Now that Rachel’s mom — played by the wonderfully Wicked Idina Menzel — has been in the picture for a few episodes on Glee, we’re dying to finally meet Rachel’s elusive gay dads, the ones who moved her therapist into the spare room, treated her childhood sadness with water, and can’t sew. You’re gonna have to come out eventually, dads! Our brains are sick of reverting to Paul Reiser and Greg Evigan (?!) whenever we hear the phrase “my two dads.”
Forget for a moment about the photo of the two dads they showed during the pilot (because you know you’d prefer stunt casting!), and vote for who should play Rachel’s biological father below. Or, if you have alternate suggestions, leave ‘em in the comments along with your picks for Rachel’s second dad. The sky’s the limit on Dad #2. Taye Diggs? Jamie Foxx? (Fine maybe not — Rachel said in the pilot that she wasn’t sure which was her real dad because they’d mixed their sperm together.) Brad Pitt? David Beckham? Olympic Stud of the Day Alexandre Bilodeau? Ideally it’d be someone who can sing and dance, but we can always dream a little dream that Rachel will use her powers of over-achievement to lead them to metaphorical gold-stardom on the stage during a mid-life crisis….
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I love the idea of fantasy casting the dads, but Rachel did show a picture of them in her locker in the pilot, I believe. One was caucasian, and one was black, hence the joke about mixing the sperm so they wouldn’t know who the father was. I wonder if they’re going to forget that picture and recast, or if they’re using the people in the photo.
If it’s worth anything, I’d love for them to make some room for Cheyenne Jackson in the show, so he’d get my vote!! (He’s a little young, but since when does Glee worry about realism?)
Cheyenne Jackson? Great idea! I need this to happen.
Maybe he could be her uncle? I love Cheyenne Jackson, he’s so cute and talented!!!!!!!!!!!!
Cheyenne Jackson totally needs to play a football coach that kurt fantasizes about…. sooooo hot!
oooo good call on Cheyenne! that would be amazing
Cheyanne is too young to have a teenage daughter, he’s only 35ish. Wouldn’t be able to raise her if he was 20ish when she was born.
Nathan Lane!
If we are tossing “realism” aside then let’s have Hugh Jackman and Adam Lambert be her dads. There could be a “very special episode” where her dad’s split up because Hugh met a much younger man. Just sayin…
Is Hugh Jackson out of the closet yet?
Can anyone say Taye Diggs?
Forget Taye Diggs, this should be a no-brainer: Anthony Rapp and Jesse L. Martin. A white guy and a black guy; Idina’s ex in Rent and the gay that doesn’t die in Rent. It is too perfect…
Hugh Jackman and Taye Digg as a couple…urghhh ana eeehh! Scuse me while I scramble for some tissues.
I’m for Taye Diggs and Anthony Rapp!!! Best casting ever!
TAYE DIGGS. HUGH JACKMAN. BOOM.
Hugh Jackman because he’s great. Taye Diggs because he is Idina Menzel’s husband in real life and that would be hysterical!
Hugh Jackman and Taye Diggs… hot. That should definitely be the combo.
Hugh Jackman and Jesse L. Martin cause they can both sing and dance without Tom Bergeron!! Very hot.
Ooohhh… if Taye Diggs and Hugh Jackman played her dads, I would have to Windex the saliva off my television screen.
That would be HOT!! (and a nice little wink to the audience, since Taye Diggs is married to Idina Menzel).
Cheyenne Jackson on the show in some capacity (I like the football coach idea, or maybe a rival Cheerios coach) would be a plus.
Cam–Anthony Rapp doesn’t play the Ex. It was Adam Pascal. Anthony played the roommate.
No, Suzanne. Anthony Rapp played Mark, Maureen’s ex. That’s why he sings “Tango Maureen” with Maureen’s new girlfriend.
“What’s up with white folks and Taye Diggs” (spoken by Wilhemina on Ugly Betty)
Heeeee! to your UB quote, wakeforce. Dunno what it is; that man’s smile is a beautiful thing.
Yes! Taye Diggs. Some people on the TWOP boards were also suggesting John Barrowman.
How about two unknown actors? This show is awesome for the most part, but it’s becoming a string of gimmicks, stunt casting, and ridiculous star sightings.
yup. the best guests have been kurts dad who’s name i cannot remember and josh groban whose role they kept limited and hilarious!
Kurt’s dad is Mike O’Malley
I agree with two unknowns, or maybe even two character acters. I’ve loved the big celebs they’ve had on the show, but there’s a danger of doing too many too soon.
yes i remember that joke cause arrested development had done the same one better. still funny though.
YES! I love the show but I was totally like STOLEN ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT JOKE! But all was forgiven because I became unhealthily obsessed with this show.
