Ilene Chaiken, creator of The L Word, has already explained to the Times that she rejects “the idea that pop television is a political medium,” and refuses to “take on the mantle of social responsibility.” No wonder the second season, like the first, is entirely devoted to chlorinated water, loud music, pricey apartments, warm weather, hot bodies, and sizzling sex. Nobody ever reads a book, not even guest star Sandra Bernhard, who is supposed to teach writing. Nobody even goes to a movie. Someone, Tina, does go to a lawyer, who hits on her, of course. Everyone is too hard on Bette, but especially Alice, who should button her lip if she can’t keep her hands off Dana in the ladies’ room. It’s a soap with nipples.

The L Word
Showtime
Sundays, Starting February 20, 10 to 11 P.M.

Related:

• Archive: “Television”
• Articles by John Leonard
• Table of Contents: February 21, 2005 issue of New York | Subscribe!