The LGBT and HRC Urge ABC Not To Air "Work It" - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

JamesG · 12-17-2011, 02:53 PM

LGBT Groups Urge ABC Not to Air Work It
12/16/2011
by Lesley Goldberg

Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender advocacy groups are blasting ABC and its upcoming cross-dressing comedy "Work It", claiming the series is damaging to transgender individuals.

The series, set to premiere Jan. 3, revolves around two heterosexual unemployed car salesmen (Ben Koldyke, Amaury Nolasco), who after their dealership goes out of business, dress as women in order to land jobs as salesmen at a pharmaceutical company looking to hire female sales reps.

The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation and the Human Rights Campaign claim the show reflects stereotypes about transgender individuals.

The HRC, through its Web site, has urged supporters to send emails asking the network to not “air a show that reinforces negative and damaging stereotypes about transgender people.”

“We believe that the show will harm transgender Americans and because of that, GLAAD and the HRC are asking ABC not to air it,” GLAAD senior director of programs and communications Herndon Graddick told The Hollywood Reporter.

ABC declined comment.

The groups claim that the series – which does not depict transgender characters – comes at a time when more than a quarter of transgender people have been fired from their jobs because of their sexual orientation.

“It detracts from the real challenge transgender people face,” Graddick said.

In a statement on its Web site, GLAAD acting president Mike Thompson noted "Work It" would contribute to discrimination against the transgender community.

“Transphobia is still all too prevalent in our society and this show will only contribute to it,” he said. “It will reinforce the mistaken belief that transgender women are simply ‘men pretending to be women,’ and that their efforts to live their lives authentically as women are a form of lying or deception.”

The organization also singled out print ads for the new series, which depict the lead characters dressed as women and standing at urinals in a men’s restroom, as being particularly damaging and called for the network to keep the ad out of circulation.

“Not only does it inadvertently further notions that transgender identities are humorous or artificial, but imagery like this one of the first things anti-LGBT activists resort to when trying to deny transgender people equal access to public facilities and services,” GLAAD said.

“We ask that ABC recognize this fact, keep the show’s bathroom advertisement out of circulation, and seriously consider whether airing this show is worth the damage it has the potential to do,” the group said.

In the meantime, ABC, GLAAD and the HRC are finalizing details to discuss the matter with a meeting with “high-level” network executives likely to take place after the first of the year.

ABC Entertainment topper Paul Lee dubbed "Work It", which has been widely panned and dubbed a modern-day "Bosom Buddies" by critics, has been an advocate for the show.

He joked to reporters at the semi-annual Television Critics Association summer press tour in August that, “I’m a Brit, I have to do a cross-dressing show every year. I grew up with Monty Python. What can I do?”

Said Graddick: “2012 is a different era than Bosom Buddies was 30 years ago, we feel that our media needs to evolve along with it,” Graddick said. “That’s really what this is about.”

The "Work It" controversy marks the second wave of backlash aganist a freshman series.

The Parents Television Council and feminist Gloria Steinem also called for a boycott of NBC’s now-canceled "The Playboy Club", which the network axed after three low-rated episodes earlier this season.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/new...-it-abc-274818

TV Knowledge Fan · 12-17-2011, 05:30 PM

...ABC shouldn't schedule this series simply because it looks STUPID!!!!!
Besides, there was a better "cross-dressing" comedy on about 30 years ago: "BOSOM BUDDIES", co-starring Tom Hanks and Peter Scolari (they eventually dropped the idea of their characters posing as women, because stories about their personal and professional friendship were funnier).

comedyfreak · 12-21-2011, 06:39 AM

These guys are too big to pass for women too unbelieveable.

Leslie Eckhardt · 12-21-2011, 07:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TV Knowledge Fan

...ABC shouldn't schedule this series simply because it looks STUPID!!!!!
Besides, there was a better "cross-dressing" comedy on about 30 years ago: "BOSOM BUDDIES", co-starring Tom Hanks and Peter Scolari (they eventually dropped the idea of their characters posing as women, because stories about their personal and professional friendship were funnier).

