Do you think in 20 years US television will get this far?

[Elok]

In all honesty, I don't watch shows about developing relationships of any kind either, JCC. Mind you, I don't watch TV at all so I'm a bad example, but the case holds true for the US too. It's not merely homophobia from what I can tell, there are no serious shows about "relationships" on network TV at all. Desperate housewives appears to be some sort of thinly-repressed voyeur porn, and the OC looks like more of the same gorgeous twentysomething drama fluff that's been around since before 90210. There doesn't seem to be a market for serious examination of anything, at least not to me. You want that, read a book or watch a movie. TV is churned out too regularly to stay witty or cerebral for long.

[Imran Siddiqui]

there are no serious shows about "relationships" on network TV at all

Yep. So claiming the US isn't 'ready' for a serious show on homosexual relationships is silly because we've already decided we don't like those type of shows for heterosexual relationships, well at least those shows aren't geared for men . The most popular shows don't give a rats ass about that. The relationships are either taboo (workplace) or silly (like the OC)

[Q Classic]

Already has been one. It was called "Freaks and Geeks" and was canceled due to low ratings. Though I don't know if they had any gay characters on it (didn't really watch it too much).

Yes, one. He was a math teacher.

[korn469]

It's funny that you guys were making fun of Will and Grace for not being very realistic, it is a sitcom on NBC after all. That would be like making fun of friends because it isn't realistic either.

BTW speaking of freaks and geeks, to quote Ted Striker

I'd hit it

referring to the lead girl who played velma in the scooby doo movies

[Dis]

why would I want to watch a show about gay people?

leave me to my Seinfeld reruns please.

[Patroklos]

Then why are you here?

Breaking up the America bash circle jerk you all were enjoying.

There's your safety "I'm not homphobic" line. Well done.

Followed by your usual I am a hateful person, god I should go kill myself line.

So in order to be a man of any worth you have to be "badass"? There's no room for anything else, gay or straight? Wow...

Man, stupidy and undeserved hatred in the same post, on a role

But as is obviously the case, it is an example that American television does not only showcase the steriotypical foo foo fashion guru gay. Most of the heterosexuals in Real World are not drag queens either.

Now please continue upir hate mongering

[Pyrodrew]

"Realistic" dramas generally don't do as well, like "Freaks and Geeks", so I'm not surprised a "realistic" teen drama with gays isn't on this second either. TV usually has outrageous situations (like those from 24, FearFactor, CSI, Survivor, GilmoreGirls, OC, etc etc etc etc etc) and characters to attract viewers which dissolves all hope of "realism".

Having "lesbians" on the OC hardly counts, as this is probably done most for the purient tastest of the male watchers-

I highly doubt any of the OC is targeted at straight males. Straight men would only be interested in the 2 women kissing then change the channel - not worth watching 30minutes of a show for only a 3second kiss when there is pr0n or 30minutes of sports/violence on another channel. The OC seems more for female teens and female 20-somethings... and if some females happen to be gay or experimenting they surely can relate more with a gay female than a gay man.

there is no in depth discussion of homosexuality or how it feels to be gay, exploring deep relationsships, that sort of dynamic.

As mentioned by others, the average viewers/youths don't want to watch that on TV & I hardly call 1 show (Degrassi) as proof otherwise.

For "realistic" deep discussions on relationships one shouldn't look to fictional 30minute TV programs whoring themselves for ratings anyways, not anymore than than they should seek entertaining violence at a nunnery.

[DinoDoc]

Shocked no one has mentioned Buffy: The Vampire Slayer yet.

[Agathon]

The best show about gays was an American comedy called "Brothers" from the 1980s. It was hilarious for the first couple of seasons.

There were two main gay characters in it, one of whom was just a regular guy, but the other was flaming. The brothers of the regular guy were coming to terms with his homosexuality.

Best episode: the one where Donald had to walk home from the Julio Iglesias concert because he'd thrown his car keys on stage in a fit of passion.

