911 buck gay

By CT Jones.

‘9-1-1’ Committed to a Gay Character. Will Other Shows Follow Suit?

When TV series aired its th episode on April 4, the Los Angeles-set ABC firefighter drama, known for pitting its characters against tsunamis and hijacked cruise ships, did something so wild, so unexpected, that even day-one fans were left shocked: They had one of their main characters kiss another man.

The main character in question — self-avowed reformed sex addict Buck Oliver Stark — has been a fan favorite since the Ryan Murphy series premiered in The young firefighter quickly became known for his womanizing ways, which were often contrasted with his deep and meaningful friendship with fellow firefighter Eddie Diaz Ryan Guzman.

Online, Buck has also become a popular character for viewers to read as queer. Queerbaiting is a term for when shows use queer relationships to draw viewers in, but never actualize them. It gained widespread use in online fandoms in the s, with television series like Buffy the Vampire SlayerSupernaturalRizzoli and Islesand Teen Wolfwhich all included peripheral gay characters but never committed to allowing their main character to be queer.

And while is only one show, fans are curious — could this decision spark a sea change in how network tv approaches queer storylines? But while showrunner Tim Minear floated the idea to him as a possibility for Season Four, it was ultimately axed. Subsequent scenes and episodes tackle the struggles Buck has with coming out late in life, including figuring out who to come out to and how to date men.

But rather than help, he says it made the show worse. Since the rise of social media, the relationship between fan desires and network plans has grown increasingly complicated, especially as fans have more access than ever to give actors and writers their direct demands.

The California TikToker, 30, tells Rolling Stone that even though queer characters are more present in network shows nowadays, she often finds them relegated to side tropes and stereotypes. While she enjoys shipping not-explicitly queer characters, she says that queerbaiting has actually led her to stop watching some shows entirely.

While I understand that showrunners and writers have a vision and a flow for these shows, I also think that being open to hearing what your fan base feels and wants is crucial to the loyalty and longevity of shows. While network television is often dismissed when compared to prestige channels and new streaming content, its massive viewership still gives it a major impact on culture.

The premiere of season 7 of had 4. According to Julia Himberg, a film and media studies professor at Arizona State University, the sheer number of people network television shows reach often means popular shows have a direct relationship with social change and understanding — which makes representation increasingly important for viewers and queerbaiting especially hurtful.

And viewership numbers often show that leaning into popular storylines can have a positive effect. Now, online fandoms are hopeful that other network shows might take note. Ships keep us coming back for more and more. Not all queer people come out or even acknowledge their queerness at young ages.

Some of us come into ourselves later in life and seeing a man in his thirties beginning his journey has been so beautiful to see. Rolling Stone is a part of 911 buck gay Media Corporation. All rights reserved. View all posts by CT Jones. May 6, The Greatest Albums of All 911 buck gay.

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