Gay visibility in the 2007–08 TV Pilot Season

M.O.N.Y. (NBC) — Tough-guy public advocate Joe Capanelli (Bobby Cannavale of Will & Grace) suddenly becomes mayor of New York, and in his new position, he must learn to change his "old neighborhood" ways while governing a city where gay men are very much present. In the pilot, the new mayor's gay bodyguard and driver, Roy, outs himself to the mayor. The show offers up some interesting opportunities to explore gay issues from a blue-collar point of view. Given that Spike Lee is the director and Tom Fontana (Oz) executive produces, M.O.N.Y. holds promise that it will address gay issues in interesting and provocative ways. The buzz is mostly positive, but it's not a slam dunk that the show will be picked up.

Nurses (Fox) — This comedic drama centers on the lives and loves of nurses in a big-city hospital and stars Eliza Dushku, Gregory Harrison and Sara Rue. Though Nurses doesn't yet promise anything specifically gay, P.J. Hogan, who brought us gay faves My Best Friend's Wedding and Muriel's Wedding, executive produces and directs the pilot, in which a dying patient is alienated from her daughter, who previously was a boy. With any luck, at least one of the characters in the series will turn out to be gay. Fox is reportedly very interested in the show.

Perfect Gentlemen (ABC) — Centered around the lives of four corporate big shots (Michael Vartan, Dylan McDermott, Christopher Titus, Joshua Malina) who hang out at the same ritzy country club, this pilot tested well. In the original pilot script, one of the men picks up a prostitute at a truck stop, only to find out she is transgender. In the episode's conclusion, he pays her to hush up about their tryst. Perhaps the story line will lead to some questioning of his sexuality down the road. It's hard to tell how the show will handle the material, but director Charles McDougall also directed episodes of Sex and the City and Queer as Folk. Word is that it should get picked up.

Pushing Daisies (ABC) — Not only is the creator and executive producer of this drama the out Bryan Fuller (Heroes, Dead Like Me), but the production company is headed by Bruce Cohen and Dan Jinks, the gay business partners who produced American Beauty. While there is nothing gay in the pilot (about a man who has the power to bring the dead back to life), Fuller has assured us there are gay characters who will turn up later. It's also considered a shoo-in for pickup.

Swingtown (CBS) — This period drama starring Jack Davenport (Coupling) and Grant Show (Melrose Place) harkens back to the 1970s sexual liberation movement. Will it include gay themes? It's hard to believe it won't, especially given that Alan Poul, the out executive producer of Six Feet Under, will be directing here. The buzz is quite good, but apparently the content might be too risqué for the network, and it could end up on cable instead.

Viva Laughlin (CBS) — Given the show's unusual setup (a musical drama about the adventures of Ripley Holden and his family as they try to operate a casino in Laughlin, Nev.) the show automatically qualifies as being of interest to many gay men. Nor does it hurt that Hugh Jackman (X-Men) not only executive produces, but also appears in the pilot. And for fans of Brothers & Sisters, the fate of Kevin Walker's latest love interest rests in part on whether or not Viva Laughlin makes the fall lineup. Why? Because Kevin's new love interest is played by Eric Winter, who is also part of Laughlin's cast. Early reports are that reviews are mixed, but the CBS suits like the format. Call this one iffy.

Wild Life (NBC) — Out actor Christopher Sieber (Spamalot, It's All Relative) has the lead role in this NBC sitcom about a group of employees at a zoo. Sieber plays the head zookeeper, described as eccentric and egomaniacal. There hasn't been much heat around the show, but gay fans everywhere would rejoice at seeing an out actor get to carry a show.

Untitled Max Mutchnick/David Kohan TV Project (CBS) — This buddy comedy pilot co-created by openly gay producer Max Mutchnick (Will & Grace) centers around the lives of two male writing partners. One is straight and sports-loving (played by Jay Mohr of Ghost Whisperer) and one is gay (played by Brian Austin Green of Beverly Hills , 90210). Sounds like an Odd Couple for the new century — complete with an openly gay Felix. Most recent reports don't mention the show, so the pilot may not yet be ready, meaning this may be more likely to be a midseason replacement.