Over representation of gay people in TV programmes

Grueller

To start off, I know I am going to be accused of homophobia here but I don't think I am. Some of my lifelong friends are gay and I have had famiky members openly gay since before it was fashionable.
Anyway, the irish times reckon that 4% of the population is gay. Any reality tv show that I watch seems to have a far higher proportion of participants than this, or is it my imagination? Not just big brother type reality tv either, room to improve, find me a house on rte, Grand designs, first dates and a place in the sun in the UK.
What do the good people of after hours think?

Arcade_Tryer

Grueller wrote: »

What do the good people of after hours think?

It's not something I think about thankfully.

Surreptitious

The son in Mrs Brown's Boys.
Nuff said.

Dr Crayfish

Check this out

https://www.facebook.com/visitdublin/videos/10155120259824046/

Visit Dublin, where nearly everyone is black, and all relationships are interracial. They seem to do it with the black thing, not sure about gay, like the ad for Eir I think before the Euros where they showed people basking in the glory of the Aviva stadium in Ireland jerseys, one of the guys looked like he came straight out of Lagos last week.

I think it's down to our insecurity as Irish people.

Barry Badrinath

What do I think?

I think you are nuts OP!

The_Valeyard

Grueller wrote: »

To start off, I know I am going to be accused of homophobia here but I don't think I am. Some of my lifelong friends are gay and I have had famiky members openly gay since before it was fashionable.
Anyway, the irish times reckon that 4% of the population is gay. Any reality tv show that I watch seems to have a far higher proportion of participants than this, or is it my imagination? Not just big brother type reality tv either, room to improve, find me a house on rte, Grand designs, first dates and a place in the sun in the UK.
What do the good people of after hours think?

4% Of The Irish population? Could you be taking into account many shows that are produced in USA, UK, etc.

Mister Vain

Ever notice when a straight man walks into a room full of gay people in a TV show or film, he is somehow irresistible to them all, regardless of what he looks like.

PucaMama

I think you are correct. These tv shows include loads of gay people because it's the "in" thing at the moment.

Thoie

I think you're watching far too much reality TV.

Is it only 4% in Ireland? Thought it was about 10%.

foggy_lad

Surreptitious wrote: »

The son in Mrs Brown's Boys.
Nuff said.

Buster? :eek:

secman

Yeah I'm straight and I can't believe the number of straight people on telly , it's unbelievably high, probably at least 96 %.

Richard

I don't think reality tv shows have to represent society. It really doesn't matter.

alchemist33

Dr Crayfish wrote: »

Check this out

https://www.facebook.com/visitdublin/videos/10155120259824046/

Visit Dublin, where nearly everyone is black, and all relationships are interracial. They seem to do it with the black thing, not sure about gay, like the ad for Eir I think before the Euros where they showed people basking in the glory of the Aviva stadium in Ireland jerseys, one of the guys looked like he came straight out of Lagos last week.

I think it's down to our insecurity as Irish people.

I know this must be sarcasm, since a large majority of people in that video are white, but I just can't see it.

Grueller

Thoie wrote: »

I think you're watching far too much reality TV.

Is it only 4% in Ireland? Thought it was about 10%.

Could be. Irish times survey on a quick google suggested this.
Too much reality tv? Way too many property programmes as suggested by the programmes in the op.

Grueller

Arcade_Tryer wrote: »

It's not something I think about thankfully.

Just popped into my head now. Random thoughts of the empty headed.

Grueller

Senor Fancy Pants wrote: »

What do I think?

I think you are nuts OP!

I think you are right Senor.

dreoilin

What's the matter? Upset because people other than those who are straight are finally being represented?

Effects

Mister Vain wrote: »

Ever notice when a straight man walks into a room full of gay people in a TV show or film, he is somehow irresistible to them all, regardless of what he looks like.

No.

Grueller

dreoilin wrote: »

What's the matter? Upset because people other than those who are straight are finally being represented?

Nope. Just an observation. Congratulations on being the first to accuse homophobia though.

The King of Moo

Grueller wrote: »

To start off, I know I am going to be accused of homophobia here but I don't think I am. Some of my lifelong friends are gay and I have had famiky members openly gay since before it was fashionable.
Anyway, the irish times reckon that 4% of the population is gay. Any reality tv show that I watch seems to have a far higher proportion of participants than this, or is it my imagination? Not just big brother type reality tv either, room to improve, find me a house on rte, Grand designs, first dates and a place in the sun in the UK.
What do the good people of after hours think?

If I were a contestant on this, I think I'd try to get Dick and Mary's house from Glenroe.

Loveinapril

Grueller wrote: »

I have had famiky members openly gay since before it was fashionable.

This sentence is hilarious!

Grueller

Loveinapril wrote: »

This sentence is hilarious!

I know, my spelling is terrible.

