I guess it was only a matter of time before a show about "lipstick lesbians" finally got a product tie-in. The Frisky writes that Showtime's popular L Word will attach its name to a new line of lipsticks. The lipsticks come in four "fabulous" shades named after the show's sexy characters (Kit, Bette, Alice and Shane) and "flatter a wide range of skin tones", which, I think means people of color can wear them. They sell for around $20.
Now, I'm not really looking to get into a debate on the show, but I do think attaching itself to a lipstick line is not only brazen, but also a political miscue. The L Word, in its 6th and final season, while critically acclaimed for exploring same-sex relationships, hasn't been without its detractors. There are those within LGBT communities who feel that the show doesn't necessarily embrace all facets of lesbianism.
They argue that the show only embraces "mainstream" lesbians, or lipstick lesbians, who embody all the feminine characteristics that our mainly heterosexual society is comfortable with, while ignoring depictions of the other side of the lesbian divide, women who embody more masculine traits.
I don't mind product tie-ins, but I wonder why a show that ostensibly promotes gay rights would so obviously attach itself to a phrase like "lipstick lesbian", which is also derogatory reference to temporary or affected lesbianism. It's a complicated debate that I don't think the show has handled very well, and their decision, even in their last season, to launch an official lipstick line, feels like a snide 'FU' to people who've voiced that kind of criticism.
As far as product tie-in's go, is it clever marketing, or just crass?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
3-03-2009 @ 4:09PM
Anita said...
I'm not against it. The L-Word was initially marketed, in my opinion, as the lesbian version of Sex & the City. At the same time, when the L-Word was at its height I believe tons of women would've flocked to buy one. At this point I don't quite understand why they're releasing the line without the show's continuation to anchor it. True, it's the final season, but it still seems a bit late in the game and in popularity -
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3-03-2009 @ 5:57PM
GigG said...
"There are those within LGBT communities who feel that the show doesn't necessarily embrace all facets of lesbianism."
That's funny. Does every drama about straight couples embrace all facets of heterosexuality?
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3-03-2009 @ 9:21PM
jerry said...
Well I would think that since heterosexuality is the defacto norm in society there is no need to "address" evey aspect, unlike the L Word which is alone in spotlighting lesbians. I think they had an opportunity to stretch the narrative but instead chose the safest route. I love looking at beautiful women as much as the next person but the show was pretty fluff. And yeah this seems a little late with the product tie in.