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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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235 Comments
Ilene's speech
Not sure if this has been posted elsewhere but GLAAD released vid of Ilene's speech:
http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=3aBPbCwqle0
Also of Jennifer Beals intro:
http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=CA0-2sPefUE
I am your creation... and I am proud.
you guys should have been nominated for an emmy
im saddened that you and your amazing creation of the l word with your amazing cast of actresses could ever be over looked at the emmys with out even a nod to this amazing contrbtion to tv and to let you know that at least one fan was missing you this year at the emmys
cue the angry...
Betty music. Ilene needs to make more money ladies, pick up your pens and start writing angry letters to somebody, anybody.
fade to black
'08
destroyed
I really don't understand why Jennifer Beal would want to end such a great show. Imean i could understand if it was going under and the show was failing, but it is far from that. I personally love the show it gives me great hope in our crazy every day life of dealing with the people outside of our gay community. The show is just so dead on with every day lesbian life that i just can't not watch it. it always has this crazy twist to the stary but it is something that would be completely true in life. I really wished that Jennifer would reconsider.
what an inspiration
Ilene
Thanks for giving us inspiration, thanks for creating TLW and most especially for casting such wonderful actresses like JB and LH....TiBette is really an inspiration. Plase don't let this end.
Mabuhay Ilene and the L world.
Lesbian cop show
Nancy Pofahl
Author/Writer Extraordinare
www.npofahl.com
Hi Ilene,
I have the show for you, I am just about done with the book and am looking into a screen play for it. It's called Connected in Blood. It's good and i'm wonderful. Just ask me.
changes
Recently I found myself sitting in a dentist’s office surrounded by ancient magazines. One of these magazines had a quite extensive article about the l word. Although I had only seen a few episodes when I was on holiday visiting my family in my mother country it had me irritated.
The author of the article expressed his/her dismay on the fact that gay actors are still not accepted and that Hollywood still fosters an environment in which the lead parts in those movies have to be played by ostensibly straight actors.
I guess it’s true, an accusation of homosexuality can turn a star litigious or, in some cases, relentlessly straight. Obviously, the movies are in the business of illusion. And anything that shatters the illusion is bad for business. Yes,it's all about the green and Hollywood entertainment culture indeed seems to lag behind the culture at large.
But the remarks in the article that the LGTB community wasn’t properly represented in the L word and that it is a step backwards as long as shows like these still have their gay characters being portrayed by mainly straight actors ,was in my opinion, wrong.
I don’t know, maybe in an ideal world the actors would be gay but personally I don’t see why a straight actor can’t play gay and vice versa. It’s acting for Christ’s sake. I doubt any museum director, welder, dancer or vampire has ever written disapproving letters because Jennifer Beals is not really one in real life.(Could be wrong on that dancerpart though).So I would have to say that in an ideal world actors could just be open about it without any consequences for their careers.
I guess I could understand some of the writer’s irritation about Hollywood culture but I could not understand his resentment against the casting in the L word. It is tolerance and acceptance that the LGTB community seeks and needs and that tolerance and acceptance has to come from the heterosexual world. The LGTB community should be more than pleased (i am not saying they are not) that the L word features straight actors who are devoted not only to their jobs but are also devoted to illuminate and guide the straight world to tolerance. It weren’t the Jews that stopped the holocaust, it weren’t the slaves who stopped the slave trade and it won’t be the children who will stop child abuse. It takes people from the other side of the spectrum who will say that this is not OK , to set an example, and change the laws.
Saying that,(and after reading part of an impressive speech at a power up premiere) I think Ilene made a smart choice casting an actress as Beals. Not just because she is proud to represent the gay community on the L word but more because she is actually a role model for a tolerant straight world.
