I'm confused

[Mervyn and Trish]

There is outrage because Jack Whitehall, who is straight, has been cast to play a fictional gay character. The argument is that there are plenty of talented actors who are actually gay, so why cast someone who isn't. That seems a reasonable enough argument.

But in the same week I've seen again people saying it's about time we had a black James Bond or better still a woman in the role.

I'm struggling to see the difference. There are plenty of talented white male actors. So to my mind it would be as wrong to cast a black woman as Bond as it apparently is to cast Jack Whitehall as gay.

I've yet to see any suggestions to remake Miss Marple with a black man in the lead role. Or Prime Suspect with a male Jane Tennison.

Why is it okay to mess with an established white male character but apparently not in these other cases?

[Mervyn and Trish]

And actually in the same vein racism, sexism and masogynism are rightly condemned.

Why is feminism okay?

[david63]

Turning that around then no gay actor should play a "straight" role would seem to be obvious response

[GillD46]

Personally, I would have thought the fact an actor is required means the producer/director would want the actor best qualified for their image of the character. The actor’s sexuality or whatever, shouldn’t have any bearing on the decision.

[Manoverboard]

The outrage is perhaps because of the Lightweight / Smowflake period that we seem to be in … as TMM used to say-ish " Some people elect to be offended. "

I basically agree with ' GillD66 ', horses for courses and the best person should be chosen to portray the image required.

However … would a gay person actually know or suspect that Jack Whitehall is not gay and would he be offended that gays cannot be truthfully represented ?

[Stephen]

A black, gay, father Christmas will go down well in Harrods this year then.

[Onelife]

A black, gay, father Christmas will go down well in Harrods this year then.

l can't see why not, but l won't be sitting on his knee

[Mervyn and Trish]

And now a white singer has been banned from singing a song at the Albert Hall because it is from an African American musical.

Let's hope no non-Argentinians want to sing anything from Evita! Or Muslims want to perform in Jesus Christ Superstar.

[Jan Rosser]

This is getting ridiculous now - does anyone remember how well Rock Hudson played straight parts whilst hiding his true self. Of course I know things weren't as open as they are now but finding out he was gay didn't spoil my enjoyment of his films. Surely acting a part is just that "acting" and now saying a straight actor shouldn't play a gay person is just what is wrong with the world today - political correctness gone crazy

Bah bl**dy humbug

[oldbluefox]

Language Timothy!!!

[Jan Rosser]

Language Timothy!!!

Sorry Foxy sometimes one has to just let it out or combust

[oldbluefox]

I don't get it either.
Who should have played Prof Stephen Hawking in the Theory of Everything?
Is there a white police officers association?
Is there a celebration of music of white origin?
I presume they would be seen as racist?
Personally if somebody can act I'm not bothered whether they are black, white, sky blue pink, gay, straight or whatever. It's the performance which matters. That's why they are called actors.

Bah tiddly humbug!!!

[Onelife]

Sounds like a casting couch job to me

[Stephen]

Put me down for the couch job. Nothing too strenuous though.

[Onelife]

Put me down for the couch job. Nothing too strenuous though.

Many Actors/Actresses wouldn't be where they are today without laying back and thinking of stardom......A very murky profession if you ask me.

[Stephen]

Knowing my luck I'd get accosted by Miss Marple instead of some glamour puss

[Mervyn and Trish]

...... such as Blod?

[Stephen]

Dangerous talk Merv.

[Mervyn and Trish]

So in the latest news, a film about two real life male hot air balloon pioneers in which one has been made into a woman.

Look forward go the Florence Nightingale story starring Russell Crowe.

[Manoverboard]

Its just the start … the sequel will doubtless feature a transgender pilot

[Mervyn and Trish]

Maybe that's what I'm missing. Perhaps one of the two real life heroes was a woman who'd become a man? Or vice versa?

Either way it's all politically correct cobblers.

And while I think about "politically correct" whatever happened to the oxymoron thread? Because there's a classic!