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Ilene Rants a Little...
May 11, 2008 - 1:01pm — ilene
Fresh off the red carpet at the LA GLAAD Media Awards, Ilene Chaiken and Jennifer Beals turned out last night for the San Francisco Media Awards. It was a special occasion as Jennifer presented Ilene with the Davidson/Valentini Award, GLAAD's annual tribute to an openly LGBT individual who has made a significant difference in promoting equal rights for the LGBT community. For all of us who couldn't be at the ceremony, we've posted the text of Ilene's speech (what she likes to call her "rant") below. And stay tuned for exclusive video from the evening!
Before I begin ranting – because that’s what I’m going to do tonight; I’m going to rant a little – let me just take a moment to catch my breath. Jennifer Beals is breathtaking, right? But not just for the obvious reasons. Rather, for the reason that her talent and her intelligence and her convictions all at once run so deep; and I feel so blessed to have had the privilege of working closely with her these last six years, of calling her my friend, and of having been represented by her – not as the writer and producer of The L Word, but as a gay woman who never before saw herself, or anyone very like herself, portrayed in such a complex, powerful, uplifting, intriguing, ongoing way in the popular media.
Now for the rant…
I had imagined that when we announced that The L Word was coming to an end there would be another show – or maybe another two or three shows – poised to take up where we’re leaving off. I thought maybe we would have our lesbian cop show on CBS. You know, a latter day Cagney & Lacey in which the prettier cop is a svelte, stylish lezzie and her ostensibly straight partner is one of those big-boned, handsome, vaguely homophobic gals…? Or, I don’t know, where’s our doctor show in which Patrick Dempsey stars – stars being the operative concept – as the egotistical head of surgery with a slew of boyfriend problems but no issues about being comfortably and demonstratively out of the closet? And while we’re at it, give me a comic book superhero movie in which the pithy one-liners and snarky asides are believably uttered by a homosexual billionaire industrialist who likes to fight evil while showing off his exquisite muscles in a tight-fitting costume. As an aside, I’m willing to bet you that if that movie were to be made with the same skill and resources and budget of, say, Ironman, it would be no less successful at the box office. I know… far-flung. We’re not there yet. But we need to get there. Because the same old stories are getting old and tired, and we’ve got a lot of great, moving, entertaining, powerful stories to tell that haven’t yet been told.
So it’s not okay that when The L Word goes off the air sometime in 2009, we stand to be cast back into the desert in terms of primary representation of our lives and our stories in mainstream popular media. We’re hardly better represented right now than we were ten, even twenty years ago, and, bizarrely and inexplicably, less well represented than we were just a few years back when at least we had Will & Grace and Queer Eye and Queer As Folk. We’re relegated, once again, to minor roles as recurring secondary characters, or cute but oddly asexual best friends, and sometimes on procedurals we get to be murder victims. And it’s not enough.
It’s not enough when GLAAD – and don’t get me wrong; I’m a devotee of GLAAD; without GLAAD there would be no accountability and no presence and no mindful, vigilant advocacy on behalf of LGBT visibility and fair and accurate representation – but it’s not enough when GLAAD has to honor programs among the media awards nominees that don’t even feature any LGBT characters as series regulars.
It’s not enough that on broadcast television, we still have to wait until the third year of some popular ensemble drama for the introduction of a gay or lesbian storyline that was originally intended for one of the series leads but, after reconsideration, was relegated to a less beloved minor and more dispensable character.
It’s not enough that three years ago James Shamus produced a big budget Hollywood movie that should have won the Academy Award for best picture, and that no major motion picture since then has featured gay themes or a gay character in any significant way until the intrepid Mr. Shamus brings us Sean Penn as Harvey Milk.
It’s not enough that Showtime is the only mainstream network ever to have produced and aired and supported a scripted drama series about LGBT characters. Twice. And, by the way, aren’t they being touted as the best, hottest network on television?
It’s really not enough that LGBT people historically have written and directed and produced so many of the world’s greatest movies and television shows while hiding behind veiled portrayals of our real, true selves. We’ve given it up, given away our gifts to the dominant heterosexual culture – and we’ll keep on doing it for them because we’re that generous and talented and prolific – but I’d like to think that we won’t do it any longer at the expense of seeing our own selves fully visible and gloriously, complexly, glamorously and heroically represented right alongside of them.
