The Cross Dressing Gimmick... - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

jarri · 11-08-2003, 03:28 PM

I recently found myself in an analytical convo about sitcoms. Eventually, my friend and I started to talk about network gimmicks(or at least what we think to be so). It seems that some of the best sitcoms on the aire have had an episode or two featuring a main character in drag. Although it is often funny, sometimes I find myself watching a rerun that may leave me disturbed.

Do you think there should be an age limit for the character? How young is too young for an actor to dress in drag? AND Doesnt it seem like the youthful actors in these roles are relatively good-looking? Why dont the ugly/awkward actors ever dress in drag?

For instance...Silver Spoons aired an episode in which Ricky Schroder, at the time aged 13, dressed in drag to be a friends' date to his own party. Beside the writers of the show, I wonder who else thought that was a good idea. I am even more curious to know what his parents had to say about that episode. How comfortable was he being dressed- up in a wig and a dress? Maybe it was all for laughs! Who is to say?

Anyways, tell me what you folks think about what I just spoke of. I really would like to hear your thoughts.

James · 11-08-2003, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jarri
Beside the writers of the show, I wonder who else thought that was a good idea. I am even more curious to know what his parents had to say about that episode. How comfortable was he being dressed- up in a wig and a dress?

I'll say!!! (I even remember an episode of Happy Days where Richie C. wore a blonde wig to look like Fonzie's date; I'm surprised that was acceptable back in the 1970s, let alone the 1950s.)

On the other hand, in the episode of The Brady Bunch when Greg does the Pilgrims home movie ("The Un-Underground Movie"), Alice (Ann B. Davis, technically) in at least one scene played Governor John Carver. In a later scene she played a woman (I forget whom), and Greg yelled "CUT!" when Alice forgot to take off her moustache. I found that hilarious!

couchpotatoe · 11-09-2003, 10:03 PM

I think that Silver Spoons episode was probably the funniest one.Although I have wondered how Ricky felt about being dressed as a girl at that age,especially on television.I bet it was very embarrassing for him on the set,with Erin Gray and the girls who were there for the party scenes.I'd like to know what his parents thought,too.I also wonder if his sister was there and if she gave him a hard time about it.
I was dressed as a girl for Halloween by my mom and her sisters,when I was nine!Only my class at school and part of my neighborhood saw me though.Not a nationwide audience!
Anyway,Ricky was not the first or only boy who was put into drag on television.Several boys on the old Little Rascals shorts ended up dressed as girls.Zack on Saved By The Bell dressed up as Screech's girlfriend.The boy on Small Wonder was even dressed up as Vicky,so a doctor wouldn't find out she was a robot!But wouldn't a doctor figure out he wasn't a girl!LOL!
I guess they figure if the boy is ugly,then he won't look like a girl.I'm not sure about the age thing.I guess it would depend on the situation in the show.
I guess the writers use it as an idea to fall back on when they're hitting a dry spell.

Crimson and Clover · 11-09-2003, 10:14 PM

I dont know, but I like men in drag.

jarri · 11-10-2003, 12:09 PM

I know he wasnt the only one, couchpotatoe. I just used that as an example. Those eps are hysterical, no doubt. It just had me concerned as an adult.

I couldnt possibly know what you felt like dressed up like a girl. Are you scarred for life,lol? How old are you now and do you ever look back on it?

couchpotatoe · 11-10-2003, 05:39 PM

jarri,I can see your point about being concerned,but I don't read too much into it when it's on a sitcom.

As far as how I felt,at the time I thought it was the most embarrassing thing that would ever happen to me!
Unfortunately it wasn't though.
And no it didn't scar me for life,I've had plenty of other experiences for that,lol!
I'm 30 now and I do look back on it sometimes(usually around Halloween),and all I can think is MOM HOW COULD YOU DO THAT TO ME!!! Just kidding,I just laugh about it now.

jarri · 11-20-2003, 07:37 PM

DianeChambers87 · 11-20-2003, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Crimson and Clover
I dont know, but I like men in drag.

