Tuesday, November 04, 2008

November isn't for lesbians

Hey, ABC, fuck you. No, seriously, I mean it. Fuck you. It's really hard to overstate my sincerity when I say this. Fuck you. Fuck. You. FUCK YOU! Just when I was happily praising you for your realistic, sensitive portrayal of a late-in-life coming out, you had to go and fuck it all up. By now you have probably heard that “Grey's Anatomy” has unceremoniously fired Brooke Smith, abruptly ending Callica and pissing off lesbians everywhere. Erica Hahn's last day at Seattle Grace is Thursday. This news is beyond shocking, it's beyond sad, it's beyond insulting. It's infuriating. It's so fucking infuriating.

It's also a reminder that lesbian and bisexual viewers are continually and callously shortchanged by their televisions. Callica was the only lesbian/bisexual couple on primetime broadcast TV. This means after Thursday there will be no lesbian/bisexual couples on primetime broadcast television. Let's let that sink in for a minute. Television is, of course, notorious for being non-inclusive. But no lesbian couples, not a single one? Zero? That's not just being non-inclusive, that's being delusional.

And almost more infuriating is the supposed reasoning. ABC execs “had issues” with the “explicit direction” of Callica’s relationship, and disliked Erica’s character. So let's break their “reasoning” down. Issues with the explicit direction? Translation: Gay relationships are still icky, especially when love and sex are involved and it's not on “Girls Gone Wild.” Dislike for Erica's character? Translation: She doesn't look like Olivia Wilde. Dammit, why didn't we hire Olivia Wilde?

Couple this shocking news with the news that Melissa George's new intern character Sadie has been de-gayed and you have a show that has gone from one of the best depictions of a gay relationship on TV this year to one of the very worst in the span of just a week. Now Brooke Smith has said show creator Shonda Rhimes' hands were tied with the decision, which is probably true. But she certainly didn't help the situation by issuing a statement that borders on insulting and flirts with idiocy.
“Brooke Smith was obviously not fired for playing a lesbian. Clearly it's not an issue as we have a lesbian character on the show – Calliope Torres. Sara Ramirez is an incredible comedic and dramatic actress and we wanted to be able to play up her magic. Unfortunately, we did not find that the magic and chemistry with Brooke's character would sustain in the long run. The impact of the Callie/Erica relationship will be felt and played out in a story for Callie. I believe it belittles the relationship to simply replace Erica with 'another lesbian.' If you'll remember, Cristina mourned the loss of Burke for a full season.”

God, where to start? A) Calliope is not a lesbian, she is bisexual. That point was made explicitly, twice, last week when she slept with Sloan and realized it was no better/worse than sleeping with Hahn. B) The magic and chemistry could not not be sustained? Have you been watching the show? Did you see Brooke's speech last week? No magic and chemistry my ass.

Queer TV fans are painfully aware of the scarcity of their storylines on TV. But that doesn't mean it still doesn't hurt when a relationship so many can finally relate to is taken away for at best arbitrary and at worst bigoted reasons. We deserve to see our lives reflected back to us when we turn on our televisions. And we're allowed to be really fucking pissed when they aren't. ABC, you need glasses. Because this is just blind stupidity.

p.s. Let ABC know how you feel here. Hey, does anyone else think we should flood them with pairs of glasses, à la "Jericho" and the peanuts? Or maybe that's just my blind rage talking.

68 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'm at a loss for words!

Anonymous said...

frankly, im shocked and disgusted.
what better way to send a message to abc than to stop watching grey's?

The Gentleman said...

I've just blogged about it myself...
I'm appalled by the network decision and disgusted by Shonda’s pathetic attempt to excuse herself… I can’t believe they are still pulling this obnoxious tricks.
I don’t think I’m gonna keep watching the show, I’m offended.
You summed it up well:
Fuck You ABC… Fuck YOU.

Anonymous said...

It seems like they are ruining this show on purpose. I used to love this show, but after Isaiah Washington and Kate Walsh left, its just crap. AND NOW BROOKE SMITH? She is the reason I'm watching at the moment. It used to be so good and now the only thing I was looking forward to was the Callica storyline. With that one out of the picture, I see absolutely no reason for me to continue watching Greys Anatomy..