I am hopeful right now as we find ourselves in a relatively progressive political moment, with (technically still two) imperfect but educable Democratic candidates who embrace most of our LGBT issues. Two candidates, both of whom stand a better-than-fighting chance of routing this morally bankrupt and socially backward Republican regime that’s desiccated our world these last eight years. And I’m proud, very proud, of the role that many of the artists and activists here in this room tonight have played in moving forward that progressive change. I envision a moment in the not too distant future when my kids are going to say to me, “What? You mean there used to be a time when gay people couldn’t get married to one another? That’s crazy, mama.” It’s just as crazy to me that at sometime in the very near future we might look around at our movie and TV screens and find ourselves all but invisible again. I’m baffled and perturbed by the way in which our Hollywood entertainment culture seems to lag behind the culture at large. When I first pitched The L Word to Showtime – back in the dark ages – I went out on a limb and said to them, If you let me make a smart, sexy TV show about lesbians and you give me as much money and support as you give to any other aspiring prime time drama (and you let me cast Jennifer Beals in the lead), I’m willing to bet you it will be a hit. I’ll put that same bet on the table again right now – to every network, every studio, every production company and every creative artist. It’s no riskier than any other risk you take. The opportunity is there for you to make a killing telling our stories. And for those of us in the LGBT community, I say, if history is indeed written by the victors, let’s make ourselves victorious by writing our own history… and directing it and producing it and starring in it.
Before I begin ranting – because that’s what I’m going to do tonight; I’m going to rant a little – let me just take a moment to catch my breath. Jennifer Beals is breathtaking, right? But not just for the obvious reasons. Rather, for the reason that her talent and her intelligence and her convictions all at once run so deep; and I feel so blessed to have had the privilege of working closely with her these last six years, of calling her my friend, and of having been represented by her – not as the writer and producer of The L Word, but as a gay woman who never before saw herself, or anyone very like herself, portrayed in such a complex, powerful, uplifting, intriguing, ongoing way in the popular media.
Now for the rant…
I had imagined that when we announced that The L Word was coming to an end there would be another show – or maybe another two or three shows – poised to take up where we’re leaving off. I thought maybe we would have our lesbian cop show on CBS. You know, a latter day Cagney & Lacey in which the prettier cop is a svelte, stylish lezzie and her ostensibly straight partner is one of those big-boned, handsome, vaguely homophobic gals…? Or, I don’t know, where’s our doctor show in which Patrick Dempsey stars – stars being the operative concept – as the egotistical head of surgery with a slew of boyfriend problems but no issues about being comfortably and demonstratively out of the closet? And while we’re at it, give me a comic book superhero movie in which the pithy one-liners and snarky asides are believably uttered by a homosexual billionaire industrialist who likes to fight evil while showing off his exquisite muscles in a tight-fitting costume. As an aside, I’m willing to bet you that if that movie were to be made with the same skill and resources and budget of, say, Ironman, it would be no less successful at the box office. I know… far-flung. We’re not there yet. But we need to get there. Because the same old stories are getting old and tired, and we’ve got a lot of great, moving, entertaining, powerful stories to tell that haven’t yet been told.
So it’s not okay that when The L Word goes off the air sometime in 2009, we stand to be cast back into the desert in terms of primary representation of our lives and our stories in mainstream popular media. We’re hardly better represented right now than we were ten, even twenty years ago, and, bizarrely and inexplicably, less well represented than we were just a few years back when at least we had Will & Grace and Queer Eye and Queer As Folk. We’re relegated, once again, to minor roles as recurring secondary characters, or cute but oddly asexual best friends, and sometimes on procedurals we get to be murder victims. And it’s not enough.
It’s not enough when GLAAD – and don’t get me wrong; I’m a devotee of GLAAD; without GLAAD there would be no accountability and no presence and no mindful, vigilant advocacy on behalf of LGBT visibility and fair and accurate representation – but it’s not enough when GLAAD has to honor programs among the media awards nominees that don’t even feature any LGBT characters as series regulars.
It’s not enough that on broadcast television, we still have to wait until the third year of some popular ensemble drama for the introduction of a gay or lesbian storyline that was originally intended for one of the series leads but, after reconsideration, was relegated to a less beloved minor and more dispensable character.
It’s not enough that three years ago James Shamus produced a big budget Hollywood movie that should have won the Academy Award for best picture, and that no major motion picture since then has featured gay themes or a gay character in any significant way until the intrepid Mr. Shamus brings us Sean Penn as Harvey Milk.
It’s not enough that Showtime is the only mainstream network ever to have produced and aired and supported a scripted drama series about LGBT characters. Twice. And, by the way, aren’t they being touted as the best, hottest network on television?
