Danica McKellar Reacts to Neal Bledsoe Exiting Great American Family Over Candace Cameron Bure Comments

Dan Clarendon
37 Comments
Danica McKellar
Rachel Murray/Getty Images for Alliance for Women in Media

Neal Bledsoe won’t have another Christmas at the Drive-In with Danica McKellar on Great American Family. The actor recently announced his decision to leave the cable channel over comments made by Candace Cameron Bure, its chief creative officer, and Bill Abbott, its chief executive. But McKellar, his costar in this year’s Christmas at the Drive-In, thinks he got Bure’s words wrong.

“Neal is a wonderful person. He’s such a great actor, and I have enjoyed working with him so much. He and I both share our love and support of [the] LGBT community, for sure,” McKellar told Fox News Digital on Saturday, December 10. “You know, I don’t agree with his interpretation of her comments. I just didn’t see them the same way.”

The comments in question came from Bure’s recent Wall Street Journal interview, in which she said that she didn’t expect Great American Family to feature same-sex couples as the leads of holiday movies. “I think that Great American Family will keep traditional marriage at the core,” the Full House alum added.

In that same profile, Abbott gave his thoughts on the topic, saying, “It’s certainly the year 2022, so we’re aware of the trends. There’s no whiteboard that says, ‘Yes, this’ or ‘No, we’ll never go here.’”

Neal Bledsoe

Valerie Macon/Getty Images

As a result, Bledsoe, who also appeared with McKellar in the 2021 Great American Family movie The Winter Palace, told Variety last week that he’s stepping away from the channel. “I hope GAF will change, but until everyone can be represented in their films with pride, my choice is clear. I look forward to working with creators who put no limits on the stories we tell and follow through on their message of values with open arms,” he said in part. “My support for the LGBTQIA+ community is unconditional — nothing is worth my silence or their ability to live and love freely in a world that we are lucky enough to share with them. … The recent comments made by leadership at Great American Family are hurtful, wrong, and reflect an ideology that prioritizes judgment over love.”

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On Saturday, however, McKellar defended Bure’s comments. “When she was talking about the portrayal of heterosexual couples in the movies, she started the sentence with ‘I think,’ which is not definitive, and she ended it with ‘at its core,’ which doesn’t mean exclusively,” the Wonder Years alum said. “But I love [Bledsoe] to death and wish him well.”

Danica McKellarNeal Bledsoe



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  1. P

    PurpleBottleOpener

    Candice had the right to express her own opinion and to stand for her beliefs, without everyone criticizing her or her family. Like any other job, if you don’t like or approve of something. Best thing to do is leave.

    I commend Candice for standing up for her beliefs.

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      GreenCupcake

      Sad how many people disagreed with the assertion that Candace should have the freedom of speech in a free country. The same people who are advocating for that godless community are trying to take and also willingly throwing away rights and liberties that our forefathers agreed were given by God to all.

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        CyanLamp

        Our "forefathers" didn't always get it right, which is why there have been amendments to the words our "forefathers" wrote.

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          GreenCupcake

          Nobody ever said they got everything right but correct me if I'm wrong...Candace didn't say any person or people group was unworthy of life. She didn't say they're unworthy of free speech. She didn't say they were unworthy of love or deserved harm. But leftists say all these things about a few groups: namely Christians, tons of children and really anyone who doesn't agree to their brainwashing and godless, senseless, communist political views.

          2 1

          1. O

            OrangeCherries

            It is pretty hypocritical of Christians who support Bure, but are quiet on Trump and the insurrection. I am a black, female Christian who do not see myself being represented on GAF as a lead actor.

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  2. R

    RedSushi

    Why is it that this world tries to shame the people who believe in traditional marriages. There is enough content for everyone to tune into what they believe in from gospel to traditional to untraditional. Myself and many others made the switch from Hallmark to GAF specifically for this reason. I’m not against anyone, however I don’t have to be forced to watch same sex couples anymore than someone who doesn’t want to watch traditional couples. To each their own but don’t look those of us who want to watch traditional like we are monsters.. we all (ppl, LGBTQ) came from a traditional unit. Be blessed, I don’t judge anyone, I do have a choice to watch what I want and so does you.