Norma Desmond said...

Oh my god, are you fucking kidding me?! Alright, I'll be honest. I started watching Grey's when they turned Callie gay. 'Cause, let's face it, Sara Ramirez is ALL woman. And I've spent the time since then trying to catch up on all the back seasons after holding out for years against getting sucked into the blind popularity of it all. And dammit, I like it. I like it all. I enjoy catching up. But now... I'm not sure I can finish. Because I feel sick, and I now I feel sick watching Callie be introduced where I had been, minutes before, excited to see her storyline develope. I'm in complete shock. And they're making a HUGE mistake. I'm not much of a loss since I've only been watching for a handful of weeks, but I hope they lose regular viewers, too. Wow. I never knew I could be so disappointed in a TV show...

Anonymous said...

frankly, im still shocked and even more disgusted (if thats's possible).
Does brooke have an official fan club where we can show her our support? they havent even begun showing grey's season 5 in oz and now this news. *shaking head*

Anonymous said...

I am totally shocked and will stop watching grey's after brooke smith has gone!
without hahn I even dont like callie anymore...

finn said...

where is the address? where do I have to send the glasses?
If flooding offices with items is the new grassroots protest, I'm in.

Nelfy said...

I still can't believe it. I really, actually cried last night when I read that. I was starting to fall in love with Erica and now they are just going to take her away from me with a 4-days warning. Yeah, this hurts. Thanks for writing down all of the things I've been feeling!

the great guy's over at the Erica & Callie lj-community have started a competition, please all take part:

http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/hope4hahn

Anonymous said...

BULLSH*T
People love Erica! I watch Grey's Anatomy since she became a regular cast member... They don't have chemistry together? Then split them up but don't make up lame excuses because you are too afraid of having two girls kissing in your show.
Brooke doesn't deserve to be fired because of the stupid narrow minded people at ABC.. She's a wonderful actress doing a terrific job as Erica Hahn... This is just bullshit.
Wanna see how a couple with NO chemistry whatsoever can go on for over a season on tv? Watch Vero and Maca from Hospital Central (Spain)
F*cking A...

Leesh said...

Thank you, thank you, thank you for so eloquently and accurately capturing all my emotions on the subject in this post. I am absolutely furious. I have watched this show from the very beginning, and was absolutely ecstatic when I realized that I was actually going to be able to see MYSELF reflected in the characters and story lines of the show.

ABC, you have lost at least one faithful viewer that's been in it for more than the lesbian episodes.

Now, where do I send those glasses again?

Magnolia31 said...

Done writing to ABC.
Where do I send my glasses ?

frannie said...

I have to say I'm not surprised. Frikkin losers. They always get cold feet about stuff like this. It's outrageous!

I wrote my letter to them. I think we really need to all get our old glasses, and send them to ABC. I don't think we should just stand by without a fight. They brought Jericho back didn't they?

Maybe we should send live CHICKENS instead???

Misgrace said...

pffff, I had just come back on board of this show again, because I thought it had slipped a little as far as the storylines went. Let's face it: Grey and McDreamy, yeah, been there, seen that. George and Callie, so unconvincing. But with Hahn, we had a character who delivered a punch; and a good one at that. And besides Miranda, who is being dumbed down, here was a woman, who stood up for herself.
Oh well, more time to read for me.

frannie said...

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2006/05/060525-mail-chickens.html

What do you think? Should we do it?!?!?!?

roark said...

This is VERY disappointing.

Anonymous said...

While I wasn't overly impressed with how they were handling Callie's "gay panic" by having her run to Mark, I was tuning in for the mere fact that I was being represented on television.

Brooke Smith was amazing as Erica and to let her go like this just shows how cowardly and behind the times ABC really is.

Anonymous said...

Well, I like the flooding offices with an item idea. And I like the chicken idea, but I wouldn't want to endanger a bunch of chickens. If they can cancel a storyline this awesome and fire Brooke Smith, who knows what they're capable of doing to defenseless chickens.

