Billy Crystal Clarifies Gay Sex Remark

Via the Hollywood Reporter:

Billy Crystal clarified remarks he made Sunday at the Television Critics Association's winter press tour that have been taken out of context. The actor, who appeared during a panel to support FX's upcoming half-hour series The Comedians, made pointed remarks during his time in front of the press about the current state of sex on television. Crystal, who played one of the first openly gay characters on primetime television in Soap, was asked if playing gay was difficult for him at the time as well as his thoughts on what has happened to television in the years since.

"I've seen some stuff recently on TV in different kinds of shows where the language or the explicit sex is really, you know, sometimes I get it, and sometimes I just feel like, 'Ah, that’s too much for me.'… Sometimes it’s just pushed a little too far for my tastes, and I’m not going to get into which ones they are." After some outlets blasted the comedian for his remarks — which, out of context, could appear antigay — The Hollywood Reporter asked Crystal to clarify his comments. "What I meant was that whenever sex or graphic nudity of any kind (gay or straight) is gratuitous to the plot or story it becomes a little too much for my taste," he told THR in a statement.

The Hollywood Reporter notes that none of the 200 members of the media in attendance at the press conference asked Crystal a follow-up question about the initial comment or sought clarification in subsequent interviews.