I have a bizzare theory...

[i have issues]

Hang with me here for a sec folks.... O.K. first off . I'm a liberal, through and through, married, an activist, and generally well rounded, according to my therapist...(some abandonment issues, but that's a different thread.)
Ok, here goes... I watch a lot of tv, mostly info type shows, Linktv, Frontline, BBC etc... but then I also watch "Jackass" and "Most Extreme Elimination" (American interpretation / translation of a Japanese contest show)

Both Jackass and MEE have almost constant overt homosexual references, in the typical American style; Gruff, manly bravado: this is hard to explain if you haven't seen these shows...

Jackass, by far,is the most "out ", filled with buff young men acting out infantile behavior, or actually teenage behavior,some stunts in thongs, or comletely nude. constant ref's to balls, nuts, etc....Then there's MEE, The voiceover and the names of the particular games are all geared towards thinly veiled homosexual references... Mysogynistic as well...
Now here's my theory, Are the networks (MTV and SPIKE TV respectively) trying to soften up young people to the "IDEA" that Homosexuality is OK or even ---GASP--- normal?
I've talked to my two best friends (who happen to be gay) and they're convinced . Am I crazy here????
Personally, I think all humans are bi- sexual by nature, though I've been completely indocrinated against this idea my entire life...Sheesh, I gotta stop smoking pot,

[FDRrocks]

1. I don't think so...

(MXC rocks by the way) I have watched both many times, and I don't think Jackass is orchestrated to soften up people the idea of homosexuality (edit: They are a normal bunch of kids, you can go to Westchester, PA and meet most of them, I know a couple of people who actually did). MXC makes references to all sorts of things through thier names, usually based on what contending 'team' the member is on, not just homosexuality.

I don't agree with your theory. People are ready to be gay and see gay... why?... cause other than the far right wing and some unintellectual bigots, no one really gives a shit.

[i have issues]

3. I think MXE is hysterical too.

and it does indeed make ref's to all sorts of behavior, title wise, if you will,,,but on one night I caught both shows back to back, and saw a thread...hence the theory... I remember how kids act, I was one, homosexual behavior is an experimental part of growing up,,, I think completely natural, I'm het, but with the current admin, and the Christian right, ramming het values down our throats (pun intended), I thought maybe society (media) was softening up a bit...(pun also intended) Peace.

[newyawker99]

6. Congrats FDRrocks!! 400 posts

:toast:

[Fight_n_back]

2. "The Networks"

have one aim and one aim only....cold hard cash...

There is no other agenda.

Those shows have homosexual references because there are so many "macho" boys who are completley closeted.

[i have issues]

4. Shameless kick.

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

5. Ummm, yes, you do. I agree with that statement

The rest of it? Dunno. I am not in on the memos.

[Blue-Jay]

7. I wouldn't say that MXC and Jackass are trying to make

overtly homosexual references for the purpose of making it more "acceptable" to the public. Rather, I'd say it's the other way 'round. We, as a nation, have become more accepting of gay people and feel more comfortable with non-hateful joking about it. Look at the success of Will & Grace and Queer Eye. Even the Simpsons have had gay characters that were tastefully had fun with. It's just (thankfully) becoming less of a big deal to people, much to the dismay of the extreme right wing, religious-types.

I say, "Bravo, America!" We're getting better, slowly but surely.