Posts Tagged ‘Television’

And the Nominees Are…

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Academy-award "It's that time of year, when the world falls in love…every song you hear, seems to say..Sandra Bullock, for the Blind Side."

Ok, I took some liberties with that classic Christmas carol, but this week marked the announcement of the 82nd Annual Academy Awards! Nomination day has always been like Christmas morning for me. I love the anticipation, and I love the forced smiles from those who expected to get a nomination but in turn got a snub from their peers.

Let's break down the nominations for just a moment:

  • Best Film: Now I know that Avatar is out of this blue world, and The Hurt Locker was a stunning portrayal of the front lines of the Iraq war, but let's give it to Precious. The movie gripped me from beginning to end, and the performances were so nuanced and emotional. And an added bonus? The film provided an extremely positive portrayal of a lesbian couple. (By the way, did we really need 10 nominations for Best Film?)
  • Best Actor: Based on what I have seen, I've got to give it to Jeremy Renner with The Hurt Locker. Saw Crazy Heart over the weekend, and while Jeff Bridges was good, it was a one-note (pun intended) performance. It felt like this year's version of The Wrestler. Kudos to the Academy for recognizing Colin Firth for his portrayal of a tormented man in the 1960s choosing between being open and being quiet. That film is on my must-see list, so I reserve the right to change my vote.
  • Best Actress: I'm just going to say it. Sandy B. doesn't deserve it. Sure, she was great. Sure, it was different for her. But these awards are about acting, not just dying your hair blond and changing your accent. For me, this is a toss up between The Divine Ms. M (Meryl Streep) and Gabourey Sidibe in Precious. Saw An Education, and that was kind of a snooze fest.
  • Best Director: Part of me wants Kathryn Bigelow to win the Oscar for The Hurt Locker and become the first female director to do so. But the louder part of me wants Lee Daniels to win for Precious, so that he can become the first openly gay African American director to not only get nominated, but win.
  • Other categories: Mo'Nique all the way. "Take it All" from Nine please (that was the only good part of that film).

I echo Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) President Jarrett Barrios in applauding the Academy this week for recognizing films that use the cinematic storytelling device to shed light on the LGBT community. In a statement this week, Barrios said that “images like the love and commitment between Ms. Rain and her partner in Precious and the isolation felt by George in A Single Man spark conversations that help Americans embrace their gay and transgender friends, family members and neighbors. We need to advocate for more gay-inclusive stories to be shared with mainstream audiences because as more people see these images, they realize that we have the same aspirations, hopes, and deserve the same chances to take care of our loved ones and families.” 

The movies are a powerful medium. Through film, we have the opportunity to entertain mainstream audiences while also educating them about our LGBT community, and Hollywood is slowly providing more and more opportunities for LGBT writers, and actors, to share their story. Someday, the world on screen and the world in real life will merge and we can educate through open dialogue, minus the sound effects.

What do you think about this year's nominations? Are you as nervous as I am about Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin hosting together this year?

One more thing– anyone else as confused as I am about Lost this week? Did the writers really have to bring back Juliet again only to kill her AGAIN? My emotions can't handle it. They have 16 episodes left to explain themselves. If it's easier, I am happy to take a meeting with them in Hawaii to discuss.

| February 5th, 2010 No Comments »
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CBS Fouls Before the Big Game?

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Footbal Contrary to what those who know me personally may think, I do like college football — especially my USF Bulls and the Gators from childhood. I don't however though like that every year the biggest sports day of the year falls on or near my birthday. Talk about a dichotomy! I'm always aware of the Super Bowl and it's coverage, as I successfully try to plan my annual celebration of drinks, shopping and showtunes around the hyper-masculine festivities of food, football and friends.

Needless to say, the past few days I've been closely following the story of CBS's decision to largely approve conservative advocacy group Focus on the Family's (with its typically audience polarizing leader Dr. James Dobson) ad for the Super Bowl with UF star quarterback Tim Tebow. CBS came under fire from LGBT organizations and women's advocacy groups because many believe the ad will advocate pro-life beliefs, as Tebow's mother ignored doctors' recommendations to abort her pregnancy despite having contracted a serious infection.

