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"Home and Away" airs the lesbian kissA same-sex kiss between cop Charlie Buckton and deckhand Joey Collins in Australian soap Home and Away aired on Tuesday, despite rumors that the kiss would be cut as a result of pressure from conservative groups. These rumors sparked international media attention and even led to a protest in Melbourne, but it looks like the brouhaha was much ado about nothing.
The official word from Bevan Lee, Head of Creative Drama and Development at Channel Seven, is that although there was a second, more "lusty" kiss that was edited out, it was edited for artistic reasons. Lee, who is gay, stated the following in an article in samesame.com.au:
Fair enough. So Charlie "will get there by degrees." I predict that, in true lesbian fashion, they will sit around and talk about the kissing in subsequent episodes. And talk some more. Eventually, they will get tired of processing and kiss again in a more passionate manner. Aside from that pesky scene where Joey is almost murdered by Robbo, the development of Charlie and Joey's relationship sounds about as normal as a story line can get on a soap opera. OK, enough talking. Let's get to the scene that aired yesterday. So now you have seen the kiss that launched a thousand blog posts. I predict that no kids will be permanently scarred as a result of seeing the broadcast. Furthermore, for a show that regularly promotes sensational story lines featuring deranged rapist and homicidal maniacs, it is a good sign that the writers appear to be treating Joey and Charlie's blossoming relationship with sensitivity — for now. Submitted by on April 1, 2009 - 4:00pm. |
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W.O.W.
ah its crazy
Crazy, I tell ya! Whats all the fuss about? Lets consider this for a mo. We've lost The L Word, we've got Callie and Arizona dancing around aimlessly on Greys Anat...we've got...Guiding light trying they're damndest. I don't think we needed this. No disrespect to anyone concerned. Let it go, some shows are just not meant for it, and will not rise to it and are therefore, lost on it. SKINS rocked it, all the rest have yet to catch up!
I disagree, the more the
Cool :)
I remember watching 'Home & Away' back when I was growing up in New Zealand ... wow, has me feeling nostalgic here.
But I'm watching this storyline develop on youtube (it's wonderful, because all the other crappy soap shite is edited out ... much better), and I have to say, it's really well done.
The differences in the ages and personalities between Joey and Charlie are being played out really well in how they react to each other and the things that are happening to them and around them. And the attraction is obvious between them. It's really realistic and, well ... normal.
I came to the conclusion that the reason why the christian fundamentalist nutjobs are reacting so much to this is that normality ... if it were merely a ratings ploy for sensationalism with no realism whatsoever, they wouldn't see it as much of a threat to their lies and myths. But it's showing us queers are just like everyone else, no different ... and THAT reality terrifies them *evil grin*
Sarah
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http://kiwi-grrl.livejournal.com/
Much Ado about nothing.
agreed
agreed
What was all the fuss
What was all the fuss about? So low key... Home and Away has changed, even from when I was watching it a few years ago. I found the Aussie soaps are always updating their titles and music, don't get why it's so frequent. Eastenders has had the same opening sequence, basically, for over 20 years, lol.
It'll be interesting to see how it turns out, but the soap rule of "say everything hide nothing" to take up air time does my head in. Revelations and biting truth can be fun, but repression and masking the truth works better dramatically. Except that takes up less time.
Anyhoo, nice smooch. Or "pash" as the Aussies call it.
"pash"
Hey, we kiwis say "pash" too, lol! .... btw, it really wasn't a pash per sae, as it was way too short to be a real pash ... apparently the next kiss will be a real full-on pash.
Damn, this totally takes me back to behind the shed at the bottom of school ground in primary school ...
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http://kiwi-grrl.livejournal.com/
Protest
Heehee, I was at that protest, but not out of protesting the censorship, but more as a celebration of girls kissing girls. My girlfriend and I even got into the major newspaper here in Melbourne. Minorly embarrasing, but oh well. Fun :D
Hardly anyone there, though. They were hoping for more, and there were about 10 couples in the end.
