02/20/2005
Double Feature
Tonight's gay double header should prove to be an entertaining evening on the tube. The Simpsons takes on gay marriage as Springfield becomes "a place where everyone can marry — even dudes," according to its mayor. A Simpsons character will come out and the speculation continues as to who it might be, with odds on Marge's sister Peggy Patty.
Over on Desperate Housewives we're likely to see Andrew van de Kamp discovered in a compromising homosexual position by his mother Bree, played by Marcia Cross. Cross, who last week denied she's gay but apparently will be featured on an upcoming cover of The Advocate but apparently won't come out in the issue.
Posted 2:57 PM EST by Andy Towle in Film & TV | Permalink
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Marge's sister is Patty, not Peggy. Anyway, I predict neither Patty nor Peggy, but Carl and Lenny (Homer's co-workers).
Posted by: Jason | Feb 20, 2005 3:09:02 PM
Umm.. you're overlooking the obvious here. The writers have given us the answer already. and has been in front of your faces for years! The character to come out is 'Mo'. Duh! ;)
Posted by: blue | Feb 20, 2005 5:14:58 PM
Nothing new when it comes to carl and lenny. Everybody already knows they have a "speacial" relationship. Mo the bartender has already had girls one being a helen hunt character. I'm going to have to go with somebody a little more obvious like smithers he's never REALLY come out!
Posted by: Andre | Feb 20, 2005 5:38:10 PM
Oh, pleez...it's Smithers. He's had the hots for Mr. Burns ever since the show began. But then again, that wouldn't really be a revelation, would it?
Posted by: Marc | Feb 20, 2005 5:52:10 PM
I just watched the episode on the Newfoundland, Canada TV station, which airs it 1 1/2 hours before the Eastern time zone in America. The show was something of a disappointment, actually. Marge's sister Patty comes out as a lesbian who wants to marry Veronica, a pro golfer. But Veronica turns out to be a man. (And they don't get married) The show wasn't all that funny and at times borderline insulting.
Posted by: Stosine | Feb 20, 2005 7:00:51 PM
What the fuck was with the parental advisory before the show started?!?!?
"This episode contains discussions of same-sex marriage. Parental discretion is advised."
As noted on southernvoice.com: "In a another, previously-aired episode of the show that airs immediately following the coming out story on Sunday, fourth grader Bart finds a stash of "Playdude" magazines. However, that episode lacks a parental advisory and is only rated PG.
Apparently gay marriage is more likely to unravel society's moral fabric than porno in the hands of a kid."
Posted by: Jason | Feb 20, 2005 9:12:42 PM
I found many of the stereotypes in the Simpsons episode insulting as well (along with the parental advisory).
And if Patty's gay, but her identical twin sister Selma isn't, were they implying that homosexuality isn't genetic, but rather a choice?
Posted by: Bithysith | Feb 20, 2005 9:31:56 PM
I tend to think of the Simpsons as satire and mocking the idiocy of closed-minded individuals but everything is perception in our world.
As for Desperate: I'm watching it right now and it seems Ryan's character was just using Eva's character Gabrielle to figure out if he's gay or not. Hm. I suppose if I had to test it (ha, which I never did) she'd be a mighty fine choice.
Posted by: Rob | Feb 20, 2005 9:47:25 PM
Actually Bith, many identical twins have one gay twin and one straight twin. It is actually pretty common, but still doesn't rule out that being gay is genetic or that one is born gay. Probably many factors come into play with twins (or any fetus) while in the womb such as different hormone levels going into each at different stages of developement. One can be left handed and one right handed, one can be taller than the other...etc.
Posted by: Patrick | Feb 20, 2005 9:58:17 PM
Can we talk about that pool scene. I mean they were so out in the open. In a closed bedroom yes but right after a pool party were some guest could still be there?
Posted by: Andre | Feb 20, 2005 9:58:31 PM
Andre: Yeah, exactly. Hot scene, maybe slightly romantic, caught up in the moment...but c'mon! If you are worried about "revelations of your sexuality" then you might want to be more discrete.
And here's hoping Ryan isn't "trying to change."
Go Ryan! Go Andrew! Don't let Bree find out. Ha.
Posted by: Rob | Feb 20, 2005 10:02:13 PM
There was no parental advisory on the Simpsons on any of the Canadian stations. Only in America....
Re: twins, one gay one not. One of my ex boyfriends was a twin. His brother was straight. I don't think it's rare.
Posted by: Stosine | Feb 20, 2005 11:10:33 PM
that desperate housewives episode was awesome. why can't i find hot, troubled gay boys who want to fondle in the pool? lol
must me a burbs thing...
