The long-running cartoon Arthur featured a gay wedding this week for the third grade teacher Mr. Ratburn. No one knew before that he was gay, and his students at first mistake his sister for the bride at the wedding, only to discover two grooms instead. It was wonderful, and this time the episode aired instead of getting pulled; ten years ago, the Postcards from Buster episode that featured a lesbian couple got pulled. I'm very happy that the show decided to do this with a major character and also to treat it so matter-of-factly once the kids discover the truth. What an unexpected delight!
I'm sure there are still people saying "How dare they on a kids show" and all that, but I don't care anymore. Don't kowtow to the homophobes who object to the mere existence of gay people.
In contrast, I was hoping that Arrested Development would let Gob's coming out stick in season 5, or at least change to bisexuality, but it was frustrating instead. To have them do a "magic" reversal and end up back in the closet was so disappointing. Mere hints about a continued secret relationship is no way to affirm Gob's sexuality; it's a step backwards and it lends credibility to those who say "the Narrator said it was just friendship; no he's not really gay, just stupid." Fuck the writers for cowardly ambiguity.
No comments:
Post a Comment