I fear...
it is a good sign that the writers appear to be treating Joey and Charlie's blossoming relationship with sensitivity — for now.
yup.. only for six weeks obviously.. as that's the length of the storyline.. anybody want to place a bet on what will happen then..the options are:
disappearance of much loved lesbian characters
discovery of bisexuality as a true option
it was a one off, men here I come
pregnancy
death
I woudn't be surprised at either option given the track record of lesbian visibilty on recent shows.. le sigh!!!!!!
...... frosch411 online ......
Somos una gente
Hay tantísimas fronteras .. que dividen a la gente .. pero por cada frontera .. existe también un puente
This really made me laugh
This really made me laugh (a sort of a sad laugh really) because what you've said is exactly the subject of a paper I'm writing for my finals at uni about the 'cleaning up' of lesbians in the mainstream media... so totally with you on this, what you've listed is exactly what is happening still to lesbians despite it being the freaking 21st century!
I've got a few to add: one becomes a psycho/stalker (Alex in the OC)
frequently they end up in prison (Debbie and Jasmine in Emmerdale)
the lovers realise they are just 'friends' (Jessica and Helen in Kissing Jessica Stein)
I really hope neither of what you or I have listed happens to Joey and Charlie... cos I'm really liking this couple so far
I love the accent and
I love the accent and the action..oh yessery...but it has to be more than just a one second kiss inorder to beat SoN actions, hehehe
Your mind can make you or break you
Well...
so far you are right!
'I predict that, in true lesbian fashion, they will sit around and talk about the kissing in subsequent episodes.'
Yup.... pretty much B) I REALLY am loving this couple though... Charlie is so beautiful... and then some...
Charlie is beautilicious,
Charlie is beautilicious, red heads are so doing it for me right now!
When the storyline does comes to an end [in response to one of the above comments].. I hope it won't be due to one or either of the characters disappearing.., death.., pregnancy.. or the whole typical ''it was one off'' scenario on Charlie's account.
Bisexuality wouldn't suprise me if the writers wanted to take Charlie back to male focused relationships.. or either just give her a rest from dating generally as well as even Joey for a period, so in which to be able to progress with the other characters main storylines.
The bisexuality option would be better route for me, seeing as Charlie did seem pretty hetero up to the point that she crossed paths with Joey, and I doubt a character like hers would swing completely.. (..in Charlie's eyes, let alone the writers!).
The Anticipated Kiss
Over reaction
It was a bit of an over reaction.
Though, you know I was pleasntly surprised when I woke up the next morning after watching this to find that the world had not ended and that 'our' children were still safe...god those conservitives can be sooo stupid sometimes.
~Elvis Presley~
The Kiss (dun dun dunnnn)
I watched it on YouTube and, after all the controversy, it was a tiny bit disappointing. I thought it would be more than a simple peck after all the news and work up. But no one is really bothered about that sort of thing here and the people who do get worked up stand out far more than the ones that don't.
http://42-theanswertolifetheuniverseandevery.blogspot.com/
oh sigh. good job Home & Away but...
home and away i grew out of you when i was 12...actualy u never rly had me, i was always a neghbers girl myself but seriously, you have to do better than this to get my attention back.
also guys. this is Australia. this is only a blip on the raider for the next what 6 weeks b4 it all vanishes and they can say "hey look we did it too, suck on that neighbors" or something. it's nothing more than a publicity ploy. we are a long long long long long long long way from getting a real lesbian relationship or character in a mainstream show.
for a wonderful country it is one of the most conservative of the commonwealth and lest progressive when it comes to LGBT rights . i know it sucks to say cos we all love living here but it's the truth and a little kiss on home and away aint going to do anything.
are we Aussies really that bad?
Generally, we're not
I agree with you, bbkf101 - the majority of people I know/meet are very accepting and open-minded. However politically Australia is still dominated by conservatives (even with a Labor govt, Rudd is very right-wing). And similarly the 'old boys club' still rules the media (think Packer, Murdoch etc). This often leads to right-wing crazies getting more coverage and sympathy than they frankly ought to. All this results in an interesting dissonance between the population and the political and media landscapes - hence looking at something like Home and Away is nowhere near an accurate representation of what we're like (though it is a small town, making it more conservative).