Speaking of Arrested Development what about the two gay cops Maggie Lizer was hired to have a baby for as Rachel’s dad? Someone had that idea and I thought it was PERFECT!
Exactly!
Hugh Jackman and Jesse Martin
I vote for Eric Stonestreet. He plays Cam on Modern Family, and it’d just be too perfect to watch him and Lea Michele perform together.
Nathan Lane with Taye Diggs! Perfect!!
RuPaul, duh!
I second that! RuPaul would be brilliant!!!
Murphy already did that in Popular, though.
RuPaul would just have to know how to sew! : ) Just won’t be believable.
RuPaul RuPaul!
How about another Ru, Rupert Everett, him and RuPaul, I meant hot and sexy and so comical.
Assuming we ARE fantasy casting since (as Nicole mentioned), they’ve already showed us Rachel’s dads…
Mandy Patinkin as Rachel’s biological dad and Alan Cumming as Dad #2.
Sweet picks, Ceballos.
Alan Cumming is a fave of mine – I’d love to see him with a recurring role on Glee. Good call!
totally alan cumming and john stamos
It’s always been okay to cast characters who were just shown in a picture at later dates. No biggie. It’s not like Glee is the best with continuity anyway. That being said, I really hope they stick with the whole 1 white dad, 1 black dad. I nominate Peter Gallagher (he has a great voice) as the bio-dad, and Taye Diggs (get on it, Idina!) as his partner. Take that, Newsweek!
That would be cool, but would ABC let him cross over to Fox? Although his wife was on Private Practice…..
Good choice Ceballos.
Adore Mandy Patinkin as I may, they’ve already referenced him. She’d notice if Mandy were her dad. Plus I think by this point they need to cast one white, one black. Everyone would notice if they didn’t.
As far as referencing Mandy -
What about Sue referencing Neil Patrick Harris in a “Sue’s Corner” segment only to have him show up on the show as Bryan Ryan.
You make a good point…it’s just that “Glee” plays pretty fast and loose with concepts like “logic” and “consistency.”
…also, Rachel (and Kurt) famously sang “Defying Gravity”, which was popularized by Idina Menzel and Kristen Chenoweth, both of whom have been on “Glee.” (I could go on.)
You’re probably right in that the gay dads should be one black and one white, but given the show’s looseness, I wouldn’t be surprised if they ditched that edict just because of some photo that was flashed in the pilot.
cumming would be epic!!! perfect! patinkin is awesome, but i’m not 100% on board there. if they are going africa-american, jesse l. martin would be perfect! a bit of a “Rent” reunion would be cool. and they have to sound good together! and with idina and lea! cuz i’m hoping for a family quartet number!
I think Brad Pitt or Matt Damon would be hilarious. Taye Diggs would be deliciously perfect with one of them.
Great picks.
Nice pick with Alan Cumming but he has some commitment to the Good Wife.
James Spader and Mr T should play Rachel’s dads.
I guess if you want to go with the obvious choices.
LOL!
oh, i do.
If we are going that direction, just make it Hulk Hogan and Mr. T. Duh
Taye Diggs. There’s something too hilarious about Idina and Taye having a baby (sorta) in Glee, too.
I think Taye is the perfect choice for the one. We already know one is white and one is black. Taye HAS to be that one! I don’t care too much who the other one is, but I would prefer a broadway vet as well, just b/c this show does that so well.
I third your nomination.
Bill Irwin, Nathan Lane, Sean Hayes or Alan Cumming would fit the Broadway vet role.
Clay Aiken and Ruben Studdard
giggle @ stormy. THAT would be hilarious/horrible!
Taye Diggs and Eric McCormick!! I like RuPaul as a possibility too!
^*In the role of gay dads. Bio dad…John Stamos might be cool. As long as Mr. Schuester doesn’t end up being him…lame!!
How could Mr. Shuester be him? Her bio dad is one of her 2 gay fathers. And if you’re insinuating that he knocked up her mom, instead of the artificial insemination they’ve advertised, that’s not possible. He met her mother for the first time earlier this season.
Eric and Taye were already a couple on Will and Grace, if I remember correctly. Would be a great couple for Rachel’s dads. Jesse L. martin would be good too. Hugh Jackman would be INCREDIBLE!
Ummmm, Stamos can’t be Rachel’s dad, he’s the hot dentist Emma married remember?
Adam Pascal and Anthony Rapp (the original Roger and Mark in Rent) would be my top choice! They could do a trio with Idina or Lea that would be epic!
I remember them showing a picture of her dads – one being a tall classically handsome guy and a shorter scrawny white guy. I think who ever is cast as her dads would have to fit those profiles, regardless of being a name. That being said, I’d prefer no big names play her dads because then it’d allow some new talent to emerge.
Also, I love the “Lunchtime Poll” thing done here, Heathers is such an awesome movie.
