EWAN MCGREGOR DEFENDS CO-STAR KISS

Actor Ewan McGregor was forced to defend his kissing co-star Jim Carrey during an interview on America’s second highest rated morning news show.

McGregor made an appearance on Good Morning America last week to promote two upcoming films, including the gay comedy-romance I Love You Phillip Morris.

During the interview, a photo was shown on-screen of McGregor kissing Carrey in Paris, where they were both knighted in the National Order of Arts and Letters at the Ministry of Culture.

“What was that about?” asked host George Stephanopoulos, while crew members could be heard laughing off-camera.

McGregor responded with “Well that’s just two men kissing,” as Stephanopoulos joined in the laughter. “In this age, in 2010, it’s extraordinary that it’s still an object of humour,” McGregor commented.

“You weren’t just kissing, you were kind of making out there,” said Stephanopoulos, to which McGregor responded: “No, that’s a kiss. That’s just a kiss.”

The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) applauded McGregor “for standing up to Stephanopoulos’ trivial display” and said that it will be reaching out to the broadcaster to voice its concerns about the tone of show.

“By attempting to make an issue out of the kiss and by joining in on the laughter, Stephanopoulos perpetuates the idea that being gay is a joke,” said the organisation.

I Love You, Phillip Morris, based on a true story, features Carrey and McGregor as devoted prison lovers. It will be released in the US at the end of March and in South Africa in early May.