361 replies to this topic

[snowbunny54]

Journalist Lisa Ling takes us on a look inside us, the world, and human behavior.

[Suz at Large]

Is the show really called "Loving Lisa Ling"? Sounds sexy! And right in line with OWN's other shows.

ETA: The OWN website has links to a show called "In the Bedroom with Dr. Laura Berman" and another called "Christina Ferrare's Big Bowl of Love." But I didn't see anything about a show with Lisa Ling.

Later edited to add: When I posted this comment, the title of this thread was just "Loving Lisa Ling On OWN," which really did sound like it was the show title. The actual show name of "Our America:" was added later and is helpful in properly identifying the show.

Edited by Suz at Large, Feb 23, 2011 @ 8:13 PM.

[Marla Singer]

I saw Lisa's show on the preview, but I can't remember what it was called. It looks pretty good. Did anyone catch the premiere date?

[LizDC]

According to the new Entertainment Weekly, the show is called "Our America with Lisa Ling" and it premieres on Feb. 16.

ETA: But OWN said it premieres on Jan. 30.

Edited by LizDC, Jan 2, 2011 @ 5:28 PM.

[OneLastRefrain]

I watched the transgendered episode last night. Really enjoyed it.

[camom]

I actually know one of the people featured on last night's transgender episode. Although I admit to finding gender changes uncomfortable, the show did give me some more insight. I thought it was handled really well.

[CherryRed11]

Sorry, Lisa Ling is cute and all, but her voice drives me nuts..she uses this weird intonation that I find annoying. (will probably watch anyway and just grit my teeth, because I like the type of stories she digs into...)

[GabGabs]

I think Lisa is one of the best reporters out there. Her style is so welcoming and she doesn't seem to be putting on some fake ass reality show when she's dealing with the people. She lets them talk and doesn't shout or talk over or around them, that is so rare to see, and she doesn't try to dig up things that could be "entertaining", she just wants to give them a chance to tell their story and remain true and honest to what she's told. Responsible reporting, when that used to be the norm who can barely remember but at least Lisa is keeping to the standard.

I think the show that aired last night was so inspirational and moving. I could never imagine being in such a position as those people were, being born in the wrong body and trying to live your life in a world that would rather label you a freak and outcast than understand your problem and offer any sort of help.

I felt so sorry for that one lady, D.L I think she renamed herself, who lost her wife and children because she finally couldn't take pretending to be a man anymore. Her after surgery looked great I thought, they did a very good job with her transformation, she was quite pretty. She did seem so down and lonely, as Lisa mentioned, so I hope now she is able to find true happiness and connect with people who will love and accept her as she is.

The little girl, Halley, was completely precious and cute as a button, she really looked like her real gender already without any help. But I do hope they can have things in place and ready to go when puberty starts up because that could just really mess with her head to have to start blooming as a boy when she should be growing up into womanhood. I actually wonder if they couldn't just go ahead and start helping her transform now but I am betting doctors probably wouldn't take on a child that young, at five, and would rather wait until she's older and "knows" for sure she's really a girl and this isn't some phase she's going through.

Tanya was just amazing to look at. Other than his very shapely hips, and the breasts he hatred, he was very masculine looking in appearance. It was just amazing for me to see what testosterone shots can truly do and how the human body can adapt to different hormones regardless of the actual born sex. His body was incredible, though I thought he seemed a little too wrapped up in exercising and trying to bulk up, I think once he gets a little more comfortable and used to his new body he will calm down. And he and his girlfriend made such a cute couple together, I hope they can make it work again. But really, those veins in his forehead worried me a little bit, those can't be a good sign I would think.

I think with so much attention being paid to the gay community it's great that Lisa and her show wanted to go beyond that and touch on an issue that is still considered so taboo and hush hush in our country. I hated hearing how so many transgendered individuals can end up depressed, self mutilators, and even suicidal. It just isn't right they have so little support and help offered.

[TinaBeana]

The moments when Steve realized he wouldn't walk again were heartbreaking. I don't believe in faith healers but, like Lisa, I was praying so hard for him and hoping if would really work. I was also very saddened when Lisa reported Carol's cancer had gotten worse.

I wonder how much of the cut Todd was getting, considering it cost $600 per person to attend that thing.

