 by Jen Sabella |
Is the lesbian kiss TV's new way to jump the shark?As we all know, network television has been a nearly constant source of disappointment to the LGBT community over the years. When a lesbian relationship does make it to the networks, it generally is short-lived, or ends tragically. Today, columnist Page Wiser of the Chicago Sun-Times http://www.suntimes.com/entertainment/1479729,CST-FTR-Kiss17.article /" target="_blank"> pointed out that a lesbian kiss on network TV has become the “lesbian kiss of death,” marking an obvious ratings push and a possibly near demise for a series. Is she right? The column centers around Susan’s kiss with her boss on the latest Desperate Housewives episode, which StuntDouble http://www.afterellen.com/blog/stuntdouble/desperate-housewives-proves-d... /"> examined on Monday: “It started like every other organic, long-term lesbian relationship on television: with liquor and a complete misunderstanding.”
People used to use the phrase "jump the shark" to pinpoint the decline of a television show (in honor of Fonzie water-skiing over sharks on Happy Days), Wiser explains, but these days a show’s demise seems to follow a lesbian kiss: Is it the lesbian kiss of death?
I think most of us can agree that the Callie/Dr. Hahn romance was an obvious attempt to make a splash when ratings slid on Grey’s Anatomy, and really, I had stopped paying attention to the show months before they bi-sexualized Callie. If anything, the romance got me wanting to watch again, but the way Hahn was pulled out of the show made it clear that I stopped for a reason: The characters bugged me, the writing was sloppy and plotlines that used to be creative struck me as desperate. I give it a season more, two tops.
“There's a big difference when a kiss like that happens naturally, and when it comes off as a blatant ratings grab," Jon Hein, creator of jumptheshark.com, told Wiser via email. "This Desperate Housewives kiss is a blatant attempt to be 'controversial' and get people interested in the show. I think it failed, and gave new meaning to the title of the ABC program." I don’t think the lesbian kisses are to blame for a show’s end, it’s their timing. If a compelling lesbian relationship were actually established early on, or at least when a show was still popular, would it be a kiss of death? If viewers cared about the characters beforehand, if the writing was better, if the rest of the show was not completely losing ground — would it make a difference at all? Until this actually happens, it’s hard to say. Wiser lists some shows where a lesbian kiss was followed by cancellation, some up to three seasons after the kiss. I highly doubt the “jump the shark” moment comes that early, but in some cases she has a point: Misha Barton’s kiss with Olivia Wilde on The O.C.. came toward the end of the road for that show — but that may have been the whole killing off Marissa thing too. Courtney Cox’s show Dirt had a hard time getting viewers in the first place, so I don’t know if the Cox/Aniston kiss made much of a difference.
People stop watching a show when its time is up. It’s sad that some of these shows even make it long enough for a “jump the shark” moment when so many amazing shows (Veronica Mars, Arrested Development) are prematurely canceled. In most cases, it’s obvious that a lesbian kiss has been placed in a show to attract more viewers. It generally follows the sexist and homophobic notion that “two babes making out is totally hot,” while two men kissing is rarely, if ever, played up in an attempt to boost ratings. While it is nice to see two ladies together on primetime once in awhile, the motive by TV execs is sometimes insulting and shows how little the LGBT community is valued by the mainstream. Do you think the lesbian kiss has become a final attempt to boost ratings in primetime? Submitted by on March 17, 2009 - 3:00pm. |
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News, Reviews & Commentary on Lesbian and Bisexual women in Entertainment and the Media
Do the ratings go up for
Do the ratings go up for these shows? Is there asignificant movement with the neilson people when two straight characters kiss? This stuff is so played out I can't believe it even makes a difference anymore.
It's funny that two real lesbians, Portia and Ellen, didn't kiss at all during Portia's visit. Not even a peck. lol.
Shark jumps, yes.
I'm one of "those people" who stopped watching The OC after Alex left. That was a sweeps stunt, but a fairly realistic one, even if there was alcohol involved.
I'm still up in the air regarding Grey's. I have no idea what they're doing anymore, and whether it constitutes as a sweeps stunt, or a bondafide, GLAAD-infused attempt at visibility. All I know is that I want Callie to be happy. Sara Ramirez is too much of an acting genius to be given any more effed-up storylines, which has been happening for too long.
These litte scandalous kisses, on the other hand, are really pathetic. They make me laugh -- mostly because I never watched any of these shows to begin with.
