What does the cast think of FOL’s gay fan base? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

TriangleFOLfan · 12-30-2009, 01:00 PM

I have been looking at some Jo and Blair videos on YouTube and reading some fanfic. There are some pretty good ones out there. They make such a cute couple. I have also seen the spoofs that The Big Gay Sketch Show have done on the show. Have any of the cast members ever commented on the fact that the show has a significant gay following?

Smartboy · 12-30-2009, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TriangleFOLfan

I have been looking at some Jo and Blair videos on YouTube and reading some fanfic. There are some pretty good ones out there. They make such a cute couple. I have also seen the spoofs that The Big Gay Sketch Show have done on the show. Have any of the cast members ever commented on the fact that the show has a significant gay following?

Although I am far from being an expert of gay subculture, I do not that a lot of gay people use the triangle as a symbol of pride. It is my understanding that it has something to do with the patch that they had to wear during the Nazi generation. I am wondering if this is why you have given yourself the pen name of "TriangleFOLfan". In any event, although I happened to have known a couple of gay people who enjoyed the show, I had no idea how big of a gay following the show had. In closing, I would just like to let you know how happy I am to see that a new member has joined this community. I am sure that you will have a lot of fun here!

Chairhood · 08-05-2012, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TriangleFOLfan

I have been looking at some Jo and Blair videos on YouTube and reading some fanfic. There are some pretty good ones out there. They make such a cute couple. I have also seen the spoofs that The Big Gay Sketch Show have done on the show. Have any of the cast members ever commented on the fact that the show has a significant gay following?

As a heterosexual male, I will tell you that many of those YouTube videos are extremely well done, and it does get one to thinking at times. It has been said that many lesbian viewers identified with the Jo character.

Ian905 · 08-06-2012, 01:41 AM

I remember somebody asked I think Lisa about the subtext between Jo and Blair and she sort of laughed it off, but mentioned that they were somewhat aware of it at the time.

And I think that Mindy also commented her surprise at how popular the show has become with the gay community.

Sunshine Day · 08-12-2012, 12:06 AM

When Mindy & Kim were on Watch What Happens Live a couple months ago, the host commented that Jo has become a lesbian icon among a certain age group, and asked what they thought about that. Mindy shrugged and said, "Hey, if lesbians want to claim her, that's cool, more power to them! She was a strong character." Kim didn't comment, but seemed to nod along in agreement. (this wasn't in the actual broadcast, but in an "overtime" feature on the Bravo website)

Johnny be good! · 08-26-2012, 02:37 PM

I would have to disagree with all of you. I mean, I'm pro gay rights and I like the videos to show their friendship. But, I'm against people thinking Jo is gay just because of how she dressed.

AnnaMarie · 09-03-2012, 04:14 PM

I agree. While I am not in favor of homosexuality because of my religon, I know I don't have any right to judge those who do not follow my religon.

Having said that, I still think it is a sad, sad thing that a girl/female character cannot dress the way she wants, or act tough and sensible without being labelled a lesbian. The label is not insulting, but it signifies a very narrow view of both homo- and heterosexuals.

One of my reasons for loving the show to bits is also that while Jo was the exact opposite of Blair, she got just as many guys (and more meaningful relationships). They didn't make her a man-hater, they made her show her soft side sooo many times. O Lord, I wish everyone could watch this show

retrofan05 · 09-05-2012, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AnnaMarie

I agree. While I am not in favor of homosexuality because of my religon, I know I don't have any right to judge those who do not follow my religon.

Having said that, I still think it is a sad, sad thing that a girl/female character cannot dress the way she wants, or act tough and sensible without being labelled a lesbian. The label is not insulting, but it signifies a very narrow view of both homo- and heterosexuals.

One of my reasons for loving the show to bits is also that while Jo was the exact opposite of Blair, she got just as many guys (and more meaningful relationships). They didn't make her a man-hater, they made her show her soft side sooo many times. O Lord, I wish everyone could watch this show

I totally agree. I am so sick of how our society can't look at a person as just a person. There always has to be some sort of sterotypical label placed on them.

FOL85NatandMrsGRock · 09-10-2012, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AnnaMarie

I agree. While I am not in favor of homosexuality because of my religon, I know I don't have any right to judge those who do not follow my religon.

Having said that, I still think it is a sad, sad thing that a girl/female character cannot dress the way she wants, or act tough and sensible without being labelled a lesbian. The label is not insulting, but it signifies a very narrow view of both homo- and heterosexuals.

