Glee's Kevin McHale Answers Wheelchair Criticism
McHale says he plays Artie because he fits the part.
This week's episode of Glee aired to mixed critiques. After the "Proud Mary" performance with the cast joining the physically-challenged character Artie for a wheelchair boogie, much of the public praised the show's sensitivity to the millions of people who share Artie's experience...critics, however, are questioning why Artie's character went to an able-bodied actor.
PopEater reports that McHale understands the criticism, but he has responded to it by saying that Glee's casting directors simply wanted the most engaging actor possible for the part. "The point wasn't to get somebody who was in a wheelchair," McHale said. "It was the actor. It's the part that you're playing. It's not about whatever else goes on." And of the other actors who auditioned, McHale says he rose to the physical challenge: "It was just kind of, whoever fit the part best was gonna play it."
Brad Falchuk, Glee's exec producer, agreed and said that McHale brought the energy that was necessary for the part. Falchuk is quoted saying, "We brought in anyone: white, black, Asian, in a wheelchair ... It was very hard to find people who could really sing, really act, and have that charisma you need on TV."
We see both sides -- but we also see the stellar performance Kevin McHale delivers. Check out the controversial "Proud Mary" clip of Glee right here.
(Plus, know who else is voicing some defensiveness about his physical ability? Robert Pattinson -- he's jealous of Taylor Lautner's pecs!)
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