The Good Word

As the first lesbian drama series, The L Word had to package itself very carefully to stay afloat in the cutthroat world of television ratings. Writer Ilene Chaiken and director Rose Troche (both bona fide lesbians) used the glamour gimmick, giving audiences a cast to drool over. Even the now-transgendered...

By Erin Vanderberg

January 3, 2008

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As the first lesbian drama series, The L Word had to package itself very carefully to stay afloat in the cutthroat world of television ratings. Writer Ilene Chaiken and director Rose Troche (both bona fide lesbians) used the glamour gimmick, giving audiences a cast to drool over. Even the now-transgendered butch character Moira-cum-Max is gorgeous, and the show is breathing easy in its fifth season. This round promises intrigue — military investigations, prison gangs, violent club rivalries and divorced moms rekindling romances, for starters. A zeitgeist for gay culture, the show manages to stir the pot with every episode and is best watched en masse. For the Showtime-deprived, each installment is aired at the cozy tHERe Coffee at 1526 East Colfax Avenue. But for tonight's L Word Season 5 Premiere, the Human Rights Campaign will host an official soiree from 7 to 11 p.m. at the Oriental Theatre, 4335 West 44th Avenue. The suggested donation for the eighteen-and-over event is $10, and reservations are required by January 4. Reserve your spot online at www.hrcactioncenter.org.
Sun., Jan. 6, 7-11 p.m., 2008

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