Wait, Spike's what in the whatment? (btvs 7:3)

[cordelianne]

OMG I just discovered that CTV (a MAJOR Canadian TV network) aired the WRONG Grey's Anatomy episode!!!!!! It turns out that they aired the SECOND episode of the new season instead of the season premiere

Comments

[crossoverman]

The season premiere of The Office was pure gold! And not just because it was hilarious in parts but also because it tackled a serious subject, handled it well - and it made fun of homophobes rather than homosexuals.

[cordelianne]

and it made fun of homophobes rather than homosexuals.
I definitely agree!!! It made me love the show more because of how skillfully they dealt with the issue. The whole buying of gaydar was so hysterical! And they did such a good job of showing why Oscar would *not* want to be outed in that environment; it was just neat to see that explored on a TV. And that moment at the end with Michael musing about Oscar's "roommate" was so poignant and suggested so much about people's obliviousness to queerness even if they know someone's gay.

[crossoverman]

The roommate thing ties into last season when Dwight went to Oscar's house to bust him for having a sick day when he wasn't sick - and being completely oblivious to the signs that Oscar was gay and that his roommate was his lover.

While watching Season Two, I was discussing the number of gay people on TV - having lost quite a few to cancelled shows in the last few years. And I think on network TV in the U.S. there were two: Andrew on "Desperate Housewives" and Oscar on "The Office". And I said it was a pity the two gay men on TV in America were - in Andrew's case, evil; and in Oscar's case, in the closet.

Now that Oscar is out - and just as normal and "boring" as the rest of the cast of characters - at least there's one gay man to be proud of on television.

One.

[cordelianne]

The roommate thing ties into last season when Dwight went to Oscar's house to bust him for having a sick day when he wasn't sick -
Oh yes, I do recall that and enjoyed that continuity! I do think it's especially poignant because even after Michael knows that Oscar's gay, it still doesn't occur to him that Oscar's "roommate" could be his partner.

at least there's one gay man to be proud of on television.
One.
It's very sad, isn't it? After wracking my brain for other queers on TV, I recalled that Grey's Anatomy has a recurring gay character (in a minor role as the bartender - but a positive portrayal). And other than the L Word, I can't think of any queer women on TV (although there are Ellen and Rosie O'Donnell on daytime TV). I'd love for there to be a major queer character on Veronica Mars or Battlestar Galactica (although I think I read somewhere that it was unlikely on BSG).

[crossoverman]

I believe there is a lesbian character on "The Wire" and I assume Kerry Weaver is on ER somewhere. Still, it's hard to find these things...

As for BSG, I think Ron Moore has said he doesn't want to make a big deal out of it - which is fine, but how hard is it? Seriously? Have Gaeta wake up next to a male pilot. Ta-da!

[cordelianne]

Oh! The Wire - I'd forgotten about that. From what I've heard it's an excellent portrayal too. That's a show I've always meant to watch, and just have never gotten around to it. I really should because I constantly hear how it's one of the best shows on TV. And you're right about the character on ER too. I get bad and forget if it's a show I don't watch. *g* But you're right, it's not easy to find. Oh! I did remember that this season's Amazing Race has a team of two gay men (boyfriends) and a lesbian daughter with her father who's still coming to terms with her coming out. The Amazing Race consistently has queer contestants.

which is fine, but how hard is it? Seriously? Have Gaeta wake up next to a male pilot. Ta-da!
Yes! That would be awesome! Especially because Gaeta needs to get over his fixation with Gaius.
*sighs* I'd heard Ron Moore's comment and think it's possible not to make a big deal out of it by not making it a big deal on the show. I think that how Joss dealt with Willow & Tara's relationship is a good example,

[crossoverman]

By the time I get around to watching "The Wire" I think it will be over :-) But, yeah, I keep hearing it's the greatest thing ever - and I did sample it early in its first year. It's about time I tried again. From the beginning

[cordelianne]

Oh! Now that you mention it, I recall a friend telling me about the lesbian relationship on Babylon 5 and how well done it was.
Now looking at it, it seems obvious the relationship is happening for a while - and I wonder how we missed it!
heee! That is the disadvantage of being really subtle (of course I'm sure it helps it get by network execs).

I agree that so subtle it's basically subtext is less what I'd like to see than an actual queer character on something like BSG.
It's not like I'm asking for Apollo to jump into bed with Helo.
I'm sure there's lots of fans who'd love to see that! ;) (Well, slash fans anyway!)

[crossoverman]

I just hope "getting past the network execs" isn't too big of a problem anymore. I mean, obviously it *is* in some regard - but at least a show like The Office can do an episode like "Gay Witch Hunt" at all.

Oh, the thought of Apollo/Helo is, um, yeah, wow, but as much as slash feeds an urge, it's not the same as an ongoing queer relationship on television. And for some reason it seems a huge sticking point on Science Fiction TV.