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Lillian Richards
Hollis
ENC1102
10 February 2018
Analysis of “It Ain't Easy Being Bisexual on TV”
In the article “It Ain’t Easy Being Bisexual on TV” the author, entertainment writer Amy
Zimmerman, attempts to shed light on the issue of the lack of accurate bisexual representation
and characters on television. In her article she discusses the cliché and superficial way that
bisexual characters are portrayed to their audiences. Although there is a fair point to be made
about the lack of bisexual characters on television, the execution of the argument is highly
flawed. In her attempt to do this, the article’s end result is an overabundance of repetitive, hollow
examples and she fails to propose the opposing side of the argument causing it to be riddled with
bias.
Throughout Zimmerman’s article, she referenced ten television shows and movies and
pointed out issues with their representation of bisexuality and being gay. However, what she
does not mention is that the vast majority of those programs are of the comedy genre. They are
not meant to be taken seriously nor are they intended to mirror reality. In the final paragraph of
Zimmerman’s article she utilizes an appeal to pathos in rallying for “those who are growing up in
families, institutions, or regions that do not accept their desires or lifestyles” (Zimmerman 566).
While there is no arguing with the fact that there are hundreds of thousands of children and teens
facing homophobia and disapproval, she is not acknowledging that half of these shows and films
are not meant to be taken literally and is acting as if Hollywood has an obligation to represent
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bisexuality realistically. Her act of taking things too literally...
