Coming Out Coming To TV!

December 12, 2008

Imagine the pressure involved with coming out to unsuspecting friends and family members after a lifetime in the closet. Now imagine going through with this major decision on national television! That's the concept behind "Way Out," a new reality show developed for Showtime by the producer of "Intervention."

The show will be similar to "Intervention" in that it follows one individual, and his or her family's reactions to a life-changing event. Viewers will get a peek into the subject's life before he or she comes out, while also finding out how relationships change after they break the news.

Do you think a show like this just sensationalizes a private moment, or will it help people empathize with gay people?

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27 Comments

karenpanna 4 years 22 weeks

Though the intent might be to help people understand the magnitude of such a difficult decision, I don't feel that this is a safe avenue for people to come out. Not every situation will yield positive, supportive results, and I feel it is rather sensationalist. There is a large margin for disaster that I don't think has been completely thought through.

hypnoticmix 4 years 23 weeks

Yes I think empathy can be found as a result of this project towards homosexuals, however IMO there is a danger here as it relates to the response of the people receiving the disclosure. Because the issue can be so stigmatizing to some coupled with the fact that it will be a surprise in many cases with camera's and strangers in the room the danger is not getting a genuine reaction from those who are being told. Furthermore a disingenuous response could come back to bite the newly outed in the ass something fierce. My advise to those who would apply to be on the show is to take careful consideration of the types of people their dealing with before they place them on a multi-media stage. When I came out to my parents at 19 I made sure I told my five older brothers and sisters and my closest friends first. One because I kinda figured they would get over it real quick and most of them did not have a problem with it. Two because I would need their support after I told my parents. My mother cried for a week and my father was just quiet. A year after that I heard that it was my father that came around first and he told my mother "well some people are just born that way", lol in fact thirteen years later my father came to a gay bar in San Diego with his girlfriend and her son and we all had a wonder time. No matter how upset my parents were at the time their love for me never flinched.

CaterpillarGirl 4 years 23 weeks

Using the term "usually" will make me say "no its not" sorry. and we arent jumping down your back. I was disagreeing with you. dont take it personally. I cant sympathize with the people coming out? why not? its human nature to want to be accepted by your parents for whatever you are choosing to do or live your life. Because I am not gay, I wouldnt understand?

foxie 4 years 23 weeks

Who said the only people I feel for is the family? You shouldn't make sweeping generalizations if you're going to get bent out of shape by people who point out how unfair you're being.

Jessiebanana 4 years 23 weeks

The angry part of me is saying "No one wants to be a monster on tv, do they? Well maybe they should do this show so everyone can take a look at themselves and their country and we can just see how bad it gets through the surface of all the respectable smiles." But of course it would go against my principles to really believe that and I realize I'm only angry that it is the endless stories of violence, hate and abandonment that surround one to many coming out stories of people I know and love and my own. Of course my anger is sad in and of itself because it means no matter how much I don't want it to they've gotten to me and made me a little less me and a little more them.

Jessiebanana 4 years 23 weeks

CG I never said that is was that way for everyone and Foxie I used the extreme example because that would be the one that fell into "hard to take back". I mean crying is hurtful, but its not the same as saying the horrible. I said usually, and of course I may be wrong I only know my friends and my community. What I said also implies to anything hurtful said in a supposedly loving protective relationship. Words hurt and it often feels like a violation of that trust and relationship. Geeze, the fact that you guys are jumping down my back when I'm only trying to provide my perspective on how painful the experience can be is untoward. I don't even like the idea of the show. Just because the only people you can sympathize with is the family, is not my problem it's yours.

UnDave35 4 years 23 weeks

This is an INSANELY bad idea. Why don't we just go back to watching people kill each other in the stadiums of Rome? This is watching someone go through an emotionally tramatic thing, and for what, our enjoyment? If you want to come out, more power to you. Don't do it on national television. It's not worth the money.

momma tikita 4 years 23 weeks

Foxie I love True Life.. ;)

Jude C 4 years 23 weeks

I'm just f*cking sick of reality TV and the use of real people's real experiences, emotions, and pain and hurt for others' entertainment. Yeah, a few viewers might feel more empathy after watching this show, but on the whole it just sounds like a modern-day version of gladiator fights: let's watch people suffer for our own amusement!

