What is broadcast in the UK reflects on you as a transperson. Every month it is a case of spot the positives. Almost all television featuring anything remotely associated with transpeople is negative, comical or are negative stereotypes. So if we do not list them they go unchallenged as evidence is needed to effect change! Or even give awards.
It is a thankless and time-consuming task - as you can imagine especially when a trans character is introduced ... Nevertheless rest assured someone is watching even if you can't.
High Points
Transsexual Stories
24/08
BBC1 Scotland
Low points
The Caitlyn Jenner Transphobia that is now on the increase.
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(The Whole Month)
'I am Cait'
Series 1
E!
Caitlyn Jenner's Realy show continues this month. As this is on the E! Network rather than terestrial UK TV I will leave you to discover it. However, it just seems like it will quickly run out of steam. As there are only so many angles to exploit before they need to find something for Caitlyn to do beyond the heels and eyelashes. I am concerned that rather than be an opportunity for Caitlyn it has become the Candis Cayne Show, Caitlyn is clearly in awe of Candis and it shows. Unfortunately, it changes the dynamic to be similar to Caitlyn being a mother clapping her Daughter Candis dancing on the stage - even if at times it is a tad embarrassing for everyone else (who also claps). I think Candis is beginning to carry this show, and as such it may result in its downfall. Candis is a great performer. But this is not the place for it.
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Secrets of Sex - Aravani Girl
01/08
Community
Documentary. Two teenagers dream of becoming ladyboys. Loved as performers but hated as homosexuals, their stories echo the conflicts of India's gender culture.
Comment
Repeated and repeated - I think they must be pensioners by now. I think a better twist would be to go back and find out how they got on.
Sad to say that transgender-related programming tends to be cheap, 'man and cam' style documentary film making that has not changed for decades.
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Family Guy
04/08
BBC THREE
10/21. Grimm Job: US animated series. Peter reads Stewie some fairy tales - Peter and the Beanstalk, Little Stewie Riding Hood and Cinderella (starring Lois). Contains adult humour. Also in HD. [S]
TRANSCRIPT
Meg - "It's unfair that we are called the evils stepsisters!"
Stewie - "Yeah, you would be evil too if your dad was Bruce Jenner."
Bruce Jenner enters wearing a dress - (CAMP VOICE) Hi Girls! Feel my cheek it's like a bottom!"
Comment
Made a few years ago - it is pretty clear that Caitlyn was the worst kept secret in Hollywood.
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20 Moments That Rocked Comedy
03/08
Channel 5
Last in a series of retrospectives looks at influential and controversial comedy moments, including The Young Ones, Life of Brian, Joan Rivers' debut on The Tonight Show and more. [S]
Comment
This is interesting as it has a clip of talking head Keith Allen saying the following when talking about Frankie Boyle mocking disabled people that got him thrown off television (Channel 4).
Now, would this be the same Keith Allen who tore into Lauren Harries in his Documentary 'Little Lady Fauntleroy' (TV Documentary 2004)?
To quote a now older and 'wiser' Keith when he says...
"What Frankie Boyle did was hurtful to somebody, and you can't be hurtful!"
I think if Keith released that documentary today he would be finished. But we have not forgotten just how mocking he was. Stand back and watch his programme again and we see someone who was a cruel agenda-driven bully who was vicious and cruel. Yet here he is saying you can't be 'hurtful'.
What has changed?
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Safeword
02/08
ITV2
Rick Edwards hosts the comedy panel show in which two celebrities face a roasting from comedian opponents. Guests in the second show include Sinitta and Charlotte Crosby.
TRANSCRIPT
Rick Edwards opens the show with this:
"For those who do not know a 'safeword' is often used in sex games before things go too far... so for our guests this show is like a slow dance with Caitlyn Jenner, it starts off fun, but you'll end up feeling a little bit of a knob!"
(LAUGHTER)
Comment
It is interesting that he would not say the same thing say about a woman with breast cancer, so there are lines well drawn in the sand. Again Transphobia is rearing it's ugly head in the guise of public figures being fair game, if that was the case why is it not OK to call Barack Obama the N-word? It is not OK to do that and Rick it is NOT OK to do this - sorry!
PS, Cutting quickly to a gay panelist to check if he is laughing (which he was) is no protection against what you are saying here. Transgender people are body dysmorphic so mocking genitals is beyond cruel, plus Caitlyn is unlikely to ever see this programme, so who is watching? UK ordinary Transgender people who are ripe for ridicule who do not have her protection, money and safety.