Wigglepuppy

I think it can be the case at times - not all the time of course; most of the time it's not the case. But (I know it's sh-t but I still watch it) Hollyoaks is a good example of what the OP is talking about. I agree with PucaMama who said it seems like they're trying to be fashionable.
It does not mean having a problem with any gay people on a programme full stop - of course people have to jump that conclusion though (knowing that's not what was meant). One thing my best friend (a gay man) hates is being seen as a fashion accessory. He thought it was funny for a while but now it's getting old.

buried

The King of Moo wrote: »

If I were a contestant on this, I think I'd try to get Dick and Mary's house from Glenroe.

I'd go for Dinny's. You could nearly stick a walk in shower up in his fireplace

Grueller

Wigglepuppy wrote: »

I think it can be the case at times - not all the time of course; most of the time it's not the case. But (I know it's sh-t but I still watch it) Hollyoaks is a good example of what the OP is talking about. I agree with PucaMama who said it seems like they're trying to be fashionable.
It does not mean having a problem with any gay people on a programme full stop - of course people have to jump that conclusion though (knowing that's not what was meant). One thing my best friend (a gay man) hates is being seen as a fashion accessory. He thought it was funny for a while but now it's getting old.

Far more eloquently worded than I could ever manage.

El Weirdo

Grueller wrote: »

Nope. Just an observation. Congratulations on being the first to accuse homophobia though.

Well, when you said this...

Some of my lifelong friends are gay...

...you left the goal wide open.

Barry Badrinath

If i remember correctly, apparently there was only 1 gay in the village.

maudgonner

buried wrote: »

I'd go for Dinny's. You could nearly stick a walk in shower up in his fireplace

Ye pair of peasants. I'd go for George & Shirley's gaff. I could be the lady of the manor! :cool:

How Soon Is Now

Tis cool to be gay now sure!

Rothko

I don't know about that but it seems like every American TV show must have at least one British person in it.

PucaMama

You have to remember too that these shows don't care about representing gay people they will drop them as soon as they need to.

porsche boy

When you say 'Reality' shows, you are aware this primarily refers to a filming technique rather than what's being filmed taking place in reality, yes?

myshirt

Op is bang on the money. The gay marriage referendum was a long time in the making, with the media playing a huge role in shaping the normalisation of this over successive years. How many times was Panti Bliss on the air to chat even about the most menial things.

The abortion thing is next up on the chopping block. Bit by bit, (somehow) try normalise that it is right to take the life of the unborn and that abortion is a legitimate treatment for suicidal ideation.

Some dangerous relaxations of humanity prevalent amongst our media saturated youth.

How Soon Is Now

In a lot of cases shows use gay men who are clearly bubbly fiesty and flamboyant. So its for entertainment purposes plus it drags in the womens as well they love that ****!.

failinis

As a gay person I am happy to see some more LGBT people on screen.
Growing up I thought being gay should be hidden as a dirty sin and that to was reflected on what was shown on screen.
Obviously basing screen life on real life is stupid, but as a child and teen thats what you do.

LGBT can be exploited by media managers and the like, it is a bandwagon to be jumped on - but the reality is that people have been LGBT for hundreds of years, its just being exploited now for tv land. For good and for worse.

I am very irritated that a large majority of lesbian tv/film actresses end up in tragic dire straits and very rarely a "happily ever after" or killed off - but that is another thread in itself.

However if it starts to make some LGBT teens feel more comfortable and change perceptions then its a positive.

I have mixed feelings on this.

Grandeeod

I agree with the OP.

Ireland AM. Gay presenters and lots of gay contributors. Thats one example. As a person with gay friends and from a generation that was predominately anti gay (I was born in the early 1970s) I do believe that Gay people are being unfairly represented by over representation on TV. My Gay friends agree, but then again they aren't media lusting sluts looking for exposure. The straight people are the same, but even Gay people admit that its an in your face deal these days.

I assume that I am going to be cast adrift on the homophobic island such is the way with AH. But I don't care. I'm old enough to have lived life with Gay people when it was illegal, unacceptable and looked down on. I'm happy that I loved, laughed and lived with them in all their glory, long before it got trendy and serious.

Gay is gay. No big deal.

Wigglepuppy

failinis wrote: »

As a gay person I am happy to see some more LGBT people on screen.
Growing up I thought being gay should be hidden as a dirty sin and that to was reflected on what was shown on screen.
Obviously basing screen life on real life is stupid, but as a child and teen thats what you do.

LGBT can be exploited by media managers and the like, it is a bandwagon to be jumped on - but the reality is that people have been LGBT for hundreds of years, its just being exploited now for tv land. For good and for worse.

I am very irritated that a large majority of lesbian tv/film actresses end up in tragic dire straits and very rarely a "happily ever after" or killed off - but that is another thread in itself.

However if it starts to make some LGBT teens feel more comfortable and change perceptions then its a positive.

I agree with a lot of what you say. Do you find it can be kinda condescending and shallow at times though? In a kind of "Look at us, we're so trendy" way?

terranova15

Ah this is a hilarious thread! Maybe the OP could chalk it down to an abundance of very talented tv personalities who happen to gay? Shocking that...

