CBS Show 'Mike & Molly' Makes Mean Anti-Trans Jokes

[Kevin Peña]

manly he-b!tch

Funniest thing ever! I have the power!!!!

Now cartoons are where it's at. 

[JennX]

Funniest thing ever! I have the power!!!!

Now cartoons are where it's at. 

I know. Trust me, if y'all heard my friends and I go at each other, then you would be on the floor laughing. We can be bad... very bad. But at the end of the day, we're still friends, and we all still love each other.

[Jamie D]

No... it probably would've been blocked by the network censors. I like humor, and can take jokes and make fun of myself with the best of them. Cis or trans. But... and here is the big but... this is the same situation as a bunch of upper-middle class white kids using the "N-word" or a straight hetero person using the "F-word" in reference to a gay male. This sort of usage and context is never correct or acceptable. Let alone on Prime Time Network TV. I have a few MTF friends and yes, we will call each other ->-bleeped-<-, manly he-b!tch, and a few other phrases we choose... but guess what... we can and do use those words cause we belong to that group and we know each other, we do so in jest, and it's done in private. That's the difference. Just as when two African American people use the N-word in talking to one another... it's a different thing when a White/Latin/Asian person uses that same word. The meaning, context, and point of reference is not the same. That's the issue here.

Jenn, you put your finger on the crux of the problem.  Speech codes - hate speech - political correctness - et cetera.  They stifle free thought, creativity, and the exchange of ideas.  If a television show has odious characters and an unpleasant tone, it will fail - much like "Work It" did last year after two airings.

If the show in question bothers you, simply don't watch.  I've never seen it, personally.

[Laura91]

If the show in question bothers you, simply don't watch.  I've never seen it, personally.

There you go.

I don't bother with most TV shows simply because they suck.

[JennX]

Jenn, you put your finger on the crux of the problem.  Speech codes - hate speech - political correctness - et cetera.  They stifle free thought, creativity, and the exchange of ideas.  If a television show has odious characters and an unpleasant tone, it will fail - much like "Work It" did last year after two airings.

If the show in question bothers you, simply don't watch.  I've never seen it, personally.

I hear you. But the thing is, network censors never would let "Mike nor Molly" use the N-word on the air (or a bunch of other pejorative words). It would be blocked. But ->-bleeped-<- is okay? That's not right in my book.

[Jamie D]

I hear you. But the thing is, network censors never would let "Mike nor Molly" use the N-word on the air (or a bunch of other pejorative words). It would be blocked. But ->-bleeped-<- is okay? That's not right in my book.

Network censors are charged with protecting network ratings and appearances.  Did you ever see "Roots"?  That word was used extensively.  And that is a landmark in network television history.

Though I don't particularly like "->-bleeped-<-," because of it's association with porn, I don't see it as a pejorative either.

[Kevin Peña]

I just think that these jokes can wait until a time when they are sure to be viewed as nothing more than jokes. Unfortunately, with a strong majority of trans depictions on TV, some peoples' only exposure to trans individuals, being negative, it doesn't sound like that will happen soon. 

[MaidofOrleans]

Mike and Molly's demographic probably doesn't have long to live anyways so their opinions on the subject are of little interest to me.

[Jamie D]

Mike and Molly's demographic probably doesn't have long to live anyways so their opinions on the subject are of little interest to me.

^ Look there! ^

Fat jokes!!!

Now I'm a-gettin' steamed ...   

[Dark.Knight]

Have any of you seen hangover 2, funny but I do get where you all come from, suprised this even gathered a uproar, hangover went further...no one wants to be seen as a joke though. I see the world not acknowledging trans and being uneducated but complaining angry on a forum wont do much. Get active and help educate. Every safe chance you get or this will continue. How many of you actually have made a effort to educate. Not to bs anyone's feelings but I know guys and gals who whine in a circle but just sit back and take it. Screw fat and floppy of cbs the show is mediocre humor and filled with degrading things, even the sorry actors do not see they are a joke...sorry if I offended anyone my sleepy opinion of truth.

Ps I'm chunky so my fat jokes are laughing at myself too

[Cindy]

I think we need to be very careful of not being precious. Jokes are jokes and in many ways break down the barriers no matter how stupid and crude they are.

I haven't met any lawyers suing over lawyer jokes.

And how about 'Little Britain' ?

[Dark.Knight]

I think we need to be very careful of not being precious. Jokes are jokes and in many ways break down the barriers no matter how stupid and crude they are.

I haven't met any lawyers suing over lawyer jokes.

And how about 'Little Britain' ?

Well said

[Joelene9]

I think we need to be very careful of not being precious. Jokes are jokes and in many ways break down the barriers no matter how stupid and crude they are.

I haven't met any lawyers suing over lawyer jokes.

And how about 'Little Britain' ?

Ditto. 

  Joelene

[Laura91]

Little Britain stinks.

League Of Gentlemen was a million times better.