02
2012Now That’s Funny
America is a funny place.
The Playboy Club – a sumptuously shot, multi-layered program lasted barely 2 episodes before it was pulled, due in no small part to complaints from the religious right.
The Parents Television Council said: “Bringing The Playboy Club to broadcast television was a poor programming decision from the start. We’re pleased that NBC will no longer be airing a program so inherently linked to a pornographic brand that denigrates and sexualizes women … we hope other broadcasters heed the important lessons of this programming debacle.”
Now, along comes ABC with “Work It,” an idiotic “comedy” (premiering tomorrow) which needs no explanation beyond the poster at right. Yes, yes, women have it so much easier in the workplace than men, so of course it would be necessary to pretend to be one to secure a job.
But you know who has it easiest? Transgender women. Oh yes. Especially non-passable ones. Jobs practically fall into their laps, and co-workers enthusiastically welcome them.
I have generally taken a positive view of being part of television shows, even when we are not shown in the most positive light (see Two and a Half Men (and a Tranny or Two)). I figure we are becoming part of the fabric of society and will eventually become more understood and accepted. Additionally, humor is a great vehicle to educate and inform people about difficult subjects without turning them off.
But this resurrection of Bosom Buddies looks so stupid and ridiculous that it offends even me.
In some sense, I think it is because we are not in the 80s any more; we have already moved past the sensibility that accepted Bosom Buddies. In another sense, it may just be because I think it is really bad – as in not funny.
BTW where is the Parents Television Council now? Or do they only object to programming that denigrates genetic women? Funny that.
Much has been made on other blogs and t-sites of the offensiveness of this show; my take on the trailer is that its biggest offence may be that it is just bad tv. But, I, for one, have yet to see a whole show.
If it is as bad as it looks, well, one presumes it’ll be gone before we have too much time to complain. If it is (much) better, maybe we can find a silver lining.
Stay tuned.
Linda Marie Daniels
Janie, I agree that Work It looks totally stupid. I give it 2 episodes, tops.
As far as The Playboy Club, although many right wing groups opposed the show, NBC pulled the show because it was a very expensive show that did poorly in an important time slot. If the ratings were higher, the show would still be on the air.
The Playboy Club was a good looking, dumb show. I’m slightly sorry that it’s gone because production was in Chicago and provided some good jobs to both the acting and tech communities here but it just wasn’t a very good program.
I don’t understand how Work It made it on ABC’s schedule. It looks just awful.
cdjanie
Well, I really enjoyed the Playboy Club and thought it was going to build to a series of complex plotlines. Best of all, the fashions and decor were MadMen cool.
trish1700
To be blunt, some of us just don’t get it. I have been bitching about this topic for years! “Work It” is just the type of show that has been successful in mass media for years. Showing men who dress as women as stupid, funny looking clowns makes people laugh. They are always comedies. Just like “Work It”, even popular main stream cartoons such as The Flintstones, The Jetsons and Loony Tunes made fun of men dressing as women. And they ALL have the same theme, the guys are all forced to dress as women, not because they want to. Dustin Hoffman in Tootsie-he did it to get work. I am sure the PTC will give any show the green light that denigrates men wearing women’s clothing.
cdjanie
Youre right, of course. But comedy is still a vehicle to educate people, to allow people to become accustomed to things that would offend them if presented seriously. That’s why minorities like African Americans, Latinos, gays, lesbians… were all presented as unrealistic comedic characters for years before gaining acceptance. So will we. There is still a line, but most of the comedy I have seen doesn’t concern me – and I actually think it serves us well.
trish1700
What I am waiting for. How about a serious show or movie, say about a law firm, with one of the partners being our own Janie Black. A Princeton graduate who is a top notch real estate lawyer, who just happens to be a man who prefers to dress as a woman. Just like any female character she is dressed and madeup up to look her best. Does not have to pretend to be a woman.. Can use her normal male voice, no lisping. Is not screaming gay. etc., etc., etc..
Leann
Trish,
I agree that would be great. Also, a show where a main character just happens to a Crossdresser who goes about his/her normal life but happens to enjoy wearing the clothes of the opposite gender some of the time. In other words, present it as a normal, non-destructive thing that some people do just like going to the movies or watching stock car races.
cdjanie
Leann, your idea would be great, esepcially if it could avoid the workplace issues I have raised in my response to Trish.
cdjanie
Trish, I liked your idea for a show up until the “does not have to pretend to be a woman… can use her normal male voice…” part. A trans person who seeks to be accepted in the workforce is not the same as a person who just likes to crossdress. Businesses quite rightly have expectations in terms of presentable dress guidelines for their employees, and in this sense, a man who just happens to like wearing women’s clothes is no different from one who happens to like wearing leather chaps. Those of us who feel that our womanhood is more than skin deep would love to see a positive role model on tv, but she would not only dress well but use a female voice, and female mannerisms as best she could; she would be as completely female as her biology permits. I am sure that transsexuals would go further and insist that only a TS should be accommodated in the workplace. Whatever your viewpoint, I think that we have to be a bit less egocentric about what we expect of people. If we are going to expect acceptance out there in the world, the least we can do, in my opinion, is make an effort to effect a coherent gender image, if only to make others more comfortable. I believe that having a tv show featuring a man prettily dressed, tramping around a law office and speaking in booming baritone would not serve us any better than the characters in Work It. Might be funnier though.