On the afternoon of January 9, Glee‘s resident will-they-or-won’t-they gay teen duo Kurt and Blaine, played by Chris Colfer and Darren Criss, descended on a studio in Los Angeles to shoot the cover for EW’s recent Special Report: Gay Teens on TV cover, which is on newsstands now. As you might imagine, the day was nothing but a blast for Colfer and Criss, who posed for a variety of setups reminiscent of high school prom shots, as well as a setup that found Criss playing a ukulele for an admiring Colfer.
The food? Grilled chicken and salmon — and cookies. The wardrobe? Dalton uniforms, of course. The music? Jams totally controlled by Colfer, who launched a playlist that included everything from Ke$ha to Pink to…Glee. That’s right! More than one song from Glee came over the speakers. “I have nothing but embarrassing songs on my iPod,” Colfer told our EW.com cameras during an interview on set, “so they didn’t know what they were getting themselves into!” But forget the music: Both Colfer and Chris spoke to EW.com about how important their characters are to teens, why they’re so fun to play, and lots more. See exclusive footage and interviews from our cover shoot with Colfer and Criss right after the jump!
And for more on our look into the history of gay teens on TV, and how a new generation of characters are making a difference in real kids’ lives, pick up the new issue of Entertainment Weekly, on stands now.
Tanner on Twitter: @EWTanStransky
More from EW.com:
This week's cover: How 'Glee' is leading TV's gay-teen revolution
'Glee': A major New Directions couple will break up -- EXCLUSIVE
'Glee' exclusive: Season 2 to feature more Gwyneth and Gaga!
'Glee' Central on EW.com
that guy Blaine is the best singer in Glee…..
the character of Kurt is so queer is disgusting to watch, he is a lady…..he is “she”
as gay myself, I really dont like him, like at all, it’s not like Jack from Dawson’s creek, this is a queer guy, what a shame for gay people.
(by the way I am an straight acting guy, and notr frustrated at all about my sexuality)
I do love Blaine’s character……he is the best.
Whaaaaaa? You need help, bro.
OMG!! This is exactly what I thought when I saw his comment. =)) U cracked me up!!!
I kind of understand that as a gay person you don’t want gay cliches, but there are a lot of different kinds of people in the world, gay straight and everything else. Kurt may not be like Jack on Dawson’s Creek or yourself, but he’s not a caricature either- he’s more sensitive and slightly outrageous, but so is Rachel Berry. They’re theatrical.
This comment is completely disgusting. Kurt is not a “she,” and that’s just one of the many offensive things you posted here. You are part of the problem in this world.
How are you a “straight-acting gay dude” if your into dudes? I’m sorry, get over yourself. Not everyone can be macho, like you apparently.
@ ELOY: your post defines “self-loathing”. I am glad you are gay, and happy, and like Blaine. BUT: you must realize that some people still find all of us gay people horrible, so you should stick up for ALL gay people and not help the bullies of the world. Also, know our history: the ONLY reason you can say “I am gay” without getting arrested or killed is because of the gay rights movement, founded by DRAG QUEENS and femmes who were so obviously “gay” they could not hide by being “straight acting” and had to fight back. You owe queers gratitude, not derision. Cheers to the Kurts of the world, past present and future!
well said!
A perfect example of ‘The French Curve Test’, the gay version of the racist ‘paper bag’ test for black folk.
If you’re only slightly bent from straight like the outer sweep of the curve (like being no darker than a paper bag), it’s good and you’re acceptable. But if you hit the tighter curls and flourishes you ain’t and should be shunned and kept out of sight…and all know your place fey boys.
WTF?!?
Cat, I loved your reference to the French Curve Test and Paper Bag Test. Perfect analogy.
Karofsky, is that you?
HAHAHAHHAHAHAA!!!
being a gay (fairly macho) guy myself..i agree w/ Eloy. Chris can cringe on my nerves. Jack on Will & Grace (liked him) @ least acted like a woman. Chris is too old to act like a girl.
Cute couple Chris & Darren.
Ive spent the last 10 minutes trying to work out what the hell your saying. Jack on Will and Grace at least acted like a woman, and you liked him but Chris is too old to act like a girl? Sean Hayes was like 30 when he was on that show and Chris is only 20…. but then what does age have to do with anything….. really your hurting my head with your nonsense
Eloy… As a “straight acting” gay guy myself, I understand the feeling of not liking more feminine acting gay guys. There is a set stereotype based on their personality style, and it’s frustrating to get looped into.
