When only four percent of scripted TV shows feature LGBT characters, what’s a gay girl to do? Why, strap on your gay goggles and watch TV along with us, of course! Our handy appraisal scale is better than any old letter grade. Other sites A+. We say, “What about our lezzy-lady feelings?”
What do crazy hoarders, street artists and lady kisses have in common? If you said friendo of AfterEllen.com and all-around funny lady Liz Feldman, you’d be right. Everyone’s favorite blue blazer wearer wrote last night’s episode of 2 Broke Girls. So, thank her personally for the “lesbian Justin Bieber” joke. Though, I have to say, isn’t that a little redundant? Still this week gave us a very satisfying episode filled with nary an ethnic stereotype joke and only two penis jokes (one of those being the detachable kind). Don’t ask me how it is the lesbian writer makes penis jokes instead of vagina jokes — just go with it.
AFTERELLEN BAIT
Stop everything. Kat is holding a cat. Kat Dennings cuddles with a kitten. Cute meet cuter at the intersection of adorable and adorable. Kat’s Max also kisses Johnny’s “beautiful black British” girlfriend. But we’ll dissect that more later. For now, here comes the awww.
FEELINGS, FEELINGS, FEELINGS
The show has gone two-pronged in its storylines of late. The A Story is about Max and Caroline’s continued economic adventures and ways to raise money for their cupcake business. In this case, they earn some extra scratch by organizing a hoarder’s apartment. And the B Story is about Max and Johnny’s will-they-or-won’t-they relationship. In this case, Johnny invites her to paint signs late-night and then doesn’t kiss her in the moonlight.
As a rule, I like the A Story better than the B because A allows the natural chemistry between Kat and Beth Behrs to shine through. Also, a show about two young women working together toward a common goal is infinitely more interesting and original than a show where a young woman gets a boyfriend and falls in love.
That said, I think they handled the B Story quite well – and I’m not just saying that because the always beautiful Marsha Thomason from White Collar showed up and was allowed to use her real British accent. (Oh, and the kiss thing — don’t worry, I’m getting to it.) I say that because they effectively found a way to kibosh the B Story indefinitely, thus allowing A to continue to thrive.
My other predominant feeling was the writers are working hard to make the show’s secondary characters less horrible stereotypes and more actual people. And the key to that is allowing them to be in on the joke instead of the butt of the joke. Han in particular is becoming less a walking, talking Asian punchline and more of a real, sweet little dude. Same goes for Earl who is becoming a father-figurey force for Max, but with more naughty sex stories. And, OK, Oleg is still Oleg. But line of the week goes to Han who nailed it when he said: “If it’s after 2:30, call is for the dirty.”
BROKEBACK GIRLS
Not too much shippy action between Max and Caroline this week. Except I did love Beth’s deliver of, “He likes you, he likes you with his penis.” Was it just me, or could you totally hear Feldman saying that in your head? But you’ve waited long enough, let’s talk about Kat’s kiss with Johnny’s girlfriend. After finally working up the courage and being encouraged by Caroline, Max admits her feelings for Johnny and kisses him on the sidewalk, only to discovers he has a girlfriend. So to cover, she kisses her, too. What could have been merely sitcomy silly worked because Kat sold Max’s awkward out-of-characterness perfectly. Also, where can I send Feldman a thank-you card for this visual? Seriously, I think a muffin basket is in order.
FUNNY BUSINESS
I would buy tickets to Hoarders 3-D: The Experience, I really would. Well, as long as I didn’t have to touch anything. And then there were the sex jokes. I’ve never had any problems with the show’s sexual innuendo. In fact I find it refreshing when young women are allowed to talk dirty. I just want them to be smart about it. And this week, that mission was mostly accomplished. Max saying she does have a penis, “in a drawer in my bedroom?” Awesome. Max saying all guys like her “cupcakes?” Well, that’s just true. Yet another rapist joke? Come on 2 Broke Girls, you’re better than that.
So, what did you think? Love the crazy hoarder? Love Max kissing Johnny’s girlfriend? Still making cooing sounds at the picture of Kat with the cat? Discuss.
