Entertainment

Conservatives fuming over Lady Gaga ‘Glee’ episode

Laura Donovan Contributor
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Musical television program “Glee” has angered conservatives again with its latest episode, which deals with gay bullying and incorporates unconventional pop artist Lady Gaga’s song about embracing differences and diversity.

“This is [‘Glee’ creator] Ryan Murphy’s latest depraved initiative to promote his gay agenda,” Media Research Center Vice President for Business and Culture Dan Gainor told ABCNews.com.

The episode, which aired Tuesday, revisits the issue of gay bullying when openly gay student Kurt Hummel comes back to the school and faces his former bully, a closeted football player. He receives an apology and the show’s cast of glee club members sing Lady Gaga’s gay pride single, “Born This Way.”

Calling the show’s high school “the gayest high school in the history of mankind,” Gainor added about the program, “This is clearly Ryan Murphy’s vision of what growing up should be, not most of America’s,” said Gainor. “It’s a high school most parents would not want to send their kids too.”

Last month, comedienne Victoria Jackson slammed “Glee” for airing an episode of two young men engaging in a much-anticipated kiss.

“And, besides shoving the gay thing down our throats, they made a mockery of Christians – again! I wonder what their agenda is? Hey, producers of ‘Glee’ — what’s your agenda? One-way tolerance?” Jackson wrote in a WorldNetDaily column.

“Glee” creator Murphy has been open about the show’s unfavorable approach to the GOP. Last year, Murphy told TV Guide, “We’ve taken a couple jabs at the right wing this year. So what I want to do with this character is have someone who Christian kids and parents can recognize and say, ‘Oh, look — I’m represented there, too!’ If we’re trying to form a world of inclusiveness, we’ve got to include that point of view as well.”

In February, comedienne Kathy Griffin guest starred on “Glee” as a Tea Party character inspired by former Alaska gov. Sarah Palin and Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann. A frequent critic of the Palin family, Griffin’s contribution was viewed by many as a means to mock conservatives, as she wore glasses and Palin’s trademark red outfit. A gay rights advocate, Griffin seemed to make fun of those who don’t support same sex marriage.

“Well, boys shouldn’t do a duet,” Griffin’s character said. “The last thing we need to do is send a message to children that gay is okay. I am a politician and when I lost my last election — and there will be a recount — I didn’t go around singing about being a loser, I Twittered that Obama is a terrorist.”