WaPo Finds Gay Dilemma With NBC's 'Bionic Woman'

Photo of Ken Shepherd.
By Ken Shepherd (Bio | Archive)
September 8, 2007 - 20:31 ET

Writing for the September 9 Style & Arts section, Washington Post staff writer Jonathan Padget found a queer angle on an upcoming NBC action drama. The ratings-challenged network is remaking the 1970s "Bionic Woman" sci-fi series. It's a ratings gamble for the peacock network with any demographic, yet Padget seems to peg the success of the show on gay viewers, and finds a way to smack around former "Grey's Anatomy" co-star Isaiah Washington in the process:

What's a thoroughly postmodern gay to do when one of the iconic heroines of '70s television is relaunched on a network that eagerly embraces an actor who gets dumped from his hit show on another network after proving himself all too comfortable with a certain homophobic slur?

Okay, fine, maybe you don't get the Bionic Woman idolization. Maybe you've never been on the receiving end of the "f" slur. (What are you, one of those nine out of 10 people who "scientific research" suggests isn't gay?) But unless you'd rather be contemplating lesser, tawdrier issues -- say, the public-restroom dating habits of a certain Republican senator -- stick with us here.

NBC's new "Bionic Woman" series, premiering Sept. 26, was not without a certain amount of audience anxiety before Isaiah Washington even came into the picture.

It gets better, or worse, depending on if your eyes are rolling around in their sockets or you're trying hard to suppress a laugh:

Emotional connections to characters like the Bionic Woman can run deep for countless gay viewers who see isolation and repression reflected in heroes who must harbor secret identities and who can't show off their fabulousness in their everyday lives.

I have to hand it to Padget. He's giving fellow Post staffer Monica Hesse a run for her money when it comes to inane Style section articles.

—Ken Shepherd is Managing Editor of NewsBusters


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Biqueeric Woman

September 8, 2007 - 20:49 ET by Lame Cherry

These liberal sodomites who are so uncomfortable with themselves that any word describing them is verboten is pure psychopathy.

Gays can call themselves queer, but no one else can. In England, fag is the Queen's English term for them.

They get ticked off when Rush Limbaugh was calling Barney Frank "lollipop".

So the way sodomites figure to ruin a show nobody will watch is to have a dink WaPo attack a guy who was run off another show for having a natural distaste for homosexuals and turn it all into the Biqueeric Woman.

From the promo this is no Lindsey Wagner starring and the show will not last a month. Adios

 

*HIC IACET ARTORIVS REX QVONDAM REXQVE FVTVRVS

Their lies aren't all so truthful Lame Cherry

September 8, 2007 - 23:11 ET by SportPolitics

Isaiah Washington fired from Grey's Anamtomy: 

"I apologized and showed my remorse for what I said and for the pain I caused anyone," he said. "If a black man can't get forgiveness in this country, when so many other people like Robert Downey Jr. and the governor of California get second and third chances…I think that says a lot about race and this country where we stand."

Washington, who's going to Ghana next week with Jamie Foxx, Chris Tucker and Forest Whitaker to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the abolishment of slavery there, portrayed a gay character in the Spike Lee movie Get on the Bus, after which he wrote an essay condemning homophobia in the black community.

"People who know me know what's really in my heart," Washington said. "That's what's hurt me so much with all this. I was doing what I'm doing in Africa for years—before Angelina and Bono…I have shared my blessings, but all that changes when this happened, and it's truly heartbreaking for me. "

____________________________________

So is it the libs standard and now proclaimed " hypocrisy" agenda, like they used dishonestly against Larry Craig, or is it as one of their former own says " RACISM" - the other agenda the libs have promoted from here to Hollywood and back ?

__________________________________

LOL - Who knows.... I suspect he was boinking someone important that someone else more important didn't take kindly to.

One can only hope that the "public apologizers" catch on someday, and figure out that giving homage and becoming a dhimmi in front of the liberal elite homo agenda establishment CANNOT save you. You will be forever banished to the dark reaches of the most discriminated against, and will be pounded into hell forevermore.

http://www.eonline.c...

"who must harbor secret

September 8, 2007 - 21:11 ET by Conservative in the Arts

"who must harbor secret identities and who can't show off their fabulousness in their everyday lives."

OH G** <eye roll>

This person needs to hang out backstage at any theater sometime to see how wonderful this "fabulousness" is in all it's glory.

Hey, I have to harbor a secret identity and can't show how awesome and fabulous my life is because of all that "fab" he's talking about is so paper thin!  