Posted by: Jerry | Feb 20, 2005 11:58:34 PM
Carl and Lenny would have been a more entertaining choice for a 'comming out' episode. Only a short comment was made about them - Marge said "oh leave them alone and thet them figure it out for themselves". I thought that was funny. It was obvious to me that there was something going on behind closed doors with those two. I don't see why people have to put a label on everything though. Why can't Carl and Lenny be able to show their feelings for each other and still like to date girls? I hate this whole "Gay" or "Straight" thing.
Posted by: SternEdwards | Feb 21, 2005 12:36:40 AM
I think its appalling that Fox needs to put the disclaimer on at all. The Simpsons was never intended to be a children's show. But if you let your kid watch it every week, good luck explaining it to him why he can't watch tonight's episode.
As for comments that are "borderline insulting", there were a couple of comments that tweaked me, too, but I got over it pretty quick. I guess that's what equal rights is all about: taking your lumps along with everyone else. After 16 seasons there is not a single group of people that hasn't faced the Simpsons' unique brand of ridicule at one time or another.
Desperate was great tonight. I just wish the pool kiss wasn't so dimly lit. Andrew sure can hold his breath for a long time, though.
Posted by: tony | Feb 21, 2005 1:39:35 AM
that pool scene was sooooooooooo hot
Posted by: gaysteria | Feb 21, 2005 1:40:45 AM
I don't think the "warning" ran nationwide - did it? I didn't notice it on the NYC affiliate.
Posted by: alan | Feb 21, 2005 5:39:04 AM
It was announced beforehand that the warning would be run before the show, so I assume it ran everywhere. Bush and the Republicans in Congress are pushing to incrase the maxiumum "indecency" fine from $32,500 to $500,000 per incident so broadcasters are going to be much more timid about what they air.
Posted by: Stosine | Feb 21, 2005 9:28:37 AM
I was a bit off-put by the disclaimer also. however, in the current witch-hunt to find offensive television, I think FOX was just covering it's own *ss since the episode took on a controversial topic during prime-time. I'm sure the episode will draw many complaints and FOX can then turn around and say they ran a responsible disclaimer prior to the episode to warn parents of the content.
Also, last time I checked, the gay community doesn't need FOX's approval when it comes to equal rights.
I was most disappointed by the pool scene. Thanks to TiVo I watched it only about 20 times. They weren't even kissing! Ryans head was by Andrew's ear and his hand was on the side of his head! Where was the kiss!? AND I was disasppointed the condom wasn't indeed Andrew's. If I was fooling around with Ryan....
Posted by: Blue | Feb 21, 2005 11:56:54 AM
Briefly on the Simpson's advisory: gays are historically and presently only controversial, a issue for possible parental discretion, because others, just like Fox, labeled/label it as such. "Difference" per se is not controversial. Such precautions perpetuate the moral judgment attached by implicitly endorsing them and we should protest them, demand that they stop, or at least add to the list, like medication warnings, all of the things in every program that might offend SOMEONE. "Tonight's edition of 'American Idol' may cause headaches, nausea, and rectal bleeding." American Muslims succeeded recently in getting a startling disclaimer personally delvered on camera by Keifer Sutherland IN THE MIDDLE OF AN EPISODE of "24" about how all Muslims aren't terrorists. But then, as evidenced by the recent post mortem rape of Matthew Shepard by ABC, the gay community has lost virtually all the clout we once had with the networks--thanks GLAAD. We're back to being broadbrushed villains even in cartoons! But onto happier thoughts. With all the things in Bushland Uber Alles that piss me off on a daily basis making me, perhaps, too serious too often, I have squealed like the first 50s teenage girl that saw Elvis swivel his pelvis with each fabulous episode of "Desperate Housewives." The previews promised wonderful escapism, but I have been delightfully stunned with how almost every episode is better than the last. As much as I still pretty much enjoy its sister ABC hit "Lost," and it might be unfair to compare a comedy-drama with a scifi (?) drama, the writing and plot twists on DH have been far more consistent and engaging. Those old enough to remember "Twin Peaks" will recall how the first few episodes left you going "WOW! OMG! WOW!" but it eventually deteriorated into unexplained oddness-for-oddity's sake, and one felt purposely mindfucked-just-because-he-could by writer-director David Lynch, a disgusted feeling I've similarly had after watching virtually every one of his feature films post "Blue Velvet." Such egotism can serve in the static arts, and Lynch has every constitutional right to paint a plot and then piss on it as he so often does on film, but not since "Blue Velvet" and early "Twin Peaks" has he entertained both commoners and queens as well as Mark Cherry is now doing with DH. I've almost given up the expectation that he will jump the shark. But now that the (Oxymoron Alert) gay Republican has written a gay teenager into Republican Bree's family who knows what to expect? There was some line last night out of the mouth of his fuck buddy Justin, when he was confessing to Gabrielle, that bothered me (though not enough to remember it) and I was initially pleased when it seemed predictions that Andrew would be the gay Wisterian were wrong because he's such an obnoxious, amoral character (hello--Hit & Run of Gabrielle's vengeful mother-in-law, and, BTW, why have they stopped scenes with her, coma or no?). But thankful that it's his father and not him (so far) into BD, and based on the fun and surprises he's already delivered, Cherry is one gay Republican I'll continue to give the benefit of the doubt. Even if he hadn't introduced gay characters, he deserves praise simply for adjusting the gender imbalance in a network TV landscape in which women have been mostly playing supporting roles to male leads and autopsies. All four of the women leads have their strengths, but I rejoice in the final stardom/success of Terri Hatcher who appears to be as good a soul in real life as she is on screen. One of the few shows as good as its hype, it may continue to be primarily popcorn but it's rare, fabulous popcorn, and at least two of the kernels are gay.
