I watched my first full episode ever of Fox's Glee last night. The episode, entitled "Wheels," was kind of a special-needs extravaganza (if you missed it, you can watch it on Hulu; be warned that my blog post here will contain spoilers). One of the main plotlines focused on Artie, a character who uses a wheelchair, and dances pretty well in one, too. Efforts to get a bus with a lift so he can ride with his fellow glee-club members to the sectional competition leads to a consciousness-raising exercise in which all the glee-club kids have to go around in wheelchairs, and eventually perform as a group on wheels.
A second plot involves the notoriously abrasive and manipulative cheerleading coach, Sue, being unexpectedly decent to a girl with Down syndrome who wants to join the hypercompetitive squad. Later we find out where Sue's perspective comes from, as she visits her older sister who also has Down syndrome. It looks like the cheerleader may be a recurring character, which would be a neat addition.
There was, in fact, a lot to feel good about in the episode, including consideration of the need for ramps in a big high school, and a wheelchair-level look at how hard it is to get around without getting blocked or bomped. There were also a couple of subplots that dealt with faking disabilities, including one in which a girl admits that she's been faking her stutter, causing Artie to tell her how much it hurts him to find that they don't have this important thing in common after all, and she can just leave her disability behind.
Unfortunately, there's some irony in having actor Kevin McHale deliver lines like, "I'm sorry that now you get to be normal, and I'm going to be stuck in this chair the rest of my life. And that's not something I can fake," because faking is exactly what he's doing. This episode's disability focus has brought complaints from disability advocates about the casting of a non-wheelchair-using actor as Artie. Those who disagree that McHale's wrong for the role argue that it's acting we're talking about here, and you hire the best actor regardless of his abilities or disabilities.
I do think there are times when that's true, and certainly making sure that every single actor has everything in common with every character would make casting a ridiculous challenge. I think there's some merit in taking things role by role -- and for this particular role, I don't think an actor who's faking the disability can be the best choice. Not for a show that's about championing underdogs, and being true to yourself, and appreciating unexpected strengths. If your show's about that, saying "But there was nobody in a wheelchair talented enough for this part" feels like a slap in the face to all the real-life Arties out there.
That said, I'll admit that for me, the most distracting casting on the show is that of Finn, the high-school football star being played by an actor who looks every one of his twenty-seven years. I keep mistaking him for the teacher.
Did you watch the Glee episode? Did you appreciate its message? Does it bother you that Artie is played by a non-disabled actor? Share your thoughts in the comments.
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I haven’t seen this particular episode, so my comment is about Glee in general in regard to disabilities. I’m having a really hard time with the show based on one of the characters (adult girlfriend faking a pregnancy) having said that morning sickness is a good sign that the unborn baby won’t be a mongoloid. When I heard that line – and esp since her boyfriend, the Glee Teacher – didn’t act shocked or say anything to counter her, I felt like I’d been kicked in the stomach. I numbly reached for the remote and clicked off the show. NO ONE uses that word anymore! I felt shocked and deeply offended. Why perpetuate such a negative stereotype? I can’t think of any justification the writers would have for using that word. I can’t believe they used that word and then brought on an actress with Down syndrome. It is really confusing to me. The overall messages of awareness building and acceptance are awesome, but the writing and casting of the show aren’t mirroring the message at all.
Therapist in WI, that surprised me too. However, I think they did it mostly to show that character as extremely shallow, judgmental, stupid, and selfish. That same episode also focusses on her feelings that she is entitled to a big, expensive house no matter what. I think the audience was meant to read that comment as just another example of her character being unsavory- after all, we’re supposed to root for Mr. Schuester to leave her and be with his other love interest, right?
Unfortunately the fact that Mr. Schuester- who is otherwise portrayed as very sensitive and politically correct- says nothing to her about this and doesn’t seem to see her selfishness for what it is, is so inconsistent as to be unbelievable. His entire relationship with her seems like it doesn’t fit his character. It’s definitely poorly written.
