Fans of the original “Mighty Morphing Power Rangers” already got a major shock earlier this week when David Yost, the original Blue Ranger, revealed that he refused to tape a “Power Rangers” reunion episode because the producers of the show previously harassed him for being gay. And now it appears that Walter Jones, the original Black Ranger, is skipping out on the reunion to over the controversy with Yost.
In a new interview with TMZ, Jones explained that the producers treated him badly as well and that he’s refusing to do the reunion show out of respect for Yost and himself.
“I’m very sorry to disappoint the fans as I would have loved to be a part of it,” Jones explained. “David, who I still keep in touch with regularly, is a very great guy and it would have been fun to work together again on something we helped originate.”
Sources close to the situation also claim that Yost and Jones are declining the reunion because the show isn’t offering enough money to make up for the way producers have treated them.
Currently, the only original cast member who has signed to do the reunion show is Jason David Frank, the Green Ranger. Austin St. John, the Red Ranger, and Amy Jo Johnson, the Pink Ranger, have yet decline or accept the offer.
Well, at least in the case of Jones and Yost, we’re happy to see solidarity between the two maligned stars. As the old saying goes, an injury to one is an injury to all. If the producers did indeed use anti-gay slurs against Yost and mistreat Jones, whether it was through money or over his race, then it’s commendable that both would refuse to do the show. So, kudos to them for standing up for themselves.
Jones isn’t the only straight man who is standing up for the LGBT cause. Check out some other courageous LGBT allies below. – nicholas robinson