Now, now, C in the A !!!

September 8, 2007 - 23:23 ET by SportPolitics

You be a good little metronome, and don't be puffing out a manly chest or showing any of this disgusting homophobism disguised as machismo, you know how the ladies just hate all that.

 The new standard of manhood means you just aren't comfortable with your own, #1 - if you ever criticize gay people, you are in all likelihood a closet homo and pedophile, and #2 - you therefore can not claim to be a real man until you let 3 or 4 queers guys with a non-straight eye fuss over you, do your make-up, rearrange your apartment or condo, and take them out for a night on the town and hang on eachothers shoulders and laugh and giggle together, not that there's anything not wrong with that, but there sure had better not be. #3 If it is discovered you aren't gay and never have been, you're toast, instead of the toast of the tinseltown, anyway.

 Be a real postmodern man and don't be banished from the peace-n-frolick qwingdom.

SP

September 8, 2007 - 23:44 ET by botg

banished to Bogeyland?

 Support our Troops 

Could be botg, but maybe that was the last era

September 9, 2007 - 00:12 ET by SportPolitics

I tested your theory by googling in  " banished straight guy " at youtube.

This is what came up: Mario's Destination: Mario vs DragonClaw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xK09U7SlXGg

Somehow I think the search engine is working correctly(Mario is the straught guy now - that's how far we've come - and he was banished to this destination), note the gen-xyz comments below the vid.

" I agree, dude. But, compared to the Evil Duo, Dragon Claw, IMHO, is quite a pussy, to put it bluntly. ^_^ "

" DragonClaw is one tough character, its easy pwending him by using Omega Tom Hanks, thought he is one of awsome character fo all time, since Mario and DragonClaw are mine Teams, that where the story of this, when Mario choose his related journey to mine story like this one, ever since Mario and DragonClaw were best friend, i should argee with every people, These Reu's character are tough character..

to: NobunagaLiobKing

-Favic "

" Very nice match, dude! Dragon Claw is one of the easiest of Reu's chars to beat, but still very hard, and you did an excellent job taking him out here! Five stars! ;) "

 

OK, it's official. The

September 8, 2007 - 21:20 ET by motherbelt

OK, it's official. The Washington Post (at least the Style section) has raised solipsistic idiocy to an art form.

This whole exercise is nonsense on stilts.

And Mr. Padget: it's not 9 out of 10 people who "scientific research suggests(?) aren't gay"; 10% is the number that activists claim (for effect.) Research shows that the percentage of the population that is gay is much lower. In fact most studies come in at well below 5%; probably closer to 2%, 3% is on the high side.

They will always stick with

September 8, 2007 - 21:24 ET by bretzysdude

They will always stick with the 10% statistic because it's "fabulously" larger.

The line of work I'm in

September 9, 2007 - 03:54 ET by BuxomAnnieMcGreggor

The line of work I'm in puts me in greater proximity to the local
homosexual community than the "average" person. I would swear in a
court of law that I have never experienced the kind of insecurity,
dysfunction, hatefulness, backbiting, lying, conniving,
disingenuousness...that I have witnessed first hand in this so
called "community".

 

Their snarky response to
the "statistics" might sound something like.... "OMG that'sss a real no
brainer... I mean PULEEZZZ! Who in their right mind wouldn't
prefer a "10" to an insignificant little "2" or "3"?.....BTW...who's
the troglodyte that designed this place ?"

First of all, I consider

September 9, 2007 - 04:09 ET by RESTLESS 1

First of all, I consider this the best blog on the web. If you are equating the posts with the editor's columns, then that is on you.

Second, not everyone on this site is insecure. Most of us do have a problem with equating homosexuality with heterosexuality. Most statitistics put homosexuality at about 3%. Imo, it is something (perhaps psychiatric) that can be fixed if only the gay legions would allow debate on the subject. The problem is that if someone suggests that homosexuality is something that needs, or could be, reversed, they are instantly labeled as homophobes. I say let there be debate without the name calling from both sides.

 

Hey Restless 1.... My

September 9, 2007 - 04:23 ET by BuxomAnnieMcGreggor

Hey Restless 1....

My friend, please
understand.... I am not lowering myself to "name calling".... my first
paragraph is an HONEST appraisal of the condition of their homosexual
"community". I see it every day...first hand.

 

Secondly..... I made no mention of anyone's insecurity here, nor implying..... Maybe you just read me wrong.

 

Kind Regards

Or.... maybe I didn't

September 9, 2007 - 04:29 ET by BuxomAnnieMcGreggor

Or.... maybe I didn't articulate as well as I should have. Its Late...near 3:30 am...

