Comments on: Glee ‘Wheels’ episode is Hulu’s 3rd most popular video http://www.patriciaebauer.com/2009/11/14/glee-ranking-25440/ Disability News | PatriciaEBauer.com Wed, 24 Nov 2010 22:50:59 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Angie http://www.patriciaebauer.com/2009/11/14/glee-ranking-25440/comment-page-1/#comment-5050 Angie Mon, 16 Nov 2009 22:39:50 +0000 http://www.patriciaebauer.com/?p=25440#comment-5050 I first have to acknowledge Fox and Glee for having disabled characters and stories about students with disabilities on their show. I think it is a good step forward, also the debate about who should be playing a character with a disability (I personally think that an actor with a disability should be considered first) and how the actress who played Beki was written and performed. I think there is no question that there is much work to do in the entertainment industry about representing people with disabilities and hiring actors to play those roles. I first have to acknowledge Fox and Glee for having disabled characters and stories about students with disabilities on their show. I think it is a good step forward, also the debate about who should be playing a character with a disability (I personally think that an actor with a disability should be considered first) and how the actress who played Beki was written and performed. I think there is no question that there is much work to do in the entertainment industry about representing people with disabilities and hiring actors to play those roles.

]]> By: Terri http://www.patriciaebauer.com/2009/11/14/glee-ranking-25440/comment-page-1/#comment-5047 Terri Sun, 15 Nov 2009 12:48:44 +0000 http://www.patriciaebauer.com/?p=25440#comment-5047 I liked it. I can see that a real person using another for gain is wrong, but in writing every character and situation exists only to advance the story. And of course, it is the character's characteristics that do this. So the language of 'use' is a bit overblown in this case, I think. The episode wasn't perfect, but it brings the issues of disability into the popular culture. My kids love the show, their friends love the show and the conversations have been great. I do hope the directors will look beyond thier own experience for a more nuanced understanding of disability as they go, (especially regarding wheelchair use--and dancing!) But I think they are off to a pretty good start. I liked it. I can see that a real person using another for gain is wrong, but in writing every character and situation exists only to advance the story. And of course, it is the character’s characteristics that do this. So the language of ‘use’ is a bit overblown in this case, I think.

The episode wasn’t perfect, but it brings the issues of disability into the popular culture. My kids love the show, their friends love the show and the conversations have been great.

I do hope the directors will look beyond thier own experience for a more nuanced understanding of disability as they go, (especially regarding wheelchair use–and dancing!) But I think they are off to a pretty good start.

]]>