Posted by: Leland | Feb 21, 2005 1:11:24 PM
Is it me or is the Simpsons unwatchable nowadays? There was no disclaimer here in Nyc, and thank G-d, because there would have been gay riots in the streets. Pearls thrown everywhere! The show was self-congratulatory, aimless, and ultimately totally unfunny. The only halfway clever moment was when Marge is trying to explain how the Bible doesn't condemn gay marriage, and Rev. Lovejoy starts ringing the church bells to drown her out. The writers must have been so proud to draw parallels between Homer marrying people with anything, and what some Santorums have said about Gay Marriage. If you've ever seen the episode where Bart hangs out with John Waters, you know that homosexuality can be handled in a way that opens peoples minds and is funny. Where were the United Steelworkers of America? "We work hard, and we play hard". The Simpsons writers obviously are aiming for "The Onion" style humor, and adore The Daily Show and the abysmal Saturday Night Live. So remember kids, before we get too excited about homos being featured in shows, including the unfunny and overhyped "Desperate Housewives", the gayness on the Simpsons was only a Ratings Stunt for sweeps. And ultimately, what does that make us?
Posted by: Condoleeza Rice | Feb 21, 2005 2:11:35 PM
I'm a twin; I'm gay; my twin is straight. There's some interesting research on the topic.
Interpreting the Biological Correlates of Sexual Orientation
Twin Studies of Homosexuality
A Twin Registry Study of Male and Female Sexual Orientation
----------------------------------------
Bailey and Pillard (1991): occurrence of homosexuality among brothers
* 52% of identical (monozygotic) twins of homosexual men were likewise homosexual
* 22% of fraternal (dizygotic) twins were likewise homosexual
* 11% of adoptive brothers of homosexual men were likewise homosexual
J.M. Bailey and R.C. Pillard, “A genetic study of male sexual orientation,” Archives of General Psychiatry, vol. 48:1089-1096, December 1991.
Bailey and Pillard (1993): occurrence of homosexuality among sisters
* 48% of identical (monozygotic) twins of homosexual women were likewise homosexual (lesbian)
* 16% of fraternal (dizygotic) twins were likewise homosexual
* 6% of adoptive sisters of homosexual women were likewise homosexual
Bailey, J. M. and D. S. Benishay (1993), “Familial Aggregation of Female Sexual Orientation,” American Journal of Psychiatry 150(2): 272-277.
Posted by: ericb | Feb 21, 2005 3:18:08 PM
'Simpsons' Animates Gay Nuptials, and a Debate
"In the ongoing culture wars over whether gays should have the right to marry, an animated question reared its head on Sunday prime-time television: as goes "The Simpsons," does the nation go, too? ... But when a show as mainstream and popular as this takes on one of the most divisive issues in American society, it is certain to attract attention." [New York Times | February 21, 2005]
Posted by: ericb | Feb 21, 2005 3:20:34 PM
Springfield Is For Gay Lovers of Marriage
Posted by: ericb | Feb 21, 2005 3:22:05 PM
Condi: pearls before swine like John Waters? Now that's sleazy, but explains how you can lump together expressions as various as SNL, Housewives, the Onion, and The Daily Show. One of the many things they don't have in common with each other, or with John Waters, is that none of them have eaten dog shit--or did you decide Waters was a god after that Divine moment?
I will agree with one thing you seem to be saying: that those, including the New York Times, who think some cultural tide has adequately turned--by which I mean enough to offset the homophobic rabid dogs that elected Bush--with the niche popularity of Will & Grace, flaming fags supplying grooming tips to breeder boys, out gays and lesbians on reality shows, fake kisses between Madonna and Brittany, even the embrace of a protesting too much Waters by the Liberal Chic are fools. They are nothing more than court jesters until those like the current king are refused the throne.
Posted by: Lolly | Feb 21, 2005 3:42:25 PM