You may have noticed a recent influx of gay and lesbian themed shows on the major networks lately. That's because gay and lesbian shows are attracting viewers and scoring big ratings. Gay TV has gone primetime in a big way from "Will & Grace" to Ellen's talk show to the queen of reality shows, "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy." Will & Grace" had huge ratings. But even in its sixth season, the lead gay character, Will, has yet to have one meaningful relationship while his straight female counterpart, Grace, has had several and even got married. My question is, are these shows helping society understand and accept homosexuality or are they merely perpetuating negative stereotypes.
2007-02-23 10:11:56 · 13 answers · asked by fara 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Cultures & Groups ➔ Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender
If TV were REAL reality, no one would watch any of it. Nothing is believeable on TV. Reality shows are staged, stupid, and back loaded for results. Sit coms are just that...sit coms...no hidden messages, no agenda except to get higher ratings for higher revenues for ads...nothing more, nothing less. AND, why do you assume that if one is single, he is not happy???? Time has shown that we no longer HAVE to have a mate to prove our worth. Some of the happiest people I know are single and intend to stay that way. Good luck
2007-02-23 10:19:03 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
"Recent"? "Lately"? Where have you been?
"Will & Grace" was over a while ago, and "Queer Eye" has about run its course.
My favorite "gay" show was "Queer as Folk." Stereotypical? Sure, there was a lot of partying and one-night stands, but there was also a lot of growth and character development as the show went on. It also showed gay people having meaningful relationships in a way that didn't sanitize the subject matter for the comfort of the audience. Revolutionary stuff. But it too has been off the air for some time.
"Six Feet Under" did remarkably well at depicting a mature, long-term, multiracial, gay relationship between the characters of David and Keith. Sure, they had their rough patches - who doesn't - but by the end of the show's run they had adopted *two* children and had started their own family. Very nicely done, HBO!
With regard to shows that are still on, I hear "Ugly Betty" has done well at portraying gay people positively, and has a big gay following as a partial result of that. I haven't seen much of it.
"The Sarah Silverman Program" is not only brutally hilarious, but it shows two gay guys in a relationship who very much defy stereotypes.
2007-02-23 10:35:29 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
The shows are funny at times, but I must say that Will & Grace could have toned down the stereotypes - a lot.
That Queer Eye show is a joke. Probably the worst of it's genre on tv.
I wonder, however, if the straight population could handle seeing a serious relationship between gays. Many can't in real life.
2007-02-23 10:17:48 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
I have to admit that at first I was really hesitant about the show. I was afraid that with it being a comedy, and having such stereotypical characters, that it would be a slap in the face for the gay community. But after watching a few episodes I thought it wasn't that bad. And it was getting it out in the open so to speak.
Someone above me said it was just fiction, and I agree with this, but a lot of people have a hard time separating what they see on TV as fiction, and what really happens.
I would be happy to see more mainstream shows that weren't comedies, and weren't shoving stereotypes in every ones faces. But I have patience. :-)
Good question!
2007-02-23 10:21:31 · answer #4 · answered by AB 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It's my opinion that they are perpetuating negative stereotypes because every gay person doesn't carry themselves in the way that media portrays gays. Though I can appreciate SOME of the shows that I can relate to, being a gay male myself, we are extremely multi-faceted individuals who are capable of great things and not just the individual who scheming and sleeping around and with everyone's man. These shows are doing more harm, IMO, than helping. Simply becauase we are only portrayed in one way and it leaves individuals to believe that that's the way we TRULY carry ourselves. For once I would like to see a gay male protrayed as a strong, positive role model that I can say I'm proud of.
2007-02-23 10:21:26 · answer #5 · answered by Al G 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Not at all. The characters are just caricatures, played for laughs, or stereotypes. "Kenny" on "The War at Home" being thrown out by his dad and taken in by neighbors or "Jack" on "Dawson's Creek" being banned from coaching soccer are more accurate portrayals. Gay for gay's sake is just entertainment and only one-dimensional and makes it hard for people to see gays as real people with everyday lives (and loves).
2007-02-23 10:21:48 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have never seen any of those shows. How do their ratings actually stand up to comprable shows? I'm just wondering because I've honestly never watched any of them, and some of them I've never even heard of, like "Queer Eye for the Straigh Guy"
2007-02-23 10:17:00 · answer #7 · answered by AirborneSaint 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
First off, EVERYONE has to realize that TELEVISION is ALL STAGED.
"WIll & Grace" was FICTION.
"Queer Eye for the Straight Guy" is staged!!! I'll bet you didn't even know that "Jai" isn't a designer at all!! He's an ACTOR!!!
2007-02-23 10:16:01 · answer #8 · answered by DEATH 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Well, kudos to that wonderfully thoughtful first answer. My personal stance on the issue is that these shows only serve to confuse young gay people even more than they already are. I wish people would just realize that gay people are people, nothing more, nothing less.
2007-02-23 10:16:13 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 2⤋
Watch the "L" word.
I'm a hetero. female I never miss the show....even though it's "television"....I've learned a few things about the community.
2007-02-23 10:16:53 · answer #10 · answered by daljack -a girl 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