CBS Attempts A Transgender Storyline In A Monday-Night Sitcom

Last week, I was delighted to discover that I like Mike & Molly. So naturally, the latest episode features a scene that makes me question my praise. Chuck Lorre, you've done it again!

The episode finds the newly unemployed Molly pursuing a new career path — writing contemporary crime fiction — for which purpose she finagles a ride-along with Mike and his partner, Carl. When they take a break at their usual diner, a cute lady at the counter sends Carl over a chocolate milkshake, and he panics. "Carl, good for you, she's gorgeous!" says Molly sweetly. "You mean he's gorgeous," drawls Mike. Molly is dubious, but waiter Samuel confirms it: "Every inch of him."

Turns out the milkshake patron is Lucette, a transwoman who's had a history with Carl — and with the show: Carl's encounter with her was already mentioned (as "the shemale incident of '08") in an episode back in February that got the network in trouble with GLAAD. At the time, CBS committed to meet with representatives of GLAAD and, I guess, get educated as to why it's not really okay to dehumanize an offscreen character by suggesting that she — and, by extension, most other transgender people — are just going around trapping feckless straighties with their sexual deceptions.

Soooooooo...if the scene in this week's episode is the result of this GLAAD meeting, it's still kind of problematic, as you can surmise from the dialogue I've already quoted above. And yet, the degree to which it works is thanks 100% to McCarthy. First, she invites Lucette to join her, Mike, and Carl. Then, even as Carl continues acting sheepish and Mike continues lording the incident over him, Molly politely asks Lucette whether she will answer some questions to help Molly with research for her hypothetical crime novel.

Of course, because this is a Monday-night sitcom on CBS, the question is how Lucette manages to disguise her genitals, but since Lucette tells Molly she has nothing to hide (Carl: "The hell you don't!") and Molly is respectful in her curiosity, the exchange between Molly and Lucette doesn't feel invasive. Though Lucette's answer inspires Molly with an idea for a novel about a cop and his "cross-dressing informant, and the title An Officer And His Gentleman doesn't follow good trans etiquette, McCarthy's manner as Molly is so kindly and good-natured that she comes across as an honestly well-meaning person trying to understand an unconventional life — and is, needless to say, the only one in the scene who does.

I'm not sure the scene is going to satisfy GLAAD representatives that their direct intervention in Mike & Molly was as effective as it might have been; if producers plan to include trans characters in future episodes, they could use a refresher on...everything. But if GLAAD can't get operatives out in advance of the taping date, at least we can all count on McCarthy's good ear, good instincts, and just general goodness — her obvious humanity — to put over even the most potentially troublesome material.

And yes: someone on a Chuck Lorre show doesn't just possess humanity, but behaves in ways that make it obvious! Let's all enjoy this moment, because we may never seen another in our lifetime.