It’s really not enough that LGBT people historically have written and directed and produced so many of the world’s greatest movies and television shows while hiding behind veiled portrayals of our real, true selves. We’ve given it up, given away our gifts to the dominant heterosexual culture – and we’ll keep on doing it for them because we’re that generous and talented and prolific – but I’d like to think that we won’t do it any longer at the expense of seeing our own selves fully visible and gloriously, complexly, glamorously and heroically represented right alongside of them.
I am hopeful right now as we find ourselves in a relatively progressive political moment, with (technically still two) imperfect but educable Democratic candidates who embrace most of our LGBT issues. Two candidates, both of whom stand a better-than-fighting chance of routing this morally bankrupt and socially backward Republican regime that’s desiccated our world these last eight years. And I’m proud, very proud, of the role that many of the artists and activists here in this room tonight have played in moving forward that progressive change. I envision a moment in the not too distant future when my kids are going to say to me, “What? You mean there used to be a time when gay people couldn’t get married to one another? That’s crazy, mama.” It’s just as crazy to me that at sometime in the very near future we might look around at our movie and TV screens and find ourselves all but invisible again. I’m baffled and perturbed by the way in which our Hollywood entertainment culture seems to lag behind the culture at large. When I first pitched The L Word to Showtime – back in the dark ages – I went out on a limb and said to them, If you let me make a smart, sexy TV show about lesbians and you give me as much money and support as you give to any other aspiring prime time drama (and you let me cast Jennifer Beals in the lead), I’m willing to bet you it will be a hit. I’ll put that same bet on the table again right now – to every network, every studio, every production company and every creative artist. It’s no riskier than any other risk you take. The opportunity is there for you to make a killing telling our stories. And for those of us in the LGBT community, I say, if history is indeed written by the victors, let’s make ourselves victorious by writing our own history… and directing it and producing it and starring in it.
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230 Comments
Rant on Sister, rant on.
You speak my language. Nothing left to say.
I'm thinking, L Word - The Movie?
It worked for Sex and The City! TLW women are a gozillion times more fabulous! I'm just sayin'.....
Second That!
I'm a Sex and The City fan, but I second that Crabq!
Bette and Tina on the big screen, could you imagine... :)
L Word The Film Why Not?
I quite like that idea, it did work for Sex and the City. It could work with a good enough script and focusing on the core characters.
Superb rant though. I really agree with everything said and am so glad that the opportunity was used to say it.
I do have a sense of impending doom now I know the end of The L Word is near and as we haven't had word of anything else in the pipeline I guess it is going to a quiet year or two (or more) on our tv screens.
Before The L Word and even now there's a definite pattern of secondary characters in shows having a second rate gay storyline that normally involves some trauma about them being gay or even if it is a main character their lives are so tame and diluted it's almost more detrimental that they are being portrayed.
It's still shocking that Brokeback Mountain caused such a fuss in that it was the first of its kind. It's kind of nuts that in 2008 that was the first proper gay film and similarly that was based on the trauma of being gay.
Imagine Me and You was one of the few films I've seen that was actually just about the relationship between two people. Sadly it was just a bit cheesy and not very believable and it got no media attention at all!
I'm so worried that we'll be forced to rely on films like Gray Matters for any kind of representation. And that film was so dire and ridiculous I'd rather them not bother. Its only saving grace was that it had Rachel Shelley in it!
The L Word was such a breath of fresh air in terms of the characters being funny and loveable and the relationships seeming realistic and having some depth to them. I think its still criminally underrated as to how much of a influence its had on people. It remains one of the few programmes or films I'd be happy to let people I know watch. Anything else has me wanting to say – this isn't me or anything like my life or the relationships I have!
It's just depressing to think it's coming to an end!
I guess we can only hope that the writers of The L Word and the other new writers manage to write some more amazing stuff and manage to sell the format again.
Fingers crossed and thanks for the rant!
make art, make art
yup seems the only way to keep the lgbt community visible and advance our cause is by keeping our stories alive in the medium of film and television, but strides have been made thus far so i've optimistic for the future even if it seems like we're only getting there in babysteps. those babysteps add up!!
ILENE...WE ARE LISTENING...........
Talk to us Ilene. Your thoughts and idea's are awesome. Go ahead and make whatever movie or show you want and trust me, all your fans will be there for you. We think The L Word is the best, but I think what you have waiting for us AFTER THE L WORD will be even better. WINK WINK
Ilene is awesome, and has a
Ilene is awesome, and has a wonderful sense - but she is crying OUT - to the community and to the media to start doing something.
But seriously..
She doesn't want to be the ONLY person stepping up. She's calling the arms of our community to start really knocking, and the media pundits to fucking listen!
rovermom :)
Life is a 3D puzzle and everyone has a piece!