 

 

 

Kind regards

Buxom

September 9, 2007 - 04:38 ET by RESTLESS 1

Understandable, it is late. I for one do not accept the homosexual lifestyle, but at the same time, don't care what people do behind closed doors. I just don't like being told that I should accept something that every bone in my body tells me is wrong. If I suggest that there may be causes for the condition, rather than it being natural, I am called a homophobe. That is not the case. The gay lobby has successfully shut down any and all debate on the subject. I have no doubt that it is a hard lifestyle to live, but imo, the gay lobby does their own a disservice by not allowing debate on the issue, which may lead to a "cure" ( sorry, I have no better word for it), to homosexuality.

Buxom

September 9, 2007 - 04:46 ET by RESTLESS 1

Please understand, I wasn't accusing you of name calling. See below for where I stand on the issue.

Whoops, I mean see above. :>)

Restless 1

September 9, 2007 - 10:18 ET by botg

i think you mis-read Buxom.  Note the 'Their snarky remark' Bux is giving potential answer from someone 'in the (gay) community' which imo rings fairly true.  I think if you re-read Bux's post you will see that the comments you believed to be directed at NB are actually descriptive of 'the (gay) community'

This of course does not speak of individuals but does note the attitudes and mores which seem more prevalent in the sub-culture

 Support our Troops 

Ah! With a new day comes a

September 9, 2007 - 12:00 ET by RESTLESS 1

Ah! With a new day comes a new perspective. I believe you are correct botg. By apologies to Buxom for any offense taken.

Oh, good grief.  All the

September 9, 2007 - 09:02 ET by bretzysdude

Oh, good grief.  All the emotions that you list! 

 Look, they attack at us just as often; perhaps even more so.  Check out the articles here every day.  There's always someone calling a homophobe just for us expressing our beliefs that it is wrong.  I don't care about your proximity with them.  They're not the extremists that are making the news and are trying to shut down our own freedom of speech. 

Nice

September 8, 2007 - 23:12 ET by stratman

"Solipsism"

  1. Philosophy. the theory that only the self exists, or can be proved to exist.

  2. extreme preoccupation with and indulgence of one's feelings, desires, etc.; egoistic self-absorption.

Excellent word choice MB. 

Killing them with kindness isn't working.  Time to get scrappy with the Donkeys.

Strat

September 9, 2007 - 04:43 ET by RESTLESS 1

Thanks for the definition. I was feeling really stupid for a minute there. ;>)

And that is a great word. 

Solipsism: That's not ''Nice''

September 9, 2007 - 05:18 ET by Heiki

It's Super-Nice. Using the right word is a subject near and dear to my heart. Thank you MB.

BuxomAnnieMcGreggor above used the ''who's the troglodyte who designed this place'' in quotes and I believe was voicing a hypothetical homosexual interior decor critic. And BTW, my sister is gay and the bar that we hung out at while I visited one summer was a gay bar, and those observations about the mindset and behavior of gays within that community is spot-on. Solipsism, indeed.

Can I Say That?

September 8, 2007 - 21:55 ET by Barker

Fabulous -- the other "f" word.

Yes Barker that is encouraged

September 8, 2007 - 23:50 ET by SportPolitics

also feel free to add a lisp when saying it and stick your tongue out a bit on both sides, and "spray" a bit.

 I went and checked out the clip(s) for Bionic Woman, and it looks like a hot *****fest to me. :-)

http://www.nbc.com/Bionic_Woman/video/#cat=new

It also looks like after her love and near marraige and pregnancy and the car crash, the evil secret Bush torture overlords of the dark using of others CIA or other nefarious government agency equipped her with the bionics in classic "we never asked" mkulta style, and she rebels, is "out" after pushing over the darling love boyfriend in horror - and is out on the rainy streets of the night - when she encounters another hottie - who is trying to kill her and "she doesn't know why".

 So, after the evil project escapes( the innocent bionic woman now a horrified victim - look what they've done to her) , the dark nefarious Bush forces send out the hit team - another "brainwashed by them" sexy blonde....

 Yes, it's definitely -- err -- uhhh - original ?

( I juss ca not understaaand why we don't have a nice juicy mana** in this clip, what are we fabs supposed to like about this? Don't they want us watching ?)

 

As they said in the clips in

September 9, 2007 - 04:28 ET by RESTLESS 1

As they said in the clips in the theatres, " This is not your mother's 'bionic woman'"

I with the WAPO on this

September 9, 2007 - 13:16 ET by TruthMonger

I get the F word all the time - gay people are always sneering at me as one of those disgusting "FUNDIES..."