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    1. G

      GreenCupcake

      Jesus warned that the world hated Him and would also hate those that follow him.

      1 2

  3. G

    GoldRing

    I hope Candace and GAC team doesn't cave in because GAC is supposed to be different and that's why Candace left the Hallmark channel. If they cave in then Candace could have stayed where she was at until she found something better. Candace please fight it. We want what God wants it to be, a man and a woman and God is not wrong. He is never wrong. He doesn't make mistakes. He knew what He was doing when He created us. I don't want to see no same sex couples in my movies or t.v. shows. It's like they are purposely asking these questions to Candace because they know where she stands. We are going to have to Pray for her because she is going to need it. Children of God please Pray for Candace Cameron Bure and her Family.

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    1. G

      GreenTurtle

      If God made no mistakes why did God make gay people? There are also animals that exhibit gay behavior. So did God make a mistake or are you saying God's plan is wrong?

      1 5

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        GreenCupcake

        Sinners are wrong, not God. Sin tainted the whole world. God doesn't cause us to sin. There is always a way out. That's why He sent Jesus. Giving into temptation, whether sexual or otherwise is a choice. And whole sin impacted the entire world, people are not the equivalent of animals. That's why people have laws and animals don't. We have much greater capacity for making choices and understanding consequences but a lot of people live like animals anyway and try to shirk responsibility or find ways that they think will somehow magically erase consequences.

        The Bible foretells a lot. It's been around for thousands of years and reading it today still points to very clear truths about the condition of mankind, the world and God. I recommend reading it and finding out.

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      2. O

        OrangeTree

        God did not make them gay. I know lots of gays and they were all nurtered into it by family or lack thereof not nature

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      3. C

        CyanBottle

        God gives you free will. You choose to sin.

        1 1

      4. R

        RedQuill

        There's a such thing as free will. What's the point of having people love you if they have no choice but to do so? What good is doing right if you don't have the ability to do wrong?

        1

  4. G

    GreenBone

    Respect for you leaving. I have respect for GAC wanting to uphold traditional marriage between a man and a woman. I paid more to get the channel so I could watch GAC over Hallmark.

    34 14

  5. O

    OrangeCoathanger

    You knew who Cameron was and her beliefs. We have a choice to watch what content we as viewers want to watch. So honestly,you left Hallmark,not knowing what the channel was about? Shame on you for leaving without knowledge. I pick and choose what I want on both channels.I’m grateful for watching what I want. I appreciate family values, I like being able to let my family,all ages watch a traditional family value movie.I do not need to explain age in appropriate material. They will have time to choose once they are adults,and have lived their life. I believe you misunderstood. I believe you made a choice. Are you just trying to fit in ? I honestly thought you were smarter and had common sense.what a real shame. I believe a personal conversation is in order,before you bolt.

    24 8

    1. R

      RedPlane

      He is smarter! Good for him for standing up to hypocritical so called Christians. God said to love one another. There certainly isn’t love at GAC

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      1. G

        GreenCupcake

        You're misunderstanding the meaning of the word love. Telling someone the truth and warning of danger is loving. Allowing someone to walk out in traffic because being told no would offend them is unloving.

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  6. G

    GoldCar

    I have enjoyed the movies on GAC and am so grateful for the option to watch these movies. Simple wholesome movies. I'm not opposed to the other channels and glad we have options. There is a place for every actor so this should not be a big deal.

    15 1

  7. O

    OliveClover

    I am thankful Candice stands for her beliefs. The world needs more people like Candice. I will not watch Hallmark movies anymore. I hope GAF continues with traditional relationships.