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Jerry Springer
08/08
Pick
Outrageous talk show hosted by the legendary Jerry Springer.
Comment
"I was born a man" - and beaten to the cheers of the audience!
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Secrets of Sex - Normal
08/08
Community
Documentary presenting the real life stories of male, female and transgender migrants working in the sex industry in Albania, Italy and the UK.
Comment
Transgender ... sex workers...
What about Transgender Astrophysicists for a change?
Shows like this load the stereotype that all trans are gay men looking for sex.
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This Morning
10/08
ITV1
Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford take a look at the day's news and headlines.
Comment
Rylan Clark does the celebrity section and they sensitively discuss Caitlyn Jenner on her first outing with her Ex-Wife Kris.
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Family Guy
10/08
BBC THREE
13/21. Go, Stewie, Go: Animated comedy. Stewie cross-dresses to star in the US version of Jolly Farm Review. Peter makes Lois feel bad about her age. Contains adult humour. [S]
Comment
A rip off or parody of 'Tootsie' but with Stewie as Dorothy in a children's programme in this instance.
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Jerry Springer
11/08
Pick
Sex Industry Insiders: Outrageous talk show hosted by the legendary Jerry Springer.
Comment
Usual, passable trans*woman for some reason wants to appear on national television to be abused to the country?
She massages a man and tells him her secret, in this case he is just shocked and refuses to see her again. I little more light-hearted than the usual beaten trans* girls we usually see.
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Family Guy
11/08
BBC Three
6/18. The 2000-Year-Old Virgin: Animated comedy. Peter and the guys set out to throw Jesus the best birthday party ever to help him lose his virginity. Contains adult humour. Also in HD. [S]
"I'm gonna let that teddy bear go all the way!"
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The Last Leg
14/08
Channel 4
Adam Hills, Josh Widdicombe and Alex Brooker host the comedy show.
Comment
Josh Widdicome makes a gag about having to wear a bra to go to sleep.
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Family Guy
14/08
BBC THREE
(REPEAT OF EARLIER PROGRAMME)
13/21. Go, Stewie, Go: Animated comedy. Stewie cross-dresses to star in the US version of Jolly Farm Review. Peter makes Lois feel bad about her age. Contains adult humour. [S]
Comment
A rip off or parody of 'Tootsie' but with Stewie as Dorothy in a children's programme in this instance.
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Secret Lives of Women
17/08
Community
Transsexuals: Meet Cristina Juanes. Cristina has a secret - she used to be a man. She details her journey and how her life is changing both physically and emotionally.
Comment
A not bad show but again repeated and repeated. Times change and it can become dated very quickly. Cheap 'man and cam' programme - AGAIN!
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Family Guy
17/08
BBC THREE
20/21. Quagmire's Dad: Animated US comedy. Quagmire wants to introduce his war hero father to his friends, but Quagmire Snr has a surprise in store. Contains adult humour. [S]
Comment
Obviously this was reviewed a long time ago for the full Review click here
viewtopic.php?f=16&t=388
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Jerry Springer
18/08
Pick
Outrageous talk show hosted by the legendary Jerry Springer.
Comment
Show entitled 'Tranny Fever' and a transgender woman is assaulted to the applause of the audience.
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The Gayest Show Ever
18/08
Community
Magazine show. Controversial director Bruce LaBruce tells us how his hardcore pornography takes aim at consumerism and we continue our look at the female-to-male transsexual community.
Comment
Probably the worst show I have seen of this ilk. I mean this is worse than Youtube and the hosts are ust self-indulgent with what appears to be a vanity project.
Awful. And repeated Ad Infinitum!
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Jerry Springer
20/08
Pick
Outrageous talk show hosted by the legendary Jerry Springer.
Comment
"I was born a man...." and the usual violence ensues...
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New - The Best of Bad Tv- The 00s
21/08
Channel 5
Brand new documentary. Talent shows, reality TV and people who are famous for being famous were the big telly trends in the first years of the 21st century. [S]
Comment
Features the infamous moment when Lauren Harries was banned from 'This Morning' for plugging her one woman show during a discussion about GRS.
Funny though
She has since been allowed back
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Secrets of Sex - Normal
22/08
Community
Documentary presenting the real life stories of male, female and transgender migrants working in the sex industry in Albania, Italy and the UK.
Comment
Repeat AGAIN of the trans* ...sex workers etc...
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The Wright Stuff
24/08
Channel 5
The topic of the day was:
'IS CROSS-DRESS FUN RUN A HATE CRIME'
This was based on a news story where a kids cancer charity wanted to have crossdressed fun runners to raise money, a group called Chrysalis (that later denied it was them) said this was effectively a hate crime and the Police investigated.
