He's a Crowd
Encyclopedia
"He's a Crowd" is a 1991 episode of the American legal drama L.A. Law
. In it, attorney Michael Kuzak defends a man with multiple personalities accused of murder, attorney Rosalind Shays helps her lover Leland McKenzie help a client, attorney Arnold Becker's divorce proceeds and attorneys Abby Perkins and C.J. Lamb work together to raise Abby's profile at the firm and find themselves sharing an intimate moment. It is the 12th episode of season 5 and was written by David E. Kelley
.
"He's a Crowd" is the first of a series of lesbian kiss episode
s, in which a female character who identifies as lesbian or bisexual kisses a female character who identifies as heterosexual. The episode generated some controversy when it aired, with a handful of advertisers removing their commercials from the broadcast. Although later episodes of the season indicated that a romantic relationship between Abby and C.J. might develop, it did not and Michele Greene
, who played Abby, departed the series at the end of the season.
, from charges that he murdered his girlfriend. Testimony from one of his alternate personalities indicates that another personality, Sean, committed the murder. However, under stress a previously unknown personality, a woman named Camille Green, emerges and confesses that she committed the murder because Gregory's girlfriend had caused him pain by breaking off their relationship. She also murdered Gregory's father, a death long thought to have been suicide. Rather than allow either Gregory or Sean to suffer in prison, Camille puts them "to sleep" and becomes the dominant personality.
A long-term client comes to Leland McKenzie, concerned that a member of his board of directors is trying to force him out of the company he founded. Leland, his lover Rosalind Shays and attorney Anne Kelsey work together to prove that the board member is corrupt and force him out instead.
Arnold Becker's divorce from Corrine moves forward and Arnold fires long-time secretary Roxeanne Melman after she is forced to give a deposition about his extra-marital affairs. Managing partner Douglas Brackman hires her as the new office manager.
After being passed over for a partnership
, attorney Abby Perkins works with C.J. Lamb to increase Abby's revenue from her work. After a celebratory dinner, the two share an intimate kiss. While initially surprised, Abby expresses some interest in exploring the situation.
included a kiss between series regular Holly Robinson Peete and guest star Katy Boyer
in "A Change of Heart" (1990) but it did not inspire the critical or popular attention later such kisses would engender (Capsuto, p. 235). C.J. Lamb (Amanda Donohoe
) describes her sexuality as "flexible" and Abby Perkins (Michele Greene
) is portrayed as heterosexual. NBC stated that it did not intend the episode to establish a lesbian character but was simply an attempt to add "texture" to Lamb's character. There was some advertiser backlash. Around five sponsors pulled their ads from the episode, but NBC was able to replace them, albeit at a reduced rate. Donald Wildmon
of the American Family Association
called for advertiser boycotts and letter-writing campaigns. However, NBC only received 85 phone calls about the episode on the night of broadcast and almost half of them were supportive. Speaking of the potential for viewer and advertiser backlash, L. A. Law producer Patricia Green
said, "There are probably twenty-five million gay people out there, all of whom have friends and relatives and loved ones. That is so many more people than those…who are liable to be offended by it that, to us, the advertiser saying ‘We lose business’ is irrelevant. It’s a perception, not a fact." The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation
praised the episode and noted that Lamb was then the only lesbian or bisexual series regular on American television. The kiss was mentioned in virtually every story about L.A. Law for months afterward.
Later episodes seemed to indicate that C.J. and Abby were interested in exploring a romantic relationship. However, Greene left the series at the end of the season. A female former lover of C.J.'s was introduced in one episode of the following season ("The Nut Before Christmas") but as the season progressed C.J. became involved with a male attorney. Donohoe left L.A. Law at the end of season six and in the season seven opener it is mentioned that C.J. has left the firm to join the LPGA.
In the years following "He's a Crowd", several American television series included episodes in which an ostensibly heterosexual female character kisses or is kissed by a character who is apparently lesbian or bisexual. These often occurred during "sweeps" periods, times when the Nielsen ratings
are used by broadcasters to set advertising rates. The New York Times
, examining the practice, concluded that "kisses between women are perfect sweeps stunts". Other early lesbian kiss episodes that sparked controversy included "Sugar and Spice
", a 1993 episode of the series Picket Fences
that David E. Kelley also wrote, and "Don't Ask, Don't Tell
", an episode of Roseanne
that aired in 1994. Michele Greene confirmed in an interview with the lesbian-interest website AfterEllen.com
that her character's kiss with C.J. was indeed a ratings ploy and that there was never any intention on the part of producers to seriously explore the possibility of a relationship between two women.
L.A. Law
L.A. Law is a US television legal drama that ran on NBC from September 15, 1986 to May 19, 1994. L.A. Law reflected the social and cultural ideologies of the 1980s and early 1990s and many of the cases featured on the show dealt with hot topic issues such as abortion, racism, gay rights,...
