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Best Gay Show You Never Got to See

Him and Us — This show from Elton John's production company and starring Anthony Stewart Head and Kim Cattrall was flat-out the funniest pilot we saw this year. In fact, it was so good it's still a puzzle as to why it didn't get picked up. It's possible that the production costs were too high, but our guess is that it was far too unapologetically gay for network television.

We'd also like to hand out some special awards in the Television Category …

The Sissy Boys Rule Award goes to Ugly Betty's 12-year-old nephew, Justin. As fearlessly played by actor Mark Indelicato, the character is a tap-dancing, show tune-singing, fashion-obsessed scene-stealer. He's only 12, so of course there is no explicit confirmation that he is (or will be) gay. Still, a lot of gay men are likely to see their own childhood experiences in this character, who is clearly not your typical all-American boy. For instance, the Halloween episode had him dressing up as Gene Kelly from On the Town. Most straight boys can only dream of being half that talented.

The Live Free or Die Award goes to Vito Spatafore (Joseph Gannascoli) of HBO's The Sopranos. Yes, Gay Vito got whacked in the end, but not before giving us a story line with more depth and feeling than most gay characters get in an entire series. And a special nod to the married Gannascoli for not only coming up with the story line himself, but enthusiastically embracing the role.

Favorite "Guy Friday" Award goes to Rex Lee of Entourage, who actually had the intestinal fortitude to stand up to Jeremy Piven's über-agent from hell, Ari Gold.

The Best Use of Soapbox Award goes to Rosie O'Donnell for calling Kelly Ripa out on homophobia during the Ripagate scandal, and pretty much every other gay issue to which she has brought greater attention. 

The Don't Blink or You'll Miss Him Award goes to General Hospital for introducing a gay character only to make him disappear like a bad magic trick.

Film

Best Mainstream Theatrical Release Featuring Gay Characters (a tie)

V for Vendetta — The Wachowski brothers' film not only had a lesbian love story at the very heart of it, but also featured the openly gay actor Stephen Fry playing a gay character who stands up to a totalitarian and homophobic government. V for Vendetta made it clear that few citizens are as vulnerable to oppression as gay people.

Little Miss Sunshine — Steve Carell's performance as gay Uncle Frank was a standout in an amazing cast. But the best part was how Frank's being gay was simply one part of him, and as T.R. Knight might say, “not the most interesting part.”

Best Independent Theatrical Release Featuring Gay Characters (a tie)

The History Boys — Based on the Tony Award-winning play, History Boys had a cornucopia of gay characters and themes woven throughout its plot. Both Richard Griffiths and Samuel Barnett gave terrific performances as a gay man and a gay teen, respectively, in very different situations who nonetheless manage to connect.  

Quinceañera — This indie film managed to portray aspects of gay life that are all too frequently ignored. In the character of Carlos (Jesse Garcia), we see what it's like to be a gay Latino in Los Angeles, and when Carlos gets romantically involved with his uncle's wealthy landlords, we see how the intersection of wealth and race collide in a gay world.

Worst Theatrical Release

Larry the Cable Guy: Health Inspector — This "comedy" probably ranks as the most homophobic movie of the year. Gay folks would like to think a bomb like this would kill someone's career, but Comedy Central just announced that they're bringing Larry to the small screen. Well, at least we probably have a winner for next year's most offensive show.

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