I don't know if I'm on the mark or not, but having grown up in a household embeded in politics that's how I see it.
We as a people are pretty
I'd love to agree with you
That's it?
That's it?
As individuals Australians
As individuals Australians are pretty laid back about most things, its only as a collective that we struggle to fairly represent anyone outside of the majority. I've lived in Perth, Sydney and a smallish ocean side country town in WA since coming out 5/6 years ago and never once have I encountered any real or widespread homophobia. The town I lived in, and those surrounding it, actually seemed to have a greater proportionate population of homo's than the average metro suburbs.
I thought Bevan's comments were interesting about how he was disappointed that the liberal's went off half-cocked, something we always accuse the right wing of. I think we've become so use to defending ourselves that we expect a fight. When in the end, there wasn't really an issue, yet we were as guilty as the conservatives of making it into one (with a great deal of help from the media).
about bloody time i say.
about bloody time i say.
cause the best thing in life is chicks
JoLie rocks
when I saw the bath scene I thought the kiss was going to be a 'mouth-to-mouth-bring-her-back-to-life' kinda kiss .... it was a nice surprise to see a genuine one
well done H&A
I'll be watching
Wow, I love Aussie accents and that cop is hot! Actually, they both are. It was a pretty sweet scene. Very chaste for any controversy.
...But there clearly looks to be at least several years age difference between them. The one looks mid-20s, if not a little older, and the other girl looks like a teenager. You definitely don't see that in gay couples on TV since the gay thing is edgy enough that they don't need to waste a good twist like an age gap on them! I wonder if it'll come up... after the whole "I like some dude named Hugo" thing is dealt with. Either way, now I definitely have something to add to my YouTube playlist since Skins is over. Woohoo!
Age difference
Ages
I think someone wrote in their forum that Charlie's meant to be 26, and Joey 19. Don't quote me on that though.
For almost 30, Esther Anderson looks mighty fine :P
Oh yes.
A question
Something here must be escaping me.
Could someone please enlighten me as to why on earth these 2 lovely girls have male names??
Just a thought!
Because it's Australia and a
Ok thanks for answering that
age difference
i am so confused by how the conservatives reacted over the whole kissing and the gay storyline in general. i mean their saying that their children shouldnt be exposed to gay relationships on tv as it may traumatise them and yet nobody battered an eyelid over the fact that robbo was trying to kill joey by drawning her in the same episode. any parent who thinks seeing gay or lesbian scenes on tv is more damaging to a child then seeing violehnce and drug abuse is one to worry about.
and about the whole age gap. i dont get how people can say that the fact that they are two women can be seen as the most controversial thing about this storyline. i mean the age gap is obvious for one, not to mention the fact that charlie is a police officer and joey is a rape victim and therefore pretty vulnerable.
having said that i do love this couple and will be very dissappointed if they end up breaking up in a few weeks time. although if/when they do i think its either going to be a case of charlie cant risk it because of her job or how it might inpact the case against robbo, or because of pregnancy (making robbo the father if its joey, eew) lol
Job & Pregnancy
Haha yes preggers by Robbo = ick to the max.
But I think the chance of that is quite small given how much Charlie has been hounding Joey to get checked out.
Also, yeah it might be a conflict of interest for Charlie to continue to act on Joey's behalf if they have a relationship, but somehow I don't think being a police officer will be in the way.
It'll be a wicked break-up though, because the make-up is heading to be awesome.
:D :D :D
BRB
Bwahahahaha
JoLie kiss...
Brava
Well first and foremost a round of applause must be made for the writers of Home and Away. I was fully not expecting the amount of care and emotion that would be invested into these two characters. Something more like Neighbours (remember that brush with lesbianism between Rose and whats-her-name? Well neither do I) was looking to be on the agenda.
But having seen the amount of time it has taken for Joey and Charlie's relationship to develop (probably 50x less than any other cycle which would occur over days and not weeks) I am extremely interested and hopeful in whatever may eventuate for the two.