NEW! OurChart Photo Assignment and My Blog
I agree Rovermom I think she
I agree Rovermom I think she is calling out for others to stand up to and for the powers that be to take notice. She shouldn't be the only one that has to stand up. Its astounding to think that in the 5-6 years The L Word has ben running there hasn't been more lesbian or gay male characters appearing. Ilene is right if anyting there has been a step taken back the way with the cancelation of shows such as "Queer As Folk" and "Will and Grace" with nothing to replace them. We are lucky to have even a token gay character that may appear for a couple of episodes in shows a the moment and its not acceptable. x
p.s Sorry am still ranting x
Rant anytime you like Ilene
Is maith an scáthán súil charad
A friend's eye is a good mirror.
Giorraíonn beirt bóthar
Two people shorten a road.
let's hope some will look at that mirror and get on the road!!!
Sin é
A Big “O”
… As in standing ovation. Sensational Ilene! *cheers*
I was so disappointed when the news about TLW ending with S6 turned out to be true. Not because the story lines & characters are so rich and three-dimensional, but this great sadness that perhaps we will be left with nothing like this again in media for sometime. Which btw imho, saying that TLW is Sex-In the City w/ lesbians … being completely objective, is such an understatement. But I digress…
We are tossed gems once-in-a-while, but it shouldn’t feel like a privilege, it should be the norm. I don’t want the only shows available to us to be re-runs of TLW, Will&Grace, and Ellen. There are a ton of LGBT centric ideas that can and should be developed. From saturday morning cartoons, to friday night “Full House” type family shows, a “My-So-Called Life” meets “90210” for the teens, late night/day-time talk shows, comedic sitcoms, bunch of MoW’s, documentaries, even Monday night football & Sunday morning spiritual discussions (could go on and on) – that’s not even touching motion pictures.
The Logo network could use a bit of re-programming and get these types of shows on air. It’s a business and bottom-line, they have to make a profit. If a gay network would be able to develop programming we’d like to see throughout major network stations and make it successful, that I believe will go a long way in removing fear of financial loss.
Perhaps Ilene is onto something … that we must be victorious through “writing our own history… and directing it and producing it and starring in it”.
Peace & Love,
P~
Congratulations
on the Davidson/Valentini Award - I'm thinking that no one else has the yangs that you have; otherwise, we'd be seeing some new LGBT series to replace yours! Give yourself a well deserved pat on the back.......and I'm still waiting on that call to play that sexy Texan in Season 6!!!!!!
Nothing but love
Tex
Great and inspiring speech!
What surprised me was that Ilene said she pitched TLW to Showtime with Jennifer Beals already onboard. I knew that JB was the first actor cast, but I didn't know IC had her before the show had gotten the green light from the network.
Did IC and JB have a previous working relationship? It would be interesting to know.
Also, BTfan2, you're right about "Dexter." It is on CBS. And although I've enjoyed the show on Showtime, I was also surprised that that show would make the transition from premium cable to network TV, even as a residual effect of the strike.
It brings to mind a documentary that I recently saw on IFC, "This Film is Not Yet Rated." The theory (which I think is more than a theory) is that American audiences are more comfortable with violence than sex, especially non-traditional sex. Everyone has sex, but most people don't kill people. Dexter's exploits are relegated to the safe world of fantasy. Most people don't connect TV/movie violence to themselves or their lives. They can detach from it.
Unfortunate for us, but true.
--------------------------
“In my mind nothing pleases God more than love. I do not think it pleases God to codify bigotry.” Jennifer Beals
I had never thought about
I had never thought about this aspect before WW02. I think your right but its not just American audiences who are probably more comfortable with violence than sex I think we could probably include the UK to. Granted the BBc do some things that may be seen as more liberal (who can forget "tipping the Velvet" for those who haven't seen it go get it) but there are still more series focused on serial killing, violence, reality crime shows than sex. I do think there is an element of fantasy involved with this, good point ty for posting it x
Well, pitching to a network
Well, pitching to a network is a process...and includes actually having a script and a pilot made for the 'final' pitch. Pilots can be made prior to being accepted (and actually are largely required) and normally are with actors that don't stay for the accepted show - because once accepted, networks fuck the shit out it to their liking, and that is normally the price of getting accepted.
Ilene and the Lword cast was lucky to not have been shit fucked and ripped apart from ground up on this project - just for that initial contract.
If my memory serves me correctly, Ilene had sought Jennifer first and was the first to get on board for the pilot project.
rovermom :)
Life is a 3D puzzle and everyone has a piece!
