I’m heading out to Seattle today. A recent news story out of the city concerns the Amazon series Transparent. Example: “Jeffrey Tambor ‘Profoundly Disappointed’ with Amazon Following Transparent Firing” (Variety) The subtitle of the article:
“I can only surmise that the investigation against me was deeply flawed and biased toward the toxic politicized atmosphere that afflicted our set,” the actor said.
Only 2.5 years ago, the actor had a different perspective. “Jill Soloway Reveals Why Feminism Is the Secret to ‘Transparent’s’ Success” (The Wrap):
Rather than give explicit direction and forcing her cast to meet her expectations, Soloway said that she prefers a “feminist” approach, standing back and letting the actors “play.”
“I bring to work a feminist and feminine style of leadership,” Soloway said. “I’m here to pump air into the balloon and let this thing rise … everybody knows that the most important thing is that we have fun.”
The result, says the cast, is that there is no fear of making mistakes on set. They are free to try anything without worrying about being shot down. “You cannot make a mistake on this set. Nothing is ever wrong,” said Light.
The attitude starts at the top, but it continues all the way down, said Tambor. The entire cast and crew is committed to Soloway’s way of thinking.
“I’m telling you, people are dedicated. People are really getting this on every single level,” Tambor said. “And there is no reason it has to be otherwise. Except fear, male superiority, and horse shit.”
So the story-behind-the-story is arguably interesting as a demonstration of how human attitudes can evolve in a short period of time. But what about the story? What was interesting about this show that people wanting to keep watching? Also, if a show is about one transgendered person, how does it work to substitute a different actor or character in season 5?
[Separately, the dust-up proves that saying “I am not a predator.” is roughly as effective as a defense as saying “I am not a child molester” in family court!]
The first season or two was funny, with good writing, and then it went downhill not unlike other TV shows that have a couple seasons of a coherent story arc then the writers run out of ideas.