AN AMERICAN IN SPAIN

by Dr. Booker 

To: Television Writers and Producers
From: An American Network Television Executive
Re: Some Basic Guidelines On How Women / Lesbians Can Be Portrayed On Network Television

Women can dance together if they are doing the hokey pokey or if they are 75 there are other people around

Women can touch hands if they are mother and daughter / doctor and patient talking about dry skin

Two women cannot kiss for longer than two seconds and there can be no open mouths unless one of them is in a dentist's chair

Two women cannot be naked in bed unless the world has come to an end

This is the memo that I imagine has been read by people in television industry, because that is what we see on American network television.

Spanish television has broken all the rules. LHDP is not the first show to have positive gay characters and it certainly won't be the last. When I first started watching Hospital Central, because of Maca and Esther, I kept thinking "This is Spain?!" Now, after watching LHDP, I know that this is Spain and I am very impressed. It is absolutely stunning and thrilling to see how one country has recognized gay men and women as viable characters on television.

The producers of LHDP said that they were going to treat Pepa and Silvia as any other couple on the show. That meant that they were going to actually have a story line and air time. And what did we see? We saw two women fall in love. We saw an established popular character question everything she ever thought about herself. We saw Pepa and Silvia kiss, make love, laugh, cry, work together, and yes, we saw them fight.

All over the world, viewers fell in love with Pepa and Silvia as Pepa and Silvia fell deeper in love with each other. It wasn't just Americans who loved their story, but people from Britain, France, China, the Philippines, Canada, The Netherlands and too many nations to mention. We were willing to watch a show in another language and wait for subtitles just because we were mesmerized by this story line and these wonderful actors.

Here is a little parade of scenes that showcase the unspoken love and moments of intimacy between Pepa and Silvia. Rarely have we seen this kind of demonstration of love on American television, and maybe in other countries as well. I am sure that there is a Hollywood search party still looking for scenes like these. These are some brief moments of adoration, trust and forgiveness.

***** in the hangar, Silvia looks at Pepa as they "walk in the park"

***** in the van, Silvia reaches out her hand to Pepa

***** in the hospital, Silvia watches Pepa sleep and then later Pepa turns Silvia to her

***** eyes and hands connecting over a croissant

***** outside the apartment house, on the stairs, Silvia rests her head on Pepa's shoulder

There are too many scenes to discuss in one lecture, and isn't it amazing to know that there are so many to choose from?

These moments were written, directed and acted by a team of professionals in Spain. These are people who believe in Pepa and Silvia and their story. Not only did they write wonderful dialogue, they created quiet moments--which says volumes about their commitment to Pepa and Silvia. I applaud them for going where no one had gone before. And I say a very big thank you to the people of Spain. The viewers of Spain proved that if you respect the intelligence and hearts of your audience, you can tell new stories about love.

There is a lesson in all this, and I wonder if anyone is listening.

Dr. Booker