The puppy episode was significant becuase it was the first time a leading prime-time show character was openly gay and chose to come out on American public prime-time television. This episode also created a significant change in American culture. An episide like this was never before seen in television history. For most of televisions history, gay characters embodied Clarks’ “non-recognition” stage of representation. They were not seen as reccuring, regular to lead characters. With the release of “The Puppy Episide”, gay men and women, in media, entered Clark’s “respect” stage of representation.
In Fresh Prince of Bel Air, gay characters may not be recognized but the representation of a homosexual individual is. Carlton Banks plays a straight male character who dresses and acts like someone who might be gay. For example, he wears the color pink, idolizes Tom Jones and does the “Carlton dance”. Although all of these traits might fit the role of a gay character, I believe that the representation of his character is somewhat positive because it validates the idea that not all males (in this case African Americans) are extremely masculine.
Catherine Nahapetian
December 4, 2007 at 10:19 pm
Hi Catherine,
I totally agree, “The Puppy Episode” changed the face of sitcom television. However, I would argue that LGBT characters were not int he ‘non-recognition’ stage of Clark’s theory. Since the beginning of television (and before in plays) there have been representations of LGBT characters. Granted, they were not flattering, and nowhere near accurate, but they were present, nonetheless.
Back in early film, LGBT characters were either used as comedy or as villains. They were kept in this stage (I would argue as ‘ridicule’) until Ellen Degeneres made the decision to come out. Few roles before her were as able to portray semi-normal gay life to mass audience. She did, as you stated, create significant change in sitcom TV.
Laura Oxford
December 5, 2007 at 5:00 am
The “puppy” episode did bring about a change in primetime television but it could be thought that this episode also eventually led to the cancelation of Ellen’s Show. The article we read criticized Ellen’s decision to come out, saying that it was only for ratings. She was also criticized for not being “gay enough” or using the word lesbian. In fact, she decided to come out so that she would be comfortable on her own show. And even though the show was canceled, Ellen has gone on to become a veru sucessful talk show host and has hosted the academy awards.
The Ellen show is an early example of Calrk’s theory of representation. Ellen falls under respect because her show is introducing the audience to the broad relm of her character and the real world situations.
Shelly Oberstein
December 5, 2007 at 6:20 am
The significance of this episode is well stated. It paved the way for other, future prominent LGBT characters on primetime television. What I think we all have failed to mention, however, is the significance of a lesbian character, not just simply an LGBT character. Typical depictions before this seemed to be white and male, and Ellen, as white and female, made an important step in recognizing another gender, and pushing the boundaries of “heteronormativity,” and even “homonormativity.” These two groups of LGBT people are represented currently (though stereotypically), and other groups, such as minority LGBT characters, transexuals, and bisexuals are still in the stage of non-recognition.
December 5, 2007 at 7:53 am
I agree that the puppy episode paved the way for LGBT characters to take on lead roles on prime TV, but I believe that the significance of the episode is associated to the support showed by the general public for Elen coming out with her sexuality. People from all different back grounds encouraged the episode. With out such massive support and audience the show would have probably never screened and the ratings would have dropped…. The support increase the amount of “respect” which then allowed LGBT to take on more “regulatory” roles.
Eric Murillo