So let's send them chicken shit. Since they're being chicken shits...

jennifer from pittsburgh said...

The only decent, and believable, relationship on Grey's was Callica, which they have now thrown off a cliff. I, of course, will go back to NOT watching this show.

Looking for my Lost Life said...

I had just started watching Grey's because of this storyline. I sent ABC a comment letting them know that I will no longer be a viewer!

Anonymous said...

I read this late last night on afterellen.com, and I'm still pissed.

I watched the first season of Grey's and loved it, but the writing went south and honestly, I stopped watching. But the Callie/Erica relationship was being done so well and realistically, I started watching again.

No more. Hell, I'm not watching ABC now in general.

That anyone would pretend that this decision was anything other than homophobia is an insult to anyone with functioning braincells. I know this was a decision that came from ABC itself, but shame on Shonda for that pathetic excuse.

Fuck you ABC indeed. You lost a viewer, and I'm not the only one.

The Erin Grant said...

So cowardly, so backward, I'm boycotting ABC, there's nothing good on there anyway...THIS FUCKING SUCKS!

Anonymous said...

It was nice to see something other than the pathetically boring relationship between Merideth and Derrick. I don't think I will watch anymore. And, I did write CBS - thanks for the link.

Paula said...

I feel sorry for us as gay viewers that Grey's has cancelled this storyline. But I REALLY feel sorry for Brooke Smith. As far as I know, she is not gay. How sad that she's getting punished for being a good actor.

www.ComeTogetherGiftBaskets.com

Anonymous said...

They ASKED Brooke to play this, then proceeded to cut the limb off behind her.

We are compiling links and addresses here to protest this and/or support Brooke:

http://community.livejournal.com/erica_callie

We are planning on posting a joint letter to Brooke, hopefully later this evening, that you can sign to THANK HER for going out on that damn limb for us. Please check back and SIGN.

In the meantime, you can send glasses or strong words here:
Executive Producers
Grey's Anatomy
4151 Prospect Ave.
2nd floor, Producers Bldg.
Los Angeles, CA 90027
Ph#323-671-4650
Fax#323-671-4365

Anonymous said...

The poor little male execs at ABC and their poor little manhoods could not handle a storyline where a woman who had a choice between being with a woman and being with a man...consciously decided that she wanted to be with the woman. So they had to get rid of the woman that she picked over the man.


This is the guy to send the eyeglasses to...

Mr. Stephen McPherson
President, ABC Primetime Entertainment
500 South Buena Vista Street
Burbank, CA 91521

This is his boss who you can also write and email to...

Ms. Anne Sweeney
President, Disney-ABC Television
500 South Buena Vista Street
Burbank, CA 91521
anne.x.sweeney@abc.com

The Grey's Anatomy address (in the above post) is also the address to write to Shonda...as well as Sara and Brooke as a show of support...so that the idiots get a clue as to how much they and their characters were supported by viewers.

Lezlie Mac said...

Dorothy, you perfectly expressed my feelings at this very moment.

Just wrote ABC, now do we send the glasses or what?
Stupid little men with their insecurity...

Anonymous said...

I keep wondering where is GLAAD in all of this? Aren't they supposed to represent the L too?

Where is GLAAD's anger and official stance on the degaying of Grey's?

I am sure GLAAD knew before the news broke on Monday because all the networks let them know well ahead of time when additions or changes are made to queer characters on their shows.

Is GLAAD buying that official piece of crap that Shonda shoveled?

trent bowie said...

I just sent ABC a rather nasty comment with some choice obscenities. You'd think after the big blow-up with Isaiah Washington a year back the last thing they'd want to do is anger the LGBT even more. Geez, guess I was wrong. I don't even watch the show and that just burns me. Here's some suggestions on what to send thoses clowns besides chickens or their feces: a Minnie Mouse & Daisy Duck doll locked in a passionate kiss (with some glue), a billed subscription to Curve magazine, sensible shoes, dental dams...oh hell, a bunch of Disney female dolls (Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, Ariel, etc.) naked and glued together in an orgy. ABC is Disney so why not hit them where it hurts?

