But my dream project? I was reading a message board one time, which I should never do, because people write some really stupid things, but someone was like, “I don’t like the title Huge, I think it’s offensive. That’s like having a show with a bunch of gay kids and callling it Queer.” And I’m like, I WOULD WRITE THAT SHOW! That literally is the show that I would write, and that would be my dream project. I’m not kidding. Not kidding even a little. … That’s what I want to do. That fictional show Queer, about a gay camp. Maybe it’s across the lake. Like a spin-off.
—Savannah Dooley, the 25-year-old writer behind ABC Family’s fat camp show Huge (which we loved), on her fantasy job [via; pictured: Harvey Guillen, who plays the gay character Alistair on Huge]
Mr. Enemabag Jones
Yes, because hets haven’t co-opted queer culture enough. I wonder when she’ll be writing a show called, “Nigger”?
Jorge
Savannah Dooley is the daughter of Winnie Holtz and they work together to write Huge. Holtz was one of the first (and probably the best) to shed light on teen queer culture on TV with My So-Called Life. Don’t think that can be called “co-opt[ing]” at all.
Jared
Jorge i agree with you
Savannah Dooley
@Mr. Enemabag Jones:
1. Why on earth would you assume I am straight?
2. If every straight writer shied away from writing queer stories (or, for that matter, if every white writer shied away from writing characters of other races) for fear of co-opting, how much shittier would media representation be than it already is?
Samwise
I’d watch it!
Most likely, though, no one would air it except HBO or Showtime. Even if the characters did nothing more than hold hands.
Justin
He needs to lose some of the fat first. We have enough bad examples on TV.
Savannah Dooley
@Justin:
Does showing *** people on TV encourage kids to become *** or does it promote diversity and help *** kids feel less alone?
Please insert “fat” or “gay” where appropriate.
Marcus M.
Pretty neat that Ms Dooley herself is commenting!
Huge has been very well done and sweet at its core. My only advice if there was a gay show…don’t make them all as weird as Alistair. He’s an individual and I know a lot of gay kids are too, but don’t make them all pretend to be cats in the woods. Because on Huge I feel like his oddness is being shown almost like its an effect of his sexuality.
Grunt
Check out this terrific interview with the out and proud Savannah Dooley on Advocate.com. http://www.advocate.com/Arts_and_Entertainment/Television/Large_and_In_Charge/