The Rainbow Age of Television

Rainbow Age is more academic and less lighthearted than 2023's [b:Hi Honey, I'm Homo!: Sitcoms, Specials, and the Queering of American Culture 61658558 Hi Honey, I'm Homo! Sitcoms, Specials, and the Queering of American Culture Matt Baume https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1707931639l/61658558.SY75.jpg 97247795], although it covers some of the same territory. In addition to retracing the history of queer TV, Warner addresses delicate issues such as cishet characters with whom queers felt a connection (Jo from The Facts of Life, Buddy on Family, and...Bugs Bunny?); whether the scarcity of queer characters requires them to be likeable; the ridiculously high mortality rate of lesbian characters; queers on reality TV; and cis actors playing trans characters. The end of each chapter features interviews with queer actors, writers, and directors, which add a welcome jolt of energy to the book. There is a stronger emphasis on lesbians and trans TV characters than in Hi Honey! and a sobering acknowledgement that queer rep on TV is likely to decline in 2024's toxic political environment. This book is best read one or two chapters at a time, as it is a bit dry in some parts. Shayna Maci Warner's portfolio includes articles written for both general and queer publications about the entertainment media. I recommend perusing them to determine if her voice works for you.ARC received from Net Galley and Abrams Press in exchange for objective review.