![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
Welcome Home
Oct. 5th, 2005 08:05 amFrom the website Reality Blurred I learned a little more about the pulled reality show, Welcome To The Neighborhood.
Welcome To The Neighborhood was supposed to have been a competition for a house featuring several families of different ethnic backgrounds. The existing neighbors in the Austin cul-de-sac were the judges, and from a few minor leaks from the early shows, apparently many questionable quotes fly that seem to peg the neighbors as racist and homophobic. Without seeing the episodes, many groups called for pulling the show and ABC obliged, shelving the series that would have run this summer in the Desperate Housewives slot.
In the meantime, news got out that the gay family won, and this week they moved into the home. In an interesting story, the Austin American-Statesman profiles the family and their new neighbors and looks at the transformation that was a part of the show.
Much of the controversy was over a homophobic man, Jim Stewart, who was shown in previews saying, “I would not tolerate living next door to homosexuals.” The Wright family ultimately won series, which may be surprising because they are a gay couple who have an adopted black child. But as the show progressed, Stewart grew close with them.
And as it turns out, one of Jim Stewart’s sons, Jason, is gay (a fact neither the producers nor his neighbors were aware of), and Stewart’s experience on the show led him to strengthen his relationship with his son. Jim Stewart says that after growing to know the Wrights, he called his son. “I told him, ‘Dad was wrong. I’m sorry.’ I might have gone forever like I was without the Wrights.”
Last week, Jim Stewart even spoke at a vigil protesting the proposed Texas constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage, the paper reports.
Steve Wright says, “I was shocked somebody could start where Jim did and wind up where he did. It affirms your faith in human nature.” His partner, John Wright, said the community “really took some knocks, and I hope people will realize that was unfair. These are warm, kind, wonderful people who really want to be with us. The show is over. They don’t have to be like this now.” Last week, the couple finally moved into the new home they won on the show.
Despite all of this, ABC “refuses to schedule the show or talk about it,” according to the Statesman. Its been reported that ABC is still brainstorming about ways to present the show.
Personally, I hope they do show this one, I'd watch it.
(If you wish to read the story in the Statesman, and are asked for a logon, use the email bugmenot@bugmenot.com, password bugmenot)
Welcome To The Neighborhood was supposed to have been a competition for a house featuring several families of different ethnic backgrounds. The existing neighbors in the Austin cul-de-sac were the judges, and from a few minor leaks from the early shows, apparently many questionable quotes fly that seem to peg the neighbors as racist and homophobic. Without seeing the episodes, many groups called for pulling the show and ABC obliged, shelving the series that would have run this summer in the Desperate Housewives slot.
In the meantime, news got out that the gay family won, and this week they moved into the home. In an interesting story, the Austin American-Statesman profiles the family and their new neighbors and looks at the transformation that was a part of the show.
Much of the controversy was over a homophobic man, Jim Stewart, who was shown in previews saying, “I would not tolerate living next door to homosexuals.” The Wright family ultimately won series, which may be surprising because they are a gay couple who have an adopted black child. But as the show progressed, Stewart grew close with them.
And as it turns out, one of Jim Stewart’s sons, Jason, is gay (a fact neither the producers nor his neighbors were aware of), and Stewart’s experience on the show led him to strengthen his relationship with his son. Jim Stewart says that after growing to know the Wrights, he called his son. “I told him, ‘Dad was wrong. I’m sorry.’ I might have gone forever like I was without the Wrights.”
Last week, Jim Stewart even spoke at a vigil protesting the proposed Texas constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage, the paper reports.
Steve Wright says, “I was shocked somebody could start where Jim did and wind up where he did. It affirms your faith in human nature.” His partner, John Wright, said the community “really took some knocks, and I hope people will realize that was unfair. These are warm, kind, wonderful people who really want to be with us. The show is over. They don’t have to be like this now.” Last week, the couple finally moved into the new home they won on the show.
Despite all of this, ABC “refuses to schedule the show or talk about it,” according to the Statesman. Its been reported that ABC is still brainstorming about ways to present the show.
Personally, I hope they do show this one, I'd watch it.
(If you wish to read the story in the Statesman, and are asked for a logon, use the email bugmenot@bugmenot.com, password bugmenot)
