Further Off the Straight and Narrow: New Gay Visibility on Television 1998 -2006 2006
Distributed by Media Education Foundation, 60 Masonic St., Northampton, MA 01060; 800-897-0089
Produced by Katherine Sender
Director n/a
DVD , color, 61 min.
Jr. High - Adult
Gay and Lesbian Studies, Media Studies
Date Entered: 03/14/2008
Reviewed by Warren Hawkes, Library, New York State Nurses AssociationIn 1998, the documentary Off the Straight & Narrow provided one of the first thorough media presentations on the image of gays on television. This documentary, Further Off the Straight & Narrow, builds on the earlier work and covers the period 1998 -2006. Divided into a series of individually named segments, the film focuses on the various genres for contemporary television ranging from sitcoms, dramas, talk shows, reality TV to pay per view premium stations.
A wide sampling of clips from shows depicts the myriad of approaches used to portray gays from the closeted teenager to the outrageously ‘out’ and the transgendered. For many in the gay and transgendered community, the mere presence of characters/personalities on television is an indication of broad social acknowledgement and acceptance. However, the interview commentaries of noted media and communication experts point to a potentially different rationale. In many instances they feel that the media has developed a keener sense of the gay consumer and that a significant portion of the TV characters are present merely as good marketing and not to advance any positive social agenda. Technically well produced with articulate discussions.