Unless you’ve been completely out of touch with lesbian culture in the past week (and if you are, you probably aren’t reading this blog), you’ll know that tonight is the premiere of Bravo’s new docudrama, Workout, starring Hollywood fitness trainer and out lesbian Jackie Warner. If you want more of the inside scoop, you can read AfterEllen.com’s profile of Warner and review of the show.
Workout is getting mainstream coverage, too. The New York Times uses the show to discuss how host network Bravo is venturing into gay programming without becoming a “gay” network like Logo. I’m glad to see that Bravo is getting coverage for doing so. Niche networks like Logo have an important place for the LGBT community, but it’s crossover appeal that has the best chance of winning the hearts and minds of middle America, with attendant political ramifications.
The Times article does gloss over the point (made by AfterEllen) that Workout is Bravo’s first offering for lesbians, as opposed to gay men. I hope this signals a permanent shift in balance for them. Maybe next they’ll do a drama about lesbian moms balancing the demands of jobs, potty training, and soccer practice. Too bad the name “Workout” is already taken.
I don’t really think of this show as a Lesbian show. Even though Jackie is gay and has a girlfriend, the show is more about the dynamics of their relationship and I must say, it looks dangerous. If Mimi were a man, everyone would be telling Jackie to get out and get out fast. According to the previews, Jackie’s mother is not accepting. Jackie needs help. She appears strong, intelligent and in control. Why is she allowing others to question and demean her? She deserves so much more. The fitness center will do just fine as long as she values herself and realizes that she writes the script.
I agree that this isn’t a “lesbian” show in the same way that, say, The L Word is–and that’s the beauty of it. Jackie’s sexual orientation is only one facet of her life. I hope non-LGBT people will watch the show and realize this, and also discover that our relationships aren’t really that different from theirs, warts and all.
I never liked reality shows but this one blows me away. Jackie is the best, she’s beautiful, intelligent, compassionate and one hell of a businesswoman. This is the first reality show I’ve seen where the main character is not some self-centered bunghole. IT’s refreshing. The only thing is Jackie, Mimi does not deserve you, get the hell out of Dodge before it’s too late, what is WITH the biting? That’s two-year old behaviour. Stop making excuses for Mimi you could have anyone you want even me, and I’m straight.