DawgDyke said...

superbly written

Laura said...

Check this out... Now, as a consequent, the new intern will no longer be a bisexual character

http://www.greysanatomynews.com/2008/11/03/melissa-georges-character-no-longer-bisexual/

and rumors say sara ramirez might leave the show as well

http://www.greysanatomynews.com/2008/11/03/rumor-sara-ramirez-departing-after-episode-15/

Just what is going on here?

Rose said...

I wrote ABC a long complaint. Thanks for the post.

Anonymous said...

While I am not even a consistent Grey's Anatomy viewer, I've definitely enjoyed the clips on your blog, but I have to say that it is kinda hot to see you drop the f bomb like that! Is that so wrong of me? I should care more, but I just like it when you curse :-)

Anonymous said...

Two words :

IT SUCKS !!!!

Anonymous said...

I was thinking of perhaps flooding the office with LEAVES as well? Since the economy is down and whatnot, leaves fit into my budget...

Argh, you summed up my frustration perfectly! I had gotten back into Grey's and was really enjoying Grey's because of Callica, but now am angry they are ruining the best relationship on the show. Callica was beautiful....lack of chemistry my ass.

Anonymous said...

There must and shall be a back lash felt by networks for these decisions if it is ever going to change. This is like that Italian show that had their first ever lesbian kiss in an elevator and the whole damn show was promptly cancelled. Fuck that! The ratings is where it hurts them. Boycott ABC! Tell your friends, sign petitions, send wahtever you need to, just take some form of action!
P.S. To anonymus 25 or so posts before me; if you don't think Maca and Vero have chemistry when they hook up you haven't got a pulse. True that. They are both tall, beautiful,bootiliciuos babes, Hottttt!

TechFem50 said...

I guess paying for LOGO as part of cable package will continue. I had such high hopes for ABC.

Guess I won't be watch ABC Primetime for a while.

00 said...

Sending in glasses would be hilarious.

I found this article in the LA Times about it: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/showtracker/2008/11/critics-noteboo.html

In a nutshell it said that the problem was that they weren't 'attractive' enough in more traditional TV type standards. That just ticked the living snot out of me, but the thing is, I think that there's some truth to it (I'm just annoyed that crap like that would matter).

Anonymous said...

FU FU FU. I have never been so pissed off about TV in my life.

I like the leaves and glasses idea. You can buy some cheapo glasses at the dollar store and can always find fake leaves.

I really want to know how the other cast members are responding. Good or bad.

http://img152.imageshack.us/img152/5240/buttonzf4.jpg

Anonymous said...

Sorry that should be this image:

http://img152.imageshack.us/img152/5240/buttonzf4.jpg

Anonymous said...

Guess I'll be watching reruns of Law and Order or MSNBC on Thursdays at 9. I've watched Grey's for the last three years, but no more.

long beach kelster said...

I wrote ABC a complaint letter.
It is very upsetting.
Thanks DS, perhaps if there is enough response they will see that they are turning away from good viewers. I would imagine that they are doing this to bend to conservative advertisers that are threatening to pull ads. Disheartening indeed.

Anonymous said...

i was never a fan of grey's anatomy and well the only reason I began watching grey's anatomy was because of the relationship between callie and erica. now i have no interest in watching the show. i know i am not the only one who began watching the show for the same reason and i will not be the last...

Anonymous said...

Unbelievable!! Complaint sent.

Thanks for the tip off.

Lori said...

I am so pissed! I wrote a blog about it. i just found out a few hrs ago! Come read my blog. I even go videos:-) If callie is next of leaving I will Not watch grey's anymore..

Anonymous said...

Mailing glasses is a great idea. DS-you pick an address to mail to and we will start mailing away. Use your fellow 8against8 blogging buddies and start a flood.

Hoot said...

Hahn's character is the only reason I watched the show. Crap. The tragic lesbian love story and its tragic end. How 1975 and how boring.

Cowards.

Anonymous said...

I couldn't agree more. What a huge, ugly pile of crap.

