10/10/2008
Eastenders Gay Kiss Threatens British Audiences
A romantic kiss between Christian Clarke (John Partridge ) and Lee Thompson (Carl Ferguson) on the British soap Eastenders has sent conservative viewers into a frenzy.
The Daily Mail reports: "In a statement the BBC defended itself by saying it was down to parents to decide whether the content of the show was suitable for children to watch. But some viewers were left deeply unimpressed. One viewer wrote on the BBC’s Points Of View internet messageboard: 'I am appalled by the display of homosexual kissing before the watershed shown on EastEnders. This is disgraceful whilst young children are watching and sets the wrong example.' Another, Pat, wrote: 'I had to explain to my seven-year-old son what was happening. He now thinks he is gay because he kisses his dad.'"
Well, apparently you didn't explain it well enough, idiot.
Said the BBC: "We approach our portrayal of homosexual relationships in the same way as we do heterosexual relationships. We believe that the general tone and content of EastEnders is now widely recognised. Parents can make an informed decision as to whether they want their children to watch."
Watch the scandalous kiss that's rocking Britain, AFTER THE JUMP...
Pretty hot if you ask me. The BBC is probably getting complaints because the men aren't typically stereotyped nelly queens. Seems the bigots are always more threatened when the men are more masculine, as in the Heinz commercial earlier this year.
Posted 10:55 AM EST by Andy Towle in Great Britain, Kiss, News, Soap Operas, Television | Permalink
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I'm glad BBC continues to push for the British to be open minded. This is a country that has legalized same-sex union we are talking about, but the people seem to be still ignorant about it.
But as usual, papers do like to sell more papers by making a kiss such a big deal when there are other issues to talk about. We shouldn't pay too much attention to this but just enjoy the kiss.
Posted by: Alfred | Oct 10, 2008 5:53:58 PM
Didn't Tony and Simon kiss when they were a couple, I could have sworn there was some action or at least a kiss back in the day. EE needs some spice beyond Ian being shocked to discover what Jane has been doing instead of going to the gym. I see everyone's favourite Walford bitch, Janine Butcher is back, sad to hear Aunt Pauline has cancer.
Posted by: Jocko | Oct 10, 2008 5:55:15 PM
How silly this "controversy" is. You can't even see their mouths.
Posted by: gay as life | Oct 11, 2008 12:36:39 AM
Doesn't EastEnders get about 10 million viewers? 45 complaints is not, by any stretch of the imagination, significant.
Posted by: Rory | Oct 11, 2008 11:50:39 AM
"EastEnders" is a show that features equal or more amounts of (99% heterosexual) bed-hopping as most American soaps. Anyone who complains that "kids might see this" does a LOT of explaining, I shouldn't wonder.
Posted by: Red Seven | Oct 11, 2008 2:53:32 PM
"In principle, a gay kiss is no more difficult for a child to understand than a heterosexual kiss. Problems arise when parents (and maybe other adults) have only been explaining romantic relationships to kids in heterosexual terms. But parents who have made this mistake and presented a false image of reality to their children can't expect the rest of the world to play along, just so their children won't get confused."
Borut NAILED it! Best freaking comment ever! Exactly what I would say, had I been just as clever with words. Please marry me Borut. ;)
Posted by: TheNiebur | Oct 11, 2008 8:39:29 PM
This show is called "Eastenders" and a lot of eastender Londoners watch it. I'm not surprised that someone got offended. It's like have a gay kiss on BET movie night.
Posted by: Caligula | Oct 12, 2008 2:13:20 AM
Pat, wrote: 'I had to explain to my seven-year-old son what was happening. He now thinks he is gay because he kisses his dad.'"
Well, why would it be any different with a kiss between a woman and a man. Would she have to explain to her son it's OK to kiss mommy as long as you don't shove your tongue in your mom's throat?
Please.... anyone that uses the pathetic and moronic argument that Pat uses is stupid, bigoted, dumb and absolutely homophobic. Assholes! I am sick and tired of pandering to people with no brain, so, Pat, here's a message: "Fuck you you moron!"
Posted by: CK | Oct 12, 2008 7:53:37 PM
Plus which there are so many gay men living in the real East End -- with the White Swan and all -- this plot does make sense.
Posted by: David B. | Oct 14, 2008 7:19:30 PM