Orange is the New Black: Responding to Yasmin Nair

Race, Class, & Queer Issues in 'Orange is the New Black'

In These Times recently published an article in which the author, Yasmin Nair, stated that while Netflix's 'Orange is the New Black' gets "an 'A' on queer issues", it gets "a 'C' on race and an 'F' on class". While I agree it's important to contemplate and critique the portrayal of queer issues, race, and class in media, there are several points that the author states as fact which in reality rely on her personal interpretation of what is shown on screen.

In full disclosure, I am (as the main character in the show states) a white lady with blonde hair. I'm sure that colored my interpretation of the show, and I in no way claim that my perspective is the right one.

The first point that Nair makes is that 'Orange is the New Black' (OITNB) ensures that white women's nudity is "artfully covered" so that their "placement in the hierarchy of voyeurism" is made clear. To make her point she references a few key scenes; the first being the scene in the chapel where Morello and Nichols are having sex. Nair, rightfully, points out that Morello's breasts remain artfully covered throughout the scene in an unrealistic way. There is also a scene where Chapman gets out of the shower and her breasts are only briefly flashed before they are hidden by a towel (viewers will remember this as the "TV titties" scene). Nair states that in contrast women of color are shown naked fairly often--breasts and all. She sees this as a way to eroticize women of color, while the white women "preserve their putative modesty".

It certainly is true that eroticization of women of color in mainstream media is a major problem. However, I don't think that the examples Nair has given support her argument.

'The Bridge': Portrayals of Autism Worth Watching

'The Bridge' is great television.

It's a complex thriller with true human emotion and interesting cross cultural perspectives, but that's not why it's great television.

The show is unique because it deals so successfully with Asperger's syndrome.

Detective Sonya Cross (Diane Kruger) is a lot of things. She's the quintessential attractive American on the show--slim with wavy blonde hair and blue eyes. Men are clearly attracted to her, as is evidenced by the man who hits on her during the second episode's bar scene. She's very intelligent...a lead homicide detective who is passionate about her work.

She's also socially inept, but unlike shows such as 'The Big Bang Theory', where the character Sheldon Cooper's (purported) autism leaves him constantly clueless about social conventions, and seemingly caring little about the reaction he's provoking, Sonya's reactions seem more accurate.

According to psychology research studies, individuals with high functioning autism spectrum disorders often have high levels of depression because they are aware of the awkwardness their behavior causes, but don't know how to interact with people in a more "socially acceptable" way. Sonya falls into this category, she repeatedly apologizes for her behavior after the fact, despite the fact that it is clear that she doesn't understanding why what she did wasn't socially acceptable.

Unaired '30 Rock' Pilot

Most people love '30 Rock'. Or at least love to hate it.

Other people, my mother included, are completely crazy and don't "understand" the show.

Regardless, I think everyone will agree that the show in its current version is far superior to what it could have been. Watch the original, unaired pilot with a (slightly) different cast to see what I mean:

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'Cheer Perfection' is Coming to TLC

Cheerleading is coming to TLC! No, not a taped competition, but rather a special about the cutthroat world of children's cheerleading.

Sound oddly familiar? It should. The show is set up with a format that is almost identical to Lifetime's very successful show, 'Dance Moms'. After all, no one owns the petty mom/competitive kid arena.

TLC is clearly hoping to be as successful as 'Dance Moms', and maybe steal some of Lifetime's viewers while they're at it.

'The Munsters', 'Mockingbird Lane', and New Cast

A revamp is heading your way. 'The Munsters', the famous series that focused on a family of monsters living in suburban America, is being remade by NBC.

The original starred Yvonne De Carlo as Lily Munster, the mother of the family, and Fred Gwynne as her husband Herman Munster. There is also a grandfather, a son, and a niece, who all live in the family's creepy home. The sitcom ran for 70 episodes in the 1960s, and can still be seen in syndication.

A spin-off series, 'The Munsters Today', ran for 72 episodes from 1988 until 1991.

The new show, currently titled 'Mockingbird Lane', is being developed for NBC. Bryan Fuller, who created 'Pushing Daisies', is attached.

Here is the current cast:

Mindy Kaling's New Show...

Is Mindy Kaling moving to FOX?

It looks pretty likely. No, 'The Office' isn't switching channels, but NBC did lose out to FOX in a recent bid for a new show starring Kaling.

Kaling would serve as writer, producer, and star of the new show, which would focus on the trials and tribulations of an OB-GYN.

FOX has ordered a pilot, so Kaling may well be switching shows (and networks) in the Fall.

new series this fall. get excited. maybe.

New Pilots Coming This Fall hopefully to a t.v. near you:
aka Keeping Actors' Family Members in the Network Television Tree

no. not this kind of pilot.

Look's like Amy Poehler's husband, Will Arnett (of "Arrested Development" fame) is keeping it in the family. Emily Spivey, the writer of his wife's hit t.v. show ("Parks and Recreation") is the writer of his new show, "Alpha Mom". Oh, look, it also might be on NBC. Maybe it will even be on the same night as "Parks and Rec". Actually, that wouldn't be so bad. I've been missing Will Arnett ever since Gob was kicked off the air. Still, is this going to be yet another excuse for delaying the "Arrested Development" movie? Greeaaat.





Other networks appear to believe in this whole 'support the family' thing too. Zooey Deschanel (the only reason why "Failure to Launch" was funny) is starring in a new pilot. The show is called "The New Girl" and is about an elementary teacher who's unlucky in love, and lives with three guys. My only concern is that it's written by Liz Meriwether, who also wrote "No Strings Attached". Which, frankly, was a terrible waste of time. Still, I have hopes for the show. And, oh. Look. It's on the same network as big sis Emily Deschanel's hit show, "Bones".




All right, this has nothing to do with family relations, but I'm still going to mention it. CBS might be airing "The Ringer", about a woman who's on the run and decides to borrow her twin sister's identity. Okay, I'll admit it sounds a bit like a Lifetime movie plot (actually, I think I saw that Lifetime movie). But, and here's where it gets good, Sarah Michelle Gellar is starring in it. Honestly, after the disappointment of "The Wonderful Maladys" (which I have to say, I think had a much better premise), I'd just like to see her on the air again.




Here's an article about some more potential series. Any other exciting ones you've heard about?