NEW! OurChart Photo Assignment and My Blog
Didn't think of that
wordswork02
Very good point about the comfort with violence in our society and the lack of comfort with sex. Geeze lets be serious any sex. I also think its has a lot to do with fear of one's self.
The Dexter "thing" does make me scratch my head...
btfan2
Which is interesting, btfan.
Which is interesting, btfan. Europe is the opposite. They are FAR more advanced in accepting the naked body and sexual topics, and sexual perversity. I love BBC on PBS!
As for violence on TV - I do have a problem with it. I grew up in a house that accepted sex on TV, but no violence. It was mom's rule. And I don't mind certain 'horror' films. I love the old school Dracula and mummy films - and seriously, it isn't scary.
Amityville horror and certain things like that - scares the crap out of me - it involves religious beleifs and demons and ghosts.
Today, i have this thing against movies like SAW. This is a freewheeling to the old acceptance of human torture as being entertainment. Human torture is as perverse and sickening as anything in the history of humans! And so many people get turned on to it, by watching another human get tortured.
It's flat out desensitizing watching another human being hurt and tortured to death. Sick fucks that are behind bars are desensitized of watching human torture, and yet our entertainment fucking industry is doing a mass desensitization and are literally programing the minds of millions of people that torturing humans is fucking cool.
Curiosity of what human body can endure can titillate, but our media really has the power of manifestation and it's scary when in reality human torture is NOT pretty, funny, fascinating thing to go through - and usually shocks the shit out someone who has to witness it.
I've witnessed a deer getting hit on I-78 last summer and I was in shock, or a few weeks ago when I hit a geese at day break - I did a complete stop and had to collect myself - and then did a illegal U-ey to find the guy and try to help it. Imagine if it was a human. Seeing something horrific is suppose to send you into shock - and shock will make you afraid. People are not shocked, nor afraid.
I saw Jaws (1,2,3,ect ect) when I was a kid - it took me YEARS to go into the ocean - and even now, I have to get the courage, and damn if anyone yells fish...I'll be jesus... so fast my bathing suit would be dry. My son knows it too. He'll joke and make it known "some how" that fish are near us.
Seeing people get fucking tortured and mangled is ok, and yet seeing 2 people love one another is perverse...
Ilene, I'm fucking perturb about that too! I love you and your rant!
rovermom :)
Life is a 3D puzzle and everyone has a piece!
NEW! OurChart Photo Assignment and My Blog
rovermom
Nothing to add - I think you said it all
btfan2
Congratulations, Ilene!
Congratulations, Ilene!
As a huge fan of Ilene, I am thrilled to read your speech. You are such an amazing woman.
The messages carried in the show have been so powerful and diverse. I am so thankful for your inspiring works which bring us together to talk about so many issues week after week. I love the L word so much that I cannot bear the show is going off in 2009.
great speech. however...
re: "It’s just as crazy to me that at sometime in the very near future we might look around at our movie and TV screens and find ourselves all but invisible again."
Not if I can help it. Gay media is about to explode.
are you
planting a bomb somewhere?
;)
yeah
it's in that suspicious-looking black duffel bag that's sitting in your living room.
She IS the bomb!
She IS the bomb!
exactly
and thank you. though i do prefer to refer to myself as "da bomb." it just makes me feel a little cooler.
Trojan Horse?
How about a discreetly planted trojan horse in heteroville?
Peace & Love,
P~
IC's rant of brilliance.
Would love to see the video, is that possible, here at OC? Oh yeah, pics too. Please...
Isn't it crazy that the glaad media awards in which Ilene, Jennifer, and Laurel participated in, has not yet been televised. Whats up with that?
StormyOne
The awards take place over
The awards take place over multiple cites, over a period of time, and then it's spliced together to be *hopefully* televised. It was on Logo and Bravo last year
rovermom :)
Life is a 3D puzzle and everyone has a piece!
NEW! OurChart Photo Assignment and My Blog
the awards shows
will be on Bravo, June 27th at 7:00
"What are you doing with my girlfriend?"
Stands and...
...applauds...loudly.
~Not Your Average Kind Of Girl~
ldawn2
Your rant was amazing and empowering to all of us that have read it. Don't stop ...continue to demand that the stories be told.....We are your loyal fan base. Gay, straight and lesbian.... Tell us what you need and we will do what we can to make it happen. We at the OC are invincible and determined and most of all loyal and true to the cause.......Just say the word....the l word !!!
Thank yoU Jennifer for having the courage and convictions that you have...... !!!!!!LDAWN
Thank you...
