NBC edits out the gay
NBC aired the live season finale of The Sing-Off tonight. As part of the episode, they filmed each of the final three groups singing for and spending time with a representative group of a charity that group chose to support. NBC disappointed me (though I guess I shouldn't be surprised). This is the email I sent the network:
Re: The Sing-Off S3 + The Trevor Project (on season finale)
I have loved all of season three, and my husband, our 10-year-old daughter, our 9-year-old son, and I have watched together every week. We voted for our favorite group and the kids were thrilled when our collective favorite--Pentatonix--won the season. This has been a delight all around and we're thrilled to see serious music on network television and to see a cappella music recognized and celebrated. Kudos to the show, the performers, the judges, the WHOLE thing.
My only gripe all season came tonight when Pentatonix donated time and their name to support The Trevor Project. The Trevor Project is a GREAT program, and I'm thrilled that Pentatonix supported them and brought national attention to the problems of bullying and the support provided by The Trevor Project.
NBC disappointed me, however: The Trevor Project was described at least twice as "supporting youth--" with the words that follow "youth"..."who identify as GLBTQ" cut off. Shame on NBC for hiding the focus of the concerns of The Trevor Project. This was disrespectful to The Trevor Project, to Pentatonix, and to audiences such as my family. WE told our kids the entirety of what The Trevor Project stands for and how they support GLBT youth--the most at-risk for suicide youth in the nation--but many kids out there were not able to learn that The Trevor Project supports THEM or THEIR FRIENDS...because NBC decided to avoid the words "gay" and "lesbian" and, by doing so, to add to the hostile environment so many youth tragically escape by taking their own lives.
Shame on you, NBC. I'm disappointed.
I'm going to try to send money to The Trevor Project with a note saying that NBC's "creative" editing just reminded me how IMPORTANT the work they do is.
NOT COOL, NBC.
Re: The Sing-Off S3 + The Trevor Project (on season finale)
I have loved all of season three, and my husband, our 10-year-old daughter, our 9-year-old son, and I have watched together every week. We voted for our favorite group and the kids were thrilled when our collective favorite--Pentatonix--won the season. This has been a delight all around and we're thrilled to see serious music on network television and to see a cappella music recognized and celebrated. Kudos to the show, the performers, the judges, the WHOLE thing.
My only gripe all season came tonight when Pentatonix donated time and their name to support The Trevor Project. The Trevor Project is a GREAT program, and I'm thrilled that Pentatonix supported them and brought national attention to the problems of bullying and the support provided by The Trevor Project.
NBC disappointed me, however: The Trevor Project was described at least twice as "supporting youth--" with the words that follow "youth"..."who identify as GLBTQ" cut off. Shame on NBC for hiding the focus of the concerns of The Trevor Project. This was disrespectful to The Trevor Project, to Pentatonix, and to audiences such as my family. WE told our kids the entirety of what The Trevor Project stands for and how they support GLBT youth--the most at-risk for suicide youth in the nation--but many kids out there were not able to learn that The Trevor Project supports THEM or THEIR FRIENDS...because NBC decided to avoid the words "gay" and "lesbian" and, by doing so, to add to the hostile environment so many youth tragically escape by taking their own lives.
Shame on you, NBC. I'm disappointed.
I'm going to try to send money to The Trevor Project with a note saying that NBC's "creative" editing just reminded me how IMPORTANT the work they do is.
NOT COOL, NBC.