The Real L Word

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Having watched the first 6 episodes of The Real L Word (yes, I do know reviews are usually written after the first one, but hey, it’s summertime), I stand at a crossroad, incapable to decide between liking or disliking the show. On the one hand, it is quite shallow and the “real” women do not seem to do anything “real” except partying and having sex. On the other hand though, it has lesbians partying and having sex. Here goes the dilemma I am facing.

Aware of the communal backlash that surrounded The L Word, the makers of The Real L Word tried to envision the new show as a group of LA West Hollywood lesbians who are real-life women with no prior acting experience. These women put their lives and privacy on the side so that everyone peeks into their every-day lives, thus raising the level of visibility for lesbians on TV. A noble cause indeed, one I would have believed if I had half my IQ (maybe even less – I’m selling myself short). Truth is no one does it for the cause. So many other factors, like money, publicity, and fame are involved, so please Showtime, do not try and sell me the show because of its human rights agenda.

I’m sold on the show for a few reasons of my own:

1. Some of the women are hot. Not ashamed to say that I enjoy watching good looking women on TV, and if they happen to be gay, added bonus!
2. Reality TV lesbian drama. There’s something cringe-worthy yet amusing at the same time about love triangles and webs being depicted on TV in a similar manner to those in our own communities.
3. The sex scenes in the show help if you’re watching it with someone you’re interested in, as it kind of gets you both thinking on the same wave-length.
4. I have started a drinking game after Mikey. Every time Mikey says “LA Fashion Week” you gotta drink (warning: be sure to bring LOTS of booze)
5. Stamie’s kids. Oh god bless them.. adorable!
6. I am waiting to see if any of Rose’s beauty marks are ever going to get a speaking part in the show
7. Tracy. Enough said. *sigh*

As you can see, none of my reasons points at the show’s substance or it advocating LGBT issues. Let’s not pretend and just take it for what it is – a soft erotic show with drama, only this time (there are lesbians). So if you’re a fan of reality TV, this show may interest you. For the ones like me, refer to parentheses above.

As part of an LGBT community, we always want any depiction of us to be serious, meaningful, help visibility, etc… and we want lots of it. Maybe the solution is not in stating the political message, but in going more commercial and mainstream to the broader appeal of the ‘straytiyye’.

Yet, executive producer Jane Lipsitz has stated:

“We didn’t set out to make a show that has a political message but there are definitely issues that the gay community deals with that we tried to tackle in our shows in terms of bringing up the issues of gay marriage and rights. I think that what’s important to us is that we set out to make an entertainment show but there is a little bit more depth to this series.”

I completely disagree. There is no depth to this show, and that is maybe why I watch it.

- Contributed by Keeks

Tags: L World, LA, Lesbian Life