Will and Grace was an interesting show to mention. It and some other shows with non-hetero leads got praised for the positive portrayal of the characters but also got a lot of criticism from the members of the same groups because the secondary characters were often ridiculous stereotypes. Will was often jeered as the token “acceptable gay man” while the flamboyant best friend was the homosexual equivalent of Steppin Fetchit.
The Dukes of Hazard will, I think, not really suffer in the long run because of the Confederate flag because(and maybe I’m just cynical) as time goes on, people’s memory fades and history is often the first to go. I once heard a man in his twenties ask his friend “who was Pearl Harbor?”
I think Will and Grace was a stepping stone – no idea is accepted right out, it’s always a slow turn through the gradient of possibilities. One day there’ll be a sitcom that won’t even require the fact that one of its main characters is gay to act as comedic fodder. (Har.)
Maybe I’m wrong about the confederate flag, but it does seem to be a building cause.
You may be right about the flag. I’m sure it is a bigger issue down South than in NYC. Or maybe I’m just not as aware of it.
As a child, we took a trip to West Virginia and I found some really cool (at the time) Dukes of Hazard trading cards. I never saw them up here though I’m sure they must have been distributed up North too.
Well done, Skinner! Thoughtful and reasonable!
(“Oh, hai Neighbour Doggy”!”)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNv-tH0Vmik
Many thanks! I really need to force the ladies to sit down and watch The Room with me.
Will and Grace was an interesting show to mention. It and some other shows with non-hetero leads got praised for the positive portrayal of the characters but also got a lot of criticism from the members of the same groups because the secondary characters were often ridiculous stereotypes. Will was often jeered as the token “acceptable gay man” while the flamboyant best friend was the homosexual equivalent of Steppin Fetchit.
The Dukes of Hazard will, I think, not really suffer in the long run because of the Confederate flag because(and maybe I’m just cynical) as time goes on, people’s memory fades and history is often the first to go. I once heard a man in his twenties ask his friend “who was Pearl Harbor?”
I think Will and Grace was a stepping stone – no idea is accepted right out, it’s always a slow turn through the gradient of possibilities. One day there’ll be a sitcom that won’t even require the fact that one of its main characters is gay to act as comedic fodder. (Har.)
Maybe I’m wrong about the confederate flag, but it does seem to be a building cause.
You may be right about the flag. I’m sure it is a bigger issue down South than in NYC. Or maybe I’m just not as aware of it.
As a child, we took a trip to West Virginia and I found some really cool (at the time) Dukes of Hazard trading cards. I never saw them up here though I’m sure they must have been distributed up North too.