The tall guy was black, forgot to mention that. *headdesk*
I agree that it should be new names instead of big names. They’ve already done a bunch of big name guest stars/”stunt casting”, although obviously Idina was the only choice for Rachel’s mother.
I don’t want this to become a show built around big name guest stars and lose its independently creative focus. I would rather see some non-famous actors take on these roles and keep viewers’ attention on “aren’t these gay dads funny/moving/loving/whatever” rather than “omg it’s Hugh Jackman and Taye Diggs! hahahaa they’re GREAT actors!”
Taye Diggs please! Maybe he and Idina could sing together!!!!!
Also, I would love if Norbert Leo Butz (who also costarred with Idina in Wicked) could play the other dad.
NLB is a great choice. He and either Taye Diggs or Jesse L Martin would be awesome.
NLB is super cute and would be a great choice, especially since those who aren’t Broadway fans would have no idea who he is – and that’s a good thing!
Jesse L. Martin! Yes! I’m still all for Taye Diggs, but seeing as he’s on abc and they probably wouldn’t loan him to fox, I think I might have to change my vote. (can you tell I really like Rent?)
NLB was also in the original cast of Rent.
I’m all about Jesse L. Martin for one of the dads. There always needs to be more Jesse L. Martin in life.
Are you sure Cemeline? I don’t think he was…
sorry…Celimene…
NLB was not in the original cast of Rent. He WAS Fiero (opposite Idina’s Elphaba and Cheno’s Glinda) in the original cast of Wicked. I’m going with Norbert Leo Butz and Jesse L. Martin, final answer.
I believe NLB was originally Adam Pascal’s understudy and then became Roger when Pascal left.
We could always throw Ricky Martin into this same mix
One should be black and both jewish of course.
I vote for Jesse L Martin for her non-bio dad, but none of the choices above seem exactly right for her bio dad. Isn’t he supposed to be Jewish? There ARE actual Jewish actors out there, you know.
I agree…I think he’d be perfect. I vote for Anthony Rapp for the other dad…(both guys were w/ Idina in RENT, and Rapp’s character was Jewish…) =D
How about Adam Pascal who is Jewish and starred in the Jewish film Falling Star? He was the original Roger in Rent and is super talented!
Chris Rock/Adam Sandler. I’m kidding of course. I already said Matthew Broderick & Jeffrey Wright.
My first vote would be for no name actors. TV shows go down hill when they are spending more time twisting the plot to include stars, than telling a good story and they are already slipping down that road. If they do get stars at least get broadway stars that seem lest like stunt casting. That would make Jessie L. Martin and Chip Zien my second choice.
I don’t think it needs to be unknowns but it doesn’t need to be big names like hugh jackman. Idina Menzel isn’t that famous, she isn’t a household name. I would love to see an actor like Scott Grimes play the part of the biological dad, he is a great singer and actor and he isn’t a big star so he can fit into the part verses the part fitting to him.
ooooo. I like your Scott Grimes idea. He’s the first suggestion I’ve seen where I thought (personality-wise) “oh he could totally play Rachel’s dad!” I think Idina covers the appearance aspects of genetics pretty solidly, so I’d like to see a father actor who matched her personality. I think your idea is perfect.
Jesse L Martin is one of the dads from the photo!!!
John Hamm and Sean Hayes
I love Jon Hamm!!!!!
Hamm and Buble.
John Barrowman would be Perfect!
OOOH!!!!!!
*shakes fist* BARROWMAN!!!!!!
win.
JOHN BARROWMAN AND DAVID TENNANT!!!
Lol, my fantasty. I think he’d be perfect. He’s old enough and he’s fabulous enough. Him and Taye Diggs? Just to hear those two sing together…wow
Barrowman and Tennant – best suggestion yet.
That’s the best idea ever !!!!
Barrowman, for sure, I’ve been dying to see him on Glee ever since I heard about Rachel’s dads. He’s perfect, so over the top. Can’t see Tennant in the role, tho. Who’s the strangely handsome, slightly scary guy who’s Michael’s date at the ballet in the movie Billy Elliot. I vote for him based on looks alone.
Barrowman would be amazing! but im not sure Tennant would fill the role…
How about Jeff Probst and Colby Donaldson… LOL
Matthew Broderick without a doubt! His broadway talant is a match for Rachel!
He plays angsty Jewish really well too – perfect for Rachel’s dad
How about Bryan Batt? That would be fun!
Bryan would be great! I’m going to miss Sal so much on Mad Men.
Bryan has a beautiful singing voice.
Adam Lambert!
NO!!
He’s way way too young, lol!
Anthony Rapps, Adam Pascal, Clay Aiken or Ewan McGregor would be amazing because they can all sing and would be amazing with Rachel!