit in drag. So, again sounds like an acting issue. I want to know that if “Zack” is leaving the show (well the actor is anyway), Why decide now to state “yay” or “nay.” why did it matter? I liked the ambiguousness of the character. You don’t purposely make a character ambiguous and then declare his “non-out-ness” to the media unless the actor in question gets the male lead in a decidedly masculine role. Yes, it’s a stereotype that gay men are feminine, but that’s what John Q. Public knows: stereotypes. Someone must be afraid that “that guy who played that gay guy on the super heroes show” won’t be believable, I guess. That sounds like an acting issue. Ian McKellen can play any role and isn’t afraid to “Fem” it up on SNL or do a skit in drag. So, again sounds like an acting issue.

]]> By: The REAL Scooter! http://www.heroespodcast.com/2006/12/14/nbc-trying-to-set-things-straight/comment-page-1/#comment-223 The REAL Scooter! Fri, 15 Dec 2006 18:45:19 +0000 http://www.thetenthwonder.com/2006/12/14/nbc-trying-to-set-things-straight/#comment-223 Also, after reading some of AfterElton.com's response to this situation (the part about his favorite movies on his Myspace), that's kind of type casting gay people, saying that no straight person could like that movie, therefore he MUST be gay. Also, after reading some of AfterElton.com’s response to this situation (the part about his favorite movies on his Myspace), that’s kind of type casting gay people, saying that no straight person could like that movie, therefore he MUST be gay.

]]> By: The REAL Scooter! http://www.heroespodcast.com/2006/12/14/nbc-trying-to-set-things-straight/comment-page-1/#comment-222 The REAL Scooter! Fri, 15 Dec 2006 18:43:25 +0000 http://www.thetenthwonder.com/2006/12/14/nbc-trying-to-set-things-straight/#comment-222 No writers on the show ever said Zach was going to be gay. Jackie and the popular kids were the only people calling him gay, and they were obviously making fun of him. So it shouldn't matter anyway and I don't see why everyone is all mad about it. No writers on the show ever said Zach was going to be gay.

Jackie and the popular kids were the only people calling him gay, and they were obviously making fun of him.

So it shouldn’t matter anyway and I don’t see why everyone is all mad about it.

]]> By: Bmannes http://www.heroespodcast.com/2006/12/14/nbc-trying-to-set-things-straight/comment-page-1/#comment-221 Bmannes Fri, 15 Dec 2006 15:24:12 +0000 http://www.thetenthwonder.com/2006/12/14/nbc-trying-to-set-things-straight/#comment-221 I think it's actually quite horrible. For once, a gay character who isn't portrayed as effeminate or sex-crazed, but is instead played as smart and comfortable with himself, is now eradicated from existence. The fact that Dekker's people strong-armed the show into "straightening" out Zack is shameful (if that's the case). It shows the stigma that gays still carry. It's fueled by hate and bigotry. If Zack was intended to be gay (and he pretty clearly was IMHO), then it made his speech to Claire about being true to yourself all the more impactful. Granted, the same speech holds true if he were not gay. But, homosexuality is the prime situation where people are afraid to tell their loved ones the truth about themselves, just like Claire. As a gay man, I was proud of the Zack character. Now the whole thing has become a shining example of how long this country still has to go in considering gays normal people. I think it’s actually quite horrible. For once, a gay character who isn’t portrayed as effeminate or sex-crazed, but is instead played as smart and comfortable with himself, is now eradicated from existence.

The fact that Dekker’s people strong-armed the show into “straightening” out Zack is shameful (if that’s the case). It shows the stigma that gays still carry. It’s fueled by hate and bigotry.

If Zack was intended to be gay (and he pretty clearly was IMHO), then it made his speech to Claire about being true to yourself all the more impactful. Granted, the same speech holds true if he were not gay. But, homosexuality is the prime situation where people are afraid to tell their loved ones the truth about themselves, just like Claire.

As a gay man, I was proud of the Zack character. Now the whole thing has become a shining example of how long this country still has to go in considering gays normal people.

]]> By: Chair http://www.heroespodcast.com/2006/12/14/nbc-trying-to-set-things-straight/comment-page-1/#comment-220 Chair Fri, 15 Dec 2006 14:57:26 +0000 http://www.thetenthwonder.com/2006/12/14/nbc-trying-to-set-things-straight/#comment-220 I'm hoping this doesn't get out of hand, but I think this has got to be one of the silliest arguments ever. This character is fictional, he is also mostly a bit-player, furthermore I'd have to totally agree with Joyce and say that at no time did the character of Zach "come out." We should not breath life into this debate, the truth is that Zach will mostly disappear shortly (likely) as the actor has been signed for a different show. I’m hoping this doesn’t get out of hand, but I think this has got to be one of the silliest arguments ever. This character is fictional, he is also mostly a bit-player, furthermore I’d have to totally agree with Joyce and say that at no time did the character of Zach “come out.”

We should not breath life into this debate, the truth is that Zach will mostly disappear shortly (likely) as the actor has been signed for a different show.

]]> By: Joyce http://www.heroespodcast.com/2006/12/14/nbc-trying-to-set-things-straight/comment-page-1/#comment-218 Joyce Thu, 14 Dec 2006 23:07:40 +0000 http://www.thetenthwonder.com/2006/12/14/nbc-trying-to-set-things-straight/#comment-218 Well, the show never says outright that Zach is indeed gay. It is speculated and Jackie makes fun of him for it...but she could just be being the mean and nasty person we know she is capable of. Zach never confirms or disconfirms that he is gay. He says that "he's happy with who he is" and that he "knows who he is" etc. Also, on Zach's myspace page, he lists his sexual orientation as "not sure". I think the creators or writers of the show were hesitant to start "labelling" people when the show was still new and gaining recognition. Awesome podcast guys! Keep it up! Joyce Well, the show never says outright that Zach is indeed gay. It is speculated and Jackie makes fun of him for it…but she could just be being the mean and nasty person we know she is capable of. Zach never confirms or disconfirms that he is gay. He says that “he’s happy with who he is” and that he “knows who he is” etc. Also, on Zach’s myspace page, he lists his sexual orientation as “not sure”. I think the creators or writers of the show were hesitant to start “labelling” people when the show was still new and gaining recognition.

Awesome podcast guys! Keep it up!
Joyce

]]> By: Bill http://www.heroespodcast.com/2006/12/14/nbc-trying-to-set-things-straight/comment-page-1/#comment-217 Bill Thu, 14 Dec 2006 22:55:18 +0000 http://www.thetenthwonder.com/2006/12/14/nbc-trying-to-set-things-straight/#comment-217 If this occurs, Heroes will have lost a viewer. I read that TV GUIDE is reporting that the actor's management wanted the change. If an actor doesn't want to play the character as is, you write him out or just never show him again -- not change his sexual orientation. It sends a dangerous message to all the viewers, particularly gay youth, that there's something wrong with being gay. A FINAL NOTE: Hope this actor isn't counting on a loyal gay fan base. Love the podcast! Thanks guys. Bill If this occurs, Heroes will have lost a viewer.
I read that TV GUIDE is reporting that the actor’s management wanted the change. If an actor doesn’t want to play the character as is, you write him out or just never show him again — not change his sexual orientation. It sends a dangerous message to all the viewers, particularly gay youth, that there’s something wrong with being gay.
A FINAL NOTE: Hope this actor isn’t counting on a loyal gay fan base.
Love the podcast! Thanks guys.
Bill

]]>