“Glee” Wheelchair Kid Hits A Sour Note With Disabled Actors
Glee has gained reputation for celebrating the underdog to one helluva soundtrack, but at least one of the good-natured glee club misfits has hit a snag with some disabled entertainers in Hollywood.
Several physically-challenged actors are voicing concerns that the show’s casting of Kevin Hale, a non-disabled actor, to play paraplegic high school student Artie on the hit comedy represents yet another missed opportunity for a popular program to cast a star who is actually disabled.
(Read All About The Debate Here….)
A similar debate kicked off last week, when a advocacy group for the hearing impaired protested Oscar-nominated actress Abigail Breslin’s recent casting as Helen Keller in the Broadway revival of The Miracle Worker.
“I think there’s a fear of litigation, that a person with disabilities might slow a production down, fear that viewers might be uncomfortable,” says CSIcast member Robert David Hall . “I’ve made my living as an actor for 30 years and I walk on two artificial legs.”
Written by Castina on November 10th, 2009 | Tagged as: Glee
On November 10th 2009, WickedFabala wrote:
So what if he's not really disabled! Straight people play gay people all the time and you don't see gays getting up set that a real gay person missed out on the role. It's just stupid that people are getting upset.
On November 17th 2009, michelle wrote:
I think that is why we call them actors, because they act! That is what I think. People need to find something serious to be upset about. Maybe starving kids or animals, I don't know….. something. People with cancer or how about our soldiers and war. But this? Seriously silly.
On April 14th 2010, melissa wrote:
The reason that actors with disabilities are so upset is that if you are in a wheelchair and want to act you have to act in something that has a character in a wheelchair. A person with a disability cannot fill an able bodied role with out forcing writers to change the whole dynamic of the show or movie. There are very few roles out there that call for a disability and when an able bodied person gets it over a person with a disability it kinda hits a nerve.
How many people with disabilities aditioned for this role? Thats the question we should be asking.
On April 21st 2010, D'Arcee Neal wrote:
Melissa, that's an EXCELLENT question. As a person born with Cerebral Palsy who is a wheelchair user and a performer, I know firsthand how HARD it is to break into the business. I had to change my degree in college from Theatre to English after I was told so many times that I would never get anywhere and how hard it was for regular actors to make it. Your point is perfect. It has nothing to do with McHale's acting ability. It is the PRINCIPAL behind it. We can't play other parts in shows, so when one comes up that's appropriate, they should at least give the opportunity to have a truly disabled person in the role. Best believe this is the article I will be bringing with me when I audition for X Factor here in the UK next week! It's crap like this that's making me audition because I was so steamed when I read this I just couldn't stand by and watch it anymore!
On May 10th 2010, kylie wrote:
Melissa
i So agree – if every appropriate wheelchair-bound actor auditioned, but didn’t make the cut – then ok. but if they weren’t looking, then that’s wrong.
Usually casting directors look within the appropriate community first – look at USA’s ‘Breaking Bad’ RJ Mitte -is a fantastic actor who happens to have (mild)cerebral palsy.and admits to having to learn to walk with crutches (again).
They really lucked out with him – he was the right guy for role, and had the disability the character happened to have…It feels gross to say ‘lucked out’ – but having worked in casting, I know thats the truth of the matter.
-lets face it – the character is a FAB representation of a wheelchair bound teen – he is fierce!
Melissa hit the nail on the head
K
On May 18th 2010, Nash wrote:
If an actor is wheelchair-bound, then the characters role is limited. The recent episode (#19) proves this.
In that episode Kevin Hale dreams about dancing. Theres a whole scene where he can see himself dancing in a large crowd.
If the actor were to be wheelchair-bound scenes like those would not be possible.
The show needs lots of space for change. What if the show lasts long enough for Kevins character to actually be able to stand later in the series? You never know.
Tv shows need that freedom. The space to add ideas so that it stays interesting to viewers.
Plus, I doubt that
On June 28th 2010, Megan wrote:
Nash, I have to disagree. Interviews have been put up that show that Ryan Murphy initially rejected the idea of a dream sequence with Artie, and really, the series could have got on well enough, even that particular episode, without the dance. It was a nice addition, and touching, and heart-wrenching, and all that, but it wasn’t exactly necessary.
And if the series goes on to include the wheelchair kid walking in the near future, then it goes against everything it has said about acceptance, and about it being okay to be different. That would cause an uproar that would make the debate of Kevin McHale being cast in a disabled role look like nothing. It would be an outrage and an insult to everybody disabled, everywhere.
Beyond that, everyone has already stated how I feel in why it’s unjust– disabled people can’t fill an able-bodied role, Why should able-bodied people be allowed to fill a disabled role? As far as the question of whether or not disabled actors auditioned, it’s a fabulous one, but I fear we’ll never know the answer. Even if they did, I’m sure the casting directors would do their best to hide it, and rightly so.
Anybody who does not see the validity of this debate does not know what it is to be disabled. I myself do not, but I have dear friends and family who go through abuse and difficulty every day from difficult people who do not understand them.
On October 2nd 2010, Joseph wrote:
I am reminded of the South Park line
“They took our jobs!!”
haha google it if you don’t know what it is.
Also, One thing not mentioned is the kids on that show also sing. Just because you’re handicapped and an actor doesn’t mean you can also sing.
AND have the right look for a roll on TV.
I guess this article just goes to show how much people like to complain if given half a chance.
On December 21st 2010, Laurie wrote:
Does this mean that Hugh Laurie should not play Dr House because he is British and not American.
On December 21st 2010, Jardine wrote:
I agree it would have been better to hire a wheelchair bound actor to play the role, but it was probably difficult to find someone. One of the potential problems hiring a person with a spinal injury for a role with a lot of singing, is that even thoracic level injuries can seriously affect chest and abdominal muscles (and therefore the strength and qulaity of the voice), so finding someone that fits the bill may have been very difficult.
On February 5th 2011, kris wrote:
I think they should have used a person that REALLY uses a wheelchair for the character on the series GLEE. I won’t watch anymore. Shame on you producers,
On March 27th 2011, JD wrote:
OR if best actor is in a wheelchair then the character (wheelchair-bound or not) should be available to them. Too often in the few representations of disabled people offered, it is their disability that defines the character, which is not a very fair outlook. A person with a disability does not have characteristics and a personality that differs entirely from that of able-bodied people, which is another reason why a show’s disabled character should be played by a person who suffers from that disability, rather than being told to ‘act disabled’ and reinforce the stereotypical notions of disabled people that can not be addressed without casting someone who actually is in a wheelchair, since the stereotypes are so strong in culture.
Archie is a ‘novelty’ factor that may be masked by the PCness of representing disability, but since the actor is not in a wheelchair it is clear that Glee never intended to provide a voice/platform or challenge stereotypes. (unsurprisingly).
On March 31st 2011, YEP wrote:
HAHAHAHAHA GLEE FAGGOTS!!!!
24 YEAR OLDS PRETENDING TO BE HIGH SCHOOL KIDS, JAMMING MULTI-CULTERALISTIC CRAP DOWN AMERICANS THROAT. AS AMERICA DIES THE JEWS LAUGH AT US.
On July 1st 2011, Kev wrote:
I watched Glee live last night at the O2 and the guy can’t actually sing very well. If they are going to hire a non-disabled actor for a disabled role, at least get one that can sing!