Jon Kinnally is ‘Prancing’ as fast as he can – Gay TV writer’s remarkable funny journey

How much fun is it to spend time with the head writer of “Will & Grace” and “Ugly Betty.” two of the sharpest, most beloved sitcoms of our time, and get that signature humor delivered personally? Jon Kinnally brings a fresh, sitcom-style brightness to every room he enters. His wit is fast, his observations are razor-sharp, and his ability to find the absurd in the everyday is a gift that makes him not only a brilliant writer but a true joy to be around.

In “I’m Prancing as Fast as I Can: My Journey From a Self-Loathing Closet Case to a Successful TV Writer With Some Self-Esteem,” Kinnally turns that quick wit and boundless creativity inward, offering a hilarious, heartfelt glimpse into his world. Always silly, often outrageous, and never short on charm, this book is a reflection of Jon himself; funny, fearless, and full of unexpected insight.

Whether you’re a longtime fan or just meeting him on the page, you’re in for a wildly entertaining ride. When I asked Jon what do you think will attract readers to his memoir, his response was “Come for the funny. Stay for other stuff.”
Michele Karlsberg: What was your impetus to write this book?
I’ve written for TV for over 20 years and decided I wanted to retire, to read books and drink espresso all day at a café. So my husband, Chris, and I moved to Spain. And I tried the espresso thing, and it was nice, but there’s only so much you can drink before your stomach gets funky. And I missed being creative. The knitting I took up did not fill that void. Even when I did it at a café. Someday I will be that guy, but I discovered it’s not the right time for him.

You’re Gen X. It’s obvious what will appeal to LGBTQ+ people your age, but do you think this will appeal to younger generations?
Well, many of the references may not be so recognizable to younger queers, but there are footnotes! Actually, I’ve met young gays who are expressing an interest in the Time Before. Maybe because the future doesn’t seem so great right now. And experiences and feelings are the same no matter what the specifics are.

I say in the book, that younger queers should know more about the sacrifices, struggles and journeys of their elder gays; what had to be done for them to get the rights they enjoy now. But, you know, in a funny way. It’s easy to just forget stuff that happened, and that’s sad to me. Especially when it’s my stuff.

But honestly, I’m not sure it matters now since the U.S. of Unamerica is currently a garbage fire and gays young and old are going to have to step up and fight. And they’re going to have to do that together. In the end we will all benefit from that unified front.

Inquiring minds want to know. Did your mother really buy you a T-shirt that read, “Mustache Rides 25 Cents”?
In her defense, I did have one. I do wonder if she just thought it was funny or was she, on some subconscious level, trying to “straighten me up?” If she was picturing anything, she wasn’t picturing a boy going for a ride on my face. I think she wanted me to advertise to the world that I liked girls in a sexy way.

I wore it a few times to make her happy, but I felt kind of icky and confused. And I got sent home from school. Was I a sex pioneer, pushing the envelope for what was acceptable free speech, and not even realizing it? Did my suspension set the stage for the overt sexuality we see in everyday life now? Did my act of confused rebellion lead indirectly to free hardcore porn on the internet? And is that a good thing?

Do you think of yourself as an “eldergay”?
Well, not until you just said that. I’m joking. I do think of myself that way. And I think eldergays, in general, should not be disrespected, they should always have a voice in the conversation. I mean, being young and having gravity still on your side is nice. But don’t ignore the elder! You’re going to be us, if you’re lucky. I mean, we’ve seen shit, we know shit.

But for some reason, it’s easier to attack then embrace. I used the word transexual, and I knew it was the wrong word, but my mouth said it anyway, and I was immediately corrected by this very young queer boy to use the word “transgendered.” And I’m glad he did. It’s a good thing to be reminded. I just didn’t appreciate the attitude he had when he did it! It was like, “If you can’t say something right, don’t say anything.” Respect your elders! No doubt he’s using words now that he will be corrected for in the future.

Was it hard writing about such personal stuff?
Yes. Once I got past the “Isn’t this just self-indulgent and why do I think people would care about me and what I might have to say?” phase, I thought, “Oh shit, I really reveal some private stuff.” But comedy often comes from pain and humiliation, and I want to make people laugh. With me or at me, I don’t care.

I’m learning as I get older not to place so much emphasis on what others think of me. And that’s freeing. Besides, we hold nothing back now. These are the times we live in! That said, there are some dirty parts that make me cringe when I think of a family member reading them. But they probably won’t bother reading it. They better buy it, though.

What makes the book unique?
Well, history is important. And queers have been erased from history for so long. It seems all marginalized groups have been. So it is up to us to reclaim it, record it, write it down, open a museum, create a puppet show, whatever it takes so it isn’t lost. It’s not like they’re going to teach it in schools. Quite the opposite, especially now. We are in danger of being erased again.

I wanted to write a gay history book about the already forgotten things that queers should know about. But ultimately, I think I just liked the title: “The Buggery Act of 1533 and Other Forgotten events in Gay History.” I liked the idea of a book with the word, “Buggery” on it sitting on a table at Barnes and Noble next to the new James Patterson.

But the more I got into it, the more bored I got. And I thought it might make it more fun to have me at each historical event. And then I just got rid of the major historical events because it was more fun to just write about me. Again, write what you know!

So instead of writing about gay popes of history (in 1464, Paul ll wanted to be called Pope Formosus – “beautiful” – but was talked out of it. His enemies referred to him as “Our Lady of Pity”), I decided I would write about my own history and the events that led to the creation of me; the smaller, personal ones such as the effect John Travolta in the TV movie, “The Boy in the Plastic Bubble” had on me. Oh, was it a warning about the virus to come? I can’t believe I’m only thinking of that now. And the journey of the gay mustache over the years. And who better to keep that history from being lost, other than someone who had one of those at a very young age?

Do you have TV projects in mind?
Yes, and a movie, “Late in Life Lesbian Lunch Ladies,” which I’ve written but don’t know what to do with. Maybe a Saturday morning cartoon? Do they still have those? But then this book started to coalesce and, you know, you go where the creativity is taking you. Also, it’s nice to try something different. But someday I will get back to LILLLL. In some form. It’s a story that needs to be told.

Did you think about moving back to LA to resume you career in TV?
No, moving was the right thing to do, especially now that the U.S. is sliding into fascism. But I would come back to work on a show, as long as I knew I could get back to Spain. For work, I’d have to physically be in the U.S. Not everything can be done on Zoom. Actually, I might not even be able to get into the U.S. I’ll probably soon be put on a no-fly list because of, you know, the whole being gay thing.

Last but not least; what’s your obsession with the man on the box of Doan’s Pills?
Have you seen him? He’s hot. Well, his back is, but I had a great imagination. Porn wasn’t as easily available back in the day. We had to find it the old fashioned way, stumble across it in the woods behind the school. And it was always damp. And hetero. So, your imagination was very important.

Also, the Doan’s man had levels. He was tough yet vulnerable. In my mind he was kind and he accepted me and was always there for me in spite of being in constant agony. He was the dad I wanted. Wait. I just said he was porn to me and also a father figure. That’s upsetting and kind of gross. No more questions. This interview is definitely over! LOL.

Jon Kinnally will be on tour in person and virtually in September to celebrate the publication of Prancing.
https://www.jonkinnally.com/

Michele Karlsberg Marketing and Management specializes in publicity and marketing for the LGBTQ+ community. This year, Karlsberg celebrates 36 years of successful campaigns.
http://www.michelekarlsberg.com