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    Back to The Business

    The Business

    Ryan O’Connell's new Netflix comedy series is ‘Special’

    For years, Ryan O’Connell was in the closet: not because he’s gay, which he is, but because he was ashamed of having cerebral palsy.  His cover? He’d been hit by a car--which was true. But eventually, that lie took a toll.

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    By Kim Masters • Apr 20, 2019 • 28m Listen

    For years, Ryan O’Connell was in the closet: not because he’s gay, which he is, but because he was ashamed of having cerebral palsy. His cover? He’d been hit by a car--which was true. But eventually, that lie took a toll. O'Connell wrote a book about his life, and now, with his Netflix show ‘Special,’ O’Connell is out in a big way. He tells us about the 4-year struggle to find a home for his autobiographical comedy. In 2015, when he set out to pitch it, no one wanted to touch a gay disability comedy. But four years later, the world may be ready for Ryan O’Connell and his new Netflix series ‘Special.’

    In this episode

    2 stories
    1. 0:55

      Hollywood news banter: WGA sues the major talent agencies

      An already heated battle is now heading to court. The WGA filed suit against the top talent agencies over the practice of TV packaging. Eight individual writers, including David Simon, are also named as plaintiffs in the suit.

      Read the story
      9 min
    2. 9:40

      Ryan O’Connell on his new Netflix comedy series 'Special'

      In the new Netflix comedy series ‘ Special ,’ Ryan O’Connell plays a version of himself. Ryan Hayes is a gay man beset by millennial angst, who also has cerebral palsy.

      Read the story
      19 min
    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Kim Masters

      partner/writer at Puck News, host of KCRW's “The Business.”

    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Kaitlin Parker

      Producer, 'The Business' and 'Hollywood Breakdown'

      CultureArts

    In this episode

    2 stories
    1. 0:559 min

      Hollywood news banter: WGA sues the major talent agencies

    2. 9:4019 min

      Ryan O’Connell on his new Netflix comedy series 'Special'

    Back to The Business