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.
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
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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 story9 minRyan 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 story19 min