[Indy1]

I really like this show, it's fascinating. I'm a big fan of Lisa Ling, I like how she approaches things.

[simpleHope]

I only saw the faith healer one and I liked the show a lot better than I thought I would. Heartbreaking indeed. Steve was so full of hope. So very sweet when Lisa let him pray for her. She was gentle and kind with him. But $600 a person to attend that? I had no idea!!

[camom]

In the two episodes so far, I've really appreciated the even-handed, non-judgmental way the controversial topics have been handled. Lisa is putting the information out there, giving us an insight into these people's lives, but is leaving us to come to our own conclusions. I didn't expect to like it, but I do.

[GabGabs]

But $600 a person to attend that? I had no idea!!

Guys like that hack make so much money spewing their lies it's not even funny. I am glad Lisa exposed a little side of that world, but there really is so much more to it that people don't know about, or how bad it is. These men, and women, really swindle and work over people just like that poor guy who truly believe, in their heart, that God, through this human, will heal them and make them well., once they've paid a fee. It's just disgusting how they prey on the defenseless.

Some like to preach about a $1000 seed, or more, you send in to receive a proper blessing from God. Basically send in the $1000 seed and your reward will be doubled, etc, because God's blessing for you will be multiplied then. It really is just crazy and sad how many buy into it.

[Glass Ocean]

I've been catching the previews for the upcoming sex offenders episode and I'm not sure I want to watch it. Not sure I can stomach it. It just feels different to think about interviews with REAL offenders rather than actors on, say, L&O:SVU. I don't want to see their faces when I'm trying to fall asleep at night. So I guess I'll set the DVR and figure out how I feel the next morning.

[gingerblue]

The moments when Steve realized he wouldn't walk again were heartbreaking. I don't believe in faith healers but, like Lisa, I was praying so hard for him and hoping if would really work.

When he laid his hands on Lisa after not receiving his miracle, I wept. And I *NEVER* cry at anything- not when ET was captured, not when Ol' Yeller was shot, etc. But I was just crying and sniffling. I wanted it so badly for him, and then for him to lay his hands on her and try and pass whatever goodness he believed might come of the experience on to her... just so sad and touching.

[Marla Singer]

I wept at that to. The show was heartbreaking and I really appreciated the way Lisa handled it. She really treated the subjects with a lot of dignity.

[HopeWings16]

Just watched the sex offender episode. I guess it's the fact that I have a 3-month-old baby boy, so the term "sex offender" immediately terrifies me, but I never felt sympathy for any of these people. I was just sickened. Maybe I'm a horrible bitch, but I just couldn't past the crimes they committed, especially the guy who molested his step-daughters and then his wife, who when she met him, had a 2-year-old. I just can't imagine what would possess someone to put their child in that kind of jeopardy. She's as bad, or worse, than he is. Just sick.

she just wants to give them a chance to tell their story and remain true and honest to what she's told. Responsible reporting, when that used to be the norm who can barely remember but at least Lisa is keeping to the standard.

This. Even though I was extremely uncomfortable during this episode, the way Lisa handled it was extremely professional and empathetic. I don't see how Lisa managed empathy toward these people, but she did. She is a very talented reporter. Old-school style...impartial, not judgmental.

[AFDiva]

Love this show. Lisa was too good for 'The View'. I'm so happy to see her with this show and enjoy her reporting style.

[Di675]

I finally found this show on here. I assumed it would be under non-fiction and news shows. But I am really enjoying it and learning a lot. Lisa Ling is a rare host and journalist. She is so down to earth, relatable, and as others have said, very even and fair. You can feel her compassion and trying to understand everyone's point of view.

The "Pray the Gay Away" show was interesting, but I couldn't help but shake my head at those who really believe they can change. I can understand to some extent choosing to live a straight life, but to me this show helped prove you can't make yourself straight no matter how hard you might try.

ETA: The entire show, "Pray the Gay Away?" is available to watch on Oprah's site.

Edited by Di675, Mar 13, 2011 @ 5:33 PM.

[Marla Singer]

That episode was so frustrating. The only ones featured that I felt happy for were the gay teens at that camp. I couldn't help but wonder if the parents of the boy featured knew he was gay before he did. It seemed pretty quick that they found a new progressive camp for him almost immediately after he was rejected by his old camp for being flamoyant. They must has had his application on file.

