National Review's Jim Geraghty writes re the new ABCFam show The Forsters:
Do these characters have any flaws? Well, [lesbian mom] Altruistic School Principal tends to unilaterally decide to bring foster children to live with them without checking with [lesbian mom] Dedicated Police Officer, which in many marriages would be a sign of serious problems with communication, trust, and mutual decision-making. "Hi, honey, I decided we would become foster parents to a teenager who I found in a juvenile detention center. Hope you're okay with that." But because this is television land, Dedicated Police Officer purses her lips a bit, but then says it's okay after a hug.
Maybe this show will prove me wrong. But I suspect its social mission will require Altruistic School Principal and Dedicated Police Officer to be one-note characters, endlessly wise and caring and patient and understanding. After watching the pilot, where the parents come across so saintly, one can't help but suspect that the writers will be terrified about portraying them with any flaws, either because they'll be afraid they're portraying gay parents negatively, or because they fear their audience will be even momentarily repelled by characters that the entire show's purpose is to get you to love and accept.
Everything that was really wrong about classic sitcoms -- and their era -- won't be changed by dropping non-vanilla characters into poorly written shows. Bill Cosby became America's favorite TV dad by doing good television. Geraghty notes that the Washington Times is up in arms about what constitutes "family" in family entertainment. Geraghty himself seems more properly concerned about what constitutes "entertainment".
If it were me I'd have named the show Leave It Two Beavers and dared them to put it on the air -- but I'm something of a stinker my own self...
I thought I already saw that show on the adult channel.
ReplyDelete