One of my reasons for loving the show to bits is also that while Jo was the exact opposite of Blair, she got just as many guys (and more meaningful relationships). They didn't make her a man-hater, they made her show her soft side sooo many times. O Lord, I wish everyone could watch this show

Thank you for saying this, this is exactly what I have been trying to say for a long time! I don't think it's fair for gay people to assume Jo is gay because of her looks or personality, in the show they gave her a straight persona. I don't go looking at shows with gay people (like modern family) and try to find things about them that make them straight. The people are who they are and they are free to be themselves without getting labelled.

kc0 · 09-10-2012, 10:17 PM

First of all, I was one of those people who laughed at the Jo/Blair stuff online and how little things between them were fabricated. However, it seems like when people are too offended at characters being labeled gay, some might take it as saying that gay is an insult.
Some lesbians really are more masculine like Jo, but it doesn't have to do with labeling. Most of the Facts of Life femslash pair Jo and Blair, who isn't a stereotypical lesbian at all. As well as tons of other characters in other shows who don't fit that mold. Some people see some chemistry there. If you don't, it's fine. People write fanfic and make videos for couples who aren't canon all the time and it isn't meant to offend anyone. There aren't nearly as many gay characters as straight (and certainly wasn't any back in the 80's) so they might have to look for subtext, but you are welcome to ship a gay character with someone of the opposite sex.
The fact that someone upthread said that Lisa, of all people, (who didn't even realize Blair was calling Cindy gay in Rough Housing), thought there was subtext on the show, might open your mind a little to the possibility. But either way, they are fictional characters and it doesn't matter. They have no feelings or opinions on the issue.

AnnaMarie · 09-11-2012, 03:25 PM

Oh, don't get me wrong, I still think the idea is quite hilarious, and obviously, it is mostly gay people who see the Jo/Blair relationship as 'seriously' gay. What I objected to was the boxing-in of a female character because she acts like a tomboy, dresses comfortably, and says what she wants. In other words, a strong character is being seen as being way too strong to be just another girl. See? Before this show, I never even thought of labeling any tomboy I had ever met as gay. I just saw them as sporty, athletic people.

On the other hand, I don't know why, but I LOVE reading the fanfiction about this coupling. Also the videos. Sometimes they get me rolling with laughter, and sometimes I really do have a tear in my eye...because even if all this doesn't mean they're attracted to one another, it's just another way of illustrating how these girls (all 4 of them and Mrs. G actually) cared so much about each other.

Like that awesome episode "Cruisin". After the song, I was just sitting there and thinking; If I ever got to Heaven, I would want a group of friends just like these.

retrofan05 · 09-11-2012, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AnnaMarie

....it is mostly gay people who see the Jo/Blair relationship as 'seriously' gay.

I would have to disagree there. Gay people understand that a person's personality, actions, and/or mannerisms do not necessarily reflect whether or not a person is gay or straight. On the contrary, there are straight people that can't see beyond sterotypes and therefore, place an unfair label on people that don't fit our society's gender sterotypes (i.e., girls: very effiminate/play with dolls or barbies; boys: macho/play with trucks or guns).

Johnny be good! · 10-10-2012, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FOL85NatandMrsGRock

Thank you for saying this, this is exactly what I have been trying to say for a long time! I don't think it's fair for gay people to assume Jo is gay because of her looks or personality, in the show they gave her a straight persona. I don't go looking at shows with gay people (like modern family) and try to find things about them that make them straight. The people are who they are and they are free to be themselves without getting labelled.

Exactly! You can't label them based on how they dress. Jo wore ties because Madonna made that a popular fashion trend, not because she was a lesbian. After all, if Jo were gay, she would not have married Rick Bonner.

Chairhood · 10-10-2012, 10:05 PM

[QUOTE=AnnaMarie] What I objected to was the boxing-in of a female character because she acts like a tomboy, dresses comfortably, and says what she wants. In other words, a strong character is being seen as being way too strong to be just another girl. See? Before this show, I never even thought of labeling any tomboy I had ever met as gay. I just saw them as sporty, athletic people.

Don't you think that may have to do with the time and place you were brought up in? You do realize that NBC wouldn't have allowed any of the main characters in FOL to be lesbians while it was on the air, don't you? Not that I see how Blair would have been lesbian, in any case...

Johnny be good! · 10-11-2012, 12:16 AM

Regardless, they're not lesbians. Case closed!

12-30-2009, 01:00 PM	#1
TriangleFOLfan Member First Time Poster Join Date: Dec 30, 2009 Posts: 1	What does the cast think of FOL’s gay fan base? I have been looking at some Jo and Blair videos on YouTube and reading some fanfic. There are some pretty good ones out there. They make such a cute couple. I have also seen the spoofs that The Big Gay Sketch Show have done on the show. Have any of the cast members ever commented on the fact that the show has a significant gay following?

