Transgender Television

I remember the first time I was formally taught the word "transgender". I was sixteen years old and attending a summer writing workshop at the University of Virginia. One of the other students liked to borrow girls' clothing and wear it to class. I'm not sure if he* was the impetus for our session about "Sex and Gender" or if it was already on the schedule but one afternoon someone somewhere decided that it was time for us to learn the correct terminology. We learned what LGBT meant. We learned the difference between sex and gender. We learned about pronouns. Coming from a slightly conservative public high school in Virginia, and a liberal but very sheltered upbringing, all of this was news to me. Interestingly, I took it all in stride. My biggest concern was that someone should really teach him how to dress better, because the skirt and top combo didn't match at all.

Later, when I attended Smith College, these early lessons in terminology came in handy. That's not to say that Smith wasn't a culture shock, because it totally was. During a weekend for accepted students I was housed by Junior who a) had the shortest hair I had ever seen on a girl and b) was openly gay. Interestingly, all the students that she lived with seemed to veer largely toward the Lesbian side of the spectrum. This certainly isn't the case all over the Smith campus, but in that particular house my long hair-polo shirt wearing- one step away from having pearls-high school self stood out.

Three years later I would be leading a session for new students where I talked about LGBT terminology. Full circle from clueless fashion-conscious sixteen year old to more knowledgeable but still pretty clueless twenty-one year old.

Yesterday I was riding a bus through Dorchester, which is one of the poorest neighborhoods in Boston. Two Black teenagers, a guy and a girl, were talking about what drag was, which then turned into a discussion about a family friend's decision to transition. They knew the terminology. Was that because they'd read up on what to say and how to say it after learning of their friend's decision? Of course that's possible. But I also think it's possible that media is playing a role.

Downton Abbey Season Four Update & Season 3 Recaps

I'm quite excited (see, I'm already talking like a British person) that 'Downton Abbey' is coming back in January. While I'll miss BLANK and BLANK (names redacted in case you're crazy and haven't watched Season 3 yet) I have faith that they'll give us an excellent show.

Apparently Michelle Dockery agrees.




This reminds me to plug my other blog which features recaps for all of season 3 of Downton Abbey:

Brit TV vs. US TV, Volume II

What's unique about the British television model

and why it (probably) wouldn't work in an American market.

I've written before about some of the key differences between British and American television. "Quality" (and by this I mean quality of production and not quality of content) is one of the great dividers. British television has only recently achieved the production quality of American television, due in large part to their reliance on naturalistic (vs. flawless) footage. You can read more about that HERE, but my basic point was that American television looks a certain way...perfect. Scenes that are shot outside are no less vibrant and clear than scenes that are shot on a sound-stage. There is a seamlessness that viewers have come to expect.

Obviously there are numerous other distinctions between British television and American television. The differences are so vast that recounting them here would not only be ridiculous, it would be nearly impossible. However, one clear cut distinction between shows in the two countries is the length of a season.* In the

British People Have Television Too

I'm English. And American. I have dual citizenship, and I was raised in both countries. This means that I don't just watch U.S. television shows, but British ones too. Doubly important, I can understand all the accents!

What I've noticed recently, that I somehow managed to completely miss as a child, is that there is a stark difference between British shows and American shows, even after you remove locale and accents. That difference is attractiveness.

American television stars are, more often than not, attractive. Sometimes they're really, really attractive. Plus, even when they're not traditionally 'good looking', they still get perfect make-up, and proper lighting, and intense post-production. This happens even when the show is trying to show that the character is slovenly. Take 'The Middle' for instance, Patricia Heaton's character doesn't have good hair or good clothes, but damn does she look good on film.

If you don't watch a lot of British television you'll have no idea what I'm talking about. Because for people raised on U.S. television a character like Doug Heffernon isn't 'attractive'. I hate to tell you all, but you're missing out on what real on-air unattractiveness is. Maybe that's a little harsh, what I mean is that American television's version of a normal person is horribly skewed.

In the U.K. television shows are often filmed with a more realist approach (I use the word 'realist' in the loosest possible sense; I'm not trying to relate to Ray or Rosellini, because luckily this isn't a film class). What I mean by 'realist approach' is that everything looks more...real. Their lighting isn't as good, their actors aren't always chosen because they looked best in a screen test, and their post-production isn't as snazzy. The closest thing that American TV has are its soap operas. But, that's not to say that those British shows aren't brilliant.