[molly bloom]

Originally posted by St Leo


Are lipstick lesbians or butch lesbians the primary stereotype?

In real life ?

Neither.

The problem with people decrying stereotyping (not you) is that of course these stereotypes exist in real life, so having a makeover show with three flaming queens in it is hardly a great shock. Whatever next, a war film with the traditional melting pot American cast, a Western with bad ass Injuns, a t.v. movie with noble slaves, et cetera, et cetera... ?


As someone pointed out, shows that attempt to explore characters with a little more depth to them, tend to get the boot- 'Freaks and Geeks' Once and Again', 'My So-Called Life'.

It's astonishing to me that 'Six Feet Under' lasted as long as it did, with a distinctly unglamorous older woman exploring her sexuality rather late in life, a closeted gay character (Christian too), a seriously f**ked up teen sister (again not an obviously pretty girlie type) and a somewhat feckless heterosexual male lead character.

The strength of the writing and the quirkiness may have hooked viewers wanting relief from the assembly line dramas pumped out by the big companies.

[Asher]

NECRROOO!

Just thought I'd bump this because one of the actors the OP was about came out.

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20080111/adamo_comes_out_20080117/20080117/?s_name=degrassi2006

Despite playing gay teen Marco on "Degrassi," actor Adamo Ruggiero has never publicly addressed his own sexuality.

On Wednesday night, the star sat down with eTalk's Tanya Kim and discussed the parallels between his own life and his on-screen character's life for the first time.

"It was interesting, I was growing up at the exact same time as my character was growing up, and he was questioning things that I was questioning, and I was just a kid," says Ruggiero.

"It was a little overwhelming in the sense that the things I was feeling were being broadcast to the world, and in a way kind of made me revert back almost because I didn't know how to confront it myself."

Ruggiero has decided to go public with his homosexuality, and will be posing for the cover of "fab Magazine," Canada's leading guide to gay culture.

On-screen, Ruggiero's Marco Del Rossi has had a challenging time coming out to his friends and family, even announcing his lifestyle to his entire school at a public assembly.

Feeling that his character's arc is coming to an end on the series, Ruggiero thinks that this is the right time to talk about his own sexuality.

"The thing with 'Degrassi,' is it's not the role we're playing -- we've become these role models and spokespeople for these issues. And I thought, you know, I was learning and I learned, and I thought what better way to share my knowledge than right now."

Ruggiero says that the interesting thing about his own journey to self discovery is how closely his "coming-out" experiences mirrored Marco's.

"The funny thing is, every time Marco did it, I did it. Marco came out to his mom in his room on the bed, and I did the exact same thing, with my mother, in my bedroom. And Marco confronted his dad in the kitchen, and I did the same thing, with my dad in my kitchen. And I didn't even plan it that way," says Ruggiero.

"Maybe it's life imitating art, or maybe that's what 'Degrassi' intended to do. I feel like I'm living proof of what the show wanted to accomplish."

Born and raised in Mississauga, Ontario, and a first-generation Canadian, Ruggiero isn't concerned about the impact that coming out could have on his career. He hopes that others can follow his example and not be afraid to talk about gay issues.

"Degrassi: The Next Generation" is currently in its seventh season on CTV, and airs Monday nights at 7:30 p.m. ET.

[Asher]

Originally posted by Asher

I saw that episode, and I hope they do take it somewhere.

And now, 2-3 years later, I can say that they didn't take it somewhere. to DH.

[Rufus T. Firefly]

"My So Called Life" had a central character who was gay, in high school, and open about his sexuality back in the early 90s. Again, no one watched, but it was there.

[Asher]

I saw that show also. It, like Buffy, was all about 20something actors playing teens. My So Called Life was also cancelled and unsuccessful, which is kinda the point. Degrassi is Canada's most watched drama.

[-Jrabbit]

Teh necromancy!