(no subject)

I feel like I used a bad example in my last post when I mentioned David Bowie... I've been watching my new Spin City DVD set lately, and that's a fine example of a problematic piece of media that I enjoy.Spin City was a sitcom made in the 90's about the Mayor of New York and his staff, focusing particularly on Deputy Mayor Mike Flaherty, played by Michael J. Fox. While it was progressive for the time for including a gay character who was also black, and for tackling certain political/social issues like police brutality (in what is my favorite episode of the series, "In the Heat of the Day"- if you ever watch a single episode of Spin City, let it be that one, although it's far more serious than funny), it also has a lot of issues, which would likely fall under "Fair For Its Day." Carter, the gay character, has less of a personality than a collection of stereotypical traits (like loving musical theater, drinking daiquiris, etc.). Another character, Stuart, is basically a walking personification of sexual harassment, and yet RARELY gets called out on it (the most unrealistic aspect of the show to me is how the female co-workers to whom he constantly makes lewd or otherwise inappropriate remarks, and even inappropriately touches at least once that I can remember, still consider him a friend and hang out with him when they're not working). Even when one episode acknowledges his behavior as harassment, it also pulls a double standard in framing a woman's inappropriate behavior as okay, implying even when she forces herself on Mike that he wanted it (despite him trying to escape and only submitting when he has no other choice). In general, there are a few oddly-framed sexual encounters where the woman is aggressive and the man seems reluctant- I wouldn't call it rape or harassment like I'd call the encounter with Mike that I mentioned, but it's a really weird thing to see in multiple episodes. There are also a few transphobic jokes here and there, with one being the punchline to an episode's entire biphobic sub-plot, where Stuart pretends that he's gay to win sympathy from women, and then recants that after he manages to sleep with them. In general, the show never acknowledges that bisexual people exist- when Carter's ex-boyfriend shows up with a girlfriend, he claims that "I realized I was straight the whole time." Even Mike, the rascally deputy mayor who Michael J. Fox imbues with charm, is a pretty tiresome masculine stereotype- the guy who breaks out in a cold sweat at any mention of marriage or children, who never owns up to his faults and goes to extreme lengths to make himself look good in front of others.

So basically, Spin City is a typical 90's sitcom that relies heavily on stereotypes, and I'm glad that we've left that kind of comedy in the past (...mostly...), but I still love the hell out of the show. Why? Because the humor is solid (I probably made it sound like it's mostly offensive humor, but it really isn't- there are a couple groan-worthy scenes every episode, but as a whole, the jokes and one-liners are top-notch), the characters are fun (I particularly love the ladies- Stacey, Nikki, and Janelle- but also James is so much like me that I hold him close to my heart, and even Mike, when he's not being obnoxious, is fucking adorable, since he's played by MJF), and it's basically my go-to "comfort food" show. When I'm down, it's so easy for me to put on Spin City and laugh my troubles away- I've rewatched the entire thing many times (skipping most of season 4 and also that horrible bi- and transphobic episode from season 2, but w/e) and can quote all my favorite lines. I know it's not a perfect show at all, by any means, but I love its strengths, not its weaknesses. I wouldn't recommend it for anyone looking for a diverse and inoffensive show to watch, and if someone expressed interest in watching it I would warn them about certain offensive episodes or lines, but I enjoy it and that's okay, I think.