He's a Lady

He's a Lady is an American reality television series broadcast by the Turner Broadcasting System (TBS). The series premiered on October 19, 2004, while its sixth and final episode aired on November 16, 2004. Filmed in Los Angeles, California, the series depicted eleven men in competition for a $250,000 reward over who could most convincingly pass themselves off as a woman. The contestants were required to cross-dress and adopt feminine-personas, which they introduced to their families and friends. Additionally, the contestants competed in weekly challenges that required them to embrace their femininity. The competition culminated in a beauty pageant, which was judged by a celebrity panel including Morgan Fairchild, Debbie Matenopoulos, and John Salley. The series was hosted by American television presenter Tony Frassrand.

He's a Lady
GenreReality television
Created byTom Campbell
Bryan Hale
Presented byTony Frassrand
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes6
Production
Executive producersTom Campbell
Kathleen French
Dean Minerd
Robert Riesenberg
Douglas Ross
Greg Stewart
Production companyEvolution Film & Tape
Release
Original networkTBS
Original releaseOctober 19 (2004-10-19) –
November 16, 2004 (2004-11-16)

He's a Lady was a part of TBS's intent to capitalize on a rising interest in LGBT-themed reality television shows. The series received mixed reviews from critics, who mostly found the series's premise interesting yet its execution dull. The American Family Association, a Christian fundamentalist organization, boycotted the series, in which they urged the sponsors of He's a Lady to pull their advertising and financial support. As a result, the series's principal sponsor S. C. Johnson & Son dropped their sponsorship days before the series premiered. The series premiered to 1.70 viewers, although its ratings fell over time and it was shortly cancelled. In 2004, a lawsuit was filed against TBS and Evolution Film & Tape concerning copyright infringement over the series's concept.

Format
Refer to caption.
Contestant Michael, pictured before (left) and after (right) his transformation into "Scarlet"

Set in Los Angeles, the series depicted a group of eleven men in competition for a reward of $250,000.[1] The men were initially under the guise that they were set to participate in a competition-based reality show titled All American Man, in which they would compete in a variety of physical challenges. Upon arrival to Los Angeles, however, the men were informed that they would need to cross-dress and compete in challenges where they "live like ladies" in order to win the reward.[2] These challenges included training to be a supermodel, wedding planning, serving as a bridesmaid, and passing as a female in front of their family and friends.[3] During the competition, the men were required to live in the Doll House, a femininely decorated dwelling intended to "help them get in touch with their feminine sides."[1] The culmination of the show featured the men competing in a beauty pageant, in which each man was asked the following question: "What, as a lady, have you learned about being a man?”[2] The men's performances were judged by a celebrity panel, including Morgan Fairchild, John Salley, and Debbie Matenopoulos.[4] The series was hosted by American television presenter Tony Frassrand.

Production

TBS green-lit the series in early 2004, although its true premise was initially concealed by the network.[2] According to executive producer Tommy Campbell, the purpose of the series was for the contestants to become more sensitive to the needs of women and therefore treat women with more respect. Following the cancellation of the LGBT-themed Fox reality television series Seriously, Dude, I'm Gay before an episode even aired, the producers of He's a Lady wanted to be proactive in order to avoid a similar fate. Executive producers Douglas Ross and Campbell claimed that they approached the media monitoring organization GLAAD to get feedback on the series in an effort to avoid offending transgender people.[5] However, GLAAD claimed that they were the ones to contact the producers after having seen a press release about the series.[6] After meeting with the organization, Ross and Campbell stated that GLAAD helped them become "more aware of transgender issues and the double standards of beauty."[5]

Episodes
No.TitleOriginal air dateUS viewers
(millions)
1"Episode 1"October 19, 2004 (2004-10-19)1.70[7]
Contestants competing for $250,000 dress up as women and judges immediately eliminate four.
2"Episode 2"October 26, 2004 (2004-10-26)N/A
Settling in; learning feminine behavior, make-up and clothes; black cocktail dress.
3"Episode 3"November 2, 2004 (2004-11-02)N/A
Fashion modeling; photo shoot; yoga booty ballet; beachwear.
4"Episode 4"November 9, 2004 (2004-11-09)N/A
Planning a wedding; being bridesmaids; baby-and-me seminar; wedding gown fashion show.
5"Episode 5"November 16, 2004 (2004-11-16)N/A
Household chores; hosting party; baking a pie; slumber party; lingerie-themed ceremony.
6"Episode 6"November 23, 2004 (2004-11-23)N/A
Pageant; designing evening gown; winner picked.

Reception

Originally, the show was sponsored by S.C. Johnson Wax[8] but it was pulled out[9] later at the last minute on claiming that an SCJ spokesperson said "We've assessed the show, and we will not sponsor it".

Lawsuit

On November 28, 2004, He's a Lady was cited in a lawsuit filed by screenwriters John Phillips and Derek Gerard. The suit targeted the series's production company, Evolution Film & Tape, alongside the series's network, TBS. The screenwriters alleged copyright infringement against the two companies, in which they claimed that He's a Lady was substantially similar to their script Sex Change in terms of "plot, themes, dialogue, mood, setting, pace, characters and sequence of events."[10][11]

See also

References
  1. Welsh, James (August 27, 2004). "TBS announces new reality show". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on April 27, 2022. Retrieved April 27, 2022.
  2. Martin, Denise (August 29, 2004). "TBS reality show a real drag". Variety. Archived from the original on April 26, 2022. Retrieved April 26, 2022.
  3. "New TV show courts girlie men". The Washington Times. August 29, 2004. Archived from the original on April 26, 2022. Retrieved April 26, 2022.
  4. "New TBS reality show to make men live as women". The Advocate. August 31, 2004. Archived from the original on April 26, 2022. Retrieved April 26, 2022.
  5. Goodridge, Mike (October 26, 2004). "Dude looks like a lady". The Advocate. Vol. 925. p. 60.
  6. "Correction". The Advocate. Vol. 927. November 23, 2004. p. 6.
  7. "Development Update: December 1–3". The Futon Critic. Futon Media. December 3, 2004. Retrieved April 26, 2022.
  8. "TBS to premiere 'He's A Lady' gender-bending reality show on October 12". Reality TV World. 31 August 2004.
  9. Neff, Jack (13 October 2004). "SC JOHNSON PULLS OUT OF CROSS-DRESSING REALITY SHOW" – via AdAge.
  10. "TBS Sued Over He's a Lady". Multichannel News. 23 November 2004.
  11. Martin, Denise (November 28, 2004). "Suit tramps over 'Lady'". Variety. Archived from the original on February 1, 2023. Retrieved February 1, 2023.
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