Schitt’s Creek star Dan Levy outraged after network ‘censors gay intimacy’ by removing kiss between two men
Dan Levy attends the 2020 Vanity Fair Oscar Party. (Getty for Vanity Fair/ Rich Fury/VF20)
Schitt’s Creek creator Dan Levy has condemned Comedy Central India for editing out a same-sex kiss from the show.
Comedy Central India had posted a clip to Twitter of the Schitt’s Creek season five episode “Housewarming”, which featured a game of spin the bottle that gets queer rather quick.
Things start out conventional enough, as Alexis shares a brief kiss with Stevie — but things take a turn when her drunken boyfriend Ted shares a markedly more enthusiastic kiss with her brother David (Levy).
In the Comedy Central India clip, kisses between straight pairings and the two women are maintained, while the kiss between the two men is edited out.
The decision attracted anger from fans, which was amplified by the show’s co-creator and star, Levy.
He wrote: “You showed the kiss between two women, you showed the kiss between a woman and a man, then removed the kiss between two men?
“This is a show about the power of inclusivity. The censorship of gay intimacy is making a harmful statement against that message.”
Levy also clarified: “I thought I made this pretty clear but for those who are confused, this is about a channel in India.
“@ComedyCentral in America is not censoring the show. They have been lovely and respectful. Thank you for your time.”
The tweets attracted a response from none other than Chasten Buttigieg, who responded: “Some people really don’t like it when two men kiss. Or so I’m told…”
Some people really don’t like it when two men kiss. Or so I’m told…
— Chasten Glezman Buttigieg (@Chasten) October 6, 2020
Comedy Central US showed its support for Dan Levy and Schitt’s Creek, tweeting a GIF of the kiss.
pic.twitter.com/KMwKJzhFq9— comedycentral (@ComedyCentral) October 6, 2020
Schitt’s Creek Emmy wins broke records.
Schitt’s Creek recently drew to a close after its sixth and final season — but not before clearing out the Emmys, shattering records with a clean-sweep of comedy awards.
Although the story is over for now, Levy has teased previously that Schitt’s Creek could return for another season down the line.
“If an idea crosses my path that I feel is deserving of our cast’s time, then let’s do it,” he said.
He added: “I would love to revisit these characters, and I would love to get to play with this cast again.”