:nods: Me 2

11-08-2003, 03:28 PM	#1
jarri Happily divorced Frequent Poster Join Date: Aug 20, 2003 Location: New Castle County, DE Posts: 255	The Cross Dressing Gimmick... I recently found myself in an analytical convo about sitcoms. Eventually, my friend and I started to talk about network gimmicks(or at least what we think to be so). It seems that some of the best sitcoms on the aire have had an episode or two featuring a main character in drag. Although it is often funny, sometimes I find myself watching a rerun that may leave me disturbed. Do you think there should be an age limit for the character? How young is too young for an actor to dress in drag? AND Doesnt it seem like the youthful actors in these roles are relatively good-looking? Why dont the ugly/awkward actors ever dress in drag? For instance...Silver Spoons aired an episode in which Ricky Schroder, at the time aged 13, dressed in drag to be a friends' date to his own party. Beside the writers of the show, I wonder who else thought that was a good idea. I am even more curious to know what his parents had to say about that episode. How comfortable was he being dressed- up in a wig and a dress? Maybe it was all for laughs! Who is to say? Anyways, tell me what you folks think about what I just spoke of. I really would like to hear your thoughts.
	__________________ Lady J I Love the 80s!

11-09-2003, 10:14 PM	#4
Crimson and Clover Member Forum Star Join Date: Jun 09, 2002 Location: NC Posts: 17,345	I dont know, but I like men in drag.
	__________________ Friend me: http://www.facebook.com/MaryLynnCall My Etsy shop http://www.etsy.com/shop/MotherMary You'll never find a sweeter combination As peace and love - Mishka

11-09-2003, 10:03 PM	#3
couchpotatoe Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Aug 27, 2003 Location: N.C. Posts: 10	I think that Silver Spoons episode was probably the funniest one.Although I have wondered how Ricky felt about being dressed as a girl at that age,especially on television.I bet it was very embarrassing for him on the set,with Erin Gray and the girls who were there for the party scenes.I'd like to know what his parents thought,too.I also wonder if his sister was there and if she gave him a hard time about it. I was dressed as a girl for Halloween by my mom and her sisters,when I was nine!Only my class at school and part of my neighborhood saw me though.Not a nationwide audience! Anyway,Ricky was not the first or only boy who was put into drag on television.Several boys on the old Little Rascals shorts ended up dressed as girls.Zack on Saved By The Bell dressed up as Screech's girlfriend.The boy on Small Wonder was even dressed up as Vicky,so a doctor wouldn't find out she was a robot!But wouldn't a doctor figure out he wasn't a girl!LOL! I guess they figure if the boy is ugly,then he won't look like a girl.I'm not sure about the age thing.I guess it would depend on the situation in the show. I guess the writers use it as an idea to fall back on when they're hitting a dry spell.

11-10-2003, 12:09 PM	#5
jarri Happily divorced Frequent Poster Join Date: Aug 20, 2003 Location: New Castle County, DE Posts: 255	I know he wasnt the only one, couchpotatoe. I just used that as an example. Those eps are hysterical, no doubt. It just had me concerned as an adult. I couldnt possibly know what you felt like dressed up like a girl. Are you scarred for life,lol? How old are you now and do you ever look back on it?

11-10-2003, 05:39 PM	#6
couchpotatoe Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Aug 27, 2003 Location: N.C. Posts: 10	jarri,I can see your point about being concerned,but I don't read too much into it when it's on a sitcom. As far as how I felt,at the time I thought it was the most embarrassing thing that would ever happen to me! Unfortunately it wasn't though. And no it didn't scar me for life,I've had plenty of other experiences for that,lol! I'm 30 now and I do look back on it sometimes(usually around Halloween),and all I can think is MOM HOW COULD YOU DO THAT TO ME!!! Just kidding,I just laugh about it now.

11-20-2003, 07:37 PM	#7
jarri Happily divorced Frequent Poster Join Date: Aug 20, 2003 Location: New Castle County, DE Posts: 255