A Question of Queerness: Case Studies of Contemporary American Television

• Main Author: Bentley, Jon Alexander
• Other Authors: Benshoff, Harry
• Format: Others
• Language: English
• Published: University of North Texas 2005
• Subjects: Mass media and gays > United States.; Gays in popular culture > United States.; Television broadcasting > Social aspects > United States.; television; gay characters; Will & Grace; Queer Eye for the Straight Guy; The L Word
• Online Access: https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc4900/

This project utilizes a case study approach to explore the various ways in which the portrayals of gay people have changed on American television. Three contemporary programs - Will & Grace, Queer Eye for the Straight Guy and The L Word - are examined as examples of how far American television has progressed in terms of treating gay people with respect. Whether those shows move beyond merely presenting gay characters and into a level of actively challenging mainstream views on gay people is also examined. Findings suggest different factors affect the ability of the individual programs to test said views - including the genres to which each belongs, and their presence on network television (Will & Grace), basic cable (Queer Eye for the Straight Guy) or premium cable (The L Word). While all three programs show some tendencies toward queerness, they also take steps toward negotiating with mainstream culture, indicating that complete queerness may be an unattainable goal on American television.