geebers 4 years 23 weeks

Not a fan of this AT ALL. My parents are loving and supportive and open-minded about homosexuality but if it was myself or my brother -and we chose to do something this personal on TV -they WOULD be upset. I think this is disrespectful towards those you love- and if you don't have any respect for someone why are they important enough to come out too?

kastarte2 4 years 23 weeks

This is silly. Everything in life is a reality show these days and the really sad thing is that people watch it. Why watch all this reality TV? Go out and live your own reality instead of living vicariously through spot light hungry wanna-bes. :end rant: Next year, Fox will be airing their new series, "Dad! I've just become a woman!" about single fathers raising daughters that are going through puberty. Will the fathers be able to give thier girls straight talk about sex and their changing bodies? How will they help them make the decision between pads and tampons? Will the father's break down and cry while buying thier baby girls their first bra? Watch all the real life drama next September on Fox!

foxie 4 years 23 weeks

Jessie, that's a very extreme example. You really don't think a mother/father who is initially taken aback, surprised, or saddened, NOT outraged, can later become accepting and supportive? I think a lot of parents would be confused and upset (maybe even because of being ambushed by cameras, perhaps) would later come to terms with reality after some private reflection. So, I agree with CG on that point. Personally, this seems like it would be interesting for maybe a few episodes, but it'd get old. That's why I like True Life... I get to peek into all sorts of different peoples' lives, and it doesn't get repetitive.

CaterpillarGirl 4 years 23 weeks

sorry jessie I dont agree. You cant say that it is exactly what the person who is being told really feels, because you dont know everyone on earth. Look at Cher, and Chastity, cher got very angry when she was told but thats not how she really felt. I know many parents whose first reaction was to cry, and eventually they understood. should the child take away from that , that the parent is forever saddened? or if they yell? or if they just walk away, or what if they are cool, and later get angry?

bluesarahlou 4 years 23 weeks

If it's anything like Intervention I'm sure it will be done very tastefully.

em1282 4 years 23 weeks

Couldn't resist. Oh, Maury...

Jessiebanana 4 years 23 weeks

:rotfl:

em1282 4 years 23 weeks

"...you are NOT the father!"

Jessiebanana 4 years 23 weeks

Yeah this show could get real sad real quick. Of course I'm sure the same people who like to watch people get surprised on talk shows when their best friends tell them they're getting a make over and instead find out that their best friend is sleeping with their spouse, will be very excited.

Jessiebanana 4 years 23 weeks

"AND its not indicative to how the person being told is going to deal with the news in the long run." Unfortunately what is said in that moment usually dictates the tone for the rest of the relationship. The person who receives it sees it as the most honest opinion and once someone as important to you as your parents says "You disgust me" or "You f*cking f*ggot, get out of my house" it falls into the category of things you can never really take back, even if you want to.

356UIK 4 years 23 weeks

This sounds mean. I dont like it. I dont like watching people's private matters.

em1282 4 years 23 weeks

I think Jessie summed it up nicely. A lot of it depends on the person coming out. When my closest guy friend came out, he told people one by one (I was the first he told), and he definitely figured it wasn't worth it to tell everyone he knew. With him it was definitely a process, so while a show could be interesting to see what people really do go through, I think it might take away from that whole "process" mindset that most people have.

ilanac13 4 years 23 weeks

well to be honest, i'm not sure if it's content that a lot of people will really tune in over and over again to see. yes we have this voyeristic type society where we like to see what's going on in other people's lives, but this is something that's truly personal and i don't know if it's going to make the kind of impact that showtime is looking for. there's one thing to hear about someone's long battle with addiction and then to see the intervention - compared to seeing someone come to terms with who they are and come out to their family. that's a very private thing. oh well - we'll just have to wait and see how it turns out.

laceymace 4 years 23 weeks

I'm all for wanting Americans to get over their homophobia, but I don't like shows where people are put on the spot regarding their feelings about personal matters.

CaterpillarGirl 4 years 23 weeks

I think its a terrible idea, I couldnt imagine being a family member of one of the participants and being ambushed on national TV to see my reaction, Its cruel. AND its not indicative to how the person being told is going to deal with the news in the long run.

momma tikita 4 years 23 weeks

"Do you think a show like this just sensationalizes a private moment" Well if this person is willng to do it on national tv then hey! more power to them! It sounds like good show to watch..I know my waterworks will be on...

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