. In it, attorney Michael Kuzak defends a man with multiple personalities accused of murder, attorney Rosalind Shays helps her lover Leland McKenzie help a client, attorney Arnold Becker's divorce proceeds and attorneys Abby Perkins and C.J. Lamb work together to raise Abby's profile at the firm and find themselves sharing an intimate moment. It is the 12th episode of season 5 and was written by David E. Kelley
David E. Kelley
David Edward Kelley is an American television writer and producer, known as the creator of Picket Fences, Chicago Hope, The Practice, Ally McBeal, Boston Public, Boston Legal and Harry's Law, as well as several films. Kelley is one of the only screenwriters to have had a show created by him run on...
.
"He's a Crowd" is the first of a series of lesbian kiss episode
Lesbian kiss episode
The "lesbian kiss episode" is a sub-genre of the U.S. television media created in the 1990s. Beginning in 1991 with a kiss on L.A. Law episode "He's a Crowd" between C.J...
s, in which a female character who identifies as lesbian or bisexual kisses a female character who identifies as heterosexual. The episode generated some controversy when it aired, with a handful of advertisers removing their commercials from the broadcast. Although later episodes of the season indicated that a romantic relationship between Abby and C.J. might develop, it did not and Michele Greene
Michele Greene
Michele Dominguez Greene is an American actress, singer, and songwriter, perhaps most well-known for her role as attorney Abigail "Abby" Perkins in L.A. Law from 1986 - 1991. She returned to that role in 2002 for the TV "reunion" film L.A...
, who played Abby, departed the series at the end of the season.
Plot
Michael Kuzak defends Gregory Edmonson, a man with multiple personalitiesDissociative identity disorder
Dissociative identity disorder is a psychiatric diagnosis and describes a condition in which a person displays multiple distinct identities , each with its own pattern of perceiving and interacting with the environment....
, from charges that he murdered his girlfriend. Testimony from one of his alternate personalities indicates that another personality, Sean, committed the murder. However, under stress a previously unknown personality, a woman named Camille Green, emerges and confesses that she committed the murder because Gregory's girlfriend had caused him pain by breaking off their relationship. She also murdered Gregory's father, a death long thought to have been suicide. Rather than allow either Gregory or Sean to suffer in prison, Camille puts them "to sleep" and becomes the dominant personality.
A long-term client comes to Leland McKenzie, concerned that a member of his board of directors is trying to force him out of the company he founded. Leland, his lover Rosalind Shays and attorney Anne Kelsey work together to prove that the board member is corrupt and force him out instead.
Arnold Becker's divorce from Corrine moves forward and Arnold fires long-time secretary Roxeanne Melman after she is forced to give a deposition about his extra-marital affairs. Managing partner Douglas Brackman hires her as the new office manager.
After being passed over for a partnership
Partnership
A partnership is an arrangement where parties agree to cooperate to advance their mutual interests.Since humans are social beings, partnerships between individuals, businesses, interest-based organizations, schools, governments, and varied combinations thereof, have always been and remain commonplace...
, attorney Abby Perkins works with C.J. Lamb to increase Abby's revenue from her work. After a celebratory dinner, the two share an intimate kiss. While initially surprised, Abby expresses some interest in exploring the situation.
Lesbian kiss episode
"He's a Crowd" was the first in a series of "lesbian kiss episodes", in which a lesbian or bisexual character kisses a female character identified as heterosexual.21 Jump Street21 Jump Street
21 Jump Street is an American police procedural crime drama television series that aired on the Fox Network from April 12, 1987, to April 27, 1991, with a total of 103 episodes. The series focused on a squad of youthful-looking undercover police officers investigating crimes in high schools,...
included a kiss between series regular Holly Robinson Peete and guest star Katy Boyer
Katy Boyer
Katy Boyer is an American actress-Filmography:* Minority Report - Mother* Tripfall - Lonnie Campos* Three Secrets - Cassie...
in "A Change of Heart" (1990) but it did not inspire the critical or popular attention later such kisses would engender (Capsuto, p. 235). C.J. Lamb (Amanda Donohoe
Amanda Donohoe
Amanda Donohoe is an English film and television actress. She is known for her 1980s relationship with popstar Adam Ant and her later work on television — including L.A. Law and Emmerdale — and her roles in successful movies including Liar, Liar.-Early life:Donohoe was born in London, the daughter...
) describes her sexuality as "flexible" and Abby Perkins (Michele Greene
Michele Greene
Michele Dominguez Greene is an American actress, singer, and songwriter, perhaps most well-known for her role as attorney Abigail "Abby" Perkins in L.A. Law from 1986 - 1991. She returned to that role in 2002 for the TV "reunion" film L.A...
