On one of the longest running sitcoms on BBC TV a recurring character has come out as gay.
Ian Johnson, Out Now
July 24, 2010
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Topics: TV. BBC TV. Coming out. Sitcoms. Gay characters on TV sitcoms. Son Michael comes out on BBC TV's 'My Family' comedy sitcom.
The progress of lesbian and gay characters becoming acceptable on TV continues.
The BBC TV program My Family is now in its tenth season. The show is one of the annual staples of the BBC comedy line-up.
Viewers have watched the story of a white, upper middle-class family evolve over the course of a decade - with some regular characters being written in and others leaving.
The program charts the story of Ben and Susan Harper and their family. It airs at 9pm on Friday evenings.
Their son - Michael - was introduced to viewers as a child at school, and his is one of the few characters to have been written into every season since the show's premiere in 2000.
Viewers have watched Michael grow from a small boy into a man.Last week they watched and learned something new about this popular character - Michael is gay.
Clever treatment
The episode was well-written and acted.
In keeping with the usual family-fare comedy tone of the program, this episode made maximum impact by presenting Michael's coming out not as a major issue to be lauded - but rather as a fresh storyline with comedic implications to be explored, presented and laughed at.
The dialogue of the episode reflects this:
Michael: Mum I'm happier than I've ever been. I've been seeing a guy called Scott Marsh. A solicitor, he's 25, good looking. Lives with his dad, we met at a pub and just started talking. I feel at peace with myself. For the first time I can be honest and be myself with the world.
(Michael's Sister) Janie - Aren't gay people supposed to be stylish?
There was a nice mix of support (Janie: "Little brother. I am so proud of you.") included with comedy and mix-ups as per all other My Family episodes.New writing team
When father Ben, a dentist, outs Michael's boyfriend to his father - who is one of Ben's patients, the usual rhythm of the show is preserved.
This plot development is one that is the result of a new writing team brought in this year to freshen the show.
What I found most refreshing was the comfortable way in which 'Middle-England' took this issue in its stride, without undue fuss. Twenty years ago when a gay character appeared in BBC TV's soap Eastenders the UK media took umbrage. This was very different.
Says a lot about how well UK society in 2010 has now progressed to acceptance and respect for gay people. Nice.
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