10 Hilarious Moments in Gay Pop Culture History
When gay culture smashes into pop culture the results are often iconic, memorable, and more often than not, downright hilarious.
From talk show revelations to unforgettable sitcom moments, let's take a jaunt down memory lane to revisit 10 such moments in gay pop culture history that we still can't get enough of. All courtesy of the most important gay comedians of our time.
1. Ellen Degeneres' "Yep, I'm Gay" TIME Cover (1997)
In an unapologetically bold move, Ellen Degeneres confirmed her sexuality on the cover of TIME magazine with the memorable line, "Yep, I'm Gay." The candidness and simplicity of the statement, paired with Ellen's comedic persona, forever etched this moment in our memories.
2. RuPaul's Drag Race: "Not Today, Satan" (2014)
Bianca Del Rio's unforgettable catchphrase "Not Today, Satan" from RuPaul's Drag Race has not only become a staple in the show's lexicon, but it has also permeated mainstream culture. This hilarious catchphrase is a mantra, a retort, and a comedic quip, all in one.
3. Will & Grace: Karen Walker's One-Liners
Karen Walker, played by Megan Mullally in the sitcom "Will & Grace," is known for her sharp wit, flamboyant style, and hilarious one-liners that never fail to leave viewers in stitches. Here are three moments that stand out:
In one episode, she quips, "Honey, I'd suck the alcohol out of a deodorant stick."
Karen Walker's love for fashion and high-end brands is no secret, and she often makes comical remarks about it. In one memorable scene, when someone comments on her fur coat, she responds with, "Honey, when the zoo kills the animals, they always send me the fur."
Karen often shares her unique insights on relationships, which usually come packaged as humorous and sarcastic pieces of advice. When giving relationship advice to Grace, she once said, "Honey, it's only cheating if you think your husband is attractive."
4. The Birdcage: Agador Spartacus' Shoes (1996)
Hank Azaria's character, Agador Spartacus, in The Birdcage, refused to wear shoes because they made him "fall down." His hilarious attempts at maintaining balance, quite literally, provided for some of the film's most memorable laughs.
5. Glee: Kurt Hummel's "Single Ladies" Routine (2009)
Kurt Hummel's hilarious and iconic performance of Beyoncé's "Single Ladies" on Glee was a standout moment. From his flawless choreography to his father walking in mid-performance, it was a scene that had viewers laughing out loud.
6. Queer Eye: Jonathan Van Ness' Expressions and Reactions
Queer Eye's Jonathan Van Ness is a walking, talking meme generator. His expressive reactions, candid expressions, and quick-witted comebacks add a comedic touch to the often emotional show.
7. Modern Family: Mitchell Pritchett’s Spider Incident (2009)
In the episode "Fizbo," Mitchell Pritchett's frantic reaction to a pigeon entering the house, which ended with him smashing a vase and falling to the floor, is pure comedy gold. His character's comical theatrics are a running theme throughout the series.
8. The Coming Out of Simpsons' Waylon Smithers (2016)
In the episode titled "The Burns Cage" from the 27th season of the long-running animated sitcom, "The Simpsons," Waylon Smithers Jr., the sycophantic assistant to Mr. Burns, finally comes out as gay.
This was a moment that had been hinted at and danced around with humorous undertones throughout the show's lengthy history, making its eventual occurrence a significant milestone in gay pop culture.
The episode opens with Smithers daydreaming about a vacation with Mr. Burns, where they express their feelings for each other. The fantasy is soon interrupted when Smithers wakes up to reality and finds himself still at work, taking dictation for an oblivious Mr. Burns.
Smithers' unrequited love for Mr. Burns takes a hilarious twist when Homer Simpson decides to find Smithers a boyfriend to make him happier (and therefore, more lenient towards Homer's mistakes at the nuclear plant).
Homer's clueless attempts at understanding the gay dating scene, including his hilarious misunderstanding of the term "bear," add to the episode's comedy.
