Posted by turtle at dialup-63.214.72.148.dial1.boston1.level3.net on August 01, 2001 at 09:32:04:
In Reply to: Some bad, bad news concerning me and GLAAD posted by Kevin on July 31, 2001 at 17:52:15:
...then you aren't doing your job as a writer.
While this is not always the case (journalists, for instance, needn't be confrontational to get the truth across), in fictional storytelling, and especially in satirical work, its nearly impossible to tell an engrossing tale without offending someone somewhere. Its gonna happen, so you mind as well get used to it.
For the record, I'm not going to write a letter to GLAAD (at least not now) because I haven't seen the movie, so I cannot possibly question their opinions on it. (If they were saying bad things about YOU Kevin, I'd write in a second, but they seem to be all for you, just not J&SBSB.)
Its obvious to those of us who know your work, and you to some extent, that you're not trying to bash gays. But it is possible that some of the jokes make more negative impact than positive. And it sounds like that's what the folks at GLAAD feel. They may be right, or they may be overreacting. The only way to really gauge the impact that the movie has on the audience is to wait for them to see it. Warning the press about how some people might take the gay jokes the wrong way might help set the tone so that you avoid harsh criticism. Explain to the press what you just told us about your desire to make fun of prejudice. Its a very convincing argument.
All in all, not everything works out the way we artists intend it to. Sometimes we succeed at getting our message across, and sometimes we fail. And sometimes we only succeed with a limited audience. As an artist or entertainer you've got to figure out what you want. And be happy if you achieve it.
Warning: Extrordinarily sappy content ahead!
And just remember, there is a huge group of people out here who BELIEVE in you Kev!!
-turtle
who is not talking about aliens, by the way