Controversial MTV Comedy Taught Everyone a Lesson in Queer Representation 11 Years Ago
Back at the time, this campy MTV series got me hooked. Now I think it's your turn to give it a second chance or discover it for the first time ever.
I've always thought that the beauty of television is mainly in its ability to challenge our preconceptions. Trying to keep an open mind is always crucial, especially when it comes to such a creative field.
A show that I want to talk about today had its share of controversies even before it came out. But surprisingly enough, the series turned all the rumors around and ended up being fun and not at all what we viewers expected from it. I watched this show back when I was a teenager, but before you'll think that it's just my nostalgia talking, give this one a chance.
Faking It (2014-2016): First Impressions Are Deceiving
The show's premise is where they lost a lot of potential viewers (and it's quite understandable): two best friends pretend to be a lesbian couple to gain popularity at their progressive high school. I know it sounds absolutely ridiculous and suggests that something could go terribly wrong.
In an interview to Swoon celebrating 10th anniversary of the show, Rita Volk revealed:
“It is always a little unnerving to be a part of something people might not get or might find offensive. I remember, I think it was right before it came out, the word going around was that we were glamorizing this very hard and serious thing people go through. It was called tacky and offensive. And my character was the one that liked a girl, so I was trying to figure out how to navigate that.”
Why Faking It Deserves Your Attention (Despite Its Questionable Synopsis)
The same concern that Volk had was a general consensus of why the series didn't deserve your attention.
However, the show managed to subvert expectations by treating its premise with surprising depth and sensitivity. Sure, Karma (Katie Stevens) and Amy (Volk) relationship started as a problematic concept, but it evolved into a thoughtful exploration of identity and self-discovery with Amy actually falling for her best friend and searching to find answers.
It doesn't shy away from the complications, the hurt feelings or the genuine confusion that comes with questioning your identity. As Slate’s June Thomas noted:
“Sometimes, the jokes feel mean and even dangerous, but by moving through that intermediary stage and eventually demonstrating why commonly held attitudes are hurtful and wrong, the show manages to be both entertaining and educational.”
The show doesn’t avoid problematic elements. Instead it addresses them head-on and shows why this is harmful. So if you're ready to give this one another chance, you can watch all three seasons on Fandango at Home, Amazon Video, or Apple TV+.