Ilene for having the courage and tenacity to not give up on a project that you felt so passionate about...and for having the foresight to cast the amazingly talented Jennifer Beals!
What you said struck me as more of a poignant speech than a rant! I sincerely hope that before the show wraps, another will appear for you to hand the baton to - to keep on moving forward...
Congratulations on your well-deserved award!
******
"Change is created by those whose imaginations are bigger than their circumstances." Unknown
Awed
Ilene,
You know that many of us have sat around asking these very questions, not as people involved in "the business" but as the viewing public. We've wondered what will happen next to keep this momentum going, and we've inexplicably felt that once TLW goes off the air there will be a hole unfilled and unnoticed by anyone BUT us.
I cannot tell you how it feels to see someone like yourself giving into this rant just as we have been ranting for months now. I am overjoyed and inspired.
Thank you so much for sharing your vision with us -- past, present, and future.
~~~~
Bette: "I did not f**k off, I f**ked up. I did not go, I'm still here."
That was...
VERY INSPIRING!
ILENE is AMAZING!
Ilene
i was there and your "rant" was great...i've told you before that this show changed my life and i know many of my friends whose lives were changed as well, so thank you again for The L Word, for making the LGBT community visible, for giving us TiBette ;) and thank you for giving us hope that TLW is not the end...any chance to get more than six seasons?
Ilene, take us there please!
"We’re not there yet. But we need to get there."
Ilene, take us there please and make us victorious.
For the immediate future, more more more Tibette in S6 please. They are the reason I will be sad when TLW comes to an end. And I am not even thinking "representation", I just love watching them.
JBeals and LuH together as Tibette - how on earth did you get it so right? Hats off to you!
good speech
thanks to you and Jennifer Beals
but as others posters,for the future more tibette in the next season....they are the reason of TLW ..I FF season 3 and i love season 5 ....
bravo for your feelings and after,tomorrow is another day ...
Wow
A lovely speech, Ilene. It just made me think about a controversy around a gay character in colombian tv. Here we are not so close as you are to a more open society with the LGBT community, and in tv you can see that because the gay characters are always in second and sometimes ridiculous places. They are always the funny persons but not the human ones. However, some shows have make the effort of putting this characters on almost leading roles and even if there is not much closer of they with couples and stuff, is nearer to a true look. The character I talked about at the beginnig is a gay man who is the best friend of the women leading the show, and another guy just told him hi love him and that, here, was a big step that made me happy. Just weeks ago some people showed their negative to this act and also two girls were expelled from their school for having an open gay relationship. The Court made the school to reinstate the girls but the other girls made a protest against that fact. Me and many others condemnd that reaction and unite efforts with an LGBT community "Colombia diversa" to protect those kids rights. I hope, like you do, that some day we talk about differences as somethink natural that makes us cool and great not as something we must suppress. I am straight and thanks to The L Word I understood many things that have made me a better person in many ways and I can say I just hope the same happen to the rest of the world.
LAURA F.
Fight the Good Fight!
we're counting on you.
A Powerful Voice
This was an inspiring and an undoubtedly powerful read,showcasing both the success and recognition of the L Word as well as the doubtful future of so many talented LGBT artists.
I am aware that as a fan of the show I would love to have more and more of it,but this isn`t very likely.I have glimpsed sugegstion that the show could be moved to another network but,I truly believe that Showtime have been nothing less than amazing,producting breakthrough dramas as well as other projects,notably "the Queer Duck" which pops up in my mind,a gay-oriented cartoon series.Showtime,I believe,is largery responsible for the free and uncesnored postrayal of lesbian lives in the show.Most notably that sex scenes come to mind.Have you ever seen anything like it on teh TV screen before?
Of course not.The impact of the L Word has,is and will remain phenomenal even long after the series is completed.The L Word is,moreover,an inspiration for us,the LGBT community,to write and put forwrad our creative genius,to unload our talent onto any possible media and thus achieve the recognition we deserve.Take a peek and how much the LGBT artists have become more pronounced withing the last 20 years,how rapidly we have grown to provide the world with quality entertainment.Together and in action we can finally achieve the recognition we deserve!
Thank you,Ilene,for being such an inspiration to all of us.
All the very best,
Rent Boy
Ilene's "rant"
That was such a true and powerful speech, congratulations! As you said, it’s not enough that LGBT people historically have written and directed and produced so many of the world’s greatest movies and television shows while hiding behind veiled portrayals of their real, true selves. The world owes fashion, music, movies, art, i.e. so many beautiful and entertaining things to the gay world and I really do not understand why we don’t see more LGBT characters in movies and TV shows.
