Billy Crystal Has Had Enough of Gay Storylines

Billy Crystal, comedian and one of the first actors to portray a gay character on TV, has had enough of the gay storylines on television.

Speaking to an audience at the Television Critics Association press tour, Crystal said: “Sometimes I think, ‘Ah that’s too much for me.’”

The comedian played Jodie on Soap from 1977-1981. “It was very difficult at the time,” said Crystal. “Jodie was really the first recurring [gay] character on network television and it was a different time, it was 1977. So, yeah, it was awkward. It was tough.” He spoke about how his character was not always well-received. “I did it in front of a live audience and there were times when I would say to Bob [Seagren], ‘I love you,’ and the audience would laugh nervously. I wanted to stop the taping and go, ‘What is your problem?’”

But now, Crystal thinks things have gone too far. “Sometimes, it’s just pushing it a little too far for my taste and I’m not going to reveal to you which ones they are.”

Crystal’s new show The Comedians premieres April 9 on FX.