It seems every season or so for the last few years we get teased with the mythical unicorn of a lesbian-based comedy coming to broadcast television that we actually get to watch on television. First it was Carol Leifer’s gay lady pregnancy by ex-husband comedy “You Me And He” in 2009. It didn’t make it to our TVs. Then there was Jhoni Marchenko’s lesbian couple pregnancy comedy “I Hate That I Love You” for NBC in 2011. It didn’t make it to our TVs, even though the hilarious Anna Camp was cast in the pilot. And finally there was the lesbian-and-straight best friends lady comedy “My Best Friend Is a Lesbo” also for NBC in 2012. No word on if either becomes pregnant, but regardless it didn’t make it to our TVs.
During that same time we’ve had the gay male couple sitcom “The New Normal” (which made it to TV, but lasted only one season) and the gay male dad sitcom “Sean Saves the World” (which is still on TV, though rating aren’t terribly encouraging).
So into that historical framework we’re given yesterday’s news that Ellen DeGeneres and Liz Feldman are developing a lesbian and her straight male best friend pregnancy comedy for NBC. Yep, that’s a lesbian lady comedy from the last person to give us a lesbian lady comedy on TV. “Ellen” ended 15 years ago, in case you’re keeping score.
Now, I could go on a long and involved diatribe about why three out of the four gay* lady sitcoms involve gay lady pregnancy. (*Yep, I am using “gay” as an umbrella term to denote any female sexuality that is not exclusively straight. Ellen said, “Yep, I’m gay” on that Time magazine cover.) I suppose lesbian pregnancy just plays better to TV executives. Two ladies has to mean two times the maternal instinct, amirite? Oy. But pregnant or not, I’d just like one of them to actually make it to a television set near me.
Not to get our hopes up, but I think this one might actually have a shot. I mean it comes from The Great Panted One Ellen herself. And then there’s Liz Feldman form “2 Broke Girls” and her AfterEllen vlog “This Just Out With Liz Feldman.” Liz also used to write for Ellen on her talk show and other gigs. So, you know, that’s a pretty impressive lesbo street cred behind this project.
So, let us once again open our hearts to the dream of a lesbian sitcom on our television. Maybe, if we’re very lucky, this one will deliver. Sorry, with all the pregnant lesbians everywhere I just had to go there.
so tired of pregnant lesbians...!
ReplyDeletepregnant lesbians again?
ReplyDeleteHmmm ok, its from Ellen so ill take it but seriously pregnant lesbians are such a Trope and babies ruin tv shows...
Even Exes and Ohs (was that show even officially cancelled?) had pregnant lesbians...
I love lesbians but NOT pregnant lesbian TV shows. Enough already. If a lesbian has to be pregnant to get on the air then there is no hope for it.
ReplyDeleteThey need Lez cops or Lez bar owners who aren't pregnant for it to be successful
Thankfully she can only be pregnant for so long. Hopefully the show lasts until it's a lesbian-with-baby show, which is also a little meh, but at least it's something. Maybe when the baby is out they can relegate it to a subplot.
ReplyDeleteHonest to God, is there no creativity left anymore regarding a lesbian storyline? This sounds pathetic as if TPTB can only keep a woman barefoot and pregnant to get ratings. Rubbish! How about a strong leading woman, like a female astronaut or US senator or even a ranch owner? Forget the babies! Real women, independent women, strong women who can stand on their own two feet ... with shoes on! Also, a story about one of our military members. What is it really like being gay in today's army? Good writers could turn any of the above into drama or comedy.
ReplyDeleteboycott this bs
ReplyDeletepretty lame. but i think we're in the position to welcome anything even remotely lesbianish on tv, which is pretty sad.
ReplyDeleteand btw, there's a term for "gay*". it's called queer. let's not start *ing such a definitive term.
We had a lesbian sitcom in the UK. It was called 'Heading Out' and was written by and starred the redoubtable Sue Perkins (with the luminous Shelley Conn as love interest). Only one series so far, but there could be more. Not a hint of pregnancy either!
ReplyDelete