08-26-2012, 02:37 PM	#6
Johnny be good! Member Senior Member Join Date: Feb 18, 2007 Location: Westland, Michigan Posts: 1,633	I would have to disagree with all of you. I mean, I'm pro gay rights and I like the videos to show their friendship. But, I'm against people thinking Jo is gay just because of how she dressed.
	__________________ Alex Bogue

08-06-2012, 01:41 AM	#4
Ian905 Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Aug 07, 2009 Location: Canada Posts: 67	I remember somebody asked I think Lisa about the subtext between Jo and Blair and she sort of laughed it off, but mentioned that they were somewhat aware of it at the time. And I think that Mindy also commented her surprise at how popular the show has become with the gay community.

08-12-2012, 12:06 AM	#5
Sunshine Day Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Jun 19, 2011 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 14	When Mindy & Kim were on Watch What Happens Live a couple months ago, the host commented that Jo has become a lesbian icon among a certain age group, and asked what they thought about that. Mindy shrugged and said, "Hey, if lesbians want to claim her, that's cool, more power to them! She was a strong character." Kim didn't comment, but seemed to nod along in agreement. (this wasn't in the actual broadcast, but in an "overtime" feature on the Bravo website)

09-03-2012, 04:14 PM	#7
AnnaMarie Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Mar 17, 2012 Posts: 87	I agree. While I am not in favor of homosexuality because of my religon, I know I don't have any right to judge those who do not follow my religon. Having said that, I still think it is a sad, sad thing that a girl/female character cannot dress the way she wants, or act tough and sensible without being labelled a lesbian. The label is not insulting, but it signifies a very narrow view of both homo- and heterosexuals. One of my reasons for loving the show to bits is also that while Jo was the exact opposite of Blair, she got just as many guys (and more meaningful relationships). They didn't make her a man-hater, they made her show her soft side sooo many times. O Lord, I wish everyone could watch this show

09-10-2012, 10:17 PM	#10
kc0 Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Jun 23, 2012 Posts: 21	First of all, I was one of those people who laughed at the Jo/Blair stuff online and how little things between them were fabricated. However, it seems like when people are too offended at characters being labeled gay, some might take it as saying that gay is an insult. Some lesbians really are more masculine like Jo, but it doesn't have to do with labeling. Most of the Facts of Life femslash pair Jo and Blair, who isn't a stereotypical lesbian at all. As well as tons of other characters in other shows who don't fit that mold. Some people see some chemistry there. If you don't, it's fine. People write fanfic and make videos for couples who aren't canon all the time and it isn't meant to offend anyone. There aren't nearly as many gay characters as straight (and certainly wasn't any back in the 80's) so they might have to look for subtext, but you are welcome to ship a gay character with someone of the opposite sex. The fact that someone upthread said that Lisa, of all people, (who didn't even realize Blair was calling Cindy gay in Rough Housing), thought there was subtext on the show, might open your mind a little to the possibility. But either way, they are fictional characters and it doesn't matter. They have no feelings or opinions on the issue.

09-11-2012, 03:25 PM	#11
AnnaMarie Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Mar 17, 2012 Posts: 87	Oh, don't get me wrong, I still think the idea is quite hilarious, and obviously, it is mostly gay people who see the Jo/Blair relationship as 'seriously' gay. What I objected to was the boxing-in of a female character because she acts like a tomboy, dresses comfortably, and says what she wants. In other words, a strong character is being seen as being way too strong to be just another girl. See? Before this show, I never even thought of labeling any tomboy I had ever met as gay. I just saw them as sporty, athletic people. On the other hand, I don't know why, but I LOVE reading the fanfiction about this coupling. Also the videos. Sometimes they get me rolling with laughter, and sometimes I really do have a tear in my eye...because even if all this doesn't mean they're attracted to one another, it's just another way of illustrating how these girls (all 4 of them and Mrs. G actually) cared so much about each other. Like that awesome episode "Cruisin". After the song, I was just sitting there and thinking; If I ever got to Heaven, I would want a group of friends just like these.

10-10-2012, 10:05 PM	#14
Chairhood Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Jul 18, 2012 Posts: 32	[QUOTE=AnnaMarie] What I objected to was the boxing-in of a female character because she acts like a tomboy, dresses comfortably, and says what she wants. In other words, a strong character is being seen as being way too strong to be just another girl. See? Before this show, I never even thought of labeling any tomboy I had ever met as gay. I just saw them as sporty, athletic people. Don't you think that may have to do with the time and place you were brought up in? You do realize that NBC wouldn't have allowed any of the main characters in FOL to be lesbians while it was on the air, don't you? Not that I see how Blair would have been lesbian, in any case...

10-11-2012, 12:16 AM	#15
Johnny be good! Member Senior Member Join Date: Feb 18, 2007 Location: Westland, Michigan Posts: 1,633	Regardless, they're not lesbians. Case closed!