Wait, I thought lesbians WERE people

earshot Sat, May 24, 2008 at 03:55 PM EST

earshot

harry Fri, Jun 8, 2007 at 01:16 PM EST

Ha Ha Good one Ep Sato!

FLGrl Fri, Jun 8, 2007 at 12:35 PM EST

It's an L.

brandonk Fri, Jun 8, 2007 at 12:24 PM EST

Looks like there's plenty of room on that sheet for a few more words to clarify what the critic was talking about.

Jenny Fri, Jun 8, 2007 at 12:15 PM EST

I don't see what the big deal is. All the quote is saying is that main draw of this show is not to "watch the lesbians," but about human relationships. I don't even watch the show and that's my first impression.

Ep Sato Fri, Jun 8, 2007 at 12:07 PM EST

I think Meier makes a solid point. Showtime and Skinemax were the soft core porn channels for years (Meier, you forgot the David Duchovny hosted "Red Shoe Diaries"), and has only recently started with quality shows.

I loved Brotherhood, dig on Weed(s), and would be more into the L word if not for the marital indiscretion by the straight girl in season 1. Not sure why, but shows where people cheat on their significant others just turn me off. That said, Ossie Davis was in season 1 and I'd watch anything with him in it.

Regarding the "Phallus", it's actually an L that just happens to be shaped like a phallus. With a woman sitting on top of its peak. And another woman rubbing against it. And another woman on the ground looking like she's worshipping it...um,maybe it's more phallic than originally thought...

Andie Fri, Jun 8, 2007 at 11:58 AM EST

I agree with ceej, the latter part of the quote is better, however, the ad is probably aimed at those who, sadly, need to be reminded of the fact that lesbians are in fact people.

Dee Fri, Jun 8, 2007 at 11:52 AM EST

I second that, Scott! I sometimes wish I were one...Anyway, I love this show, even though it's gone downhill...My theory is, this ad was created to target a different audience; an audience comprised of uptight conservatives who don't want to know anything about lesbians, much less watch a whole show about them. Just a thought.

Meier Fri, Jun 8, 2007 at 11:45 AM EST

I think what the Chicago Tribune was going for is that this is no longer one of those "lesbians doing it" Showtime series - that the acting, storylines, production value, etc. have upstaged the shock value of the nudity and sex (or at least maybe figured out how to juggle both at the same time).

Showtime used to be a channel with its fair share of softcore pornography disguised as legitimate television (Sherman Oaks, anyone? How about Bedtime?). I still have never watched an episode of The L Word, but when it debuted, it looked to me like A: a "jump-the-shark" show of Queer as Folk, and B: yet another way for Showtime to show more boobies. I didn't give the show a chance at first for fear of that second insensitive reason. I'm glad The L Word has turned out to be a much better show than it could have been, and I think the Tribune is too... in a thoughtless grammar sort of way.

Devin Fri, Jun 8, 2007 at 11:43 AM EST

Popwatch always comes across as if it's trying too hard when it tries to deal with an "issue" or, in this case a "non-issue." The point the ad is trying to make is that lesbians are people too, not just lesbians. Granted, I think the wording is maybe a little sketchy (however, that can't be changed since it is a quote), but honestly if it hadn't been brought up here, I wouldn't have thought anything of it.

ceej Fri, Jun 8, 2007 at 11:13 AM EST

I think the better choice would have been the latter part of the quote: "a show about people, many of whom happen to be lesbians, which is as it should be."

Leigh Fri, Jun 8, 2007 at 11:12 AM EST

I thought I was the only one who got p*ssed when I read that ad in Variety/Hollywood Reporter. Absolutely awful. Lesbians? Hey, they're *almost* like real people (but not, which is why they can't marry).

Scott P Fri, Jun 8, 2007 at 10:26 AM EST

Lesbians are awesome.

paige Fri, Jun 8, 2007 at 09:54 AM EST

also! this show isnt about people! its about caricatures!

paige Fri, Jun 8, 2007 at 09:53 AM EST

this only thing showtime should be considering is how much longer this show is gonna go on. this show is getting worse and worse as the series goes on. please start thinking about the future of this show and just put it (and me) out of its misery.

Lola Fri, Jun 8, 2007 at 09:44 AM EST

Get over it.

jeff Fri, Jun 8, 2007 at 09:10 AM EST

Look at me! I can be offended about anything!

Annie, if you could take off your outrage glasses for a second, you'd realize that anyone reading the quote without looking for a hidden agenda would interpret it in exactly the way the expanded quote indicated -- i.e., not that lesbians aren't people, but that it's a show about people first and foremost, who happen to be lesbians.

Sheesh.

Ed Fri, Jun 8, 2007 at 09:04 AM EST

It's about time The L Word got some recognition for it's actors. The show is no longer about lesbians, it is about women who are struggling with life like the rest of us. Except for the fact that they all look hot doing it.

sananto Fri, Jun 8, 2007 at 08:59 AM EST

haha that ad is SOOOO funny :)

Neffs Fri, Jun 8, 2007 at 08:49 AM EST

I'm surprised they didn't put Daniela Sea in a dress.

C Fri, Jun 8, 2007 at 06:32 AM EST

Thanks for bringing this up; I agree with you... they should have found a better quote! The "phallic symbol" confused me too, until I realized it was the left part of a giant 'L' that all the women on the right side of the photo are sitting on as well. /Slightly/ less odd, I guess. :)