I am from a country that is known for tolerance in politics. Soft drugs are not entirely considered illegal, and euthanasia, abortion and prostitution are allowed to a certain extend. Furthermore it allows same sex-marriages since 2001 and long before that had registered partnerships provided with the same rights and responsibilities as different-sex married partners.I wish I could add that we were the first country with an openly gay prime minister but alas, although way up in the polls, he got shot just weeks prior to the 2002 elections by some extreme environmental lunatic. (Although i think having a Bush administration twice is far more regrettable).Anyways, those laws where all made while I grew up and so i can say i have witnessed the change in tolerance over the years and even though I consider myself open minded, in myself. These laws don’t raise many eyebrows anymore, neither does gay marriage. (Maybe by a small religious group and the elderly) We have openly gay ministers in every administration, they even go on the floats on gay pride. But it didn’t change overnight, it was a process and we are still not totally there yet. I guess it is all a matter of time and geography what is accepted and what is not. Shows like Q.A.F. and the L word have already contributed to the step forward. But most of all I hope the upcoming elections will contribute to these changes in your country because I think that politics and changing the laws are the vital factor.Though I emphasize on politics, for the record I would like to say that I don’t underestimate the importance of openly gay actors and gay characters on television. Whatever happens after the Lword,I am sure Ilene Chaiken will strive to continue making groundbreaking television for the LGTB community.I have to admit that i haven't seen most of the show. I guess complaining that it's over is OK, still think a thank you would be more appropiate.
Apologies for my english
The impact of Lword movies in Indonesia
Ilene, that's a great movie!.Frankly I saw the DVD last year but for me its not to late to see. What i want to share here is that, in Indonesia like in other asian country the lesbian life is not open, the acceptance of people is moderate, but now (in Bali,where i live) I feel a litlle bit of the "openness" maybe after Lword film spread out in every country in asia. And i think the the filf also incourage every lesbian to feel confidance in every aspect of thair life.
Spin-Off - Why It Should Be Tibette
Why are so many of us excited and hopeful about a possible spin-off of TLW? Forget about the tricky wording of “one actress” for the moment. (Most of us think of Tibette as one anyway.) We don’t know for sure who it will be, but I do know the majority of us want it to be Tibette. Why? Many reasons. This couple touched and grabbed our hearts from the opening scene of Season 1 (“Bette, come here”) and kept us coming back for more, not only week after week, but season after season. They kept us talking about the show all year long on many web sites. Even after they broke up, not once, but twice, even after Season 3 (we won't go into that) we kept coming back to TLW. Why? Because of Bette and Tina's story. I am not in any way taking anything away from the other wonderful and talented actresses on the show. Just the opposite – I applaud them. Let’s face it, Tibette is what kept the majority of the fans hooked. We were mesmerized by them. We wanted them back together and we weren’t going to be happy until they were.
The show was/is a phenomenon and historical breakthrough. Why? Is it entertaining? Because of it’s portrayal of the lesbian lifestyle in West Hollywood? Because gay and lesbian stories were finally being told? Because we were finally being represented in a positive way by an array of talented and beautiful actresses? Of course. We were fascinated by all the characters and their stories, but mostly we were - and still are - fascinated with Bette and Tina. We could feel their magical pull towards each other; feel their strong connection and their endless love for one another. No matter what, we knew they belonged together. It was and is a great love story. It was felt immediately and is still felt after all these years. We don’t want it to end. We don't want TLW to end. We want - and need - this couple to go on and continue telling our stories in a positive way.
TLW showed straight people that gays and lesbians are loving, human beings with the same wishes and desires as anyone else – they fall deeply in love, want to be loved, to get married, to have families, to be accepted. It bridged a huge gap between many straight and gays, between parents and their children. It brought many parents to accept and understand their gay children. It gave some of us the courage to finally come out to our friends and family. I’m one of them.