Which is why American television ideals sometimes make me sad. There are so many great British shows that I want my U.S. friends to enjoy. A lot of them are even on Netflix Instant (so you don't have to suffer through a six-hour plane ride!). My favorite, slightly-older British show at the moment is 'Gavin & Stacey'. It's absolutely brilliant; it's funny, it's heart-warming, and it's just as quirky as 'Arrested Development'. Unfortunately, when I tried to persuade a group of American friends to watch it with me, it was quickly rejected because "no one in that show is attractive". Are we really at the point where we can't watch a show if the main characters aren't hot? My British friends are able to easily acclimate to the gorgeous Americans on their screens, but my U.S. friends can't see the beauty in the British-style of TV. The sad thing is, they don't know how much quality television they're missing.


So, if you're American (or any nationality, I'm really not picky) go to Netflix Instant and give a British TV show a try. Accept that the accents are different, and the footage is often grainier, and enjoy the quality of the plot. I promise, it's there.


I highly recommend: 'Gavin & Stacey', 'Peep Show', and 'Doc Martin'. 

The cast of 'Gavin & Stacey'

UK vs US Netflix

I got really excited earlier this week when I read that Netflix had signed a streaming deal with BBC Worldwide. Turns out, my excitement wasn't really warranted. Yes, Netflix did sign a deal with the BBC, but if you're in the United States don't expect it to have any impact on what you're able to watch anytime soon. The deal was actually for their new platform in the United Kingdom. The UK Netflix launched earlier this month. That's all very good and well, but I wish that the US Netflix had the same number of UK shows available (you'll know why if you read my last post about British television). Would you watch more foreign TV shows if they were available on instant view?

'Shameless' Second Season Premiere

I know I'm a little behind the curve, but I finally got around to watching 'Shameless' on Showtime.

I like it all right, but I like the original series a lot better.

For those of you who don't know, the American series is based on the British version of the same name.

The plots aren't identical though (much like the plots of the American 'Office' are not complete copies of the British original), so you can certainly watch both series.

If you like 'Shameless' on Showtime, then head on over to Netflix Instant and watch the Channel Four British version. You can also catch up with the first season of the U.S. version of 'Shameless' on Showtime OnDemand.

The second season of the U.S. version of 'Shameless' premieres tomorrow 
(Sunday, Jan 8th at 9/8C)

UK version

US version

'Downton Abbey' is Americanized

American TV critics and industry professionals liked 'Downton Abbey'. In fact, based on how well it did during awards season, I'd go as far as to say that they like liked it.

But did you know that what we saw on PBS was the Americanized version?

Because apparently American viewers can't deal with slightly slow plots, or historical terms. Because in America we're all about speed and stupidity.

This obviously isn't true, and it may not be the only reason 'Downton Abbey' got "Americanized".

Regardless, when 'Downton Abbey' aired in the US it was only six-hours long, as opposed to the eight hours that were aired in the UK. A lot of what was cut was related to the inheritance plot, because apparently "entail" is a concept that is too complicated for the average American (it's not like most of PBS' viewers are highly-educated or anything). Also, Americans don't own dictionaries (or computers, or have access to Wikipedia).

Not only did we get the dumbed down version, but we also got an intro, provided by the lovely Laura Linney. Her opener gave us a quick synopsis of the plot. When 'Downton Abbey' aired in the UK it did not have any kind of explanation; it just started, like almost every drama. I suppose I can't complain too much about that part though, because 'Downton Abbey' was presented as a Masterpiece Theatre Production, and they often have such introductions. Who can forget Alistair Cook or Russell Baker? Still, I'm not sure I need Linney to explain relatively basic concepts to me.

Also, 'entail' doesn't exist in the UK anymore, so it's not as though the Brits know way more than the average American. More likely than not, unless they're in their sixties, they won't have any more idea than we do.

According to the MailOnline, when 'Downton Abbey' is released on DVD, Americans will have the option of buying the British original. The biggest question is, why didn't we have the option of watching it that way on television?

Maybe we'll get Season 2 uncut, if we're lucky.

Chris Hastings provides more information about 'Downton Abbey' and PBS' decision HERE.