TV's New Gay Cliches

[operalover21]

A fantastic column in the October 12 issue of Entertainment Weekly by their openly gay columnist Mark Harris. Says it far better than I could. Check it out. Here's a few tidbits:

 

"Andrew Rannells character is what a doll invented by Bravo would be like."

"As if to underscore his cartoonishness, Andrew Rannells has even been styled to look like an early-Pixar rendering of a person."

"He is, however, not a sociopath, unlike the self-absorbed preener Michael Urie plays on Partners."

"Who'd want to waste time on a man-baby who requires two infinitely patient minders, a gay one at home and a straight one at work."

"Both actors deserve something better than material that isn't new and isn't normal."

"The idea that in gay relationships one guy is the superego and one the impulsive id is retro and creepy ..."

"If the New Normal and Partners fail, it won't be because people aren't ready for real gay characters, but because they are."

"Comedies that give gay men the spotlight only to turn them into shrieking caricatures are not, it turns out, 'adorbs.'"

 

AMEN!

[+ g56whiz]

I'm addicted to the 1 Girl 5 Guys reality series on MTV/Logo (No I don't want to defend my taste on this!). The extent to which Rannells is channeling Jonathan on that program is creepy.

 

(Oh Damn Now I've admitted to watching both. Have I no shame?)

[jjkrkwood]

A fantastic column in the October 12 issue of Entertainment Weekly by their openly gay columnist Mark Harris. Says it far better than I could. Check it out. Here's a few tidbits:

 

"Andrew Rannells character is what a doll invented by Bravo would be like."

"As if to underscore his cartoonishness, Andrew Rannells has even been styled to look like an early-Pixar rendering of a person."

"He is, however, not a sociopath, unlike the self-absorbed preener Michael Urie plays on Partners."

"Who'd want to waste time on a man-baby who requires two infinitely patient minders, a gay one at home and a straight one at work."

"Both actors deserve something better than material that isn't new and isn't normal."

"The idea that in gay relationships one guy is the superego and one the impulsive id is retro and creepy ..."

"If the New Normal and Partners fail, it won't be because people aren't ready for real gay characters, but because they are."

"Comedies that give gay men the spotlight only to turn them into shrieking caricatures are not, it turns out, 'adorbs.'"

 

AMEN!

 

I Whole-heartedly agree. BOTH shows turn me off, and are an embarassment, but I feel its because "honchos" feel Gay on TV will be more "acceptable" to mainstream if they are made cartoonish and presented as a spoof more than REAL people ?

[operalover21]

I Whole-heartedly agree. BOTH shows turn me off, and are an embarassment, but I feel its because "honchos" feel Gay on TV will be more "acceptable" to mainstream if they are made cartoonish and presented as a spoof more than REAL people ?

 

EXCEPT that you can't blame this on the "honchos" because BOTH shows were created by, written by, and directed OPENLY GAY MEN. And Ryan Murphy should be ashamed of himself.

I actually find NEW NORMAL to be incredibly offensive.

[jjkrkwood]

EXCEPT that you can't blame this on the "honchos" because BOTH shows were created by, written by, and directed OPENLY GAY MEN. And Ryan Murphy should be ashamed of himself.

I actually find NEW NORMAL to be incredibly offensive.

 

From the beginning I stated that TNN will do more HARM to the Gay cause than good, which was Ryans intention for the show: to increase tolerance and acceptance of Gays inthe light of mainstream morality. Well Ryan, YOU FAILED, as even I, a 1000% openly gay man am Repulsed by the characterizations of gay men portrayed on the show. Pull the Plug NOW !

[operalover21]

From the beginning I stated that TNN will do more HARM to the Gay cause than good, which was Ryans intention for the show: to increase tolerance and acceptance of Gays inthe light of mainstream morality. Well Ryan, YOU FAILED, as even I, a 1000% openly gay man am Repulsed by the characterizations of gay men portrayed on the show. Pull the Plug NOW !

 

I've watched 4 episodes and I agree with you. WE need to be persuading those who don't agree with us .... this show attacks them and makes fun of them. Murphy claimed the show "wouldn't be political." Was he joking?

 

That fake wedding for 7 year olds last week was the most ridiculous thing I've ever seen. The points he's trying to make are being lost because it's not funny and it's just stupid.

[rvwnsd]

Based on the feedback presented in the replies to the OP, one could argue gay men on TV now have parity with straight men, large-busted women, blacks, the elderly, and all other groups that have been portrayed as caricatures and stereotypes for years. There are many reasons I don't watch very much television. This is one of them.

[operalover21]

Based on the feedback presented in the replies to the OP, one could argue gay men on TV now have parity with straight men, large-busted women, blacks, the elderly, and all other groups that have been portrayed as caricatures and stereotypes for years. There are many reasons I don't watch very much television. This is one of them.

 

I finally saw clips of HONEY BOO BOO the other night for the first time (I had NO idea what it was). Oh. My. God. Now, I realize civilization is gone competely to hell. But, I have to admit, it was much funnier than NEW NORMAL or PARTNERS. Of course, for all the wrong reasons.

[adriano46]

I finally saw clips of HONEY BOO BOO the other night for the first time (I had NO idea what it was). Oh. My. God. Now, I realize civilization is gone competely to hell. But, I have to admit, it was much funnier than NEW NORMAL or PARTNERS. Of course, for all the wrong reasons.

 

Totally agree Operalover. I watched Honey Boo Boo twice -- the second time to make sure it was what I saw the first time!!! Boy some psychotherapist and psychologist (as well as anthropologist, socialogist, social scientist...) will make a fortune off this cast and on studies of the cast, and those who watch it.

[operalover21]

Totally agree Operalover. I watched Honey Boo Boo twice -- the second time to make sure it was what I saw the first time!!! Boy some psychotherapist and psychologist (as well as anthropologist, socialogist, social scientist...) will make a fortune off this cast and on studies of the cast, and those who watch it.

 

I was hoping "they" were in on the joke but I don't think they realize they're totally being made fun of. Really sad.

[adriano46]

I was hoping "they" were in on the joke but I don't think they realize they're totally being made fun of. Really sad.

 

That is what bothered me the most -- it is a (damning IMHO) statement of our 21st century mentality/humanity that we tak voyeuristic pleasure watching such a family. But then again, most "reality" TV offers variations on the same theme, where we sit back and watch individuals lose their dignity, with little care for what will happen to them down the line.