Oh, and that’s not even getting into how the portrayal of his wife that way is a negative stereotype of women in and of itself!
Real people say things. Things that others find hurtful and that they either don’t know are hurtful or don’t care are hurtful. Portraying the good, the bad and the ugly is what a solid script ought to do. All in the Family was brilliant for its willingness to do that; no show since has been as brave, nor as smart, I think.
I think Luai’s point about Schuester’s wife being portrayed negatively is more interesting; in fact, aren’t an awful lot of the female characters on the show shown pretty harshly? Sue, for instance? The pregnant teen lying about who her kid’s father is?
It seems more interesting because I don’t know that the folks at Glee are aware of the tendency and don’t expect they’re doing it intentionally.
But the individual remark in the script, well, it’s not polite but it’s how some folks talk.
Peter, I respectfully disagree.
NO ONE uses the word “mongoloid” in casual conversations these days. The wife was already completely unlikeable/shallow/mean before she uttered the word. It was completely unneccessary and could have been accomplished with a less awful word. Actually, it would have made much more sense for her to use the dread r-word; I hear that one everywhere. And they could have paired it with a PSA for the Spec Olympics’ “Stop the R-Word” campaign. Now, that would have been educational.
And as for All in the Family, agreed that that show was brave, smart, and even controversial. But when Archie used offensive labels for people his daughter or son-in-law would have immediately called him on it. So his ignorance or bigotry were immediately challenged.
And that’s my whole point. I wouldn’t have been so offended if the husband/teacher (or any character! even the waiter
had jumped in and corrected her.
I’m not feeling the love with Glee. I don’t see how reinforcing stereotypes while proclaiming to challenge them is worthy of gushing praise or accolades.
I watched the program last night after seeing the discussions. I have to say that I was impressed that they would take the time to put disability issues in tv. Programs aren’t emphasizing the struggles of the kids in wheelchairs or lack of ramps (the same issues my daughter has). Notice how the inclusion was there. nice. It may have brought awaremess to some kids/adults and that’s all I can ask for. I don’t necessarily care who sends the message out (disabled or non-disabled), but embrace the idea that we are teaching kids, teachers, parents and people about differences and challenges. Nobody reflected on the idea that the bigger issue was ADA not being implemented for this boy in a wheelchair having limited to no access within the school and raising money for a bus that the district should pay for anyway.
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I think you all missed the point of the show, and probably should stay away from it. This isn’t a show about walking on eggshells around issues. The show isn’t about being PC just to keep from hurting people’s feelings. This show embraces the issues of today, and yesterday, and of the future, and throws them all out in the open. If you aren’t ready to see that, then this isn’t a show for you. Luckily, there are many shows out there that try very hard to cater to the easily offended.
And before you say it, again, I understand that no one says mongoloid anymore. It is mean, and hurtful to say hateful things about anyone, especially when they can’t control it. I expect that is why they had a guy call the homosexual’s dad and call his son a fag. They have also made fun of the OCD lad on the show. They have brought up racism, classism, paraplegic issues, and more. If you really pay attention to the show, they don’t disparage and then just leave it there…they always show the person saying mean things as being very wrong and bad. They also show the person being disparaged lifting themselves above the hate.
You are right, some things shouldn’t be said…but with so many children watching TV, I think putting this kind of hate on the screen and showing why it is wrong is exactly the right move, and I commend the writers and producers for having the courage to air it all out. Please don’t ever feel that you should watch a show because everyone else is. There are many channels and shows that will gladly shelter you and keep you from ever having to see anything you don’t want to see. For the rest of us…we have wonderful TV like Glee.
I would also like to point out that there could be a reason for having a boy in the wheelchair when he really isn’t paralyzed. I can’t speak for the writers, but what if they decide to have a dream sequence in the future where they have him dancing like everyone else? If they plan on having Artie-centric episodes, I expect they will have one where he expresses his desire to do the same choreography as everyone else, and then have him “grow” even more as a character and person as he shows that he has just as much to offer as every other member, and he can do it from his chair.
