Today's Entertainment

2 • December 8 - 14, 2019 • Brainerd Dispatch By Breanna Henry TV Media S howtime has always been up for taking a risk. A drug-dealing sub- urban mom and an awkwardly heroic serial killer were widely considered too objectionable for audiences in 2005, yet "Weeds" and "Dexter" both skyrocketed to phenom status (along with their casts and creators) when Showtime took a chance on them. More recent series such as "Shameless" and "Ray Donovan" have continued the trend. Major networks have declined to even glance at many of the series Showtime has greenlit, and over the years, the network's open-minded- ness and forward-thinking have turned those shows into mainstream cultural sensations. On Sunday, Dec. 8, Showtime is taking a new kind of chance. For the first time ever, the network is reviving one of its own un- expected hits, as "The L Word: Gener- ation Q" brings the 2004 original se- ries "The L Word" into the modern era. Fans of the old show will be ecstatic to see the return of origi- nal cast members, and new fans will appreciate the rise of brand- new breakout stars. "The L Word" was an hour-long drama featuring an ensemble cast of women. The series followed a diverse group of 20-somethings as they went about their daily lives in West Holly- wood trying to navigate their many (often disastrous) relationships. Showtime has never been one to shy away from sexuality in its programs, and "The L Word" was no exception; what was different about the show was that all of the main characters, and most other characters, were part of the LGBTQ community. The women of "The L Word" were a varied bunch — some were open and proud, some were curious, questioning or closeted, and the series showed audi- ences that gay women were not all cut from the same cloth, and that they definitely didn't all look like Ellen DeGeneres (though many would be pleased as punch if they did). The fic- tional characters of "The L Word" were living the kinds of vastly differ- ing lives and partaking in the differ- ent types of relationships that real- life queer women were, with a whole lot of dramatic flare thrown in to keep viewers hooked. "The L Word: Generation Q" fea- tures the return of original series stars Jennifer Beals ("Flashdance," 1983), indie-pop musician Leisha Hailey ("Dead Ant," 2017) and actor Katherine Moennig ("Ray Donovan") as Bette Porter, Alice Pieszecki and Shane McCutcheon, respectively. A few new actresses and actors also get the chance to shine in this sequel, including Jacqueline Toboni ("Grimm") as an executive as- sistant named Sarah; Arienne Mandi ("In the Vault") as Bette's new lover, Dani; and Leo Sheng ("Adam," 2019) as Micah, a profes- sor. The return of Beals, Pieszecki and Moennig gives fans high hopes for the revival; since "The L Word" was such a big part of these women's careers, sign- ing on signals their belief in the script Showtime has put together. While Shane, Bette and Alice were on the air from 2004 to 2009, "The L Word" was THE show for lesbian, queer and questioning television au- diences. The year before "The L Word" premiered, only two of 674 fe- male characters on prime-time televi- sion (0.2%) were lesbians, and the queer community was crying out for more representation. That's not to say this show was perfect in its representation, or even that it lived up to the responsibility it had. No one on "The L Word" ever seemed to have to go to work, every- one seemed to be rich (even Shane, the drug-taking, hypersexual hair- dresser), and everyone was involved in some kind of affair all of the time, usually with each other. Still, it was a far cry from the LGBTQ tropes run- ning rampant on network television in the preceding years. The important thing is that "The L Word" broke ground for the shows that came after it, including Netflix's cross-culturally popular "Orange Is the New Black" (created by "Weeds" creator Jenji Kohan, yet another rea- son to thank Showtime) and CW's newest Arrowverse series, "Batwom- an." Showtime is finally getting the chance to bring the dated stereo- types and the oft-problematic story- lines of "The L Word" into the mod- ern age with "Generation Q"; select- ing L.A. Outfest award winner Marja- Lewis Ryan as showrunner gives the show a promising start. There were six seasons and multi- ple spinoffs of "The L Word," which was unabashedly serialized with al- most no episodic gratuities. Luckily, new viewers can watch a relatively short recap of the entire series on YouTube, and you will have to suffer through the cringe-inducing theme song ("The L Word" by Betty) at least once to really understand the pain of those who watched it when it aired. There is a whole lot to catch up on: the series began with an affair, ended with a murder and was not lacking in dramatics anywhere in between. The new series is sure to be full of similar flare, but its characters should be a little more down to earth. Tune in to the series premiere of "The L Word: Generation Q" when it airs Sunday, Dec. 8, on Showtime. Love is all around Showtime reboots an old favorite with 'The L Word: Generation Q' Cover Story this week Jennifer Beals as seen in "The L Word: Generation Q" A Little Late With Lilly Singh With an adult perspective, Mario should have taken a hint. Princess Peach was never really into him. She wasn't kidnapped by Bowzer, he had a castle! She was leveling up! Conan A fan is suing Madonna for pushing back the start time of her concert two hours. The fan said, "I can't stay up that late, I'm as old as Madonna!" Congressman Mike Turner said that the Constitution does not admit hearsay. He admitted he doesn't know that firsthand, it's just something he heard somewhere. The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon I want to say congrats to "Sesame Street" for turning 50 years old. You can tell some of the "Sesame Street" characters are getting old because Cookie Monster now shouts, "Me want Belvita biscuit to keep self regular." The Late Show With Stephen Colbert I hope everybody out there is all bundled up because 70% of the country is in the grip of an Arctic blast. In New York, it dropped 40 degrees in 24 hours. It's so cold the Empire State building shrunk from 102 stories to 63. The Late Late Show with James Corden Donald Jr. has a new book, Nicki Haley has a new book. Meanwhile, Eric Trump was back home working on his new book and, we can reveal, he still hasn't found Waldo. Late Night With Seth Meyers Kanye West is suggesting that he may legally change his name to "Christian Genius Billionaire Kanye West." But I'm going to keep calling him "Mr. Kardashian." Late Laughs Downloadthe"VistBrainerd"App intheAppleorGooglePlayStores. Events,lodgingandthingstodo inthepalmofyourhand. VISITBRAINERD PlanningYour VisittoBrainerd JustGotEasier. TheOfficialDMOforBaxterandBrainerd,MN EntertainmentGuide_July_2x4.indd 1 6/26/2019 12:42:53PM To help support BCA: Make a tax deductible donation: BrainerdCommunityAction.org and use the "Click Here to Donate" Button. Brainerd Community Action is looking forward to launching its very first COMMUNITY GIVE BACK GRANT! Contact Cassie with questions at Cassie@BrainerdCommunityAction.org Truth Lutheran Church 501 Kingwood Street, Brainerd, MN (Corner of 5th & Kingwood) truthlutheranchurch.com An LCMC Congregation …Lutheran Congregation in Mission for Christ Sunday worship 9 AM Fellowship and Sunday school following worship

• Cover