Inkblots
i totally agree
i totally agree. i also stopped watching the oc after alex left, but more because of the way josh schwartz handled it than because she left. even though i knew it was a ratings stunt all along, the relationship developed naturally and realistically, only to have alex's character do a complete 180. that was the end of it for me, and the show never got much better after that, seeing as how it was cancelled only a season and a half later.
i've given up trying to understand grey's anatomy, practically every storyline they've ever done would be considered a rating stunt on any other show.
all these little one-time kisses on other shows just make me laugh, cause it's so obviously a ratings stunt, and most of the time, it totally doesn't work anyway. people jsut look up the kiss scene on youtube; they don't bother to watch the whole episode.
for some people it might
for some people it might look like the lesbian kiss is the reason for a shows cancelation. that has to do with the show's creator's tapping into that "ratings boost" out of desperation trying to get their show's ratings back up which of course it doesn't. how can one kiss between two more or less hot chicks make up for the reasons the ratings declined in the first place?
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They should know by now
They should know by now that its transparent that the audience can see through it. It's a pity when writers have to stoop so low to catch viewers attention. Please be more creative writers really ...there are more stories out there they can pursue ....
http://hurtbrok3n.blogspot.com/
I'm Glad Columnists R Seeing A Trend
www.myspace.com/lunakiss7.com
in television writing. It's no longer controversial -it's just plain boring. It's no longer "a lesbian kiss" but two womyn kissing even if one character is actually a lesbian it doesn't make it a lesbian kiss. The audience know the difference between lesbians in real life and lesbians in the imagination of television writers. I think as more out lesbians like Ellen & Wanda & Rachel M take over the television world, viewers can separate in their minds the truth versuses fiction. I think this is what's happening right now. The television medium is dying and they know it.
Just my two cents of observation.
lesbian kiss of death and ratings...
I wonder if the ratings would go up if the writers bothered to create a realistic relationship within which the kiss occurs. Having said that, if they were skilled enough to do that then their show might not be on the skids.
However, it isn't always the poor script - the acting often lacks conviction. So much so that I can feel the 'I'm-straight-really-just-so-we're-clear-about-that-and-so's-she' vibes oozing all over the lip-gloss.
Here in the UK, several of the soaps have had lesbian characters - in most cases it's the same old story - girl meets girl, girl goes gay, girl gets girl, girl goes mad/dies/leaves the show but the shows have gone on. However, in mid-1970s the series 'Within these Walls', set in a women's prison, had an episode in which two women share a prolonged kiss - it might have been the first lesbian kiss on British TV. I remember this scene for a number of reasons, not least for the fact that I suddenly had a name for the feelings I was trying to sort out, but also for the fact that the script and acting created a convincing relationship. The kiss made sense and was part of a natural progression within that relationship.
The current trend for cheap fixes using male fantasy stereotypes simply doesn't work because audiences aren't that stupid - they know a con when they see one and vote with their off-button.
I Totally Agree, Jaei ....
and you said it much better than I would've.
Peace, Joy and Love
I don't think it's always
I don't think it's always the case.
I mean, the teen show Skins has been on for a couple years. I liked it beforehand, but season 2 was a little more shaky than the first.
But then they introduced "lesbians" in Series 3, which of course was controversial.
And Naomi's episode got the highest viewership of the season.
And pretty much everybody favors Emily/Naomi much more than other couples.
But you're right. It's all about intention.
Skins is trying to portray "the lesbians" as a real relationship. Not a stunt. And so actually I think Naomi/Emily actually are saving the show =)
lame
i think it's lame how these shows try to lure in viewers with the promise of two (straight) women (who's relationship will never go anywhere) kissing. it's a big yawn.
they typically don't bother to include any LGBT characters until they're in need of ratings; maybe they do this purposefully, as a story line of last resort.
sad but true
I watched the episode, and
Okay this may be totally
Okay this may be totally unwarranted, but I never watched Dirt. And I have to say when I think about Courtney Cox and Jennifer Aniston kissing, it is WAY more interesting than that pathetic still posted above.
<sigh> If they could give us a lesbian kiss with some heat instead of the contrived, stale, uncomfortable, "so very straight actresses trying too hard" kisses, I may not care how they effect the LGBT media profile.
We can all say what we want about Ilene, but atleast she knew how to put two women together and make it believable.
Remember ER
Some truth.
I definitely think there's some truth to that article, but its importance lies in the fact that someone in the mainstream media has noticed this trend.
I don't necessarily think its about the lesbian kiss. It's about a show going down hill, looking for ratings and turning to one of the easiest stunts possible. Only, it's starting to produce more negativity, even in the mainstream.
Someone asked what would happen if a real relationship was slowly constructed. I think for this reason, Guiding Light is VERY interesting. So far the writers haven't followed any of these patterns or pandered to audiences. They are building something really realistic and respectful and it seems to be working.
Ratings for GL are up, and whilst it isn't entirely to do with Otalia, a day to day breakdown would suggest that its having a positive effect. Ironically this lesbian kiss could save a programme.
Not always true
I totally agree with Valcn, ER did a fine job with Weaver. But if you look at the meanstream programs with a "straightwomens" kiss (she suddenly turned gay, ....) it's in my opinion an attempt to get higher ratings. They think if 2 women kiss it's hot. But it would be nice if it looks a bit more realistic.