Logo Programming Changes Direction
2.22.2012
By Alex Taylor Williams
Since its 2005 debut, Logo has quickly become a go-to TV channel for homo pop culture, media, and political issues. Much of its programming quickly rose to legendary status, including Rupaul's Drag Race, which recently attracted nearly a million viewers, making it the highest rated premiere in the network’s history. However, according to Queerty, the network now has decided to change its image by adding a new lineup of primarily hetero-dominated shows.
Greenlighted programs for the spring and fall include Design My Dog, a canine makeover series from the creators of America’s Next Top Model; Eden Wood’s World, an unscripted series about Toddlers & Tiaras’s 6-year-old diva Eden Wood; and Wiseguys, a sort of Real Housewives meets Mob Wives show following a straight Mafia princess' adjustment to life in L.A.
The new slate of programing is seemingly void of, not only a gay presence, but it also lacks any substantial enlightenment. Granted, not every show produced needs to explore life on a deeper cultural level—or drag queen level, for that matter—but we still find ourselved disappointed.
General Manager Lisa Sherman says the network is simply evolving to accommodate the today's modern gay audience. "Being gay is an important part of their lives, but it’s not what they lead with,” she explains. “So, if we’re going to keep to that idea of displaying their lives, we need to reflect that new reality.” (Sounds like they're talking about Andy Cohen's queercentric Bravo, right?)
Speculations as to why Logo has decided to switch gears has to do with financial problems and increasing ad revenue. “But honestly,” Sherman confesses, “some of the traditional stuff—The L Word, Queer as Folk—didn’t do so well. And [broader shows like] Buffy, Nip/Tuck, and Bad Sex did very well. People vote with what they watch.”
It's no secret that in order for a network to become a success, advertising and promotion is crucial. However, a former employee of Logo told Queerty that several brands not only support LGBT programming, but are required to spend on LGBT-oriented material as a corporate mandate.
Whatever the case may be current Logo employee's support the decision of the network and have assured its viewers that the network will still stay true to its original beliefs.
“There may be people who are unhappy with this,” Sherman admits. “The majority, though, are telling us they want to see things with a broader perspective that still relate to our lives. And our obligation is to our audience.” She says Logo will continue to cover issues like the fight for marriage equality, HIV, and bullying.
Search
Most Popular
Most Commented
FOLLOW US
Comments
When I first heard that Logo was changing their programming, I thought it might be because their viewing numbers drop after RuPaul's drag race is over. I'll admit, I don't watch anything on Logo besides that. I should - there are several commercials for documentaries on Logo that I'm interested in seeing but never get around to.
But the new shows mentioned above? I have no interest in them.
This will be a relief with fresh air. I started watching logo when it first came on, but quickly changed the channel. It was obvious that it lacked any serious programming content. When you start seeing charlatan travel agents plastered on RuPaul's Drag Race you know the channel is a light weight contender for drawing really big advertising dollars. Good for Logo's change to more mainstream content.
Reruns Buffy and Nip Tuck performed better than reruns of the gay shows? Jeez, no kidding! I wonder if it's because they are way more more famous than QAF and L Word out of the starting gate!!. That is such a stupid comparison. People (the straight people they are trying to attract) channel surf and see that these shows are on...they don't give a F#%* if it's on Logo. They could be on BET and white people will tune in.
The Genera Manager, Lisa Claims that logo will fight for the rights of LGBQT people and have to adapt to the modern Gay community. The Comparison of shows dosen"t really tell much except that Both the L Word and Queer as Folk are taking the position of the 1980"s aids Epidemic movement, they tell the same stories over and over in an attempt to bring the community together. the only problem with that is the targeted audience. I've never seen the L Word, But I have seen Queer as folk, a mostly white male dominated show. As a African American working class college student, the only show that logo ever aired that even came close to reflection a real audience other than that of the classic aids epidemic crowd was Noah's Arc. This show, was of course taken off the air after only two seasons. The problem with all three of these shows listed thus far isn't just that they only target one crowd, it's that the writing and direction of the shows sucked. Shows like Nip/Tuck and Buffy didn't do good because they're broader, because lets face it, these shows also are very narrow minded in terms of it's audience (white, middle class). These shows did well because the general direction of the show, otherwise known as the story, was great. It wasn't a broken record about the aids epidemic like Noah's Ark, The L Word, or Queer as Folk. These shows took on contemporary issues. If any of these three classics decided to take on issues surrounding LGBQT people in a real sense (meaning not choosing one aspect of personality and being over another, i.e. "i'm first gay then black" as Marlon Riggs once famously said in his film Tongues Untied) then I think many people may feel more empowered to watch these shows. We aren't first gay an then other things in addition. We are all of these things at once, These shows loss ratings because they could not write story to include the full spectrum of issues on faces being gay, black, working class, American, middle class, etc.
If LOGO really wanted to accomodate today's 'modern Gay audience' they need to step fully into the 21 Century and start broadcasting in High Def, stopped all the needless editing of adult oriented programming and show some higher quality independent Gay films!!!
Amen! Her calling viewers "they" doesn't help either.
They have ruined all the gay shows by cutting all the language and nudity. They are an integral part of shows like 'The L Word" and "Queer as Folk" as well as the gay movies they show. Who wants to watch something that has had 1/3 of it's content excised?
Post new comment