More publications are sounding off in what was considered to be a wildly stereotypical portrayal of the Irish with the debut of Damian McGinty as exchange-student Rory Flanagan on ‘Glee.’ Vanity Fair has chimed in noting how the leprechaun connotations were too much.
Brett Berk for Vanity Fair writes that the introduction of Derry-native Damian McGinty, who was the co-champion of ‘The Glee Project,’ allowed for writers on ‘Glee’ to “pound us on the nose with every winkingly ironic stereotype they can conjure.” Included, of course, for Rory are an abundance of green clothes, and rendition of the greenest of them all Kermit the Frog’s “Being Green.” References to U2 and Lucky Charms added to the piling of Irish associations.
Other sources are sounding off as well. Jen Cheney of the Washington Post notes how the concept of McGinty singing “Being Green” was a little “forced.” She adds, “Would any young Irishman...allow himself to be consistently referred to as a leprechaun?”
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Read More:
Rolling Stone magazine slams Irish episode of 'Glee' starring Damian McGinty as a leprechaun
'Glee' show with leprechaun Damian McGinty a disgrace - Creator Ryan Murphy owes fellow Irish an apology
'Glee' show with leprechaun Damian McGinty a disgrace - Creator Ryan Murphy owes fellow Irish an apology
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It appears to be agreed upon from both Irish and non-Irish viewers of the show that Flanagan’s constant green wardrobe was overkill and unnecessary. At the same rate, stunts of this nature are typical for ‘Glee’ writers. Perhaps next week Rory’s leprechaun connotations will be scaled back? We can only hope.
What do you think? Did the writers go overboard with exchange student Rory Flanagan?
Here is a behind the scenes chat with Damian McGinty on filming at ‘Glee’:
And here’s the audio of McGinty’s rendition of ‘Being Green’:
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