    17 4

  8. C

    CyanTree

    I am a little sick of the loss of freedom of speech - especially as it relates to the LGBT community. If we are not in lockstep for them we are bad and God forbid that we say a word that does not support the 1000%. I have not minded the addition to movies in general but do I intend to watch when they are they are in the starring role - no. That is my preference and my right. Does that mean I don’t believe in their right to live their live as they choose and be stars in movies - no. But that doesn’t take away my right to choose which movie I will and will not watch

    14 3

  9. O

    OrangeTree

    Interesting that standing up your beliefs is considered judgemental. Truth is liberals have no tolerance for anyone that disagrees with them and the fact that the government has legalized sin should not mean that people need to agree or embrace that which nearly all of us were brought up to know it is wrong. You can't legislate morality but the supreme court doesn't understand that. These issues should be voted on by the people. Just as the will of the people believe women should decide for themselves if gay "marriage" had been on the ballot it never would have passed. Gays are few and far between but they have the loudest voice because they run the entertainment and news concerns.

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    1. T

      Trenise

      I'm a liberal but I believe what GOD says is wrong is wrong. No I don't believe in same sex anything. GOD Blessed and ordained marriage as a union between a man and a woman. So my opinion is this ..morals and values have nothing to do with politics, Here in the western world society has made it that way but for the foremost that's not true. I love people in general and like GOD, HE loves us all but the sin HE does not 🙏🏾❣️

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  10. O

    OliveBeer

    Love the sinner, hate the sin!!!! You can’t interpret the Bible to fit your feelings!!!! It just doesn’t work that way! Turn to Jesus before it’s too late for you! Hell is real and so is Heaven, make a wise choice for you and not the feelings from others.

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  11. G

    GreenLobster

    Danica I think you have it wrong. Do you notice that there are no gay actors or actresses that made the change. We’re they asked, I think not. Candace is in a position to control the content, you are not. She has a right to her beliefs and those of us that feel they are misguided do not need to watch the new channel.

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  12. G

    GoldFlame

    I think Candace is right. I liked Bledsoe but I watch this channel because it stands for more biblical values. Thankyou

  13. G

    GreenTurtle

    no, we do not need to save more. She is obedient to God's word in action and deed. Keep up the good work. Fight the good fight.

    2 2

  14. T

    TUF

    I don't agree with what he said either. If you want to leave, then just leave. Don't try to burn good bridges behind you to prove a stupid point

    10 12

  15. J

    Jena

    I didn't know Bure was "creative director" of GAF. That tells me something.

    6 8

  16. R

    RedPlane

    I think that Bure has is all wrong. No love here. She also said she’s subservient to her husband.. need we say more!

    14 17

    1. O

      OliveBeer

      Hate the sin, love the sinner. Read the Bible, boo!!

      3 1

      1. G

        GreenCupcake

        And what does that look like? Just asking because where you commented it looks like you disagree with Candace. If someone hates homosexuality (the sin) why would they choose to promote it or shove it down people's throats? Hating the son and loving the sinner is when you warn the sinner of the danger of their sin and don't find pleasure in that sin. That's in the Bible.

        2 1

        1. G

          GreenCupcake

          Maybe I misinterpreted why you said what you said though and maybe you agreed with her. But I'm still going to leave my previous comment showing what love the sinner is.

          1

    2. G

      GreenCupcake

      The Bible calls us all to submit to one another in love. Not just women to men or wives to husbands. And not by force. And not to submit to sin. Lots of things being twisted here. It would be nice if people would cite things with proper context but usually it's deliberately hacked to pieces and twisted into a convoluted, nonsensical mess.

  17. R

    RedCupcake

    Danica chose to (or claims) to interpret the message from the bigoted producer benignly. Which is a mistake.

    10 14

    1. C

      CyanLamp

      I agree, Danica analyzed Candice's statement and tried to defend her by twisting it to allow her to justify what Candice said. I guess getting a hefty paycheck from GAF helped with her interpretation

      1 3

  18. G

    GreenBee

    When is Candace getting her brother a job. They truly deserve each other. Live and let live, but I give Neal a lot of credit. Good for him

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  19. C

    CyanPumpkin

    I'm not surprised. Hopefully more actors will leave this bigoted channel. Hallmark is hitting it out of the park this year with their movie lineup. I honestly don'teven miss the actors that jumped ship for GAC.

    1 8