A new promo for Project Runway‘s Lifetime network debut has been getting some criticism for trying to hide the show’s gay appeal by emphasizing how “okay” it is for heterosexual folks to tune in. Without explicitly stating this fact, the clip features a whole lot of ladies, police men, farmers, husbands and other presumably “straight” individuals  proclaiming their love for the show.
While I do think it’s curious that there aren’t many explicitly gay men featured in the clip, I can’t say I’m particularly offended by this method of promoting the show. Given that Lifetime’s demographic is women, it makes perfect sense to create a TV spot that tells their hubbies and boyfriends that they should be watching too. What do you think?
– Dewitt
I don’t see anything wrong with this. It’s may be shady, but it’s a step towards breaking down barriers. Nothing wrong with that.
I don’t have a problem with this.. it’s like the new Harry Potter film having a trailer that promote it as being a fun-filled bag of laughs, while also having another one displaying it as a deep, dark film full of danger.
You gotta put a spin on everything to reach everyone.
AND NOW THAT I’VE SEEN THE DAMN THING:
You’re mad that they put like 3 straight guys in the commercial? When the rest of the 30-some-odd people are either female or gay? Come on man, I mean, if they had shown a male basketball team promoting it instead of a female cheerleading team, you MIGHT be able to dream of making an argument against it, but as it stands, this ad is so okay it’s mediocre.
I think you are overanalyzing the commercial. They are opening it to more demographics and I saw a couple gay looking men in that commercial. And so what alot of women were in the commercial. Its Lifetime!
I wasnt offended.
um, take down this post
ur overacting
ha
ha, looks like the ones who have the video beat ya’ to it. Haven’t seen the vid clip, but yah, over-reacting. Besides, what’s wrong with hetero folks tuning in? Straights are people too, 🙂
Frankly, Dewitt, I think you should be ashamed of yourself for assuming that a guy is straight just because he doesn’t have a girly voice. Way to perpetuate stereotypes, ignoramus.
Give them a break guys….
WE are ALREADY watching the show, or have at least made the informed decision not to – lifetime is reaching out to the LESS obvious audience because they don’t need for us to see a campaign, as we are already well-versed on the topic.
Um, this promo is so gay. What is wrong with you. Much Ado ….
hey Dewitt! (first-time commenter) surprising how few of these guys seem to have actually gotten your question…indeed, the Abramovich blog made a mountain out of a molehill. the only “straight” stereotypes in this ad are the ones we hypocritically make by subscribing to default notions of gay-ness. Who’s to say what those two farmer dudes are doing after hours in the barn, eh? flip-side, who’s to say the “gay” sounding ones are? I’d say Lifetime was smart to spin the show to a broad audience…though i’d rather watch the red sox, and that’s a stretch ’cause i hate watching sports…fuck stereotypes…
Its not a bad thing to expand your audience, but I doubt the show will be as good as it used to be. Plus, I’m hooked on the new show “The Fashion Show” on Bravo
Gosh, what the hell are you talking about??
1. No surprise at all to have many women in the promo, since Lifetime is a network geared toward women, and PR has a large female audience base.
2. Most of the guys in this clip could be gay! The one apparently straight husband/boyfriend guy didn’t say anything and played reluctance.
3. Most importantly: Since when did PR become a gay men’s show?? Such a stereotype-based assumption! I have several straight male friends who watch it, and many gay male friends who don’t.
When will the gay community stop reinforcing the stereotypes that we also see to detest all the time?