The chemistry between Jennifer and Laurel was evident from the very beginning, and continues to this day. Without a doubt, they have “it”, whatever “it” is, and it explodes whenever they are on the screen. They have always done an excellent job of portraying their characters. This is one of the many reasons I’m convinced they are the ones who have the best shot to make a success of a spin-off. They have chemistry; they have the biggest fan base, the most stories yet to be told, so many different directions to go, and all in portraying lesbians in a positive fashion. The "cheating" storyline has to be over and done with. Been there, done that. It's time to move on to tell other stories of a happily married lesbian couple, raising a family, the struggles they go thru, the good and bad times. How many stories could be told if Tibette moved away from gay-friendly West Hollywood? There are so many directions to take here.
I’m sure Showtime and Ilene want the spin-off to be a success. If they read this and other boards, they can see by far the majority of fans want a Tibette spin-off. I’m asking all of you to join us in our Tibette spin-off campaign, to make our voices heard by both Showtime and Ilene. We’ve made a postcard that you can download and send in to Showtime and Ilene. Go to www.tibette.com , and print out the postcard. The addresses are provided. There’s also a poll we put up so you can vote for who you want to see in the spin-off. As of this writing, it is overwhelmingly Tibette, with Bette running second. Both the poll and the postcard download are on the first page of the site.
We want TLW to continue. It's job isn't over yet. There's too much work yet to be done and many stories to be told. Bette and Tina are the best candidates for a successful spin-off and for the continuation of positive lesbian stories.
lovethelword
Tibette spin off
I agree with everything you said.Ilene is smart she can continue telling lesbian stories with Tibette and their freinds.If there is No Tibette spin off, I will not be watching.
To anyone one who doubts.......
The importance of this show to our community or doesn't realize the social relevence that it has had, I would like to point to a particular comment from the Save TLW petition. Betty Cora, a parent of a gay daughter writes:
"I received this petition in an email from my daughter and wanted to comment. My daughter is a beautiful, intelligent and strong girl who happens to be gay. When she came out to my husband and I, it was difficult to know how to react. Nothing changed with the love we had but there were many concerns about her life and her future. She introduced us to The L Word as a way of opening up communication and start a process of us understanding that she was just fine with her life. This show made such a difference. We could see that lesbian women have the same ups and downs, make mistakes, build relationships and friendships, have families...most things are just the same as straight people. I'm happy that she is the person she is and I'm glad that this show was something that we could share. It brought us all closer and I hate to see it ending when it is still so powerful, entertaining and important."
This is only one of many such comments talking about how this show has bridged gaps or changed how the straight community perceives us. It's wonderful for a writer to create an entertaining show that endures many seasons on TV, but it is truly amazing for a writer to create a show that is entertaining and a social legacy.
Which character will it be, the million dollar question...
I heard of the spin-off with one character of the L Word. Which one will it be?? My only interest would be in Bette, Tina or Alice. But really can't have Bette without Tina. Do they count as one???? I would love to see Bette and Tina do a spin off. My opinion is the success of the show comes from the Bette and Tina storyline. Nothing against the other characters because they all are good, but let's be real, Tina and Bette are the POWERHOUSE couple. I do love Alice too, her humor brought alot to the table. But honestly, I could live without all the other characters if I had to. So, if there is a spin-off, I really hope it's with Tina and Bette. If we are talking about another successful show.
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
I LOVE ALL OF THE WOMEN ON L-WORD!!!! I ALSO LOVE THE CUTE PRODUCER!!!!! YEA YOU ALL KNOW WHO I MEAN! ANYWAY IAM EXTREMELY SADDENED BY THE L-WORD NEWS. I REALLY LOOKED FORWARD TO SUNDAY NITES WITH MY GUUURLS! GOOD THING I HAVE ALL THE DVD'S SERIES. WE WILL HAVE TO SEE HOW THINGS TURN OUT WITH THAT.
