Great catch on that "gay" comment. When I heard it I hadn't realized that that it was preceded by "fairy godfather." Very clever, though much more subtle than the phallic images in Walt Disney movie posters.

I disagree with the thought a line like that would never be written or pass through censors in today's world... the airwaves are full of ethnic and sexual punch lines. The word "gay" was coming in vogue back then (1974), but it was not as universally understood as it is today. I would venture to say that the vast majority of people 35+ (and "straight') would have missed that line's punch altogether, though I'm sure in NYC it was understood and appreciated. And I don't believe it was written to make us dislike the character, otherwise he'd have been far more mean-spirited and said "fag" or something more derogatory. I think it was more of an inside joke, a reference that only "hip" people would get and the rest would miss, like something in "The Simpsons."

I agree that in those days, few who might have been offended by the remark would make a stink about it; on the other hand, it is exactly the kind of pun my gay friends would have been the the first to make. (Have you seen the new guy on Comedy Central? His name slips the memory, but there are few analogies, cliches and innuendos of gay culture left unspoken.) Sort of like the rule that only Richard Pyor, Eddie Murphy or LL Cool J can say the "N" word. It's not necessarily the word, but the intent, and I think Ian was just being clever and hip. Now, the "devices" in the closet? Who knows?