Discussion: Alice: Proud Winner of the 2008 Hypocrite Award

"I'd like to take this opportunity to look at some of the ways the character "Alice" is hypocritical (it's better if you read it from bottom to top):

1. Shunned Tina for her attraction to men after being made fun of/belittled for her own bisexuality in season 1.

2. Outed Niki in order to advance her own career on "The Look."

3. Outed a basketball player for his homophobic comments while protecting her girlfriend's sexual identity from being publicly known."

"Hey, before I respond I'd just like to say how glad I am that you guys responded in the first place. I don't write these too often.

As far as no. 1 goes, Alice WAS being shady with Tina; even Papi confronted her with it in season 4 where she said something about gay people being discriminated against because of who they sleep with and that she was doing the same thing to Tina.

For no. 2, she technically did draw attention to the affair which is the last thing that Niki would need since it could destroy her career.

In regard to 3. I'd like to mention Dana. While Dana didn't say anti-gay things, she was still "forced" by her agent to appear to be heterosexual. When Alice outed the athlete, she wasn't aware of why that guy actually said what he said. His agent could've been pressuring him to say it using some kind of career-related leverage. What IS known however would be two things: 1. By outing him, she didn't forever change the world of sports and 2. She completely humiliated him on television.

I think that Alice's "showing gay pride by outing people" is kind of dangerous since, when done in real-life, it can discourage many who are discovering their budding sexuality from coming out of the closet (to whatever extent they feel comfortable with) and getting the appropriate resources (counseling, STD testing, and other services provided by gay outreach programs) that they may need."

"Thanks for your reply lilfidget (fun name!). I happen to be a gay male who usually has no one to talk to about "The L Word" so I'm Really enjoying this : )

I agree we can go back and forth since I can't stand the character this season (I loved her in season 3 though).

I totally understand/agree with what you're saying about people being responsible for their own actions. In Dana's case though, she was given the dignity to come out on her own while in the basketball player's case, he wasn't. Sometimes people have insanely complicated circumstances that seem very simple to others. For example, the basketball player could've been being blackmailed, or maybe his agent also represents a friend/lover of his and threatened to screw the other's sponsorship deal if he didn't say the anti-gay comment OR maybe the guy was just an a$$hole. My point is (like Tasha points out in that same episode) Alice didn't know what that guy's sittuation is and (I feel) shouldnt've exposed him like that; ESPECIALLY after taking a journalistic oath of not broadcasting the party's events on her podcast (I studied journalism in college so that happened to REALLY bother me since it's TERRIBLY unethical).

I'm very sorry to hear that about your cousin. I'm not sure where you're located but there are some programs in NY that offer educational services to GLBT youth.

"

"Ok She is alittle bit hypocrital but I think she just forgets. Its easier to point out other's flaw instead of focusing on your own. She shouldn't have out nikki or hinted at her identity just to advance her career. Alice was just trying to help her gul keep her job. The basketball player made homophobic comments, tasha didn't"

"Totally.
And being hypocritical I guess just makes her appear more human instead of Little Miss Perfect Good-y Two Shoes outfits...good lord just to go for a moment off topic what was up with some of her wardrobe?...I swear at one point they had her looking like Mrs. Cleaver from Leave It To Beaver."

"This is a old post. Season 4 i think"

"This is a old post. Season 4 i think"

"oh why ruin the surprise ....................."