This Japanese television program, Koino Kamasawagi (much ado about fag romance), shows a quintessential example of how much trans-sexual and cross-dressing celebrities are accepted in Japan. The program was broadcast on TBS, one of the major networks. And the MC, Samma, is a counterpart of Jay Leno and David Letterman in the U.S.
All 'panels' on this show are the most visible and popular gays, trans-sexual, and/or cross-dressing celebrities in the current Japanese television industry. It's really amazing how many gays and trans appear on television and how candid they are when it comes to their romance and sexual life! One gay (Kabachan) talked about his interesting encounter with a police officer in Egypt. Matsuko's experience with a guy who loved so much about her fat is a horror story, sort of. Mittsu talked about her shopping experience of 'futon' because she 'messes' her futon often...
I thought the U.S. television programs are more progressive given that there are gay reality TV shows and other openly gay people on LogoTV and Bravo TV. But they hardly appear on major networks. There were some gay sitcoms like Will and Grace, and other gay (friendly) shows like Glee and Family Guy, so in some way American television is more progressive in terms of variety of gay shows. Having said that, the Japanese situation may be more progressive than America's in that Japanese major network stations broadcast gays and trans for the prime time. Indeed, Ellen DeGeneres has her daily talk show on the network but she represents such clean image. Compared with these Japanese trans and cross-dressers, she's a harmless angel! When American network television uses gay people, they tend to put on such innocent persona and to use a scripted format rather than a chaotic (seedy) gossip show like Koino Kamasawagi.
What do you think about Japan's situation? What's your own country's penchant, disinterest, or abhorrence toward gays and trans people on television?
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