While a definite proponent of the first amendment (we couldn't have the Out Front Blog without it), a marketplace of multiple and at times conflicting opinions, and the UF Gators, this issue gets stickier because in 2004 CBS denied the United Church of Christ's advertisement on tolerance, which included visual nods to gay couples, interracial couples and other marginalized communities.

Until today, CBS had been quiet on the issueand one LGBT blog noted Tebow's comments on always standing up for what he believes in. Today though CBS told the Los Angeles Times that it had eased the restrictions on advocacy ads, allowing those that are "responsibly produced." The network also noted that they would allow other advocacy groups to purchase the few remaining $2.5 million and $2.8 million ad spots if interested.

Only February 7 will tell whether Focus on the Family's ad with Tebow is responsible — both in it's production and message. We definitely will cover the ads, and who got things right and wrong from an LGBT communications perspective here on the blog. However, the stories and actions thus far raise some critical communication questions:

  1. Is the United Church of Christ ad (seen here) from six years ago produced responsibly? I think so, as it's addressing tolerance — and not just for a particular marginalized group. So why then was this ad denied then and Focus on the Family's yet-to-be-seen ad accepted today?
  2. Was the ease in CBS's restrictions communicated broadly to all organizations in advance of this year's game? If not, why so and how did Focus on the Family hear about the news?
  3. What message is Focus on the Family sending to its employees who were laid off this past year due to financial issues when it purchases a Super Bowl ad with a top sports athlete spokesperson? The organization has stated the ad is made possible from significant donations separate from its operating fund.
  4. Finally, is the Super Bowl a place for advocacy or politically-charged advertisements? I really like CBS Sports Columnist Gregg Doyel's column last week on the topic.

I guess if we're moving to this new era of Super Bowl ads, I hope LGBT advocacy organizations consider, and if appropriate, purchase an ad to get our messages out in front of a large audience. What are your thoughts? Do you agree with Doyel? Do you not care and just want to see the game? Let us know in the comments below.

| January 27th, 2010 No Comments »
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“The Seven Gays of Christmas”

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HolidayLights Festive Friday greetings to all! The countdown has begun– less than one week until I get gift cards from family members!! Oh, and there's that Christmas thing as well. No matter what you celebrate, I wish you a happy holiday season.

Due to a wonderful concept known as vacation, this will be my last posting in 2009 (pause for dramatic effect and weeping). I thought I would take a look back over this past year and give thanks to the "seven gays of Christmas"– those members of the LGBT community that were newsworthy (or made news) during 2009.

Sing with me now…:

  • On the seventh day of Christmas, my boyfriend/girlfriend/partner gave to me, Bruce Springsteen telling me I can marry.
  • On the sixth day of Christmas, my boyfriend/girlfriend/partner gave to me, Matthew Shepard helping us be hate crime free.
  • On the fifth day of Christmas, my boyfriend/girlfriend/partner gave to me, Houston electing a mayor that's LGBT!
  • On the fourth day of Christmas, my boyfriend/girlfriend/partner gave to me, Cleveland coming home with a Gay Games victory.
  • On the third day of Christmas, my boyfriend/girlfriend/partner gave to me, Administration on Aging Secretary Kathy Greenlee.
  • On the second day of Christmas, my boyfriend/girlfriend/partner gave to me, two lesbian anchors on primetime cable news TV.
  • On the first day of Christmas, my boyfriend/girlfriend/partner gave to me, my friends and colleagues in the Out Front family.

You have to give me credit for that, folks.

Seriously– it's been a pleasure blogging with you in 2009. I look forward to 2010 and what it is store for the LGBT community. Until next time, peace to all, and to all a good flight (get it? Good "flight" for those who are traveling over the holidays?!? I'll stop now.).

| December 18th, 2009 No Comments »
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Music Makes the People Come Together…

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Dreamgirls-7_jpg_550x550_q85 It's like I'm in my own game of "Where's Waldo?" Today, I'm blogging from the Big Apple. Looking forward to a winter weekend back in Ohio (fingers crossed for no flight delays!).

