The Best Gay TV Preview Ever!

It’s hard not to look back at last spring’s television season as a bust. Most television programs had minimal gay content while some networks – Fox, for example – didn’t have a single regularly occurring gay character in their entire line-up. And while networks such as NBC did have actual gay characters, they were often seen so infrequently that it was possible to forget they even existed. Does anyone actually recall what Joe the bartender on Grey’s Anatomy looks like?

Then there was the matter of the writers’ strike, which cut the spring television season to less than half its expected length, which in turn hurt the amount of gay content gay viewers were able to see. Not surprisingly, since those characters and storylines were usually secondary ones, they were the ones the writers dropped.

For instance, the Marc/Cliff romance on Ugly Betty wound up being dropped entirely when the show finally returned post-strike. And the best broadcast show with gay content, ABC’s Brothers & Sisters, also had less time to devote to the burgeoning romance between Kevin (Matthew Rhys) and Scotty (Luke MacFarlane) than it might otherwise have.

So what does the upcoming fall season portend for fans looking for new and better gay representation on their televisions? Which nights will your DVR burn out trying to record all the shows you want to watch? We’ve got all the answers!

There are definite bright spots with Fox adding a show with an actual gay character and word that Marc and Cliff will resume their relationship on Ugly Betty. Plus we’ve got the scoop on new shows with gay characters as well as more news about returning faves. So bookmark this page as no doubt you’ll want to refer to it when programming your TiVo. We even rate each show with our patented Flying Monkey Rating System to help you decide what to watch!

And, yes, we realize the calendar says August and that Labor Day is still a week away. But don’t blame us because the networks are kicking off the new season so early!Finally, if you don't have time to peruse the entire line-up right now (it's long!), but are still curious as to what will be airing be sure to check out our handy weekly guide with all your favorite shows listed. 

August 26th

Greek

Max Greenfield (left) with Paul James in Greek

What is it about? For airing on ABC Family, Greek is a surprisingly frank look at the lives of a group of fraternity and sorority students at college.

Who’s gay? Calvin (Paul James), Heath (Zack Lively), and Michael (Max Greenfield).

When does it air? Season 2 airs Tuesdays at 9 PM/8C on ABC Family.

What is the gay story? When Greek first debuted, Calvin was a total breath of fresh air. A non-stereotypical jock who had no issues with his sexuality and actually had a boyfriend, Heath, he slept with. At the end of the first season, Calvin was outed to his frat and very nearly left. But his frat ultimately accepted him and Calvin even started dating Michael, a French teaching assistant. Alas, even though their “dating” included a gay kiss, their relationship got short shrift and Michael only appeared in one episode. Word is Michael will be back for at least another episode or two this season and that Heath returns as well. However, unless Calvin gets some serious screen time, he runs serious risk of turning into another “barely there” gay character. Here is hoping Greek’s out creator Sean Smith doesn’t let that happen.

TiVo priority: