Things We Saw Today: Visible: Out on Television and LGBTQ+ Representation in Television

Apple TV+ just dropped the trailer for their upcoming five-part docuseries about LGBTQ+ representation on television. The series, Visible: Out on Television, follows the history of queer characters in television much in the same way the classic documentary The Celluloid Closet did for queer representation in film.

The trailer shows interviews with queer celebrities like Ellen DeGeneres, Wanda Sykes, Wilson Cruz, Andy Cohen, Anderson Cooper, and Billy Porter. The series will explore queer characters in television from All in the Family and Soap to present day shows like Pose. It will also delve into queer actors coming out and the expansion of representation through the years. The series features narration by luminaries like Janet Mock, Margaret Cho, Asia Kate Dillon, Neil Patrick Harris and Lena Waithe.

Representation on television is and was hugely important. Unlike film, the medium of television develops a relationship with its viewers. Characters we love become part of the family. There is an intimacy and a familiarity that few other mediums possess. And representation serves two very important goals. Not only do queer folks get to see themselves and their experiences reflected, but they become humanized and relatable in ways that society wouldn’t previously allow.

All episodes of Visible: Out on Television will premiere on February 14th on Apple TV+.

(via The Wrap, image: screencap/Apple TV+)

• There’s a baby Yoda art exhibit in San Diego, give it to us now. (via io9)
• Here are the first images from Steven Spielberg’s Amazing Stories reboot for Apple TV+. (via The Wrap)
• Artist Jackson Sze shares amazing concept art of Korg and Miek in the final Avengers: Endgame battle. (via CBR)

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Congratulations to Avengers Endgame for its VFX OSCAR nomination! – – When pitching ideas for the end battle I thought it would be cool to highlight the Creature Avengers in one image. – – Korg and Miek designed by the talented Tully Summers for Thor: Ragnarok. – – #avengersendgame #avengers #marvelstudios #oscars #vfx #marvel #marvelcinematicuniverse #mcu #korg #miek #creatureart #digitalart #digitalpainting #digitalillustration #keyframes #film #filmart #battle #nomination #chitauri #thanos

A post shared by Jackson Sze (@jwsze) on Jan 14, 2020 at 9:22am PST

• Jordan Peele on what Us‘s the Tethered are up to now. (via Collider)
• Star Wars meets manga in The Legends of Luke Skywalker. (via /Film)
• Happy 74th birthday to the one, the only, the incomparable Dolly Parton!

“I’m not offended by all the dumb blonde jokes because I know I’m not dumb… and I also know that I’m not blonde.” – Dolly Parton. It's her birthday today. Thread. #DollyParton pic.twitter.com/zDZt1wFYCH

— Sheila O'Malley (@sheilakathleen) January 19, 2020

What are you up to this Sunday, Mary Suevians?

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Chelsea Steiner

Chelsea was born and raised in New Orleans, which explains her affinity for cheesy grits and Britney Spears. An pop culture journalist since 2012, her work has appeared on Autostraddle, AfterEllen, and more. Her beats include queer popular culture, film, television, republican clownery, and the unwavering belief that 'The Long Kiss Goodnight' is the greatest movie ever made. She currently resides in sunny Los Angeles, with her husband, 2 sons, and one poorly behaved rescue dog. She is a former roller derby girl and a black belt in Judo, so she is not to be trifled with. She loves the word “Jewess” and wishes more people used it to describe her.

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