The climax of the episode is a party at the Simpsons' residence where Homer invites eligible bachelors from all over Springfield. This scene is filled with humorous moments, like Moe's awkward attempt to act as a gay man to win a bet, and Smithers' polite, if uncomfortable, interactions with his prospective matches.
Eventually, Smithers confesses to Mr. Burns about his romantic feelings, a confession that Mr. Burns dismisses, albeit without malice. The episode concludes with Smithers deciding to start dating other people, beginning with Julio, a character who had previously dated Marge's sister Selma.
The episode manages to handle Smithers' coming-out story with humor and sensitivity. While the entire plot is interspersed with classic Simpsons comedy, it also makes a poignant statement about unrequited love and acceptance. The use of humor and lightheartedness in narrating Smithers' coming out makes it an unforgettable moment in gay pop culture history.
9. Golden Girls: Sophia Petrillo’s Remarks on Blanche’s Brother (1988)
When Blanche's brother came out in Golden Girls, it was Sophia's hilarious remarks about his orientation that stole the show. Her blatant nonchalance and quick wit turned a serious situation into a memorable comedic moment.
The standout moment from the series occurs in the episode titled "Scared Straight," where Blanche's brother Clayton comes out as gay. The episode deftly balances humor with a respectful handling of the subject matter.
Clayton, visiting Miami, finds the courage to come out to his sister, Blanche, after initially confiding in Rose. Blanche, however, struggles to accept this revelation, revealing her own misconceptions and biases about homosexuality, a subject she had rarely given much thought to before.
It's Sophia Petrillo, the quick-witted and sagacious mother of Dorothy, who steals the show with her hilarious remarks and casual acceptance of Clayton's orientation. Her reactions and comments provide a refreshing, forward-thinking counterpoint to Blanche's more conservative views.
When Dorothy wonders out loud why a man like Clayton would be gay, Sophia retorts, "Because he prefers men." Her response, both matter-of-fact and nonchalant, perfectly encapsulates Sophia's character: unflinchingly honest, progressive, and comedic.
In another scene, when Rose asks if Sophia thinks Clayton's gay, she hilariously responds, "I think he's a 42-year-old man who cries at Kodak commercials. What do you think?"
The humor in her remark is distinctively Sophia — cutting and sarcastic, yet delivered with warmth and understanding.
In addition to her comic quips, Sophia plays a critical role in helping Blanche accept Clayton's sexuality. With her characteristic bluntness, she points out to Blanche, "Everyone wants someone to grow old with, and shouldn't everyone have that chance?" Sophia's compassion, wrapped in her humor, aids Blanche in understanding and accepting her brother's truth.
This episode of "Golden Girls" was groundbreaking for its time, showcasing an understanding and acceptance of homosexuality. Sophia's memorable quips and the show's humorous yet respectful approach to the topic makes this moment stand out in gay pop culture history.
10. Schitt's Creek: David Rose’s Explanation of Pansexuality (2018)
David Rose's "wine" analogy to explain his pansexuality on Schitt's Creek was not only insightful but also hilariously funny. He likened his fluid sexuality to enjoying both red and white wine, and occasionally a rosé, thus handling a complex issue with levity and wit.
In the episode "Honeymoon" from the fifth season of "Schitt's Creek," David Rose (played by Dan Levy) and his friend Stevie (played by Emily Hampshire) have an amusing and informative conversation about his pansexuality.
The conversation begins when Stevie teases David about his relationship with Jake, who's apparently involved with both David and Stevie. Stevie initially assumes that David, who she knows has dated women in the past, is simply gay now.
David, however, explains that it's a bit more complex than that. In an effort to elucidate, he uses an analogy that involves wine, which turns the conversation both hilarious and enlightening.
He says, "I do drink red wine. But I also drink white wine. And I've been known to sample the occasional rosé. And a couple summers back, I tried a Merlot that used to be a Chardonnay, which got a bit complicated."
David continues, "I like the wine and not the label. Does that make sense?" The scene is handled with such grace, humor, and respect that it has become a touchstone moment in television for the nuanced depiction of pansexuality.
