‘Queer as Folk tested waters for The L Word’ - Ilene Chaiken

The L Word March 11th, 2009

Lesbian drama The L Word could not have existed without British gay drama Queer as Folk, The L Word creator Ilene Chaiken has revealed.

In an interview with the Washington Blade, Chaiken explains how The L Word was originally rejected by network channel Showtime, who did not believe a lesbian drama could be a success.

“I brought it to the executives at the vice president level … back in 2000 and they said that this just isn’t going to happen here,” said Chaiken. “A prime time, nighttime drama about the lives of lesbians — no, I just don’t think we can sell that to the guy in the corner office. So I went away, and I wasn’t surprised but was testing the waters.”

One year later, Chaiken noticed that Showtime had picked up Queer as Folk, a series based on the lives of a group of gay men in Manchester.

“They bought the format and remade it as an American show, and it was a success for them,” explains Chaiken. “So I went back and said, ‘You’ve got the boys, what about the girls?’ They said, ‘Yes, you’re right, we should do your show.’”

Chaiken also reveals that early criticisms of The L Word came not from conservative or religious groups, but from lesbians.

“The backlash I got at the beginning was from lesbians who said that it didn’t represent their lives, and that the lesbians on The L Word were too pretty, too glamorous, too affluent, and that it wasn’t telling the story of their lives.

“My response was that this was a TV show, firstly, and … most television is glamorised. My secondary response was that we’re just getting started telling the stories about people I know, and that the representation is not far off from reality. It’s slightly elevated, but here in L.A. I know a group of women who are quite like the characters portrayed on the show.

“If the show is a success, if you enjoy it over the course of time, we’ll get to represent a lot more women, and indeed that’s the case. We’ve broadened the scope of representation over the six years on the air.”

Posted in: Tv & Film |

 comments

  • Oh the L word bring it on!!

    Lou ∼ March 11th, 2009 12:02 pm

  • Let’s be honest…just about ALL the criticism of the show comes from lesbians. Don’t get me started on the last season….

    Rhea ∼ March 11th, 2009 12:35 pm

  • “Lesbian drama The L Word could not have existed with British gay drama Queer as Folk, The L Word creator Ilene Chaiken has revealed.”

    I think that you meant to say WITHOUT instead of WITH.

    Rhea ∼ March 11th, 2009 12:36 pm

  • Oops, thanks Rhea! Fixed it now.

    admin ∼ March 11th, 2009 1:07 pm