GLEE: Co-Creator and Executive Producer Ryan Murphy. © 2010 Fox Broadcasting Co.

The showrunner/creator of the hit program Glee, Ryan Murphy tells The Hollywood Reporter he would have spoken differently when he told the Kings of Leon band “F–k you” and called KOL’s Followill brothers “self-centered assholes,” that was first reported in THR’s January cover issue.

“I didn’t speak with as much clarity as I would have liked,” Murphy told THR. “Who am I to say ‘F–k you?’ That’s not what I meant. I completely understand when artists don’t want a show or another artist to interpret their songs. In fact, I respect it. It’s their personal work and I’d feel the same way. We get turned down all the time and I’ve don’t fight it or even go back after a rejection.”

“Don’t say f–k you to someone in the press,” Murphy says in a way that could be interpreted several ways.

Later, Murphy was clearly serious when he explained to THR that “I’m really proud of the fact that we can introduce songs to younger kids or their parents because I’m the biggest music fan. The show is about the love of performing and arts education — things I think are very special.”