Julia Child singing a Frank Sinatra duet with her drag doppelgänger at a gay bar has to be just about the queerest thing on straight television this year, thus far. Somebody better tip a b*tch with filet mignon.
Spoiler Alert: In episode 5 of HBO’s Julia, fellow chef James Beard (Christian Clemenson) invites Julia (Sarah Lancashire) for an exciting night out during her weekend trip in San Francisco, though he fails to mention the venue’s theme of men who have sex with men. What can possibly go wrong?
Julia immediately glances around the visibly queer space with unease and discomfort, expressing to James that he should’ve warned her. Talk about a hetero buzzkill. He responds sheepishly, “I was afraid you wouldn’t come.” But thankfully, it’s fiction based on facts, and the show writers knew the last thing we need on our screens is another LGBTQ hindered person. But no boring bigots to be seen here, as the scene closes in notorious Julia-style with her realizing the absolute sanctuary and liberation of her surroundings.
You can’t help but think about your own mom and wonder how she would react, most likely, not unlike Julia if she would be unexpectedly ambushed by homosexuals and her manly clone. However, as America’s favorite chef’s facial expression transforms from confusion to endearment, she becomes a motherly beacon for every gay unable to share this experience with their parent. Don’t we all wish our mom to be a little conservative, a little old-fashioned, but also an independent woman who don’t need no man? In the series, Julia’s personality dances beautifully between a woman of her time and a lady of the future.
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As Julia accepts Drag Julia’s offer to join her on stage for a comical rendition of “It Had to Be You,” this would be a good time to refill your poison. A+ for effort, but like any brave drag queen who chooses to sing live, they’ll sound better with every drink.
Here is the official trailer for the series below:
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Dijonaise
I was under the impression that Julia was a homophobe and uttered outrageously defamatory things about gays. Is this a redemption campaign or did she really repent, and come around on that front?
inrehearsal
In the recent documentary, “Julia,” her homophobia was discussed. She evolved when a close associate became ill with and eventually died of AIDS. As JPGUY states, she became a staunchy advocate and fund-raiser for the community. Just to clarify, though, AIDS is still an epidemic.
monty clift
It’s interesting this topic came up of Julia Child’s being a major homophobe on another forum, the general excuse was “well, she was a product of her time.” I’m sure they wouldn’t have said that had it been a racist or anti-jew, but apparently homophobia is okay. Yet these same people will call John Wayne a bigot even now.
Kangol2
She was racist as well. But that’s been excused too.
JPGUY
She was a huge supporter during the AIDS epidemic. Julia doesn’t need a tv show for redemption. I lived in Cambridge then and it was well known within the gay community.
inrehearsal
Butterfingers typist here: that should have been “staunch,” not “stauncy!”
Beanie16
First I am loving this show. I am an “Anglophile” I love British television and movies so I’ve watched multi BAFTA award winning Sarah Lancashire in many different roles, from cops to a lesbian headmistress in the must binge watch ‘Last Tango in Halifax’ about her 70yr old father rekindling and marrying his teenage sweetheart. So when I saw she was staring in Julia I knew it was going to be a great show. Now about Julia Child being homophobic is interesting given the accounts of her time in Europe especially in Paris how could she have not been exposed to and socialized with at least some of the gay community, they were what what was then called “worldly” party people. I’m happy to hear Julia Child did in fact become an friend of ours. No matter, I predict that the whole cast and show are going to be strong contenders for awards.