Go to hell Mickey Mouse.

Anonymous said...

This massively sucks!!!

Anonymous said...

Well GLAAD had a very lame response to the firing. It annoyed me almost as much as the firing (but not quite). Here it is...

“While we are disheartened that the burgeoning relationship between Callie and Erica on Grey’s Anatomy has come to an end, the character of Callie, who has now been identified as a lesbian by show creator Shonda Rhimes, remains and her journey continues,” says GLAAD president Neil G. Giuliano. “Because there are so few lesbian characters on network television, we hope that ABC and Grey’s Anatomy will commit to further developing Callie’s character and her relationships, and continue providing this important representation on one of TV’s most-watched shows.”

And here's my response to GLAAD on their blog.

What a load of crap!
Callie is NOT a lesbian. She is bisexual. It’s obvious and incredibly lame to just settle for that comment from the writers. Where are your balls GLAAD? Of course she was fired because she was the gay character. I don’t care if the consulted with gay people and that’s why we should be grateful. I don’t. I’m not. They gave us the ability to see leaves. To see a meaningful representation of ourselves on screen and then they take it away and leave us with the woman who still sleeps with guys…yeah very gay.
Oh and GLAAD they also “straightened out” the bisexual intern.
Where’s you ire now.
I’s want the GLAAD awards back!

Wonder if it passes the moderators. At least I didn't tell them to fuck off and shove their awards up their asses.

Trihardist said...

Going back to NBC on Thursday nights. The Office can have my ratings, and ABC can kiss my ass. Fuck! Just when you think we're starting to make progress . . .

Hope this isn't a sign of the times. Please please please, god, let the results of today's election not reflect this backwards sensibility!

Anonymous said...

I love Brooke Smith.

I hate Gray's Anatomy.

I have Hope for the Future.

Anonymous said...

I already sent in a complaint to ABC regarding the cutting of both Callica storyline and Melissa George's degaying. To think that ABC represented the LGBTQ community most this season in comparison to the other major broadcast networks, only to trod back drastically. So. Fucking. Irate.

Lyn said...

I'm not surprised whatsoever. I didn't get my hopes up because they have been dashed so many times, by so many other shows in the past. It still sucks though. *sighs*

Tweyelite

Anonymous said...

the response from GLAAD is ridiculous!
callie is not and will never be a lesbian!

I hope sara leaves grey's and goes back to broadway.
and I hope TR knight quits too - how can you be openly gay and still work for them!?

fav.or.it said...

Was soll man da noch sagen? Es liegt doch wohl eher an den Autoren, die Rolle zu formen und wenn die Amerikaner nichtmal in der Lage sind, eine glaubhafte Homo-Story zu schreiben, wünsche ich denen viel Glück mit ihrem neuen Präsidenten... Respektloser kann man Brooke Smith gegenüber nicht sein... TOLLES AMERIKA

sent from: fav.or.it

Anonymous said...

I've just written to ABC as follows:

Re: Grey's Anatomy: I've just heard Brooke Smith has been fired because ABC execs “had issues” with the “explicit direction” of the Callie/Erica relationship, and disliked Erica’s character. The apparent bigotry behind the decision to fire Ms. Smith is infuriating and despicable. Shame on you, ABC. You've lost my support. I will NOT tune in to ABC again for any reason until you decide to stop belittling your GLBT viewers, and begin to treat your actors respectfully. Again: shame on you."

Anonymous said...

I just think of the irony of the timing: here you have this great new president talking about change and how we are all responisble for that and then there is ABC that shows us just how badly that change is needed. For some Americans it is still 1932.

And the fun part is these statements are so incredibly see through it makes me wanna laugh, but really I don't. It's so obvious it's about Erica being a lesbian. Fuck this hypocrisy. This decision just shows the narrow mindedness, stupidity, and bigotry that is still alive everywhere. I am so sad. And so pissed.

And Shonda Rhimes: fuck her too. She should have stepped down the moment ABC intervened. Her statement is as pathetic as ABC's decision.

One thing I want to ask those execs: what the fuck are you afraid of?

