Gay people! Where the hell are they? Now for me this is more than a political issue--it has to do with reality. It's not so bad when they're set in contemporary times. For instance, I know that faculty rooms have their fair share of queer folk, and then some. Yet, the fictitious high school in Miss Guided seems to have none--though Chris Parnell's sexuality remains tantalizingly ambiguous. Still, one might hope for more from an executive producer who's endured his share of criticism over his romantic choice.
But I can't feel entirely comfortable with a queer-free future. Is Battlestar Galactica peopled only by heteros? Wait, was that guy playing cards with Starbuck--you know, the one with an earring--maybe gay? Who can frakking tell? Don't get me wrong--BSG is the bomb (do people still say that?) My gods! These people make love to robots! Can't they have some same sex hookups? Okay, I'd pay good money to see Starbuck have sex with President Roslin. Nevertheless, if I can't have my fantasy come true, throw me a bone. A nice little gay relationship for Gaeta (we all know he's lurking in the closet--look at his devotion to Gaius); Dualla falls for a hot young female pilot. If you want beautiful insights into different love styles in an SF setting, read Ursula LeGuin's wonderful anthology called "The Birthday of the World". It even includes a story about humans living, loving and procreating in space while searching for a new planet to colonize. Hint, hint BSG.
As for another show I'm watching religiously, All My Children, see my previous post for my tips on queering it up.
Another new show has found a subtle work-around that makes the lack of gay characters less obvious. Eli Stone is set in San Francisco and so far there has been one lesbian character and no gay men (unless you count George Michael--which you can) in the storylines. Nevertheless, speaking for the gay man that resides within me, Eli Stone has many queer-friendly elements: Jonny Lee Miller has the pretty boy looks; George Michael adds camp; and Victor Garber, grinning gleefully every time he sings, exudes that fabulous "I'm Coming Out" energy from every invisible pore. We've all grooved to Alias--we know just what a relief it must be for Victor--freed from all that dramatic weight. Another advantage is that Eli Stone is a fantasy, a genre as comfortable and familiar to queer folk as an old pair of slippers. Like The Wizard of Oz, the secret messages to us are passed on in code. We're not called Friends of Dorothy for nothing.
I'm working on another post, to be called "The Gayest Straight Show on TV". BTW, I'm also working on my magnum opus on 2007 movies. Go to candy.the-mental-case.com to find out what I think is the best movie of the decade.
Hello and welcome to my new blog. I'm your host, Candy Cavity, and I'd like to let you know a little about me before we get into the heart of the matter. I'm what you might call a "couch potato". Yes--I'm deliciously round, firm and white. But, I love my TV and movies and books too. Basically if it's a story-telling medium, I'm there. For more about me, go to "candy.the-mental-case.com". So, I'm going to share with you some thoughts I have about the stories we tell each other--the stories that we experience through popular culture and see what you think as well. Are stories part of our fundamental humanity? I think so. I believe that what we have to say to one another helps us to affirm basic principles of our place in the world and explore solutions to the various conflicts we encounter. Plus it's fun--entertaining, inspiring, evocative, informative, exasperating and invigorating. Maybe you'll think I'm full of shit--maybe you'll find in me a kindred soul. In either case, I'd love to hear back from you. I'm more interested in dialogue than soliloquy.
Comments
Collin Kelley 04/11/08
You can find gay and bi-sexual characters, but mostly on cable these days. The L Word is the prime example, but all BBC's sci-fi/thriller series Torchwood, where all the characters are bi-sexual. As the World Turns has two young men in a gay relationship, although not gay enough according to many viewers, who want to see more romance. Since Will & Grace departed, there hasn't been a show on network driven by gay characters (even watered down ones like on W&G). I hear one of the pretty boys on Gossip Girls is coming out soon. But, I agree...we need more 'mos.
The Counteragent 04/11/08
Do Gossip Girl, The Office, Lost, Men in Trees, My Name is Earl, ANTM, Project Runway, and Top Chef suddenly not count? Yes, there's an imbalance, but don't list four shows and assume it's solid proof that the GBLT community is underrepresented.
Also, Victor Garber owned on Alias. Since when are 3 consecutive Emmy nominations considered dramatic weight?
Candy Cavity 04/12/08
Actually, that's my point: Victor seems freer now that he can express himself in a broader range, including singing. Being cranky Jack can't have been fun--good for his career maybe--but not as pleasurable as this appears to be.
I'm afraid I don't watch all the shows you mentioned but giving an all encompassing overview was not my point. I just feel that every show should have gay characters; just like every family has queer members (whether they know it or not). We're everywhere in the world (except Iran apparently), why not expect the same from TV?
Candy Cavity 04/12/08
BTW--Who **** on Lost besides that besides that dead Other?
Add a comment
Remember to keep it clean. Bad words will get filtered, and offensive comments will be removed. More Guidelines