What about the 1968-69 fiasco "The Ugliest Girl In Town" which had the premise of a heterosexual male landing (unbelieveably) a job as a female high-fashion model? That lasted all of 17 episodes and was also on ABC.

Regulus · 12-21-2011, 09:13 AM

I wonder how the Philadelphia Toboggan Compan.....I mean the Parent's Television Council (OOPS!, Wrong PTC)

feels about this show.

Liberal Advocacy Groups tend to be more Vocal than the Conservative Ones, and they tend to be heard, any Criticism of them tends to fall on deaf ears. On the other hand, If a Conservative Group such as PTC complains about a show, they are criticized to no end!

Holy Hypocricy Batman!

robyrob · 12-21-2011, 10:27 AM

I am a really big fan of Bosom Buddies.

cleverfun3000 · 12-22-2011, 01:05 AM

Being a 100% all-American straight male, I have a hard time keeping up with these sexually deviant terms. What the &%@¿! is the difference between a transgender and a cross dresser??

JamesG · 12-22-2011, 01:26 AM

Transgender is a term used for when a person's gender identity doesn't match their birth gender.

If a man identifies himself as a woman he's regarded as being transgendered.

It doesn't necessarily mean that he had any surgery done, but he regards himself as being female.

Cross-dressing simply means that you wear the clothing of the opposite sex.

It could be for many reasons, but the majority of them can be for sexual or entertainment purposes. In their real life they do not identify themselves as the opposite sex and their cross-dressing is for some sort of "character"; like for sexual role-play or for an entertainment act.

Transgendered people identify themselves as the opposite sex and cross-dressers really do not. Also, not all people who cross-dress are homosexual.

12-17-2011, 02:53 PM	#1
JamesG Freakshow Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 01, 2008 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 57,072	The LGBT and HRC Urge ABC Not To Air "Work It" LGBT Groups Urge ABC Not to Air Work It 12/16/2011 by Lesley Goldberg Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender advocacy groups are blasting ABC and its upcoming cross-dressing comedy "Work It", claiming the series is damaging to transgender individuals. The series, set to premiere Jan. 3, revolves around two heterosexual unemployed car salesmen (Ben Koldyke, Amaury Nolasco), who after their dealership goes out of business, dress as women in order to land jobs as salesmen at a pharmaceutical company looking to hire female sales reps. The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation and the Human Rights Campaign claim the show reflects stereotypes about transgender individuals. The HRC, through its Web site, has urged supporters to send emails asking the network to not “air a show that reinforces negative and damaging stereotypes about transgender people.” “We believe that the show will harm transgender Americans and because of that, GLAAD and the HRC are asking ABC not to air it,” GLAAD senior director of programs and communications Herndon Graddick told The Hollywood Reporter. ABC declined comment. The groups claim that the series – which does not depict transgender characters – comes at a time when more than a quarter of transgender people have been fired from their jobs because of their sexual orientation. “It detracts from the real challenge transgender people face,” Graddick said. In a statement on its Web site, GLAAD acting president Mike Thompson noted "Work It" would contribute to discrimination against the transgender community. “Transphobia is still all too prevalent in our society and this show will only contribute to it,” he said. “It will reinforce the mistaken belief that transgender women are simply ‘men pretending to be women,’ and that their efforts to live their lives authentically as women are a form of lying or deception.” The organization also singled out print ads for the new series, which depict the lead characters dressed as women and standing at urinals in a men’s restroom, as being particularly damaging and called for the network to keep the ad out of circulation. “Not only does it inadvertently further notions that transgender identities are humorous or artificial, but imagery like this one of the first things anti-LGBT activists resort to when trying to deny transgender people equal access to public facilities and services,” GLAAD said. “We ask that ABC recognize this fact, keep the show’s bathroom advertisement out of circulation, and seriously consider whether airing this show is worth the damage it has the potential to do,” the group said. In the meantime, ABC, GLAAD and the HRC are finalizing details to discuss the matter with a meeting with “high-level” network executives likely to take place after the first of the year. ABC Entertainment topper Paul Lee dubbed "Work It", which has been widely panned and dubbed a modern-day "Bosom Buddies" by critics, has been an advocate for the show. He joked to reporters at the semi-annual Television Critics Association summer press tour in August that, “I’m a Brit, I have to do a cross-dressing show every year. I grew up with Monty Python. What can I do?” Said Graddick: “2012 is a different era than Bosom Buddies was 30 years ago, we feel that our media needs to evolve along with it,” Graddick said. “That’s really what this is about.” The "Work It" controversy marks the second wave of backlash aganist a freshman series. The Parents Television Council and feminist Gloria Steinem also called for a boycott of NBC’s now-canceled "The Playboy Club", which the network axed after three low-rated episodes earlier this season. http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/new...-it-abc-274818 Attached Images

