Posted by C2FThom at edutopia.mpsaz.org on January 20, 2004 at 19:12:30:
In Reply to: Poll: Who else hates Cojo? posted by Stasis on January 20, 2004 at 18:02:53:
...in the entertainment (especially television) biz. It pretty much sucks.
And no offense meant, I'm not talking about lifestyle choices, I'm talking about lazy marketing. If "sex sells" was the surefire way to get guys to watch T.V., "gay chic" is the way to get women to watch. But it's pure lazy, and annoying. At first glance, one might think this is helping to expand acceptability and tolerance, but look at it... It's pidgeonholing people into the same old, decades old stereotype that all gay men must speak with a lisp and be very knowledgeable about fashion. (Have they forgotten about the culinary arts?)
Gay or straight, it's one thing when sexual matters are brought up on television or in film to represent a cross-section of real issues. (Our main man's own Chasing Amy is a perfect example.) Even if it's for entertaining value, such as a steamy love scene, it should have some sort of importance to the big picture. But when it's just tacked on as a gimmick, like it is being done too much on channels like E! and shows like ET, it falls somewhere between marketing and prostitution.
At least, those are my 2¢.