Billy Crystal may have played one of the first openly gay characters in American TV history, but the legendary comedian says that today’s gay scenes push the envelope too far for him.
“Sometimes I think: 'Ah that's too much for me,’” Crystal told reporters at the Television Critics Association Press Tour in Pasadena over the weekend, reports The Independent.
“Sometimes, it’s just pushing it a little too far for my taste and I’m not going to reveal to you which ones they are,” Crystal explained further. “I hope people don't abuse it and shove it in our face to the point where it feels like an every-day kind of thing.”
Crystal plated Jodie Dallas on Soap, one of the first gay characters on TV, from 1977 to 1981. And, despite that history, his comments were criticized on Twitter.
Crystal was at the press event to promote The Comedians, his return to television. The FX series, which is based on a Swedish comedy, will premiere on April 9.
According to Deadline, Crystal explained that he loved the original Swedish series, Ulveson & Herngren and was “bowled over in the first five minutes.”
“It reinforces and reinvigorates everything I love to do,” Crystal said.
The series co-stars Josh Gad, who plays a younger comedian paired with an older one (Crystal) for a late-night sketch show.
Crystal also said that he doesn’t think Neil Patrick Harris needs advice to host the Oscars.
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