As for those who reckon it'll all disappear in a magical - and far too often referred to - 'carpark of doom', just check out www.backtothebay.net --> episodes --> upcoming australian episodes and I think that it's 483...something.
Anywho it says thursday 16th April and : Ruby discovers Charlie and Joey's relationship.
As in Ruby, sister of Charlie. As in 'Oh look - six weeks and yet more intrigue, most likely of the positive-homoPHILIA-rather-than-PHOBIA kind'.
By the way...is Homophilia a word? Cause I like it.
So yes. Heads held high girls - the future looks beaut :P
----
The responsibility of tolerance lies with those who have the wider vision. -G.Eliot
Yup. It's a word.
Yup. It's a word.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homophile
Ruby
I too think Ruby will be okay with it, I can't see her being a big homophobe at all. She seems to like Joey well enough even thought she noticed that she's fond of Charlie, plus Ruby seems to trust that Charlie will do the right thing all the time, so she's bound to think Charlie has a good reason for being involved with Joey. Although she probably won't like the idea of possibility of less attention being paid to her. I'm not a massive fan of Ruby but I like the relationship between her and Charlie, they seem believable sisters to me.
Although, I'm sure that its going to come out at some point that Ross isn't the daddy of both them because they sure don't look like sisters. My bet is Ross is Ruby's father and the milk-man is Charlie's dad. I'm sure it'll come out in some horrid accident plot and by this point with the dead mother and Ross being ill they will never know who is the real father.
dont think its going to last
well i was on back to the bay today to see if anymore had been posted about the future of the two. and this is what i read:
mon april 20: Charlie isn't sure about the 'gay' label. Hugo is having trouble opening up to Martha. Charlie kisses Hugo.
tues april 21: Charlie and Hugo's secret is out there.
fri april 24: Joey discovers Charlie was unfaithful.
so the question is will joey forgive her? and who her future long term relationship will be with? joey or hugo?
Who has the dirtier mind? Me for saying it... Or you for thinking it was meant to be dirty?
Neither do I...
know what you mean
i know what you mean. im going to try and remain hopeful that she stays with joey though as i think the whole kissing hugo thing is going to be the sme as when she went on a date with him (basically trying to cnvince herself she likes guys n not girls) but its obvious that she has stronger feelings for joey and doesnt really like him.
Who has the dirtier mind? Me for saying it... Or you for thinking it was meant to be dirty?
Hugo
I don't really like Hugo, he's has a kind of unwashed look about him, plus there is something creepy about him. Oh and he's a jerk towards Xavier and useless at dealing with Brendan. Have I mentioned enough. I think he will end up with Horsey down on the Farm anyway.
I liked Roman a whole lot better than Hugo, hell I like Tony, even Jack better than Hugo.
Oh and found this scene from next Tuesday's episode on YouTube....http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ALCs9SYc6w4
Charlie Buckton reminds me
I used to live in Melb for
I used to live in Melb for 18 years...and in my time, never saw on prime time TV any representation of real-fake lesbian storylines. Lucky for me, someone put all the Charlie and Joey scenes on youtube...which, sadly if i was patient enough i could have waited three ish weeks to see it on TV here in NZ, but no no no i cant wait! Thats just silly business.
Im happy to say that in my opinion the development of these two characters and their relationship brings a refreshing perspective to lesbian couples on prime time TV. Plus, Charlie ..... HOT! In NZ Shortland Street had lesbian couples from the time it started airing, although at the moment there is a shortage of lesbi couples as the cutest lesbian was killed off by a murderer! Anywhoo...thats another story.
Im just glad to see Australia is finally getting on the bandwagon - Home and Away is a very popular show, 7pm airing and its awesome to see good lesbian couples being represented,, however, compared to other couples on the show who make out, the Joey Charlie relationship i doubt will go further than the single lip locking kisses - oh well!. Lets now hope that they dont do what most shows do and end it or make Charlie go back to men....although from what i have seen so far i dnt see this happening for awhile....fingers crossed thou.