Journal article
It's (Not) in His Kiss: Gay Kisses and Camera Angles in Contemporary US Network Television Comedy
Popular communication, Vol.12(3), pp.153-165
01/01/2014
DOI: 10.1080/15405702.2014.921921
Abstract
Although the number of gay male representations on American situation comedies has increased, an examination of the ways same-sex intimacy operates within sitcoms is of paramount importance. This article traces a brief history of same-sex intimacy in sitcoms, then uses film and television stylistic analysis of the contemporary sitcoms Modern Family, Happy Endings, and The New Normal to argue that the positioning of the camera and the spatial relationship between actors is deliberate and conveys critical information. The article argues that sitcoms in the 21st century obscure same-sex kisses through camera angles, particularly the over-the-shoulder shot, and that the public/private dichotomy factors prominently into the spaces where same-sex intimacy is permissible and how such intimacy is filmed within the televisual home. Ultimately, gay representation in American network television comedy retains a conservative approach to same-sex intimacy even as it continues to include gay male characters in greater numbers.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- It's (Not) in His Kiss: Gay Kisses and Camera Angles in Contemporary US Network Television Comedy
- Creators
- Alfred L. Martin - The University of Texas at Austin
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Popular communication, Vol.12(3), pp.153-165
- Publisher
- Taylor & Francis
- DOI
- 10.1080/15405702.2014.921921
- ISSN
- 1540-5702
- eISSN
- 1540-5710
- Number of pages
- 13
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 01/01/2014
- Academic Unit
- African American Studies; Communication Studies
- Record Identifier
- 9984309754702771
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