12-17-2011, 05:30 PM	#2
TV Knowledge Fan Member Senior Member Join Date: Mar 29, 2006 Location: Long Branch, N.J. Posts: 2,577	Judging from the promos I've seen... ...ABC shouldn't schedule this series simply because it looks STUPID!!!!! Besides, there was a better "cross-dressing" comedy on about 30 years ago: "BOSOM BUDDIES", co-starring Tom Hanks and Peter Scolari (they eventually dropped the idea of their characters posing as women, because stories about their personal and professional friendship were funnier).

12-21-2011, 06:39 AM	#3
comedyfreak Cheers! Forum Fanatic Join Date: Dec 14, 2005 Location: Sunny California Posts: 11,059	These guys are too big to pass for women too unbelieveable.
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12-21-2011, 09:13 AM	#5
Regulus Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 07, 2011 Location: Port Orange, Florida Avatar - Poiuyt Posts: 3,374	I wonder how the Philadelphia Toboggan Compan.....I mean the Parent's Television Council (OOPS!, Wrong PTC) feels about this show. Liberal Advocacy Groups tend to be more Vocal than the Conservative Ones, and they tend to be heard, any Criticism of them tends to fall on deaf ears. On the other hand, If a Conservative Group such as PTC complains about a show, they are criticized to no end! Holy Hypocricy Batman!
	__________________ Grail Shows: *Doc Elliot, Owen Marshall-Counselor of Law, Here's Boomer, Three for the Road, Holmes and YoYo* Bucket List Shows: *Hot Wheels, Skyhawks, Run Joe Run, Westwood* Last edited by Regulus; 12-21-2011 at 10:30 AM.

12-21-2011, 10:27 AM	#6
robyrob certified wackball#3 Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Aug 03, 2003 Location: hiding under the third booth at Arnold's Posts: 58,182	I am a really big fan of Bosom Buddies.
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12-22-2011, 01:05 AM	#7
cleverfun3000 Member Senior Member Join Date: Sep 18, 2008 Location: Manhattan Posts: 1,685	Being a 100% all-American straight male, I have a hard time keeping up with these sexually deviant terms. What the &%@¿! is the difference between a transgender and a cross dresser??

12-22-2011, 01:26 AM	#8
JamesG Freakshow Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 01, 2008 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 57,072	Transgender is a term used for when a person's gender identity doesn't match their birth gender. If a man identifies himself as a woman he's regarded as being transgendered. It doesn't necessarily mean that he had any surgery done, but he regards himself as being female. Cross-dressing simply means that you wear the clothing of the opposite sex. It could be for many reasons, but the majority of them can be for sexual or entertainment purposes. In their real life they do not identify themselves as the opposite sex and their cross-dressing is for some sort of "character"; like for sexual role-play or for an entertainment act. Transgendered people identify themselves as the opposite sex and cross-dressers really do not. Also, not all people who cross-dress are homosexual.