How Soon Is Now

terranova15 wrote: »

Ah this is a hilarious thread! Maybe the OP could chalk it down to an abundance of very talented tv personalities who happen to gay? Shocking that...

Its more personalty then talent.

Wigglepuppy

failinis wrote: »

I remember reading a quote from a Gay TV Writer who said he will be happy when a tv show will have a guy come in from work, throw the keys on the table and kiss his male partner on the cheek and go throw the tv on.
When its a normal domestic scene, just as it is for straight couples on tv dramas - some of which is still happening but I feel a lot of LGBT scenes on tv are to spice it up or shout "look at us being so accepting for letting a gay on".

Yeah my best friend (I'm sure he'd love me dragging him out again :pac:) despises the way gay men are so constantly represented as bitchy, materialistic and melodramatic.

foggy_lad

Kenny Everett was never Gay:eek::D:p

terranova15

How Soon Is Now wrote: »

Its more personalty then talent.

Perhaps but personality most certainly isn't sexuality. What's with the incessant need to delineate people on tv by what "group" is represented.

Now if the OP is suggesting they wouldn't get the work or air time that they get if they weren't gay then that's a different accusation altogether. One I would find to be rubbish as many are genuinely funny and entertaining and had careers before they came out.

Brego888

I agree with you. The Irish first dates seemed to have one gay couple on out of 4 couples every week. Thats not a representation of the country.

Grueller

terranova15 wrote: »

Perhaps but personality most certainly isn't sexuality. What's with the incessant need to delineate people on tv by what "group" is represented.

Now if the OP is suggesting they wouldn't get the work or air time that they get if they weren't gay then that's a different accusation altogether. One I would find to be rubbish as many are genuinely funny and entertaining and had careers before they came out.

Nope, not suggesting that at all. Kind of think the producers are trying to use it as a selling tool.

Muff Richardson

terranova15 wrote: »

Ah this is a hilarious thread! Maybe the OP could chalk it down to an abundance of very talented tv personalities who happen to gay? Shocking that...

interesting and fair enough observation by the OP which is worthy of discussion although inevitably going to have reactions such as 'hilarious, you're nuts etc/you're homophobic so I'll patronise instead'

In reality and its a fairly mundane answer to the OP's question but it all probably boils down to proportional representation, race, creed, religion, sexual orientation...that's what we are seeing now and its progressive and i am all for it. what i wonder about is how far proportional representation will go, if the aforementioned are provided will we see people with disabilities and serious disfigurements on television etc...I would say yes eventually, but right now theres a lot of good looking minorities, be it sexual orientation, religion, race etc that can fill the void. do i care, nah. couldn't give a sh*t. graham norton is a superb amazing talent that i love watching, panti bliss is an annoying attention seeking talentless useless pr*ck...sh*t, think Im homophobic, must get one of those repeal the 8th t shirts quick.

terranova15

Grueller wrote: »

Nope, not suggesting that at all. Kind of think the producers are trying to use it as a selling tool.

Ah no i do get your point, but the likes of Graham Norton and Alan Carr etc had careers long before it became "fashionable" and they are hilarious in my view is just what I'm saying. Without stereotyping maybe it's the personality traits of certain gay personalities (a minority within a minority) is the selling point you're thinking of?

I don't think the OP is homophobic by the way but maybe just reading into the sexuality side a bit much, haven't showbiz and the gay community always been natural bed fellows?

riclad

There has always been a large amount of gay people in creative arts ,
theatre , tv ,showbusiness .
I think many uk reality shows have a system ,pick one black person, 1 or 2
Gay people,maybe 1 lesbian or bisexual woman , and 2 or 3 slappers ,
1 or 2 older people etc
some one who was famous 10-20 years ago ,eg sam fox.
And there,s c list celebs who will just appear on any program
for a pay cheque .
It seems strange on many drama,s after a few seasons, there,s a
lesbian who gets killed, gets cancer etc
Is it not possible to be a lesbian and have a dull life and be slightly
rude or boring or average like anyone else in a drama .
In the 70s, and 80s there would be people in tv drama,s , comedys who were funny or witty ,or single, so it was kind of up to the viewer
to decide if they were gay or not.
Now many comedys have 1 or 2 gay characters in the cast.
i thought it was funny ,i turned on fair city and there
was some teen lesbian girl talking about meeting her girfriend .
And there was no big deal made about it.

Annasopra

Its called the dead lesbian syndrome

http://www.autostraddle.com/all-65-dead-lesbian-and-bisexual-characters-on-tv-and-how-they-died-312315/

Grayson

alchemist33 wrote: »

I know this must be sarcasm, since a large majority of people in that video are white, but I just can't see it.

the vast majority. I think there were maybe 4 non white people out of about 40

SEPT 23 1989

They were funnier in the 80's and 90's

Taking themselves far too seriously now

Thoie

maudgonner wrote: »

Ye pair of peasants. I'd go for George & Shirley's gaff. I could be the lady of the manor! :cool:

Am I the only one who remembers The Irish RM?