They, were a tad lost as to what to say about it, the female panel member was actually quite sensitive to both arguments. That they would not run 'blacked up' as minstrels for example, and that the charity could have chosen any number of themes, from Pirates, to Harry Potter characters.
It was more or less seen as raining on their parade a little, but it is an interesting debate. The arguments were raised that cross-dressing is traditional. Again we have had this debate here - viewtopic.php?t=4091#p37344
Truth is the reason men played women was because women were oppressed historically, and nothing more than Chattel. and had to know their place. So men played them. In this, it is kinda the same. If there were the opportunities I am sure transgender people would happily play the dames. But all this is jealously guarded seasonal revenue by the likes of Christopher Biggins etc makes this a very difficult nut to crack.
Traditionally a principle boy was a girl in the last century. Now they are hunky male ex soap stars. so this tradition seems pretty flexible IMO!
They had a trans*woman in the audience and on the phone and they both seemed not to care less. Which I feel is unwise.
Anyways - good debate.
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Muslim Drag Queens
24/08
Channel 4
Documentary which follows three Muslim drag queens as they face the challenge of gaining acceptance and tolerance within their own communities. Narrated by Sir Ian McKellen.
Comment
Interesting, and worth watching. Support is conspicuous by its absence from within their Muslim community.
Watch now here: http://www.channel4.com/programmes/muslim-drag-queens
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Transsexual Stories
24/08
BBC1 Scotland
Cameras follow five different trans women - Anne, Gladys, Carla, Bee and Jan - over the the course of a year, charting their lives at various stages of transition.
Comment
This was only on BBC Scotland - but my highlight of the month. Try and get to see it!
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Family Guy
25/08
BBC THREE
Stu and Stewie's Excellent Adventure: Animated comedy. Stewie finds out that his life in the future is miserable so he decides to go back in time and change events. Contains adult humour. [S]
Comment
In the future Meg has GRS to become Ron.
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Jerry Springer
25/08
Pick
Outrageous talk show hosted by the legendary Jerry Springer.
Comment
Entitled 'Tranny Takeover' and we have the usual MO plan whereby a trans*woman comes out and is attacked.
This sort of programme is often the only time the public see a transgender woman, and realise it is 'OK' to beat them. This has dire consequences beyond the 'controlled studio' environment! As it imprints a generation that trans are bad and should be beaten and/or humiliated
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The Wright Stuff
25/08
Channel 5
Matthew Wright hosts the topical debate show.
Comment
Matthew apologises for mixing up a Charity with a similar name with the one that made the complaint re the Hate Crime Debate earlier in the week (see above).
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News in 60 seconds on BBC Three
26/08
BBC Three
They report on the anger over the Caitlyn Jenner Halloween Costume.
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Secrets of Sex - Normal
27/08
Community
REPEAT - See above
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The Last Leg
28/08
Channel 4
Adam Hills, Josh Widdicombe and Alex Brooker host the comedy show.
Comment
The comment on the Caitlyn Jenner Halloween costume and laugh at the poor model who was booked to wear it, saying, "I'll bet he wish he never took that job now!"
A light spin on what was an awful month for Caitlyn.
I was particularly impressed with comedian Catherine Ryan and how she spoke up for the transgender community - great stuff #proudofher
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The Gayest Show Ever
28/08
Community
REPEAT - see above
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Family Guy
29/08
BBC THREE
Stu and Stewie's Excellent Adventure: Animated comedy. Stewie finds out that his life in the future is miserable so he decides to go back in time and change events. Contains adult humour. [S]
Comment
REPEAT - see above
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Secrets of Sex - Aravani Girl
29/08
Community
REPEAT - see above
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The Xtra Factor
30/08
ITV2
The X Factor's sister show returns with new presenters Melvin Odoom and Rochelle Humes, who will be in the thick of it all as the search for singing talent gets under way.
Comment
Ex Drag queen (dressed as a man) misappropriates the term 'Tranny' for laughs.
This is the problem with Drag. He is stood there saying, "I used to be a drag queen called Tranny Minogue!"
If only the vast majority of Transgender people could move on so easily as hanging up the frock and doing something else?
It is just assumed that Drag Queens are safe with transphobia - they ain't!
This drag name in effect would be written on signs an promotional materials and handed out to punters or on chalkboards outside pubs. So you can see how this will change the views of what trans actually means to the lay person.
itv---
Don't have nightmares - Especially Halloween ones lol
- see you next time with more of the same I guess?