If we all live life assuming that the world is out to push us out…we will never let anyone in.
There is now quite a bit of discussion about the episode two weeks ago that (imperfectly) featured a deaf choir. It’s a popular show still writing in characters with Down syndrome, characters who are deaf, and of course the regular cast member who uses a wheelchair – and who mentions that he is not the only one in the school using a wheelchair so a new ramp would mean more than renting an accessible bus.
It doesn’t seem right to peck this show to death for its shortcomings when it’s the only one that has a true representation of our general population – why are we not up in arms about every other show not including a single representative of the disability community? I think we should at least mention a couple of those in every article or comment we write about Glee episodes.
Maybe we can find ten details they did not get right but no one else is writing so much for so many characters that do reflect the diversity of every school and community.
It’s a quirky little show. I’d hate to miss a minute of Jane Lynch and her character is a hoot.
Interesting comment about the actor who plays Finn – at my son’s high school there were always a few male seniors who were regularly mistaken for teachers, and a few female teachers who were mistaken for students.
I *am* happy to see many discussions of actors with disabilities not being cast in parts as characters with disabilities, and criticisms of roles that are written being ‘uninformed’ by people with disabilities. However, like most actors, I believe people with disabilities are more interested in roles being written, first, so they can work – all actors would like their roles to be well written so their characters are remarkable and ongoing, but the first step is getting work at all. It’s a difficult business with a high rate of unemployment and underemployment.
Who’s sending disability fact sheets to film-writing or television-writing schools and programs, local theater groups and agents?
I disagree about the actor who plays Finn. I was surprised to find out that he is 27. I think he looks younger for sure. The actor who plays Puck looks older, in my opinion.
Was surprised to see the word and resultant strong feelings about the word ‘mongoloid,’ getting so much play, because the question posed was about Artie being portrayed by a non-disabled actor. Uh, anyway, as a few other writers posited, this was to further the fact that the Glee coach’s wife is indeed, an idiot/shallow/callous, etc. No more, no less. As for Artie…this I find troubling. Especially for the scores of writers, luckily not so many at this site, who have declared that ‘the right job went to the right actor.’ If, as the producers of the show stated, they couldn’t find a disabled actor who could sing and act as they needed, maybe they should’ve kept the actor, but scrapped the character? Since I stopped watching the show after the non-disability was disclosed, I was unaware they’d gone a little farther with their insensitivity with the previously quoted line, “I’m sorry that now you get to be normal, and I’m going to be stuck in this chair the rest of my life. And that’s not something I can fake.” How pissed off do they want the disabled community and its supporters? The casting of this role, and its accompanying disregard for basic sensitivity towards persons with disabilities as a whole, and talented actors with disabilities in particular, is such a huge step backward.
I write from Italy. I do not watch this show, but passing channels I stopped on Fox for some minutes and watched an episode. It was the episode that Therapist in WI is talking about. I heard the word “mongoloid” and I was shocked. I have a sister with Down syndrome, and whenever I hear that word i feel horrible. The problem is I never thought they could use it in a tv show, I just heard it from stupid young kids and idiot people. I expect Fox to make an official statement about this thing.
I understand the offence that may have been caused by the word ‘mongoloid’ but in the context it was used in it is hard to blame the show because of the character.
The character that used the word (Terri) is a negative person in the show and I dont think if it had’ve been used by a positive character such as Will or Emma it would’ve bene ignored by the broadcasters.
Personally I think Glee is raising very important issues regardless of the actors that portray them.
Kevin McHale is doing a magnificent job and I think it is very brave of him to take on a role like that.
