MUSEUM OF TELEVISION & RADIO, THE: 2005 WILLIAM S. PALEY TELEVISION FESTIVAL: THE L WORD {LONG VERSION}
Summary
One in a series of evenings and special screenings presented as part of The Museum of Television & Radio's William S. Paley Television Festival in Los Angeles. Held this year at the Directors Guild of America Theatre Complex, the festival celebrates the excellence and diversity of American television and is dedicated to television's creative community. This evening honors "The L Word," a drama about a group of lesbian friends in Los Angeles.
Stuart N. Brotman (president, The Museum of Television & Radio) offers opening remarks and introduces actress Camryn Manheim. Manheim introduces the panelists: creator/executive producer Ilene Chaiken and cast members Jennifer Beals (Bette Porter), Erin Daniels (Dana Fairbanks), Leisha Hailey (Alice Pieszecki), Laurel Holloman (Tina Kennard), Eric Lively (Mark Wayland), Katherine Moennig (Shane McCutcheon), and Rachel Shelley (Helena Peabody). Cast members Pam Grier, who plays Kit Porter, Mia Kirshner, who plays Jenny Schecter, and Sarah Shahi, who plays Carmen de la Pica Morales, were scheduled to appear, but were unable to attend. Chaiken presents the episode "The Lynch Pin," which is screened in its entirety. (For synopsis and credits, see T:85379.)
After the screening, Manheim moderates a conversation with the panelists: Chaiken discusses gays on television; how each character on the show was conceived; and how each actor was cast. Beals details the feedback that she has received from the gay community and whether that includes any negative responses. Then, each cast member discusses how being on the show has affected each one's personal life. Chaiken further talks about how Showtime treats the show; how to "get it right" in portrayals of homosexuality; and her memories of gay characters in early television history. Then, the panelists speculate on what television characters may have been "in the closet," suggesting such fictional characters as Bert & Ernie, Cagney & Lacey, and Peppermint Patty.
Questions from the audience then lead to an examination of the following topics: the show's transgender character Ivan, played by Kelly Lynch; the controversial ending to season one; Beals's work on the movies "Flashdance" (1983) and "Roger Dodger" (2002); love scenes on the show; filming the show in Vancouver; plans for season three; and special features and deleted scenes on the show DVD.
Cataloging of this program was made possible by The Marc Haas and Helen Hotze Haas Foundations.
Details
- NETWORK: Paley
- DATE: March 10, 2005 7:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 1:57:44
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T:85723
- GENRE: Seminars
- SUBJECT HEADING: LGBT Collection
- SERIES RUN: N/A
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Stuart N. Brotman … Host
- Camryn Manheim … Moderator
- Jennifer Beals … Panelist
- Ilene Chaiken … Panelist
- Erin Daniels … Panelist
- Leisha Hailey … Panelist
- Laurel Holloman … Panelist
- Eric Lively … Panelist
- Katherine Moennig … Panelist
- Rachel Shelley … Panelist
- Pam Grier
- Mia Kirshner
- Kelly Lynch
- Sarah Shahi