Just before the holidays, Tuc Watkins wrote a lengthy missive on Facebook that began thusly: “I think Modern Family is clever, hilarious, even terrifically subtle at times.  But, for the most part, I have a hard time laughing at the gay guys.  In fact, I kinda cringe.  It feels a little bit like the gay equivalent of ‘blackface’.  It doesn’t feel ‘modern’ at all.”  Methinks someone is forgetting their work on Desperate Housewives.  Yes, Tuc was the half of the gay couple who could “pass” (to use a passé term).  But his spousal-equivalent, played by Kevin Rahm, had his share of stereotypical moments.  It’s probably indelicate to point out that, unlike Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Tuc was not openly gay when he took on this role in 2007.  So nobody was looking to him as a role model.  He was presumed to be gay-for-play (although we knew better).

Jesse Tyler Ferguson responded by saying (in part): “Sorry you feel that way, Tuc.  I know lots of guys who are just like Cam and lots of guys who are just like Mitch.  We can’t be expected to represent every gay person.  We can only represent these two people…I am thrilled with the work that you did on Desperate Housewives.  It opened the door for shows like ours and hopefully we can hold that door open for many more shows to follow us.  At the end of the day we can’t please everyone…and we shouldn’t try to.  Kinda just like life, right?”  Bravo.