Also the cheerleader with down syndrome is lovely, I hope we see more of her in episodes to come
Hey Therapist in WI…yes, people DO say politically incorrect things such as mongoloid still. There are a lot of ignorant and/or stubborn people left in the world who don’t know better or just don’t give a hoot who they offend.
u shud get over it!!!! he was obviously the best person for the part. He is very talented and a reallii gud singer.
You know, there is more disability in Glee than you are touching on – a school therapist with OCD for one, and a female coach with aggressive anti-social personality disorder – WOW! they are really covering it, and I doubt that any of the actors have any of these issues, aside from the women with downs syndrome.
As for this article, you need to remove the word “Special,” as it connects to children or anyone with disabilities, from the title of your to handicapping language and constitutes very damaging language and poor identity development – it’s called SPREAD. OH the irony of one pointing out the wrongs of not changing attitudes.
So lets call for all, and I mean it, actors to be really gay if they are playing gay, be really disabled if they are portraying a PWD, be really Jewish if they are on TV – Catholic – an unwed mother, etc. Oh wait, that would be reality TV, and not a sitcom/drama!
AND YOU,For now, change the name of this article
Since this blog post Glee has touched on disability in quite a few episodes – Artie, Sue’s sister, the cheerleader, the counselor with OCD, the guy with the football injury, etc. I think they are hit or miss with their portrayals. They do a good job of showing the challenges and the emotions involved, along with the things that these characters CAN do. But in the end the person with the disability is still _other_, left out, or just sad.
As for not casting a chair user for the role of Artie, it’s not just about being PC or having someone who’s lived that experience, but it’s the fact that of all of the characters on screen with a disability, fewer than 1% of them are played by an actor with a disability. Only one half of one percent. Why should that be? There are many talented actors with disabilities and they are not being employed, and too many excuses are being used — the sets aren’t accessible, they may decide to “cure” the character and need them to be able to walk (or dance) — and these creative directors and writers do not have enough creativity to employ the people that they are trying to portray.
Check out Inclusion in the Arts and Media of People with Disabilities: http://www.iampwd.org
This debate has become a tricky one! I’m pleased to see your favourable take on the shows message – I too feel there is positivity to be taken from the storylines.
But as for the actor playing Artie, maybe what we need to consider is whether actors with disabilities were actually auditioned. If Kevin was best for the part, personality wise, fair enough. But was there enough attention paid to finding and trying out actors with disabilities? http://www.inspiremagazineuk.wordpress.com
I don’t quite get the point. If a character has an inferiority complex, is it necessary to cast that role to an actor with an inferiority complex? If the character is a rapist, is it necessary to cast the role to an actor who is a rpaist? Was Anthony Hopkins a murderer who ate his victims? Could Gary Cooper hit a curve ball?
JT
Placitas, NM
Having spent time in a wheelchair having many and I mean many friends that use them paras, quads people with MS Parkinson’s etc. and knowing many of them as wonderful performers I’ve shared the stage with (yes some of them are excellent singers and exceptional actors see http://www.phamaly.org) I feel it’s a shame that the producers went this direction. As stated the show is about the underdogs of the world and trust me you don’t get more shunned by society than when you’re disabled. To address a couple of points, when they want a new “Annie” they make a big show of auditioning thousands of girls with or without experience to find the next “big” thing when it’s disability driven it’s about “we couldn’t find anyone” and I know that’s a lie plain and simple they just didn’t care if they found a disabled actor it wasn’t important to them. They’re not evil they just don’t understand and they don’t want to understand it’s that simple. I am not saying they must hire a disabled actor all the time but I am saying they need to make a more concerted effort if the role calls for it. The subtext is “none of you are good enough” so we’ll have the able bodied actor show everyone what it’s like to “live” with a disability. The truth is there is only one way he could really know go break his spine and I don’t think the most enthusiastic method actor would do that. Technically they can have a body double for all of the walking stunts and paste the actors face on him in the past this was impossible to do now it is accessible and affordable if you plan for it. My bottom line is in this case I feel it does a lot of harm to the largest minority population in the world and says watch the show so you can see how we “think” your life should be portrayed not how it really is. Again it’s a shame because a disabled actor would bring so much more to the show in its production writing and impact to the audience.
