"The L Word" (2004) TV series 2004-????

Creators:

Michele Abbott
Ilene Chaiken
Kathy Greenberg

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

Release Date:

18 January 2004 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Romance

Tagline:

L hath no fury...

Plot:

Follows the lives and loves of a small, close-knit group of lesbians living in Los Angeles as well as the friends and family members that either support or loath them.

Plot Keywords:

Lesbian | Writing | Tennis | Dating | Lesbianism

Awards:

Nominated for Primetime Emmy. Another 5 wins & 23 nominations

Cast

Jennifer Beals	...	Bette Porter (70 episodes, 2004-2009)
Leisha Hailey	...	Alice Pieszecki (70 episodes, 2004-2009)
Laurel Holloman	...	Tina Kennard (70 episodes, 2004-2009)
Mia Kirshner	...	Jenny Schecter (70 episodes, 2004-2009)
Katherine Moennig	...	Shane McCutcheon (70 episodes, 2004-2009)
Pam Grier	...	Kit Porter (70 episodes, 2004-2009)
Rachel Shelley	...	Helena Peabody / ... (54 episodes, 2005-2009)
Daniela Sea	...	Max Sweeney / ... (44 episodes, 2006-2009)
Erin Daniels	...	Dana Fairbanks (39 episodes, 2004-2007)
Marlee Matlin	...	Jodi Lerner (29 episodes, 2007-2009)

Also Known As:

Earthlings (USA) (working title)

Runtime:

50 min

Country:

Canada | USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Finland:K-15 (DVD rating) (2006) | Germany:16 (DVD rating) | Canada:14 (Nova Scotia) (DVD rating) | Canada:18A (Manitoba/Ontario) (DVD rating) | Argentina:16 | Brazil:18 | Portugal:M/16 (DVD rating) | Hungary:16 | South Korea:18 | UK:18 (some episodes) | UK:15 (some episodes) | USA:TV-MA | Australia:MA

Filming Locations:

Beverly Hills, California, USA

Company:

Anonymous Content

Trivia:

Scott Bairstow was originally cast as the male lead , but was replaced by Eric Mabius soon after allegations of sexual assault on a minor were made against him in 2003 (he pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of second degree assault on 9 December 2003).

Quotes:

Alice: Cold in the streets, hot in the sheets

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Big Red (2009) (TV)

See it before you critique it...

...and by seeing it, I mean watching more than just one episode, particularly a pilot which automatically alerts someone to the fact that a show is just starting out and hey, give it some credit or a chance before you blow it off.

that said, obviously I'm a huge fan of the show. While it does have a somewhat shaky start (and what doesn't?) the show really hits it's stride during the middle of the season as the characters and, I'm led to believe, actors really begin making and displaying the bonds they share.

While it may a lesbian show, an hour long, a drama, a comedy, a creative reflection of real life, it is ultimately a television show and I personally think it's brilliant for what it is. Some argue that the characters aren't believable, the plots too 'out there', the lesbian characters too beautiful or glamorous and I don't agree with any one of them for the simple reason that it's a TELEVISION SHOW, television itself being the epitome of glamour and idealization, and a damn good television show at that. Television is, as I said above, a creative reflection of real life, it's not meant to actually be real life.

Erin Daniels, in particular, is amazing as Dana Fairbanks. She has you laughing hysterically one minute and in sympathetic tears the next. Not to mention the rest of the cast, who neither under or over play their characters and sort of allow their characters to come through them instead of being forced. It's hard to explain, but there's something about the dynamic of this cast, of this show, that just draws you and doesn't let you go.

I recommend you give it a watch, and a chance and if at the end you still don't enjoy it than it's fair enough, at least you tried. However, I do believe the show is strong enough and that well put together that you can't help but like it, you can't help but care what becomes of these characters, and you can't help but want more.

on a side note, Lauren Lee Smith who plays a guest character called Lara is so adorable it's not even funny. As Leisha Hailey. And Jennifer Beals. (who are both mains)

(as you can see, the show also makes it hard to have and hold onto a favourite character, they're all appealing and all wonderful)