) is portrayed as heterosexual. NBC stated that it did not intend the episode to establish a lesbian character but was simply an attempt to add "texture" to Lamb's character. There was some advertiser backlash. Around five sponsors pulled their ads from the episode, but NBC was able to replace them, albeit at a reduced rate. Donald Wildmon
Donald Wildmon
Donald E. Wildmon is an ordained United Methodist minister, author, former radio host, and founder and chairman emeritus of the American Family Association and American Family Radio.-Biography:...
of the American Family Association
American Family Association
The American Family Association is a 501 non-profit organization that promotes conservative Christian values, such as opposition to same-sex marriage, pornography, and abortion, as well as other public policy goals such as deregulation of the oil industry and lobbying against the Employee Free...
called for advertiser boycotts and letter-writing campaigns. However, NBC only received 85 phone calls about the episode on the night of broadcast and almost half of them were supportive. Speaking of the potential for viewer and advertiser backlash, L. A. Law producer Patricia Green
Patricia Green
Patricia Green is an American television producer and writer.-Career:Green worked as a writer and producer on Cagney & Lacey and won two Emmy Awards for her work on the series. The first was in 1985 for Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series. The second was in 1986 for Outstanding Drama Series. She...
said, "There are probably twenty-five million gay people out there, all of whom have friends and relatives and loved ones. That is so many more people than those…who are liable to be offended by it that, to us, the advertiser saying ‘We lose business’ is irrelevant. It’s a perception, not a fact." The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation
Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation
The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation is a non-governmental media monitoring organization which promotes the image of LGBT people in the media...
praised the episode and noted that Lamb was then the only lesbian or bisexual series regular on American television. The kiss was mentioned in virtually every story about L.A. Law for months afterward.
Later episodes seemed to indicate that C.J. and Abby were interested in exploring a romantic relationship. However, Greene left the series at the end of the season. A female former lover of C.J.'s was introduced in one episode of the following season ("The Nut Before Christmas") but as the season progressed C.J. became involved with a male attorney. Donohoe left L.A. Law at the end of season six and in the season seven opener it is mentioned that C.J. has left the firm to join the LPGA.
In the years following "He's a Crowd", several American television series included episodes in which an ostensibly heterosexual female character kisses or is kissed by a character who is apparently lesbian or bisexual. These often occurred during "sweeps" periods, times when the Nielsen ratings
Nielsen Ratings
Nielsen ratings are the audience measurement systems developed by Nielsen Media Research, in an effort to determine the audience size and composition of television programming in the United States...
are used by broadcasters to set advertising rates. The New York Times
The New York Times
The New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
, examining the practice, concluded that "kisses between women are perfect sweeps stunts". Other early lesbian kiss episodes that sparked controversy included "Sugar and Spice
Sugar & Spice (Picket Fences)
"Sugar & Spice" is an episode of the CBS comedy-drama series Picket Fences. Written by series creator David E. Kelley and directed by Alan Myerson, the episode originally aired on April 29, 1993...
", a 1993 episode of the series Picket Fences
Picket Fences
Picket Fences is a 60-minute American television drama about the residents of the fictional town of Rome, Wisconsin, created and produced by David E. Kelley. The show initially ran from September 18, 1992, to June 26, 1996, on the CBS television network in the United States...
that David E. Kelley also wrote, and "Don't Ask, Don't Tell
Don't Ask, Don't Tell (Roseanne)
"Don't Ask, Don't Tell" is an episode of the American situation comedy series Roseanne. Written by James Berg and Stan Zimmerman and directed by Philip Charles MacKenzie, "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" was the 18th episode of season 6. It follows lead character Roseanne Conner on her visit to a gay bar...
", an episode of Roseanne
Roseanne (TV series)
Roseanne is an American sitcom broadcast on ABC from October 18, 1988 to May 20, 1997. Starring Roseanne Barr, the show revolved around the Conners, an Illinois working class family...
that aired in 1994. Michele Greene confirmed in an interview with the lesbian-interest website AfterEllen.com
AfterEllen.com
AfterEllen.com, founded in April 2002, is a website that focuses on the portrayal of lesbian and bisexual women in the media. AfterElton.com, its brother site for gay and bisexual men, was launched in January 2005. The websites were founded by Sarah Warn, who initially served as the editor in...
that her character's kiss with C.J. was indeed a ratings ploy and that there was never any intention on the part of producers to seriously explore the possibility of a relationship between two women.
See also
- List of American television episodes with LGBT themes, 1990–1997
- Media portrayal of lesbianismMedia portrayal of lesbianismLesbians often attract media attention, particularly in relation to feminism, love and sexual relationships, marriage and parenting. Some writers have asserted this trend can lead to exploitative and unjustified plot devices.-Fiction:...
External links
- "He's a Crowd" at the Internet Movie DatabaseInternet Movie DatabaseInternet Movie Database is an online database of information related to movies, television shows, actors, production crew personnel, video games and fictional characters featured in visual entertainment media. It is one of the most popular online entertainment destinations, with over 100 million...