Fuck you ABC!

nks said...

well, not cool at all.
and disappointing. shocking not really, I was expecting something like toning down the relationship and make one of them gay and the other bisexual realizing that she is more into men after all, but ending the whole relationship and then firing her.
I am not sure what it meant by "not liking her character". For Fuck's sake, they write the character, they make the character, and they made Erica Hahn real. Seriously, someone who made it that far in a world and profession still dominated by men has to be a bit bossy and brass (I am talking out of experience because I am still lacking that quality and the only women I know who made it that far are not the girly kind and don't take any kind of shit).

So again, not cool ABC. Both for the storyline regarding Erica Hahn and her character and the relationship. But then I know you don't care what I think, so I just stop watching because of that.

nks said...

P.S.

Isn't it the second time that Shondra R - the maker and shaker of that show - is making up a lame attempt of an excuse? First of all Isaah Washington (sp???) and now this.

Anonymous said...

first of all:
shonda should grow a pair. honestly, stand up for your actress. it was not her decision to make about where the character was headed. it was the writers choice. brooke just did her job and ACTED.

second of all:
yeah "suuuure". Callie is a lesbian, so it's okay then. wait? didn't she sleep with a man last week!?! hmm..

fuck you fuck you fuck you fuck you ABC & shonda. you just lost one of your most fanatic viewers. to bad. I'll be watching Brooke's departure and then I'm out. And I've been watching since day one.

cocoro said...

why did you that much up sat?

Anonymous said...

hey we're sending in LEAVES! go here: http://community.livejournal.com/erica_callie/182759.html

shirts here: http://www.zazzle.com/alyssagiardino/gifts

Anonymous said...

normally i don't bother making complaints to corporations but i am still giddy over the election. "yes, we can!" so i have decided i should make my voice heard. thanks for the link to abc. here's hoping the complaints make them think twice.

Anonymous said...

i feel sick in the gut. reminds me of when tara was killed on 'buffy'. then for the character, now for the loss of a character i had grown fond of and the injustice to the actress. how insulting for brooke! "lack of chemistry".... try that line on someone else. I hope brooke gets picked up by a 'series' that recognises her talent, she's better off somewhere else. go brooke go!!!! what if she wins an emmy for her 'glasses' performance... purrrrfect! it'll be interesting to see the ratings for last weeks episode, this weeks and the next. lets see the difference.
- not happy jan

Anonymous said...

forgot to add
lets give dr. hahn a standing ovation when she does get into her car.
what say?
- not happy jan.

Anonymous said...

It seems ABC execs are not only homophobic in the extreme but misogynists to boot. How else do you explain the not only incredibly offensive indignity of dismissal perpetrated on Brooke Smith but the simultaneous knock down of the normally strong and outspoken Sondra Rhimes by making her release that non-sensical statement, the sentiment of which goes against the grain of everything we know about her?

Strong women/lesbians never have and never will stand a chance at this ridiculous excuse for a network (*points* --> Women's Murder Club!). As long as ABC is doing its bit by using this powerful medium to pander to and to keep middle America phobic and ignorant, minorities don't stand a chance.

For Dog's sake, PROTEST against the bigotry, people! Boycott the network, boycott the advertisers and spread the word that homophobia and misogyny will NOT be tolerated.

Anonymous said...

Yo he enviado un mensaje a la cadena ABC.
No comprendo el miedo que tienen las grandes corporaciones mediáticas que las hace suprimir historias que llegarían a una parte importante de la gente y que nos ayudarían a ser normales a los ojos de los que desconocen nuestros estilos de vida normales y nos tienen ese miedo atávico incomprensible.
Haciendo que los papeles de gays y lesbianas sean complicados y no sigan los estándares de las famílias tradicionales, no solo no ayudan a la interiorización de la normalidad de la mayoría de nuestras famílias, sinó que además hacen que parezcamos todos gente con dudas y problemas.
No me gusta.
I'm so sorry about my English. I prefer express my oppinions in Spanish because I'm Catalan. Your language is wonderful and I destroy it!
Best regards!!