I’m taking one of my breaks from reading at the moment by watching tv series after tv series until my brain melts down and I have to return to books in self defense. Yeah, it might seem like a simple, albeit a bit odd, way of getting back into reading, but my brain works in mysterious ways. 😉
During my watching, one of the things I’ve noticed is the occasional GLBT topic cropping up in some of these shows. For example, one of the episodes of Kyle XY focused on an alternate dance because the school higher-ups decided not to sell tickets to same sex couples, and an episode of Veronica Mars had her finding a missing Dad who turned out to now be a woman.
What I’m wondering is… are all these things just a coincidence because I’m interested in the issue of promoting GLBT themes at the moment? Is it that dealing with these kinds of issues is more socially acceptable – every now and then anyway – on mainstream tv? Or am I noticing them because I’m becoming more aware of them myself?
What do you think?
Kris + Books = Good. *Sometimes*. 
I think it is more acceptable to have those things in mainstream shows as long as they don't go too far. *eye roll* So I think it's a start and probably a combination of you being more aware because of your reading and on-line life and the acceptance. The fundies will tell you all about Hollywood's gay agenda. *double eye roll*
I don't watch commercial TV much, as in main network shows so I can't really say specifically. I think obviously cable networks like HBO push the envelope much more which maybe makes it easier for networks. They can always says “Well, it's not as wild as Queer As Folk” and people go “Oh yeah, that's true. Carry one then.” LOL
Veronica Mars actually has quite a few eps dealing with LGBTQ issues. There's a great one dealing with the members of the school's online help group being outed one by one. I think it's the second season.
I'm still not bitter about its cancellation or anything.
Don't forget the tv show Friends with Chandler's father being a woman an looking like Kathleen Turner.
I miss Friends. What a great show.
I think it's just becoming a more popular topic, bordering on trendy.
I bet if you surveyed a bunch of super conservative groups, they'd say the same thing: OMG LOOK AT ALL THIS GAY STUFF! lol
Oh, and the main character from Kyle XY is gay. 🙂
I think it's a combination.
GLBT issues are cropping up in mainstream entertainment more often, from daytime Soap Operas to night time shows. It's been more prevalent on cable but now it can be found (up to a point) on regular TV as well.
It's also due in part to you being more aware of it since you read in this genre.
The GLBT themes are trendy now! Remember back in 1997 when that episode of The Simpsons had Smithers giving Mr. Burns a passionate kiss? That was considered pretty radical at the time (though they were only animated guys and not real actors, ha, ha!) In 12 short years, tv shows have been making up for lost time!
Tam: Yeah, I think it's probably a combination of the two; some issues tip toeing into mainstream and my awareness, as well.
Hollywood has a gay agenda?? Well. You learn something new everyday.
Sean: I'm only 3/4s of the way through the first season and have only come across one episode so far. I never watched VM when it was on tellie and am really enjoying discovering it now.
After Firefly and Jericho *grrrr*, nothing surprises me about the shows that get cancelled anymore.
KBC: I never got in to religiously watching Friends. I did enjoy it when I saw the odd episode here and there, but wasn't a huge fan.
Something that's been around since year dot is the use of comedy to highlight and explore more serious issues (eg GLBT). Makes it more accessible to the ultra-conservatives. 🙂
JenB: You know *of course* that you sent me googling to try and find if he was gay or not. Damn you. LOL.
I've noticed that it definitely seems more trendy to have same-sex parents, although prob'ly not surprisingly they are off-screen.
Lily: I think it's also a combination. I think I take more notice of hows and whys of issues when they are raised as opposed to just thinking 'oh, that's cool' and then moving on.
Val: It's only taken 12 years?? Gee, how progressive are we as a society. Maybe that Hollywood gay agenda thing is really true. *rolls eyes*
Ahhh, what everyone said 🙂 I think it's slowly becoming more acceptable – things just seem to move v e r y slowly – and being more aware of it. I know I'm aware of it know.
And I hope the TV watching helps you out of this your reading slump!
Back on Three's Company they joked about Jack Roper being gay because he lived with two women. That was in the late 70's.
I've come to the conclusion that there's something wrong with me. I don't watch TV. I stopped watching it about 2 years ago when I realised it was all crap and unless I shelled out a load of cash each month for cable/satellite then it was going to remain crap. The beginning of the end was when Channel 4 lost Lost to Sky TV. All the best shows get axed anyway, so why bother?
The kids watch it. I just watch DVDs and even then, not very often.
Orannia: “I hope the TV watching helps you out of this your reading slump!”
Me too. I have a feeling I'm just about start reading again before the tv signals do permanent damage to my retinas. LOL.
KBC: I had to look that up because I'd never heard of that tv show before. Comedy again. 🙂
Jen: “I've come to the conclusion that there's something wrong with me.”
Some of us realised that after very short acquaintance. Weirdo.
Jen: I have 300+ channels and there is still crap on. LOL We have three must watch shows per week. Top Chef (and that's a Kristen must see, I'm only watching it because she is but I'm kind of cheering for the little French hottie Mattin.), Supernatural (that's mine that Kristen gives me many eye rolls about) and then Glee which we both watch. We often have it tuned to Food Network, Comedy or Space (aka Science Fiction). RARELY on network channels. But I can't imagine not having it. Sigh.
Speaking of TV, Craig posted on his blog today (shameless pimpage follows http://puntabulous.com/2009/09/22/modern-family-overdoing-it-just-a-bit/) about a show coming on tomorrow called Modern Family. Apparently it's a family with two gay dads. (Well, they wouldn't likely be two straight Dads would they?) Problem? It's on the same time as Glee. Someone said the pilot was funny, the question will be do they make the Dads a parody of what people think gay dads are? One flamingly feminine, like Lucy and Ricky but both gay, or will it be realistic but funny. It is a comedy but still, sometimes the stereotypes are so overdone it's hard to get past. So I don't know if I'll see it because right now Glee has my heart and I don't have fancy DVR or TIVO or other stuff like that.
Kris: if you have the chance, rent Three's Company. John Ritter and Don Knotts were on the show and even after 30 yrs later it still brings forth the laughs.
I have no clue. I, like Jenre, stopped watching tv all together about 18 months ago. I found myself watching the same things over and over, even though they were different shows. My kids, my hubby and my books take up enough time. 🙂
I do watch dvd's with the kids and every once in a while a movie with the hubster.
Tam: I went and had a look at Craig's post. The show looks interesting. Hopefully I will be able to find it online after it premieres. 🙂
KBC: I will look out for it when I'm out and about. I'm all about funny. 😉
Tracy: So you are weird like Jen too?
I watch tv in fits and starts. I can go days and weeks without watch and then all of a sudden I will watch it compulsively. FYI – That makes me a little odd too. *g*
Rachel has two gay dads on Glee as well, although we've only seen them in photos. I love that show so much. Plus, Kurt just came out to Mercedes in a really sweet, heartbreaking scene.
Sean, I was thinking of Glee when I made the comment about same sex parents.
I love Glee too, but, because I hate commercial tv, am waiting for it to come out on dvd so that I can sit and indulge. 🙂
OK, Glee sounds interesting but hasn't come over here yet….what a surprise *sarcasm sarcasm*
Orannia, to watch it online go here: http://www.yidio.com/show/glee