Nerve- W/T Blurb, Donna Minkowitz strikes again

[darvangi]

I want to see that behind the scenes tell-all from Joss one day too, Len. I was thinking about that last night while reading the Watcher's Guide and wishing Joss had written a nice, long Forward to the book as well as notes throughout. I think it would be better to read his comments after the fact, though, because then we could learn about the political struggles with the network and what Joss really wanted to do with W/T.

April: I like your point about how, no matter what the specific reasoning is for their decision to censor the relationship, what the WB is doing can basically be labelled as 'homophobic.' I would like to read a specific policy statement from them on the matter and also any memos or e-mails they have sent to Joss about what rules he should follow.

Bob: I like this whole exploration that's going on here, trying to second-guess the WB about their decision and how it will affect gay youth. The fact that they have allowed same-sex kisses later at night and only between couples that weren't committed like W/T sends a message to kids that there is something dirty about intimacy in a serious gay relationship. This is a mighty twisted message to send to gay teens who have a rough enough time as it is. God bless Joss for dancing around this bull crap and sending out the best message he can.

[This message has been edited by darvangi (edited December 18, 2000).]

[wolliw]

Hey again,

Can't disagree with all the folks critical of the WB -- as I've said, I think it *is* basically the network that is constraining W/T depiction on BtVS, not the Buffy creators being homophobic.

I still believe we should be careful of slippage from assuming that a network exec is afraid of showing something because s/he thinks it will offend certain, prejudiced viewers ... to assuming that the exec holds those prejudiced views h/self. We don't know what those people think, we simply see their decisions. I'm certainly willing to call them cowardly (even if perhaps I can reluctantly see that they are being pragmatic), and definitely their decisions are because of homophobia in society. It's also entirely possible that the WB folks are themselves homophobic ... but this last isn't something that I feel I know for sure.

[Hugin]

Its really a damn shame. One of the biggest problems TV has is the perception that it's a useless morass of shallowness, materialism, low grade feed for the tasteless masses.

If I were a network exec, I'd so love ot have a show that I could point to and say "Look. Here is a show that's about more than the perkiness of the main chracter's breasts. Here's a show that's about more than product placement for Coke and Apple. Here's a show that actually affect's people's lives, that changes attitudes, that moves our society fractionally forward. And it's all because we make sure the two girls don't kiss. That's the key, right there.....er, wait..."

And Spring, the thought of you as Beavis, or Butthead frightens me so much. Actually, OT-ly this reminds me, are there any Daria fans, or more importantly, Jane fans? Love her.

-len

[This message has been edited by Hugin (edited December 18, 2000).]

[wolliw]

Hi len,

Just chiming in to agree with you on the point about the impact of television shows. I recall Lucy Lawless, of Xena, saying something to the effect that her show, for all the interest -- scholarly and otherwise --- it generates, is fundamentally a way to sell "laundry detergent". So, yeah, OK, so is BtVS. But ... but ... it's more than that, dammit! If only those network execs. could just understand a little more that they have the power to have tremendous positive -- or negative -- impact on people's lives by what they put on air, and not simply think of advertising dollars and the bottom line ...

[BBOvenGuy]

Alas, we live in an era where TV and movie executives are more likely to have an MBA than a Fine Arts degree, and where Marketing surveys and focus groups are king. The business is so cutthroat and the turnover rate is so high that everyone is afraid to make a mistake. It takes a very brave person to push for a vision that has anything too controversial in it.

And Darin, I think you're right - what's "dangerous" about Willow and Tara is their seriousness and commitment. Two girls smooching isn't dangerous (I suspect some of the network Execs might actually want to see that... ). Two girls living together just like any other couple is. The "danger" that the WB fears is not the act itself, but rather the implication that the act is acceptable in society.

[This message has been edited by BBOvenGuy (edited December 18, 2000).]