That said, I’ve realized that they are who they are, and God bless them for it. Hating on the more feminine acting gay people does nothing to help the perception of gays in society.
My GOD could this show END already? You know what they should do? A “Glee” show about a “Glee-type” show! Now THAT would so awesome! Oh wait—no it wouldn’t.
1-star troll attempt, Bluto – as lame as your name.
“That guy Blaine” is Darren Criss. Look him up, you won’t regret it.
And I don’t know, gays have different personalities just like straights. They’re just portraying two different ones.
Amen, Emma, love me some Darren Criss. And Kurt, by the way, queerest character on TV. Remember Justin and Mark from Ugly Betty? Heck hes not the queerest gay guy in really life. Chris is pretty “straight acting” himself. Perez Hilton and the two guys on America’s Next Top Model are “queerer” then him. Every person has a right to act the way they want, PLUS, Glee shows both ends of the gay people, Blaine is pretty “straight acting”, its not like theyre prepetuating one stereotype.
Im sorry, I meant to say his not the queerest character on TV.
Really dude it is just a role in a t.v. show and not a person and even if it where who are you to say what is right. SO it creeps you out then turn you t.v. off stupid
Eloy YOU are a shame for gay people. Try to get some help dude.
I think Kurt is more stereotypical gay, which isn’t a bad thing, but it does put a ‘been there done that’ vibe on network TV. But like the comment above said, he is a very theatrical character. It works fine.
But the show does explore homosexuality better than most TV shows. Suprisingly 90210 is doing a great job at it.
I’ve heard that Kurt is based on Ryan Murphy, the creator of Glee. In general, gay or straight, those in the entertainment industry are more showy than the average person. Did you see Robert Downey Jr. at the Golden Globes? And Christian Bale? Both major attention grabbers. In contrast, listen to Chris Colfer’s beautiful acceptance speech when he won his award. That says it all.
@Eloy… um what the hells your problem???? do NOT call chris colfer a “she”! screw you if you think that… chris colfer is a fantastic actor and an amazing person!!! you clearly are not a good person considering you like to make fun of gays! except im a little confused on your sexuality… are you gay? well i dont give a crap maybe you just have a crush on chris colfer but get over yourself and dont make fun of people!!!!
Everyone’s different… when I see a straight character that I don’t relate to, I don’t call him or her a “shame for all straight people”. Just because Kurt is different doesn’t mean he’s not great.
Looove them! Best Glee couple hands down. Thank you EW for such an amazing cover story
They are adorable.
I love Chris colfer as kurt I think he is a fantastic actor I would love to see them get together I think that would just be so wonderful.
Ryan Murphy said on the podcast that this is a long-term relationship and I am a HUGE Chris Colfer fan, so I am so excited! Thanks for posting this, EW.
I think he also said that at some point about Finn and Rachel. : (
What a great photo shoot! Darren and Chris are so talented, articulate, humble, and hilarious. I’m enjoying the slow and steady development of their Glee characters’ relationship. Looking forward to (finally!) seeing Kurt and Blaine as a couple.
@Eloy: you hater need to go take Gender studies 101. (1) Queer = non-sexually inclined term for minority gender identities but it has also been used as a gay epithet from haters. (2) Kurt may be effeminate or fashionista or vulnerable but he’s a complex character esp. his persona. Be grateful for the queens/divas that come before you, “masculine” hateful gays. They also pioneered for the visibility of the gay community. Go back in that closet if you think all gay people are like what you them to be.
oh my gosh, why do people take a comment like that so seriously?
it’s just my very personal and humble opinion.
I don’t like it. and I have to make clear I have never made fun or bullied people like kurt in real life, I actually admire them for being so strong at showing to the rest of the world who they are.
though any of my gay friends is like that and I have never dated someone like that.
the thing is Glee is a TV show, and I think, characters like him glamorize not exactly the best to follow..
I am 28 years old, and I know what I want and who I am, the thing is with 15 16 years old guys who are going through this very hard situation of accepting themselves as gay, and watch this queer as a hero…
My humble opinion, it’s pathetic..I stick with Blaine. not a queer as a role model.
This comment is just as offensive as your first one. There is no right or wrong way to be gay, and there is nothing wrong with who Kurt is. He is a hero to a lot of people, whether you like it or not.
The very fact that you use “queer” as a put-down — again — shows you are wrong. And intolerant. Go back and read the thoughtful responses to your first post, and try not to bash our people by calling us “pathetic”. For you, it seems, being a ‘straight-acting’ gay man is just a larger form of closet.