I just felt bad for the "former" lesbian and drag queen.

[yourbabymomma]

The African American woman who said she lived as a lesbian for 14 years... Either she's kidding herself, or she was never really a lesbian in the first place.
She admitted to growing up in an abusive household and acknowledging that she associated black men with abuse. So if she gravitates toward women and has relationships with them, sexual or not, does that make you a lesbian? I don't really think so.
Now I'm not gay, don't have close gay friends or anything like that, so someone help me out here and clarify if you think what I'm saying could be factual.
You hear stories about people coming out of a hard childhood struggling with or experimenting with their sexuality. If they have a stint of same sex relationships does that make them gay?
See, this is why I don't think she converted from gay to straight.
Even the Exodus leader in so many words said you can't turn into a straight person. I think what they were trying to show was that if you wanted to leave the sexual part of being gay out of your life in exchange for holiness (or whatever) that they'd help you find ways to beat temptation. I suppose this is the same as if you were an alcoholic, using God and the church to help you through that.
The difference is that being gay isn't wrong or detrimental, like an addiction.
I was kind of confused though because even the Exodus leader was saying he knew he'd see gay people in Heaven, so what's wrong with being gay? Just the sexual aspect?
Because see, he's admitting right there that being gay is so much more than just your sexuality just like there's more to a person than just being gay or just being straight.
We saw that with the ex drag queen lol! He was adorable. I hope he gets the guidance he needs because he's currently tortured.
Exodus leader's marriage I think is more of an agreement and an arrangement. Yes, they love each other. Wonderful. Yes they care about each other. Great. But is is that romantic butterflies in your stomach attraction you're supposed to have when you're in love? Nope. Yes they have sex. Sex feels good regardless. They can have sex. Great. Very telling how it's taken a lot of time for the desire to be there, but I'd say that's a very animal thing.. We all need sexual relationships and he knew that because of his decision, male/female sex is what he'd get, so eventually he would desire it. This is kind of not much different from getting sexual pleasure out of an abuse/rape situation I don't think. We've all heard Oprah and Dr. Berman talk about how even in that situation, your body responds.
Anyhoo... I've met couples in my travels where I just knew the husband had to be gay. It always made me wonder if everyone in the relationship knew about this or if it was some badly kept secret. Always wondered if they were in it just so they could have a family and this seemed easier to them than coming out of the closet, adopting, etc. This has to be easier for lesbians I'd assume, because it really seems like it's more difficult to have your gaydar ping on a lesbian than it is a gay man. This, too, we've seen on Oprah!
The after show was crap, but only because of Gayle. Could she be any more condescending or annoying??? And Lisa Ling is so cool and collected. She has a well thought out, articulate answer every single time.
I wish people could just get over this nonsense. Even if it turns out to be true that God doesn't approve of homosexuality, it doesn't mean that you're condemned. We all have our differences, and there isn't anyone that can please God 100% because we are so much more than just our sexuality or our faith or our addictions or our mistakes. When I look at someone, I look at them as a whole, and I truly believe that God does too.

[yourbabymomma]

I'm the only one here!? Come on! Everyone loves Lisa Ling!
Just watched mail order brides.
David seemed like a decent guy. The others, creeptastic.
What I want to know is, that the woman he ended up with had her own business. Why would she want to move to America? I wonder what her business is? How about learning Spanish in the several months before going to Columbia? Rosetta Stone anyone??
Seems pretty obvious that the language barrier is the reason why the courtship is so short. Both the man and the woman assume an unspoken love and because neither can speak the other's language, there's not much to discuss. I cannot imagine the logistics of transferring a life from Columbia to the United States especially if you have a business and established life and a 9 year old. That's a big deal. Not so much if you're only 20 and don't have ties.. ya know?

[Glass Ocean]

I cannot imagine the logistics of transferring a life

I can. One of my neighbors married a woman with a young son from one of the Spanish-speaking islands. He had already met her in the US and they "dated" here and there for a year or two. They were married in July and by Valentine's Day she was on a plane back home with her son.

