After a blistering critique appeared on Vice’s blog, NBC Universal has cancelled their annual Bill and Ted Halloween Show, reports RawStory.com. The show, which screens annually at Universal Studios in Los Angeles, is based on the characters Bill Logan (Alex Winter) and Ted Logan (Keanu Reeves) from the hit 1989 comedy Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure. “NBC Universal has taken quick and strong action regarding this matter and also started a productive dialogue around future Bill & Ted programming to ensure that all park visitors can have an enjoyable experience,” spokesperson Wilson Cruz said. “This decision falls in line with NBCUniversal’s history of including groundbreaking and positive depictions of LGBT people across its brands.”
The decision appears to be based on blogger Jamie Lee Curtis Taeta’s recounting in which Bill and Ted take a pop culturally-packed journey back to Oz to hunt down and kill four witches.
She writes:
“Superman joins Bill and Ted on their witch-killing quest,” wrote Taete in a highly critical review which has been cited as a major factor in the show’s cancellation. “Bill and Ted are pretty psyched about that because, y’know, he’s Superman and he’s really useful to have on your side in a battle against evil witches. But then, uh oh, a witch accidentally sprinkles Superman with fairy dust, turning him gay.
“After becoming gay, Superman’s voice and posture changes. His lips purse, his toes point inward, and his wrists become limp. His new voice sounds like a homophobic uncle doing a drunken impression of Richard Simmons, complete with lisps and frequent use of the word ‘Faaaaaaabulous!’
“Bill and Ted, understandably, are bummed. Their initial excitement at having Superman with them on their quest turns to disappointment as, obviously, now that Superman is gay, he is not going to be of any use to them. Then, because Superman is now gay, he minces over to Bill and Ted, blows kisses at them, and slaps Ted on the ass. As he does this, Bill and Ted say ‘Awwww dude!’ with disgusted voices.
“After a few more attempts at molesting Bill and Ted, Superman ends up aboard the Starship Enterprise, where he runs into Superman villain General Zod. General Zod tells Superman to get on his knees. Because Superman is now gay, he assumes this is an invitation to give Zod oral sex. ‘Finally!’ he squeals.”
A statement issued by the theme park said: “After thoughtful consideration, Universal Studios Hollywood has made the decision to discontinue production of the Halloween Horror Nights’ Bill & Ted show for the remainder of its limited run.”
