RANSVESTIA

Bailey, in bringing the art of female impersonation to a new level of "legitimacy" by appearing on many network programs, top-name clubs, etc., has helped make TV less "shocking" through conditioning the public. Johnny Carson, perhaps several times, came out in a very short Shirley Temple-type dress for a skit with Ed McMahon. The audience was hysterical and McMahon could barely get through the bit without continuously breaking up. Later, however, Carson discon- tinued doing the character, admitting one night on his program that his wife "didn't like seeing me in a dress." Harvey Korman on the Carol Burnett Show plays women's roles rather frequently and does it in guest appearances on other programs. Flip Wilson's "Geraldine" has become a personality known in most every American household. These and countless other "name" stars on network television who sometimes cross-dress may or may not have the slightest tendencies toward TV. I am not inferring that they have. My purpose is to again il- lustrate how because the dress is being worn by a "star" in a "humorous setting," a legitimacy about cross-dressing, however momentary, is established in the minds of the public.

Some programs have always provided more cross-dressing ex- amples than others. To illustrate the "fascination/aversion" phenomenon, and how ingrained it is in society, I recall an incident I viewed on Truth or Consequences. It was a backstage "hidden camera view" of a couple. The wife was trying to persuade the man to go on the program and participate in a skit. The husband was trying to tell her that he would not go through with it. The bit was based on the fact that each did not know the other had earlier been promised a prize if he or she would successfully maintain the respective stance. The opposing factions brought waves of laughter from the audience because the man was dressed in a very frilly "Alice-in-Wonderland"-type dress com- plete with long blonde wig, bow in the hair, etc. The wife was laughing so hard she could barely speak. But again, this combined reaction came into play. As she was admiring his pretty outfit, saying how cute he looked, wouldn't he like to win the prize by portraying an appealing little girl, etc., she was also saying, "Oh, I can hardly bear to touch you." (More laughter from the audience secretly looking on.) As with most women, the "shock novelty" of her husband in a very feminine dress was appealing ... to a point ... but a novelty she didn't feel exactly at ease being with.

One of my own experiences with cross-dressing has given me the opportunity to observe women and their reactions. As part of a publici- ty stunt, I was to don a dress and have pictures taken of my hair (a wig)

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