After all my hemming and hawing about not wanting to see the L Word. I finally rented volume II of season one a few months ago. For one, it seems to oversaturated. True, it's supposed to be a drama, but episode after episode of manic sex, breakups, breakdowns, cheating, cheating on pregnant girl friends, pregnant girl friends cheating on cheaters of pregnant girlfriends...it gets a bit too much. The only thing it has going for it...in my opinion, is the femme on femme sex.
But isn't this what lesbians (and some non-lesbian feminists) were complaining about? "Straight-looking" highly sexed lesbians who's lives just revolve around fucking and drama? It seems hypocrytical.
I did read some of an interview on Planet Out.com, with the costume /wardrobe designer on the L Word, who was answering questions about lesbian stereotypes. One of her answers, to whether lesbian stereotypes influenced her work:
First, we have to remember that we are in L.A. The stories are about a specific group of women in L.A., in our lesbian community. That reflects hugely on the show. There has been criticism of our not representing some stereotypes, [such] as the butch, Birkenstock-wearing lesbian. True.
But remember, this is television, and we tend to make it a little more of something for, hopefully, some women to aspire to -- or at least appreciate that their "type" is being represented in a heightened fashion, much like Carrie on "Sex and the City."
Okay, it seems that this is a recurring theme...we don't want to show butches/non-feminine lesbians..because it would seem out of place? Because our show is too "specific". In a few of the L Word articles, it was stated that they wanted to stay away from a granola crunching lesbian more masculine stereotype. So, going to the opposite end of the stereotype spectrum is somehow better? I mean, out of a cast of 4-6 femine characters, you couldn't throw in a little variety? I mean there's one barely androgynous character (Shane), the psycho bisexual (oh how original
, I 'm so happy to be represented as a don't know my elbow from my asshole nutcase), the pretty power dyke (Jessica Beals character)..etc, etc.
Says, the author of the piece "..but society loves its generalizations. " So, that's your big excuse?
I guess I just don't understand the hype, that the show has somehow revolutionized television.
Perhaps, I was looking for something different when I watched the DVD. You know what I wanted? SOmething deeper, something smart, semi-political, feminist, but still hardcore sexy.
Now, my skirt-lovin' self is going to go look at some porn.
In other news I've bought:
Best of the Best Lesbian Erotica for $5 on amazon,
the Celluloid Closet (the book, the movie was pretty good too)
Bellydance Boogie (also good-the sword dance demonstration is awesome!)
Denise Austin DVD
I'm also selling some stuff there, under the username tissabra, if anyone's interested.
I was talking to the endocrinologist's PA today, and she old me of a job that might be availible in town $11 dollars an hour and they hire college students. I need to chek this out
now, if I'm going to go to Benin next May. I've already put in an application, complete with a recommendation from my Africana studies professor, but now I'm not sure. I've had Amsterdam on the brain for 2 years now, and I think I'd rather spend 2800 on that instead-for a 21st birthday present.
Why?
Because spending your 21st birthday with your head in the toilet is overrated. At least do it in a foreign country! 
Oh yeah...GRE stuff.