I don’t know Ilene maybe most people in your community are not as bold, as persistent as you are. As a straight, non-US citizen I may not know enough about the US entertainment industry but still I’d like to state some observations. I often get the impression that the straight world bears the blame for the LGBT community being under-represented in movies and TV shows because “we” don’t want to see gay people, because “we” are homophobic. This may be the case for some but surely not for the whole straight world. It’s probably just human that we like to see what we know best but it’s a preconception that we don’t want to see or learn about alternative lifestyles at all.
The L World has a huge straight fan base and I don’t think we just watch it because we are curious about Lesbian sex. I can only speak for myself, but I watch it because it’s a beautiful and intelligent story which tackles issues ALL women can relate to. That’s what people want these days, meaningful, exciting storylines which contain some drama and which are highly entertaining. It’s the same for Brokeback Mountain; it was a very beautiful and heartbreaking love story. As long as a story touches people’s hearts it doesn’t matter whether the couple is gay or straight. Give people a variety of stories and let them decide what they want to see. Some people like action, so they go to action movies, others rather prefer love stories. Each to his own; it’s as simple as that.
It makes me sick that there are presumptuous people who try to tell other people what’s right and what’s wrong. It’s the same with racial identity, with the lack of interracial couples in movies and TV shows. Back in the 90’s “The Bodyguard” was a huge, world-wide box office success despite the fact that a BLACK woman was kissing and sleeping with a WHITE guy. Nobody really cares about who is kissing who or who is sleeping with whom and those who do should stay away from the movie.
Or what about the discussion going on in another thread of this board whether Bette is trying to pass for white or not? Why do we even need this kind of discussion in 2008? Bette Porter and/or Jennifer Beals are biracial, period. Why should she pick a side, why should she even tackle the obvious? Why can’t we just all accept the fact that she is neither fully black nor white? First of all she is a human being and that’s all that matters! Let’s stop judging people because of the color of their skin or their sexuality. Try first to get to know this person and once you do, you don’t care about all the rest anymore.
Sorry I got distracted for a moment; let me get back to the “rant”. In the beginning I said that it needs more people like you Ilene. I get the impression that many of your community somehow sell out to the straight world. Let me give you an example: Mark Cherry, an openly gay man, wrote this wonderful and very successful show about a bunch of Desperate Housewives. One would assume that at least ONE of his main couples would be gay but no, the only gay character is Andrew Van de Kamp, who is not among the core cast and his gayness is hardly ever tackled. Now in Season 4 Susan’s new neighbors are gay but we haven’t seen them hugging or kissing so far. Why didn’t he, who should have an interest in seeing himself represented in the show, include a gay couple among the core cast? Wasn’t he bold enough to fight for it, did he do it on purpose because it was easier this way to sell it to the network? I don’t think that DH would have fewer viewers if one of the couples were gay. But maybe I’m just delusional and America is still not ready to have gay and straight characters on an equal level represented in the same show or movie.
I really wish for all of us, because I feel we all can learn something from each other, that things will change drastically soon. If we had more actresses like Jennifer Beals, the world would change much faster. I don’t want to put her on a pedestal at all by saying that I admire her for who she is and for all the good things she’s doing for the LGBT community because it’s the right thing to do (I do it too). We are all the same and those who didn’t get it so far are just scared but refuse to admit it.
That's what I'm talking about
fire in the belly. Fire it up pound on the table make sure "everyone", knows how you feel.
I've asked this question on another post and will ask it again. WHY is Dexter on Prime Time network TV. A show that started on Showtime(its an ok show but not nearly as interesting a TLW) and is now on CBS(correct me if I'm wrong about the network) anyway is the message a series about a serial killer( a serial killer for christ sake!!!) less offensive to the general public then a series about a group of lesbians who's biggest crime is leaving a wrecked car on the 405!!
This from the network that has cashed in big time on TLW and QAF. This same network that promotes the Tutors, Californification, Weeds and others everywhere but; you never see a promo for tlw. They barely promote it on Showtime(What's up with that??)).
You have Ellen who has Emmy's coming out her butt but; really doesn't support gay and lesbian issues. TV shows like Will and Grace that were NOT supportive of lesbian issues. I recently saw an episode of House that made an offensive remake about TLW. Last night I watched Brothers and Sisters, I have never watched it before. My partner wanted to watch because there was supposed to be a gay marriage. There was - but in the process of supporting gay marrage for men they managed to diss lesbians(WTF WTF).
So - yes every once in a while there is lesbian on prime time, but; more often then not a negative representation or a dismissive one.