This is so wrong
The fans signed 24400 petitions to save the L word,not to have Bob greenblatt decide that there will be a spin off with 1 of the characters from the show.I am a fans of Tina and Bette if they are not included in the spin off I will not watch.the fans love their passion.Having just one of the original cast members in a spin off (every body remembers Joey from friends)is a recipe for failure.I think the spin off should include Tina.Bette,Alice and Jenny or Shane. A foursome like that would keep the fans happy, the show interesting and create more fans not less.With 24,400 signatures on the petition the fans should have a say in who they want in the spin off.One original cast member in the spin off is not going to make the fans of the other cast members want to watch.
Goodness!
You really need to relax, you can't change the destiny of the L word by signing petitions, let it be the way it is! You already got Bette and Tina, so can't you all just be happy about that? Don't try to persuade writers, and producers by threatening them, that's just B.S!!! It upsets me when people take things for granted! I am happy we even got another season!!!!!
Goodness
That's how you feel.I don't feel that way and it seems that a lot of other fans(25,000) agree,we are not happy with the direction the spin off is taking ,or the cancelation of the L word.And we each have a right to state or act on our feeling.
Regarding Podcast.......(Ilene)
I just watched all three parts of the podcast with Jennifer Beals. It was very cool to watch. I think it's such a great idea. I got to see another side of Jennifer that was really cool. It's nice to see another side of these actresses besides their character. Jennifer seems so warm. You never know how actors and actresses are off camera. Jennifer on screen comes across very head strong, confident, a bit of an ego maniac. But watching her on the pod cast, boy, is she different. Almost shy in away. But that's hard to believe since she is an actress always on stage, and esspecially watching the vagina monologues who would ever think she would be a shy person :)
but I think it was so nice to see that side of her. I enjoyed watching Laurel too on the podcast. She seems like such a great person. I want to thank you Ilene, Jennifer and Laurel for allowing us to get the opportunity to watch you on the podcast. I am so sad to know the L Word is ending, it's such an exciting show to watch every season.
Thank you, Ilene
Congratulations, on the Davidson/Valentini Award and mostly, Ilene,thank you for being you! Thank you for bringing us such a brilliantly and beautifully written show. And thank you to the rest of your creative and production team for all their collaborative efforts to bring us such a compelling, heart warming and provocative show. The speech you gave (posted above)was powerfully inspiring. I know there are many fans who are heartbroken that the Lword is nearing the end, and some are even angry because they feel it is their right to have this show (I guess you got us a little hooked). I empathize and am deeply saddened to see such a uniquely inspiring show go away. But I've decided that instead of focusing my energy on its demise, I would instead deeply appreciate your amazingly guttsy pioneering efforts, enjoy the hell out of season Five, and I will make it a point to do my creative part in seeing more of this kind of programing in the future. I challenge all you lesbians out there to grow Ilene sized balls and create the show you want to see...she did...and that worked for all of us. Ilene, you paved the way, you have inspired me and so many others...No matter what happens with the Lword after season Five, we owe you our deepest gratitude for having the balls to share your vision, despite the odds. I look forward to seeing what your brilliance brings us next...
derica9
I agree
Ms.Chaiken -- you are correct, there is no one to pick up where The L Word is leaving off...my opinion is that 6 years -- while that may seem like a long time as far as cable shows go -- is NOT long enough to change the conciousness of America to a degree sufficient to begin seeing lesbian characters integrate as you mentioned.
I base my opinion not only on a feeling I get ....(intuitively, you can tell when the tides of the collective conciousness have embraced a 'movement')..... but on conversations with some small-town people I know who have never heard of The L Word.
I think that when you accept the fact that this is more than a show...its a movement...(a movement of awareness of lesbians, moving to the forefront of integration)...then you get a sense that the work was only just beginning.
Yes, perhaps the actors are tired or want to move on...but you could introduce new characters and continue the saga "a la 'ER'"...or any soap opera.
Unfortunately, yes, taking The L Word is taking our exposure -- there is simply nothing else. For that, the timing of The L Word's demise couldn't be more premature.
