The Pornification of American Culture

There's a bit of "GLEE" controversy kicking up, and it's reaching into the conservative 'sphere. See, "GLEE-Fully Pornifying the Family Hour." I don't watch the show, but since I keep up with the celebrity hotsy-totsy news, I did catch the Dianna Agron backlash over the racy new cover at GQ, "'Glee' Gone Wild":

How the hell did a show about high school theater geeks come to be the biggest TV show in America? Well, T&A helps. (That's talent and ambition, you pervs.) But so does a generous helping of pot-laced brownies, girl-on-girl subtext, and choreographed dry-humping.

Dry humping? I can see why some parents might be upset, and that cover shot's not going over well either, since the stars play teens on the show. Diana Agron's even issued an apology, "I’d like to start by saying that ...":

... these are solely my thoughts on the November issue of GQ and the controversy that has surrounded its release. I am not a representative of the three of us, the show, or Fox, only myself.



In the land of Madonna, Britney, Miley, Gossip Girl, other public figures and shows that have pushed the envelope and challenged the levels of comfort in their viewers and fans…we are not the first. Now, in perpetuating the type of images that evoke these kind of emotions, I am sorry. If you are hurt or these photos make you uncomfortable, it was never our intention. And if your eight-year-old has a copy of our GQ cover in hand, again I am sorry. But I would have to ask, how on earth did it get there?



I was a very sheltered child, and was not aware of anything provocative or risque in the media while I was navigating through my formative years. When I was finally allowed to watch a movie like Grease, I did not even understand what on earth Rizzo was talking about!? I understand that in today’s world of advanced technology, the internet, our kids can be subject to very adult material at the click of a button. But there are parental locks, and ways to get around this. I am twenty-four years old. I have been a pretty tame and easy-going girl my whole life. Nobody is perfect, and these photos do not represent who I am. I am also not the girl who rolls out of bed with flawless makeup and couture clothing. I am most comfortable with my hair thrown on top of my head, in sweats, laughing with my friends. Glee is a show that represents the underdogs, which is a feeling I have embraced much of my own life, and to those viewers, the photos in GQ don’t give them that same feeling. I understand completely.

There's more the link, but that apology's fail by the start of the third paragraph. Either say you're sorry, say you were wrong, or not. Don't blame parents for overreacting. GQ got exactly what it wanted and you went right along with it. If playing up sex isn't your thing, why star in a racy primetime teen soap in the first place? That's one reason I can appreciate Lady Gaga. She's pretty much no apologies. Indeed, she'll fly the middle-fingered salute if you get in her face.