Please hand in your gay card until you have completed Queer 101: watch ‘The Naked Civil Servant’ and ‘Pink Flamingos’ and ‘Stonewall’, and read ‘The Importance of Being Ernest’. Femme camp “queers” are our people’s history and heroes.
Who elected you class president? Although I don’t agree with Eloy, I hate the bullying tactics of the “queer” activist-types who feel the need to scold and lecture everyone. You aren’t our moral superiors, so stop acting like you are.
In fact, the “queer” activists have made life more difficult for the Kurts and the Blaines of the world.
You were the geniuses who thought it would be a great idea to lump gays together with transsexuals and transvestites. In creating “LGBT,” people like you have promoted old stereotypes and have given the world reason to think that gay men like Kurt are really wannabe women. No one has promoted stereotypes more than those who have tried to turn gay into “queer” and “LGBT”.
by the way I am sorry If I have any grammar mistake, my first language is french, not english. Still I like Glee, though I can’t stand Rachel’s character either….
and remember it’s only a TV show…but a popular one watched above all by millions of teenagers…that’s it.
Your comment is still disgusting and reeks of ignorance.
As you are gay yourself, I would expect you to show more compassion to effeminate people. I don’t believe all gays are the same, and you shouldn’t either. But effeminate people get the WORST form of bullying, so I’m glad that when Glee decided to choose a gay role model, they chose an effeminate one.
Also, your comment above will also be classified as bullying, against Kurt.
it’s not even grammar. I understand your statement very well. As a gay man such as yourself, should not use queer as a derogatory term. I explained the term above. 2nd, you are an assimilationist by virtue and there is a larger implication in your words that you want to conform to what a traditional society expect of a male – their idea of macho-macho man. Some do not wish to be like what you want the world of gay men to be. And I am well aware it is your opinion, but it deserves to be refuted. What you said, however, is very offensive esp. the use of the term queer. And Maha is right, young gay men who have similar traits to Kurt gets the worse treatment, so Glee, in a sense, has a purpose to promote public awareness of his issues.
I totally had a 12 year old squealing moment when I saw they were going to be on the cover… Nevermind that I’m very much not 12, and a “professional”/adult.
And of course Kurt/Chris is absolutely adorable, wonderful, etc.
Mr. Criss makes me swoon, he’s so gorgeous
Oh yeah, and I love hearing them sing.
Great job, EW!
I’m in love <3
oh my gosh…..you all speak like if you work in any gay rights groups….
take it easy….
anyway, it’s healthy to have this debate.
and of course I respect your opinions..
I have a question is the actor who plays Kurt gay in real life???
if he is..then he is not acting, he is in fact a queer…
second…..as a gay man, I hope Blaine’s character doesnt fall ofr Kurt’s.
That in real life doesn’t happen.
it’s like when the hot popular student fell in love with the shy nerdy not so good looking student.
it’s not real, so I hope that doesnt happen in Glee…
guys like Blaine fall for similar ones..
but let’s dont forget this is only a tv show, it’s fiction.
still the writters and producers will do whatever they want to do with their characters…
Please tell me what the hell is wrong or so offending with being a “queer”? Are you yourself not one, if you are not a heterosexual?
Yes, Christ Colfer is openly gay. He is not as flamboyant as Kurt but he is a little effeminate and there is NOTHING wrong with that. Most gay/bi men I personally know are.
In reality, yes, Blaine-type people DO fall for Kurt-like people, and the popular people do sometimes fall for the shy ones. Love is not black and white– there are countless shades in between.
Chris Colfer is acting as Kurt. Just because he is gay does not mean that he is the same as Kurt. Do you accuse all straight people of not acting when they take on straight roles? I bet you don’t. Do you realize how ridiculous your comments are?
And, excuse you, there is no rhyme or reason to who people fall for. They fall for people like them, they fall for people completely different than them. It’s called chemistry. And what you find attractive or unattractive does not dictate everyone else’s tastes.
and once again, sorry for my grammar, I’m french. good afternoon to all of you Glee fans and gay (kurt)rights supporters.
Eloy are you drunk? Like what’s the deal dude? Go for a walk or something man, take it easy w/ the mass posts on this board. None of which have been nice….
I LOVE THEM and they are very important to me as teen, because im gay!!! P.S. love the cover : )
Gay people come in all shapes and sizes and different personalities. It’s good of Glee to show different types of gay guys: butch football player, more effeminate fashionista Kurt, and all around cool guy Blaine.