Volume II No. 39
 04-06-04
 "The L Word" And "Deadwood"
 { Two New Competent, But Flawed Cable Dramas }
 author: Vance Cureton
 © Copyright 2004

 This year total network television's overall viewship ratings have
 fallen into a virtual dead heat with cable's. Maybe this is an excellent 
 moment to review why cable television is becoming such a threat 
 to ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC. -- And why, until Janet Jackson's bizarre 
 "boob moment" at this year's Superbowl, broadcast television was 
 beginning to venture into the same slimy cesspool where cable t.v. 
 seems to find its best ideas.

 "Deadwood" on HBO. And "The L Word" on Showtime are two 
 of the newest and most-hyped dramas on cable. And just like HBO's 
 "The Sopranos," an irrepressible pean to the mob lifestyle, neither 
 of these dramas could be shown on broadcast television in their
 present forms.

 "The L Word" is a television drama centered around the lives of a
 group of lesbian women. { that rules it out for broadcast television 
 right there } On "The L Word" the women have real three-dimensional 
 lives and are not just colorful props, if you will, the way homosexuals
 are usually treated on the broadcast networks in this country.

 Unfortunately, like most Showtime dramas this one suffers from 
 indifferent production values and just plain looks cheap. And there 
 are far too many characters for the show to be followed by a casual
 viewer who is just glancing in. It would really help if Showtime 
 narrowed the focus down a bit, chopped the cast by at least a third, 
 and concentrated much more on DRAMA and less on soap. -- The 
 show really needs a bit more depth. Afterall, there is already an excess 
 of superficial soap operas available for viewing on network television.

 There is another reason "The L Word" appears a bit underdeveloped.
 Why all the languorous caucasian women on the show who look almost
 identical? Is this a show about an inbred family, or a show about a 
 group of friends who just happen to share a particular lifestyle? -- These 
 women all have narrow noses, narrow lips, small tits, and narrow hips.
 C'mon, aren't there any full-bodied, voluptuous lesbians in America?

 You definitely won't find them on "The L Word."

 All of theses babes should be auditioning for "America's Next Top 
 Model." { a hit UPN show } The casting is a bit too "obvious." And 
 not very realistic at all. Sort of like "24" over on Fox, and that show's 
 curious obsession with blondes the first season. Check in on "24" 
 now, and you'll actually see women who have dark-colored hair.

 Do the producers on all television shows - network and cable - really 
 have that little regard for their audience? As if the viewers care only 
 about the physical attractiveness of the show's stars -- and not about 
 the substance of each show.

 There is another potential situation with "The L Word." Isn't there 
 something a bit unjust about a bunch of { presumably } straight 
 women carrying on the way a group of writers believes lesbians are 
 supposed to behave? Is this really any different than white men 
 in blackface prancing around on stage - and acting like happy 
 Negroes - back in the old days of minstrell shows. - Or any different 
 from the high cheek-boned, Latinos in dark red makeup who used to 
 perform as Native American characters in movies, years ago?

 This is a delicate area that has been little discussed, but is relevant, 
 now that homosexual characters { played by straight actors } are just 
 beginning to be seen all over television these days. A little extra care, 
 as to the legitimacy of the images being portrayed in these shows, 
 certainly wouldn't hurt.

 Now, from the specter of women in love, to Deadwood, South Dakota. 
 Circa about 1870-1880. If you've every wondered about how to cuss 
 and spit tobacco juice like a "real" cowboy.This is your show. You'll 
 hear some verb-splittin' and fancy adjectives on "Deadwood" you'd 
have never heard in a thousand episodes of "Gunsmoke."

 The EXTREMELY graphic profanity will singe your earlobes. { no 
 exaggeration }

 "Deadwood" is a dark show. There is nothing of interest for bible
 thumpers looking for a reprise of "How The West Was Won." The 
 evil men portrayed on this program would have the devil himself 
 looking over his shoulder in fright. Every single character seems to 
 have some kind of agenda. Even the good guys. -- Does HBO think 
 this is all the Wild West had to offer? Weren't there any more deserving 
 storylines or better locations to set a show about the Wild West? 

 Anything of redeeming value?

 Perhaps that's too much to hope for from HBO. This cable network
 never aims high. Apparently HBO believes good books make for 
 bad television dramas. But, what HBO does bring to screen, the 
 production values, casting, and acting are usually first-rate. 
 "Deadwood" is certainly no exception in that regard.

 If "The L Word" and "Deadwood" are any indication of where 
 cable television is headed. The broacast networks indeed have 
 a lot to worry about. Both are daring shows. If a bit ragged around 
 the edges. But, there will come a moment when the cable networks 
 will figure out that more "bad stuff" is not always better. 

 In return, they might lure a bigger more representative audience. 
 Because if the product is good. People will eventually find you.
 

 ReadingPost.Com
 © Copyright 2004

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