"RJ Berger" Star Comes Out, Tops "Kenzie's Scale"

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"RJ Berger" Star Comes Out, Tops "Kenzie's Scale"
Posted by Jamie Maurer on April 16, 2012

As you may have heard by now, Paul Iacono of The Hard Times of RJ Berger will be playing a gay character in an upcoming MTV show, and he's taken the opportunity to come out of the closet himself. Says Iacono, "I am attracted to girls, I'm just attracted to guys much more."

Iacono's new show, now in development, has been described as Will and Grace for a younger crowd, an analogy which may or may not interest you depending on how you feel about Will and Grace. Iacono plays Cole, a college student who reevaluates his sexuality after moving to New York with his girlfriend Kenzie. Judging from the title, it seems likely that Kenzie will be a focal point of the series, but it also seems like the show is designed to explore an entire spectrum of sexuality: gay, straight, and everything in between.

Iacono comments that “the whole reason we came up with Kenzie's Scale is to give young gays characters to look up to. It's great that we have Chris Colfer, but we need more characters.”

It certainly sounds as though Cole will be a major part of the show, and for a teen-targeted sitcom to have a lead gay character is kind of a big deal (even for MTV). And since MTV isn't one to shy away from risque behavior (blurred out on a reality show or otherwise), it seems likely that Cole will have a visible dating and sex life right off the bat (unlike Will of Will and Grace).

We can't do much more than speculate for the time being, but Kenzie's Scale seems like it has the potential to be pretty groundbreaking. Of course, given MTV's track record with scripted series (Skins anyone?), it might not last long. Let's hope that we can enjoy it while it lasts.

And a hearty congrats to Iacono for his coming out. His candor makes him an excellent role model for the LGBT community. Here he is speaking to MTV news about his decision to come out...

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