Flashback: In 1989, on ABC's thirtysomething, the hint of intimacy within a relationship between recurring gay characters Russell (David Marshall Grant) and Peter (Peter Frechette) was enough to trigger an advertiser boycott, led by the anti-gay American Family Association, which in turn led ABC to pull the episode from its re-run schedule. Russell and Peter, although once shown lying in bed together, were not allowed to share a romantic kiss (a later episode did feature a quick peck on the cheek at a holiday party).
Flash forward: This week, on ABC's Brothers and Sisters, Kevin (Matthew Rhys) was allowed a full mouth-on-mouth kiss with his boyfriend. That this kiss seemed entirely unexceptional (there have been other prime-time same-sex smooches over the years) brings home just how far things have progressed on TV and in American culture generally.
Also a plus for Brothers and Sisters: Kitty (Calista Flockhart) is a pro-free-market pundit constantly at odds with her liberal, anti-business mom, Nora (Sally Field), and it's liberal Nora who intolerantly can't abide the thought that anyone in her family might have a right to disagree with her leftwing politics.
Still another sign of the times: T.R. Knight, who plays George on ABC's Grey's Anatomy, has become the first actor to publicly come out while appearing on a top-rated television show.
Udate: Some background comes to light:
In a statement of apology jointly issued to Entertainment Tonight and People Magazine, Grey's Anatomy star Isaiah Washington is clearing his conscience after an on screen fight with co-star Patrick Dempsey in which he allegedly referred to co-star T.R. Knight as a faggot.
He issued his apology to People and ET! Got to love Hollywood.
6 Comments for “How Things Have Changed.”
posted by Carl on
The guy who wrote this episode is David Marshall Grant. Strange.
The kiss was brief and somewhat chaste. While it’s progress, I guess, given how anti-gay ABC is, I can’t be too optimistic.
posted by John Herr on
I’m guessing the religious right was so shocked, they haven’t formulated a statement yet. I’m sure ones coming, and it isn’t going to be pretty. Let’s see, what will it be? Boycott the show? Demanding ABC take it off the air? They won with that other show, Book of Daniel, maybe they’ll try this one too. I hope I’m wrong…
posted by Bill from FL on
Remember when “Serving in Silence” aired and the flap over the 2 women kissing? My how things changed! WE NEED to start tuning in what the AFA and Morality in Media say and do and immediately do the opposite! I’m off to the ABC website.
posted by ETJB on
Yes, American popular culture has indeed changed. TV, Hollywood and video games have a long history of being rather anti-gay, to say the least.
I think now we are starting to see LGBT characters on network and cable tv who are actually been given fully developed plots and storylines instead of the ‘gay episode’ or the ‘very special episode.’
I am not sure why having a free market conservative on tv is something to be too excited about.
posted by Bobby on
I don’t see video games as anti-gay. For the most part they ignore gays. The New Grand Theft Auto-Vice City Stories does have an effeminate gay stereotypical character. I guess that’s progress for video games.
However, cartoons on Comedy Central have a lot of gay action, gay sex, gay kisses, etc. I don’t know the name of the weekly show, but it’s a reality show with cartoon characters. One is gay, the other seems to be bi, Woldorf is plain weird, and the princess is a rightwing politically incorrect republican.
There’s a lot of freedom in cable. With Atlantic Broadband, you can even get gay porn (pay per view).
posted by ETJB on
Bobby
I have done research on the history of video games and sexual orientation. It is more complicated then you care to entertain. Although it has seen a trickle of change.
Dude, I really do not need to know about your porn habits.