This is a comment to Wi the Therapist. Basically wills ex wife is just an airheaded bitch (in the show she is) that is her personality. Children back then were called mongloids and arent called mongloids now. I dont know if what she said was meant for kicks or meant for quiet moans of frustration cuz the character was so irritatingly rude and you wanted to basically slap her right then and there. To all the commenters out there who are semi offended by the show portrayal of learning and physically disabled students. Frankly I dont want the show to be all about disabled students it would be great but unrealistic. I dont expect the actor who plays artie to be actually in a wheel chair (would be cool though) as long as the show shows some diversity. I dont know if some of the other learning and physically disabled people out there agree. I mean to tell you the truth I think it would be wrong to shove the meaning of being disabled down peoples throats cuz yeah being learning disabled sometimes sucks but its life and the world doesnt need to be fully informed. What we need to is to stop the ignorance. People make fun of disabled people or act wierd around them because they dont know how to act around them.
You never hear the word ‘mongoloid’? I hear ‘mong’ all the time, from kids and on TV, particularly on ‘Inbetweeners’.
Glee didn’t feel the need to instantly challenge the use of the word or the attitude. They took their time, and then dealt with the issue in style. There are now two actors with Downs, playing interesting and non-stereotyped roles. I am a parent of a child with Downs and I think Becky’s character is written with true insight.
On the matter of Artie being played by a non-disabled actor, there have been a couple of episodes where he is seen walking or dancing, and I expect that is the reason why.
I still think we should focus more on shows that completely leave out characters with disabilities.
But since the discussion about the character of Artie in the wheelchair still has legs, maybe we should take it one step further, and start a YouTube channel with audition or performance videos of talented people who actually do use wheelchairs in regular life and on the stage.
It’s not enough to talk about current actors/singers/performers who are looking for work – we want more role models out there who can inspire children and teens to pursue every dream and goal. Right now, the character Artie is their inspiration, not the actor who portrays Artie.
There is some statistic that 90% of actors are ‘out of work’ as far as acting goes – and you can see local actors giving great performances in community theaters who may never achieve fame and fortune. I am certain that many of the roles played on those stages could be done as well by actors, singers, and performers who happen to use wheelchairs.
In addition to pointing out inequities in Hollywood, it would be great to know that advocates throughout the US and around the world also acted locally in providing opportunities, training and inspiration for people with disabilities.
I believe there is a play on (or off) Broadway that features a woman using a power wheelchair, but the actress does not – she was on the Jimmy Fallon show Thursday night. First, I am glad that the role was written for someone in a power chair; next I hope that there is someday an actress with the same charisma and talent who will be hired to play that role, who can use her own chair on stage.
So, lets encourage and support young women in our own neighborhoods now so we can find the one I am hoping to see in the future. They don’t just spring up from nowhere.
And we can discuss gender issues sometime soon, too.
There’s a neat article about a production of August: Osage County in Texas in which an actress who uses a wheelchair is playing a character who does not, and they’ve adjusted scenes in which the character would stomp up some stairs on the set by putting in one of those electric chairs that goes up and down stairs. It’s at http://www.kxan.com/dpp/entertainment/actress-with-disability-scores-big-role.
It is a TV show it is all “fake”! The people are not “real” they are just people pretending to be what they portray. The story is not real the singing is not real why does anybody care if the kid in the wheelchair is not in one in real life! It is entertainment not real life. gGet over it….
There’s an interesting blog post on that very subject, “Does Pop Culture Have Social Responsibility,” at http://meloukhia.net/2011/11/does_pop_culture_have_social_responsibility.html. I don’t think the folks behind “Glee” consider it to be just entertainment with no significance beyond that — I think they intend to be making social commentary at least with some of the plotlines, and so it’s valid to point out areas where they fall short.