Desperate Housewives’ Tuc Watkins vs Modern Family’s Jesse Tyler Ferguson

Over the weekend, an “inner-tribe” debate began between Tuc Watkins (formerly of Desperate Housewives and Showtimes Beggars and Choosers) and Jesse Tyler Ferguson (of Modern Family).

In a recent Facebook post, Tuc said he found it difficult to watch Modern Family because the gay couple (played by Ferguson and Eric Stonestreet) were too stereotyped: ‘It feels a little bit like the gay equivalent of “blackface.” It doesn’t feel “modern” at all.’

Tuc went on to say, ‘I’m sure I scrutinize their characters more than the others. Maybe I can’t see the forest for the trees. But there’s probably a kid stuffed into a high school locker answering to that stereotype who doesn’t think it’s very funny either. The writers on that show are some of the funniest writers on television today. Why spend their time promulgating stereotypes that polarize us?’

Ferguson issued a rebuttal of sorts in the form of an open letter to Watkins:

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.

Also, Mitch is basically a version of me…so I never know how to take it when people say that he is stereotypical. And in defense of Cam, I still can’t figure out how a clown & football coach who also happens to be gay is a stereotype.

When all is said and done, it’s a family sitcom. I feel our writers do a fantastic job of servicing 11 characters each week in just 22 minutes.

I am incredibly proud to play Mitch and I have a lot of pride in our show. As a closeted kid of the 80′s I would have loved to have had a show like Modern Family to watch with my parents. It would have meant a lot to me to see who I secretly was reflected on television.

TV has come a long way and it continues to forge new ground. 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?

Take care. Jesse Tyler Ferguson.