Because of this deeper issue (not just my missing the characters, which of course I'll do) -- I have been extremely sad to hear of its ending. Your posting here has given me an opportunity to express that.
Thank you for YOU.
Better late than ...
Congrats Ilene on your Davidson/Valentini Award. I appreciate what you and your team on and behind The L Word have accomplished in raising our profile and ... I believe, breaking down some walls and building understanding. Yeah, I know ... there are the critics, but credit is due and now well received and recognised.
Cheers!
It is up to all of us
to make this happen. It starts by not just supporting tv shows about us that already exist... it also starts by supporting any one of us that strives to tell our stories in a tasteful, positive way. I'm saying that the doors we want open will indeed open for us.. but while we are beating on those doors we need to make doors of our own. i hope for us to have more channels.. not just logo.. more websites.. and even create more of our own film companies. We also need to support up and coming writers that have the ideas to help the world see us in more than one dimension. The L word shows the world that lesbians deal with our own special issues. It also shows the world that we deal with the same issues other sexual orientations face. We need more writers like you to have a chance to shine and help the world understand and relate to us more. To you and every other lesbian making a change in this world:Thank you for all of your hard work and dedication! Love you all much!
{{{conformity is poison to the soul}}}
a small prayer....
I read an article in a british EW this week with IC. Here is what she had to say:
Why is the show coming to an end?
"Firstly I don't consider the show is coming to an end. The L Word will live on in many ways, and some of them not just metaphorical. Exactly how remains to be seen, but people should sit tight and stand by and see what's happening next. The weekly TV series is coming to an end for the time being, because it's time to take a breather. On premium cable, most shows that do well decide that it's time to stop after usually five years. We've done good work and want to go out while we're doing good work, and not get tired and worn out."
a small prayer
I don't understand how Ilene could make these statements after encouraging the fans to sign petitions to save the show.What does it mean the weekly series is coming to an end for the time being? ISN'T CANCELED,CANCELED.
For me there is nothing happening next.I have invested to much time and energy trying to save the L word.I refuss to pay showtime for shows that don't represent(the LGBT community) me.I am not interested in seeing some show with a (LGBT)person in the cast.I still stand firm on my conviction NO L WORD--NO SHOWTIME.
If it is true that Ilene made these comments,I say to Ilene, why didn't you tell the fans how you felt before the pepitions reached 10,000? And why are you ranting If you had a part in ending the show?
I am still disappointed.....
Take a breather, they take a breather for six months out of the year!!! I think they have done great work, but I am not yet done following these stories, and I am not happy they are now going to crame it all in 8 episodes. Does Showtime and Ilene know we don't want other shows to take the L Words place, we don't want the show to live on in our memories, or by having the L Word DVD collection to watch over and over, which I already have and watch over & over :)
We want The L Word!! We want to continue watching our all time favorite couple TINA AND BETTE! As well as Alice, Shane, ......Jenny. We don't want to replacement or have just a memory of the show. Give us at least up to season 8. So what if other shows/series usually stop at 5 seasons. This is a show that hits home for so many. It's a show that tackles real issues. It's a show that we fell in love with the characters. It's a show that fans are fighting to keep on. Are we being heard???!!!! I believe it maybe a bitter sweet ending for the fans, because the fans of the L Word are probably the only fans (in tv history) of any show or series that are putting so much time and energy into wanting and fighting for this show to stay on the air.
disappointed
Not only have you put time and energy into saving the show,you have also invested money, so many fans have invested everything they could think of to save the L word. The cancelation is devastating to many of the fans ,who are being ignored(21,600 signatures on petitions)by showtime and Ilene(because we don't know where she stood,according to some of the fans, she says one thing one day and something else on another .We have been standing by waiting to see what was going to happen since early March.There have been no changes and from the statements made by Ilene in her resent interview, there may be a change in the future, but for now the show will end.I feel like I have been fooled,but I don't know by who, the article is full of double talk, who could follow that logic.I hope fans who have not signed the petition will sign,to let showtime and Ilene/cast know the only thing we(the fans)are interested in at this moment in time is the L word,that is our only concern and I for one don't like playing guessing games.