Since I'm still living the life of a professional nomad, I've been collecting my random thoughts for this week's post. Happy Friday, and here goes…

  • Born in the U.S.A. I know he's the Boss, but now he really should be. This week, THE Bruce Springsteen posted the following to his site: "Like many of you who live in New Jersey, I've been following the progress of the marriage-equality legislation currently being considered in Trenton. I've long believed in and have always spoken out for the rights of same sex couples and fully agree with Governor Corzine when he writes that, 'The marriage-equality issue should be recognized for what it truly is — a civil rights issue that must be approved to assure that every citizen is treated equally under the law.' I couldn't agree more with that statement and urge those who support equal treatment for our gay and lesbian brothers and sisters to let their voices be heard now." Go Bruce! I appreciate when artists use their communications platform to advocate for causes for which they are passionate. He came out in support of a highly debated issue, and he shared it with the masses. And now, he's got one more gay fan. Granted he had me at "Streets of Philadelphia," but still.
  • Glee Fall Finale. Any television show that involves a pairing of both "And I'm Telling You" from Dreamgirls and "Don't Rain on My Parade" from Funny Girl deserves its own Nobel Peace Prize. Seriously– Effie White and Barbara Streisand? I'm suprised there wasn't a blackout across the U.S. from all us show choir gleeks imploding.
  • Speaking of Dreamgirls: Took a break last night while in NYC and decided to go see the revival of Dreamgirls at the Apollo Theater, which is celebrating its 75th anniversary. What a historic place. And what a fitting place to host this stunning revival. I don't think I've ever seen so much celebrated diversity like I did at the Apollo– gay men, black men, white women… you name it, we were all captivated by the star turn of Moya Angela. And I'm telling you, you better get going there before it closes.
  • Sadness: My mother has made cameo appearances on this blog before. On Wednesday, during our daily conversation, she told me she happened to read the paper and saw the story about the proposed anti-homosexuality bill in Uganda. Her words to me: "I read so many sad things in the paper today. It makes me scared for you. You never know what hateful people can do out there." I won't get into a discussion about what's going on in Uganda. Actually– I can't. It's too tragic to think that such anger and intolerance still permeates our society.

Thank you Bruce, and thank you Mom, for caring about our human rights.

Talk to you next week.

(Photo Courtesy of Playbill)

| December 11th, 2009 2 Comments »
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Don’t Ask, Don’t Sing?

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Alg_singer_ama_adam-lambert Gang–hope everyone had a great holiday weekend. Too much turkey, not enough shopping, but bygones.

It's been one of those weeks getting back into the swing of things, so I'm going to share a bunch of random musings:

  • Adam Lambert/American Music Awards: First of all– what a boring awards show. Yes, J-Lo fell. Janet lipsynched the opening. Kelly Clarkson rocked it out. But, Adam Lambert kissed and grossed a boy and the world fell apart! 1,500 calls to ABC! Good Morning America canceled his concert! CBS Early Show booked him but didn't show his controversial performance! Double standard? Maybe. But, shame on Good Morning America for canceling on him– especially when the network actively incorporates the LGBT community in their primetime shows. And double shame for CBS for capitalizing on the controversy but not showing his performance. What did I think about the performance? Much ado about nothing– especially the vocals :(
  • Mrs. Keaton is a lesbian! In an overdue return to the pop culture radar, Meredith Baxter (aka Family Ties matriarch) came out on the Today Show as a lesbian. I don't know how Alex P. and the gang will react to this. But, kudos to Meredith for taking the gossip hounds to task by coming out on her own terms, and doing it privately with her family first before addressing it nationally.
  • Cleveland is still rocking out as a result of My Games Rock! On Monday, Cleveland City Council unanimously passed legislation that expands the city's existing anti-bias laws to bar businesses from denying jobs or housing to people because of their gender identity or gender expression. It's great recognition for our transgendered community. Ohio is fast-becoming the LGBT mecca we dreamed. Here's hoping for more progress.
  • Twilight vs. Precious. Precious wins, hands down.

Happy first December Friday to all. Speak to you next week.

(Photo Courtest of NY Daily News)

| December 4th, 2009 No Comments »
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