Tom Cruise, Bronson Pinchot, and homophobia

This may be the "weirdest celebrity feud" ever, said The Wall Street Journal's Speakeasy blog. In an interview with The Onion's A.V. Club, actor Bronson Pinchot—who played Balki on the '80s sitcom Perfect Strangers—claims that Tom Cruise made homophobic remarks to him while the two were filming Risky Business back in 1983. We're not sure if Pinchot is joking—maybe insulting Hollywood's biggest players is part of an "an edgy new strategy" for career revival.

It's not hard to believe that Tom Cruise engaged in "homophobic banter," said Queerty. There have long been rumors circulating that he's in the closet himself. The speculation that he had an "arranged marriage," those "expensive male escort stories," and "his allegiance to Scientology" have fueled gossip about Cruise's sexuality for years.

Come on, said Michael Deacon in the London Telegraph, Pinchot's story is a little far-fetched. He claims that Cruise said, "You want some ice cream, in case there are no gay people there?" and "It's a nice day, I'm glad there are no gay people standing here." These alleged remarks are certainly bizarre, but I'm "not convinced" they're homophobic.

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