There are over 23,000.....
Signatures on the petition and it is still going strong. People from all over the world are signing it and begging Showtime and Ilene not to cancel. For the 3rd week in a row, ads are running in the San Francisco paper and we have started looking into LGBT community cable shows to spread the word that S6 is the last for TLW. So many people DO NOT know the show is cancelled. If you really want to help, TELL PEOPLE, forward them the petition to sign, read some of the comments...some of them will break your heart.
It won't stop Ilene...we won't go away...we won't go quietly into the night. We are gaining momentum and are dedicated to doing all we can to SAVE OUR SHOW. That's right Ilene, it is not just your show anymore, it's ours. We've earned it by being loyal fans and supporting the show no matter what.
So people, if you really want this show to continue, don't just whine about it, do something to support the efforts to get signatures.
Philadelphia pride weekend with the L Word...
As I posted before, Sunday Philadelphia had their pride fest weekend. I actually was in the parade. We had posters made up saying SAVE THE L WORD in front and back of my car. It was amazing the response. Gay, bi, straight people were running up to the car grabbing flyers that we also made up about Showtime ending the L Word. Not one person who grabbed a flyer knew the L Word was even ending! Everyone was asking why would Showtime end such a great show???!!! I sat on the back seat of my convertible with someone else, and as we turned the first corner 100's of people lined the streets of Philadelphia, everyone was screaming and applauding L WORD!!!! It was amazing!!!! As we parked the car later by the festival with the poster boards still attached to my car, everyone was pointing and talking about the L Word....some comments were angry at showtime, some where saddened and shocked, and many in disbelief. I was sad, because I know what an amazing show the L Word is, and to watch people heartbroken showed me what a powerful show the L Word really is. People were screaming out Shane, Marina....Bette...it was so moving. I'am sending the pictures to Showtime along with a letter so they will see our support for the L Word at Philadelphia's pride fest this weekend. I will also like to forward them to Ilene when I get more copies made. I am sure Philadelphia's media got some good pictures of this. Hey, I am not giving up on the L Word!!!
Philadelphia pride
There are still a lot of viewer who don't know showtime has canceled the L word. Because they don't know, once the show ends they will still be supportive of showtime.They won't know about the cancelation, letters, calls and petitions,they won't know about showtime's ignoring what its customers want. I would have loved to see everyone screaming and applauding for the L word .I am glad that you didn't give up,I am not giving up either. I hope the media took lots of pictures and reports how showtime ignores what its fans want.Anything and everything will help.
So Surprising!
It really is so surprising that there is, as you say Ilene, so few queer media representations. What is out there is fantastic, but it's really not enough!
Especially with all the support that the LGBT community provides to these media representations, it's really too bad the networks aren't listening.
www.simplyqueer.com
living simply. loving queer.
So Surprising !
They only listen when there is money involved.If we stop supporting them with our money they would hear us loud and clear.
You're so right, Carolynwa.
You're so right, Carolynwa.
Unfortunately, I think that money is one of the main factors that matters to the networks, when it comes to deciding which shows to run. But you're right, we need to be speaking up in ways other than through our dollars.
Writing letters is a good start...? What else can we do?!
www.simplyqueer.com
living simply. loving queer.
You're so right
We should tell our friends about the petitions ,and have them sign and call Bob Greenblatt.
Money talks and mine will be saying No L word No showtime.
Ilene's Right
Firstly i think i may be a little confused! Is it that showtime wont air any more series, or that the creators of the L word feel its time to end?
I have to say after reading what Ilene has written, im worried! Im in the UK and although i know what a massive success the l word is, we dont even get it over here on a major tv channel, my fear is that we dont have enough LGB programmes and people are still fearful by what they dont know.
