reading-the-l-word

by Kim Akass (Editor), Janet McCabe (Editor), Sarah Warn (Introduction)

As America's first television series about lesbians, The L Word captured national attention when it debuted in 2004, and has continued to make headlines since. The Showtime cable drama about a group of lesbian and bisexual friends in Los Angeles challenges traditional notions of relationships, gender, and sex, and has generated both controversy and devotion within the lesbian community. Contributors write on how the show deals with topics like third-wave feminism, bisexuality, race, glamor, sex, relationships, music, as well as how the series has been marketed to and received by viewers. Also included are interviews with key contributors to the show itself. Throughout, the essays address both humorously and analytically what The L Word says about lesbians--and what lesbians say about The L Word.

Genres: Queer, Nonfiction, Lesbian, LGBT, Feminism, Tv

280 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[Renate]

Hooray, a collection of academic essays about the L-Word! Now I can finally make my spicy Showtime soap opera/lesbian drama addiction seem like a legitimate scholarly pursuit.

[Elysabeth]

very readable...regardless of your knowledge of both TV and Queer Theory.

[Beverley]

Really enlightening to read how this show has changed and affected society

[Ellen]

I really enjoyed this. It is a compilation of very accessible and readable essays, interviews and think-pieces on the TV show The L Word (a seminal TV series about a group of lesbian and bisexual women living in LA.) The L Word was the first of its kind, so it had a lot to live up to in terms of showing realistic portrayals of queer women, and conveying the diversity of the LGBTQ+ community.

Something I found really interesting which cropped up a few times in this book was the balance The L Word had to strive for to receive good ratings – attract the attention of straight people as well as queer women – whilst also remaining true to real life, but not so much as to alienate the majority of viewers. Representation is a difficult thing when you have to pander to ordinary media standards in order to keep your vision going.

Also, it was just really fun to read critical analysis or more fan-based pieces on the TV show that I watch ALL the time! Because it was so groundbreaking, and lesbian and bisexual representation is sparse on the ground, everyone has something to say about it, and it was fascinating to read the diversity in opinion. I think The L Word can be harshly criticised for its, at times, very problematic elements, but we can also acknowledge these, and praise it for what it did achieve. I am glad the book took up issues of race, trans representation, and bisexual erasure though, because these need to be addressed. It’s good that these conversations are happening in response to something we love to watch, but not unconditionally. (It should also be noted for anyone that wants to read it that the book was published at the end of Season 2, so the pieces in the book only consider the show up till this point.)

[Erika Nerdypants]

Excellent critical study of the first two seasons of the popular television series the LWord. The collection of essays made the familiar characters come to life, and drew my attention beneath my often superficial glance. Highly recommended.

[Felicia]

For an L-Word-obsessed fan, this is a dream come true. Very interesting critical analysis of the show from a variety of perspectives. Always well argued.

[Amber]

I absolutely loved it!!!!! It was a great critique of the show and I thoroughly enjoyed how the different writer's talked about both the good things on the show as well as the bad. Not to mention not being alone on some of my thoughts toward the show. If you're a fan, I HIGHLY recommend you read this book!!

[Martine]

Loved it. Just wish there was a follow-up beyond season 2. Shane and Ivan are interesting examples of female masculinity, but I want to read about Max/Moira.

[Hanna]

Quite an interesting collection of essays about season 1 and 2 of the Showtime series "The L-Word". Only three stars, because I don't that a show can be judged by only 2 of 6 seasons.

[Nan Kirkpatrick]

It would be interesting to read a follow up edition as this one only covers seasons 1 and 2. It was fun, not overly academic while being smart.