Among the problems I saw were language barriers, cultural misunderstandings, his not really wanting a child, alcohol, excessive smoking, and anger issues. Neither were emotionally mature. She had a significant problem fitting in with American women in the neighborhood, especially in terms of dress code. She had grown up in a rather poor area not dissimilar to those shown in the episode, so how much to spend for a pair of shoes or for food shopping were all issues. Whether to cook American style or island style became things they fought over. He wanted "his" house and dog and furniture to stay exactly the way they were before she arrived. In the end, the verbal and emotional abuse became too much for both of them.

I felt sorry for the little boy who had been in three schools in three countries with three different languages in about two and a half years.

[Sleepwalker12]

She had a significant problem fitting in with American women in the neighborhood, especially in terms of dress code.

Your neighborhood has a dress code? The rest of your post makes sense, but I can't imagine giving 1/2 a damn about how a neighbor dresses unless she's in full Nazi costume or something extreme.

[Turkish]

The African American woman who said she lived as a lesbian for 14 years... Either she's kidding herself, or she was never really a lesbian in the first place.
She admitted to growing up in an abusive household and acknowledging that she associated black men with abuse. So if she gravitates toward women and has relationships with them, sexual or not, does that make you a lesbian? I don't really think so.
Now I'm not gay, don't have close gay friends or anything like that, so someone help me out here and clarify if you think what I'm saying could be factual.
You hear stories about people coming out of a hard childhood struggling with or experimenting with their sexuality. If they have a stint of same sex relationships does that make them gay?
See, this is why I don't think she converted from gay to straight.

I'll try to answer this for you. I don't believe that their is such a thing as converting from gay to straight. Just because you go from a gay relationship to a straight one doesn't mean you were never gay in the first place. It just means that you are now in a straight relationship, that's it. It shouldn't negate your past relationships. Whose to say one day you won't be in another gay relationship since you've shown predisposition in the past for this behavior. Some gay people can go for most of their lives thinking they are straight or living a straight lifestyle because of societal pressures or whatever but that doesn't mean that are. And then their are some who always knew that they were attracted to the same-sex. You also have to take into account that their is also more than two ways to identify your sexuality, not just the terms "gay" or "straight". Bisexuality needs to be taken into account as well. Alot of bisexuals misidentify or are assumed to be gay or straight based on who they are dating at the moment(outside appearances and all that). With bisexuals(and I think this AA woman fits into this description), Some can just be sexually attracted to men and emotionally attracted to woman and vice versa or they can be both sexually and emotionally attracted to both sexes over the course of their lives. They don't have to be 50/50 about it either. They can be 80/20 or 70/30, etc. A good referrence for this is The Kinsey Scale if you want to know about how and why people identify as they do. Kinsey believed that most people aren't exclusively gay or straight but fall somewhere in the middle for whatever reason even if they go by a different label and I believe that as well. Another referrence isthe Klein Grid if you want to see where you fall. I thought I was a 6(exclusively homosexual) for many years but it turns out I'm more like a 4.5(predominantly gay/incidentally straight).

Edited by Turkish, Mar 15, 2011 @ 11:19 PM.

[AFDiva]

I just watched and I felt sad the entire episode.

I did appreciate the up close view of something I've been so curious about and the logistics involved, but it was just....sad.

Most of the guys are in it for a sex tour imo.

[Glass Ocean]

Your neighborhood has a dress code?

The new island neighbor had a habit of dressing like a hooker. Maximum cleavage at all times. Near-maximum crotch display. No idea how to dress for parent-teacher conferences.

Plus it's a pretty isolated neighborhood with a lot of 55+.

[Nuthatch1]

Major ewww on the mail order brides.

Seriously. They can't have a conversation, because of the language barrier, most of the men are absolutely skeevy and gross, and twice to three times the age of the women. What 20 year old woman want to move to the US with a 60 year old guy? Gross.

I have read about these industries before, and I suppose one could look at it that each side gets something they want. The foreign women get to come to America, and the old skeevers get some young woman bride.

But what do they have in common? Nothing. No wonder all the relationships don't work out.

[yogajen]

It goes both ways. I've traveled to many of the caribbean islands as a single woman and constantly get hit on my local men in their 20's (I'm 47) and have several friends who have worked in the Peace Corps there. They (male or female locals not Peace Corps) make about 10-12,000 a year if lucky, in the tourism industry. They are looking for any way out possible. I've made friends with a few locals on a particular island and they are even willing to go from a caribbean island to Canada for a better life (and faking a love relationship).