My partner and i run our own video production company, i am currently trying to get the council to let us make a DVD for schools in our area showing highlighting different family groups, as there has recently been an outpouring in 2 schools that teaching about LGB families is wrong, dont worry there are loads of us fighting it, but there needs to be more done, and i do personally feel i need to do something.
I suppose i really need to put my thinking cap on, my partner and i have quite a story to tell and we always said as we run a video compay we should tell it, i suppose our biggest problem is neither of us are great sript writers, but there again, hitting local tv with documentaries may be a good idea.
Ilene if you read this i cant promise i will succeed, but i can promise someone in the UK is fighting to make sure this LGB revolution continues. What scares me the most is peoples lack of education and unexplainable fear. Fear of the different, but total lack of realisation that we are all people and all do the same things mostly!
Anything will help...
Hey, anything will help, but I am not sure if it will work. I wrote my letter to Mr. Greenblatt and I got a letter back from customer service still saying it's ending season six. But I will say if Ilene really wants the show to go on and the cast.....which is in question, then don't give up do whatever it takes for Showtime to get it loud and clear that we want the L Word to go on!!! I feel like I am watching the debate....all the waiting to see what's going to happen. Gzzz, this is so stressful. This is consuming too much of my life! I wish Showtime will just come to their sences and keep the L Word on. I really wish another network will catch on to all this craziness and pick up the L Word on their network. If HBO picked up the L Word after season 6, I will order my subscription to HBO immediately. This will be great for HBO or any network, all the new subscribers they would get......I hope their listening out their!!!!!!!!
L Word
What a great idea about HBO. Hmmmmm another set of emails from all of us I guess? lol Here we go again
Anyone in NEW YORK or LOS ANGELES
Hey, I say anyone in new york or los angeles, go pick outside of Showtimes office......make sure showtime hears you loud and clear, that we don't want the l word to end. I think that would be our last hope, beside signing petitions and writing these guys.
Anything will help
The letter from customer service says it all.What else can be done.I have sent faxs,postcards everyday and signed the petition,unless Ilene has gone to HBO or some other channel nothing more can be done. Just keep signing the petitions.What kind of a business ignores what its( we have shown them in the form of letters,calls and the petitions) customers want.Showtime/CBS has already decided they will no longer respect the wishes of the LGBT community or other views,they know there is a market for this type of entertainment.They also know many in our community will still support them no matter what.I will no longer be a paying customer of showtime hoping that someday they will once again pay attention to the needs of our community .So what if the L word is the longest running show they ever had ,or that they gave us Queer as folks.We have ask that they reconsider canceling(with the 20,000 signatures)and they still say no.It is time to take our money out of showtime .We need to stand togather without settling.
Anything will help
The letter from customer service says it all.What else can be done.I have sent faxs,postcards everyday and signed the petition,unless Ilene has gone to HBO or some other channel nothing more can be done.We need to keep signing the petition.What kind of a business ignores what its( we have shown them in the form of letters,calls and the petitions) customers want.Showtime/CBS has already decided they will no longer respect the wishes of the LGBT community or other viewers,they know there is a market for this type of entertainment.They also know many in our community will still support them no matter what.I will no longer be a paying customer of showtime hoping that someday they will once again pay attention to the needs of our community .So what if the L word is the longest running show they ever had or that they gave us Queer as folks.We have ask that they reconsider canceling(with the 20,000 signatures) and they still say no.It is time to take our money out of showtime .We need to stand togather without settling.
From Guam
I'm so glad to hear that people want this show to continue. I am one of them. I absolutely do not mind helping any way I can. The only problem I have is that I don't have pay pal here on island. If at any way you have an idea of some other way to get this started here on island I would love to hear it, because believe me or not there are so many of us here, and I think we are soon going to over populate this island. Not many people here know about The L Word, but I've been telling them about it, and they are coming to me saying they love the show. Although The L Word does not show here on TV, they have rented the show out at video stores. Now people are going crazy to watch it, and for myself, I don't like the fact that season 6 will be the last. Just the way season 5 ended, it just wasn't right.