I know how it is for the bionic woman too:(  

(sniff, tear rolls down cheek)

Here is another F word TM,

September 9, 2007 - 14:12 ET by Conservative Voice

Here is another F word TM, funny :)

}}---> Bionics

September 8, 2007 - 22:00 ET by Cool Arrow

Who says we got no gay superheroes?

Gay Superheroes?

September 8, 2007 - 22:42 ET by Barker

Cool Arrow, are you referring to Bruce Wayne and his youthful ward.......whats-his-name?

Or this other 'dynamic duo': http://z.about.com/d...

Don't forget......

September 8, 2007 - 23:26 ET by Scout Finch

The Ambiguously Gay Duo, Ace and Gary!

NBC's Shock Therapy

September 8, 2007 - 22:16 ET by dodecahedron

Isn't this the network that brought us 'Will and Grace?'  The love affair (pardon the pun) with homosexuals must be over now since they're embracing (sorry, couldn't help it) Isaiah Washington.

Perhaps their intent isn't advocacy of issues, but just plain ole shock value.  They know bringing in someone controversial will give ratings a temporary boost.

I'm still miffed about NBC using the Colts vs. Saints game to give Olbermann a bump.  If this trend continues, it won't be long before we see him on Heroes.  Keith will have the super power of 'annoyance.'

 

Vote for "<insert name of conservative who stands up to the media>" for President in 2008.

Screw keith, I won a lot of

September 9, 2007 - 04:30 ET by RESTLESS 1

Screw keith, I won a lot of money on that game. A lot of suckers bet me that the Saints would win.

Possible Spin-Off?

September 8, 2007 - 22:15 ET by Barker

Bionic Eye for the Uber Guy

Barker let me guess

September 8, 2007 - 22:18 ET by botg

it reveals how any situation is Bush's fault

 Support our Troops 

First of all, wasn't the

September 9, 2007 - 04:24 ET by RESTLESS 1

First of all, wasn't the "Bionic Woman" f***ing the "Six Million Dollar Man"?

Second, why is every female "superhero" some kind of icon to the gay community? This gets very tiresome.

Bionic gaydom

September 9, 2007 - 05:21 ET by SportPolitics

Q1 I always thought so. Q2 Empowerment. The lezzies like the woman power(plus they can get the "everywoman" support if they support the superwoman. The homos like ... ... uhhh.... hmmmm.... uhhh... they're just so gay, that "you go girl!" works for em ? No wait, it's anti-establishment like gaydom so the superwoman is "part of their struggle".

Even more the pity when the

September 9, 2007 - 09:42 ET by Roger the Shrubber

Even more the pity when the show gets cancelled after one season.

I can see the headlines: "NBC Hates Lesbians!"

When will they remake "The A-Team"? Another quality show worthy of revisiting...

 

 

 

 

THE NEW LESBO-WARRIOR CULTURE

September 9, 2007 - 10:01 ET by reelman46

Ever flip thru the channels? See all the programs where some gal is just kicking butt? Its a disease, a cultural virus... now TV is saturated with females that do physical things 99.99% of them can't in real life. Our young girls are fed this fantasy pap...why, I don't know. Its sooo tiresome to see females pretending to be males in tough physical situations.
Hello... the average female (I have been married 36 years with a daughter and g-daughter) has about 40% of male strength. Hello, why must gals be all over football? Its a sport they cannot play. Its like men being all over the reporting of childbirth. How this can possibly benefit our female children is beyond me. Liberals do what liberals do. Reality is never an option. Creating a fantasyland always is.

Doug Schexnayder, Ph.D. (theconservativecrawfish)

Quote of the week...superb!

September 9, 2007 - 13:50 ET by Guy Arthur Thomas

"Liberals do what liberals do. Reality is never an option. Creating a fantasyland always is." Quote of the week.

Shut up and blog! If you claim to be a conservative, please don't disgrace yourself and conservatism by thinking and arguing like a liberal. Go Rudy!

The Percentage is Inaccurate

September 9, 2007 - 20:44 ET by Tom Paine

"Okay, fine, maybe you don't get the Bionic Woman idolization. Maybe
you've never been on the receiving end of the "f" slur. (What are you,
one of those nine out of 10 people who "scientific research" suggests
isn't gay?)"

 

Sorry, that's more like 9.8 people out of 10 who are not gay. Tell me again why the gay lobby has so much power?