I know I have anger issues, most of my anger is really directed toward women and lesbians because we just bitch about this shit but; don't really do much.
I was touched by your RANT, now that the fire is started lets keep that baby burning........
PS: Happy moms day(sorry its late) to you, Jen, LuH, and all the other mothers out there.
btfan2
About Dexter. From what I
About Dexter. From what I heard. CBS and Showtime are a family and since Dexter could not air during the time it was suppose to, due to the Writer's Strike - when the strike was over, Dexter was brought onto the CBS in a clean version, just for this season. I'm not sure how true that is - but it's what I had heard.
Showtime has this fixed window of rotating shows. I'm thinking Dexter will be back to airing Showtime.
rovermom :)
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Deserving Rant
If anyone deserves to rant it is you. Your "build it and they will come" persistence somehow finally convinced the powers that be to support your vision. You were right about the potential audience, you were right about the potential financial success, and you were right that the time had come to make us visisble to ourselves and the world. You assembled the finest group of creative talent, to produce rich stories of multidimentional, complex and loveable characters that have become a part of our lives, not just a reflection of our stories. You have achieved a degree of social justice for a world of people. You have provided strength to those who thought they could not be strong, support to those who have felt alone, and a sence of pride to all of us. Gratitude has been expressed innumerable times here on OC, but bears repeating. Thank you! The fight continues, as all good fights do. But with you and Jennifer leading the way, I can't help but believe there will be success in closing the gap between "not enough" and a fair share. Congratuations and good luck,ATK
Bowing to the GODMOTHER
Wow ... that was utterly inspiring. Ilene, you rock!
Remember this movie scene?
Remember this movie scene? This is what we all need to do. Things need to change.
All I know is that first, you've got to get mad.
You've gotta say, "I'm a human being, goddammit! My life has value!"
So, I want you to get up now. I want all of you to get up out of your chairs. I want you to get up right now and go to the window, open it, and stick your head out and yell,
"I'm as mad as hell,
and I'm not going to take this anymore!!"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"I am certain that after the dust of centuries has passed over our cities, we, too, will be remembered not for victories or defeats in battle or in politics, but for our contribution to the human spirit."
absolutely inspiring... In a
absolutely inspiring... In a world where who I am is not recognized and understood I turn to the media to instill a lesson to the world... We are like everyone else, funny, emotional trying to make a good life for ourselves but if the media who is a dominant presence in our daily lives, neglects to show that, how can things really start to change...
Thank you Ilene for the
Thank you Ilene for the amazing contribution you have made to our community and to fans of the L word on a more personal level. Is there any possibility for the L word to continue to explore the lives of lesbians even if there would be changes in terms of characters and casting? Could another network become interested in taking the L word further? What efforts have been made as of this point, and what are the obstacles which remain? Is there anything the loyal viewers can do to save the L word?
YESSSSSSSSSS
I hope they listen to what you have said . They are stupid if no one takes you up on the chance to continue with stories from the lives of lesbians,gay men etc...I tip my hat to you . And do very much appreciate Jennifer Beals' willingness to take a chance when the L Word began to make it a big hit. Jennifer,Laurel,Mia,Erin,Leisha,Pam,Rachel,Kate are all wonderful and I hope that if you are granted another opportunity that they all have a chance to be in the next show you write. Please keep writing and risking for all of us. I am very gratiful for everyone one of you that made the L Word an part of history. Thank you .
Shell
Ilenes speech
Standing ovation to Ilene Chaiken. How true all your words are. I have had to rent gay/lesbian movies on line ( I never see any in a video store) and it is VERY evident that these movies do not get the budgets other less watchable movies/stories do. I have watched with friends and they comment how low budget these movies are, I try to explain that they do not get the financial backing that they deserve. Forget TV, usually a gay character will be brought on for laughs. The L-word will be truly missed. I have signed the petition, but wonder if you and the actresses are willing to continue? As much as I would miss the original cast, especially JB and LH, I would wrap my arms around new characters just to see an intelligent, financed show telling our stories. Thanks for fighting for us.
StormyOne
Unfortunately
Even if the majority of the world, much less the country, were finally completely comfortable with homosexuality, they would never be interested enough to replace it with their own self-serving hedonism in film and television. People seem to gravitate towards things that relate only to themselves. At least on a grand scale. If the majority is heterosexual, chances are they're not going to be interested in watching the lives of people who share a different preference of relationship. This is just the way the world is. There may never be a way to do anything about it.
"Would I rather be feared or loved? Um... Easy, both. I want people to be afraid of how much they love me." -Michael Scott
have i mentioned i love
have i mentioned i love Illene Chaiken lately?