From Guam
Well, for right now, tell them to sign the petition at the following link:
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/Save_The_L_Word/index.html
Get the word out any way you can.
I'm sure others on this board may have suggestions too.
Thank you!
lovethelword
SAVE THE L WORD PETITION
Now has over 20,000 signatures on it!!!
lovethelword
Longbeachdoglover
I think we get the point...I don't think you have to be so angry about Rose's comments..there is some truth to her comments. Sometimes, the extreme shakes up the middle of the road..Nothing wrong with what she is saying...I understand her frustration.
Obviously, since you are in the "biz"..any concrete suggestions to bring back the show?? Apparently, Showtime is not bringing it back.
Bob Greenblatt
Okay. I just got off the phone with Brian, Greenblatt's assistant. He said that at this point he really doesn't think the petition or phone call can help in bringing back the L Word for 2009. I don't think he knows much more. I think Ilene should take it to HBO.
Until we get this right!!!
I can not sleep and be myself until we get this right! The L Word can not end! Ilene,Ilene,Ilene, come on, you have some strings .....pull them! Lets jump on the HBO banwangon....or some other network....I would love to see it on HBO.....Showtime will probably lose alot of viewers. But this show can not end! Why would any network drop a show when it is so succesful.....it's watched all over the globe and you have die hard fans! If it was me, I would be riding this cash cow all the way to the bank if I was Showtime. I just don't get it......why end something so incredibly good! Jennifer and Laurel light up the screen together with their love story, and their incredible chemistry together.....how can we just end this incredible couples love story......and Alice.....she makes us laugh so much....she's just so adorable and funny. We don't care what shows will try to follow/copy in the L Words footsteps, we want our L Word.....we want to spend a few months a year, one night a week (Sunday) cuddled up on our sofas watching the girls that we grown to love and adore...is that asking for so much????? We need more than just 6 seasons of the L Word!!!!
Until we getit right!!!
I just wanted to comment on how well you put our feelings. Your article said it all. As a straight women who only discovered TLW this season.(Ofcourse I got the 4 season DVD set & I have watched it twice at this point.) I can not beleive how moving & touching all the storylines are. It's called a drama but it has so many light-hearted stories that make you laugh & yes, Alice is wonderful. It's not necessary for me to say how dynamic Jennifer & Laurel chemistry is because everyone of us who have watch this show, knows exactly what they do to the audience. You're absolutely correct when you said "WHY WOULD SHOWTIME CANCEL A SUCESSFUL SHOW". I never knew any busy that wanted to cancel a product that was so sucessful. Is sonmething else going on here???????
Okay
I will do what I can..I will call Greenblatt..I've already signed the petition and made sure everyone in my office signed it!! I just hope it works.
Thanks, guys. Everyone on this site is just plain fabulous.
By the way, has anyone ever spoken to Greenblatt?
The L Word Craze!!!!
First I want to say I read a disturbing comment about the L Word. The L Word is a super Hot show! Sloppy seconds......I would be sloppy 5th's, 6th's or 7th's if I could be JB or LH's love interest! JB and LH have so much chemistry when they kiss and during their loves scenes, I bet every straight woman who watches them will now want to go out and kiss a woman. JB may be straight, but she kisses LH like a pro, some things are just natural I guess. You can not fake chemistry, no matter how good the acting is. I think for women it's natural, they are soft and pretty....so if you put two beautiful women together like LH and JB.....it's just sensual and sexy. I think alot of people are blown away how JB is straight, and does so well in these scenes but I bet it was not hard at all, if anything it was actually quit nice for her. I think JB and LH are lucky to have each as lovers on the L Word. They just work well together, and look even hotter together. I watched alot of movies and shows (straight and gay) and honestly,