The Best Gay TV Preview Ever!

Raising the Bar

The cast of Raising the Bar & Jonathan Scarfe (right)

What is about? From Steven Bochco Productions, this is yet another legal drama, but this time it’s about former law school classmates who find themselves on opposite sides of the courtroom, with some working as public defenders and others as prosecutors. And Jane Kaczmarek plays a judge who just might be insane. At any rate, she is incredibly annoying.

Who’s gay? Jonathan Scarfe plays Charlie Saganski, an attorney hoping for a judgeship himself. He also happens to be sleeping with Judge Kessler (Kaczmarek). I’ve never been an advocate of the theory that someone can be turned gay, but if anyone could do it, it would be the self-righteous, annoying, and infuriating Kessler.

When does it air? Mondays at 10 PM on TNT.

Why you should watch: I actually have a hard time recommending this one even though Scarfe does a fine job as a closeted man dealing with his sexuality and Wilson Cruz even shows up briefly for a pair of episodes. Unfortunately, the rest of the show is like nails on a chalkboard and word is that Charlie’s storyline, which gets play in the first few episodes, then disappears until near the end of the season. That would mean putting up with a lot of Kaczmarek’s histrionics for one closeted gay character dealing with his sexuality.

TiVo priority:

September 2nd

90210

The new 90210 cast

What is it about? This spin-off of Beverly Hills 90210 tells the fish-out-of-water story of a family from Kansas plunked down in Beverly Hills. Insert your own snarky Wizard of Oz comment here.

Who’s gay? We're still trying to figure that out. Word is that there will be a gay — or lesbian — character, but so far the CW is being tight-lipped.

When does it air? Tuesdays at 8 PM on the CW.

Why should you watch? Because you just can't find young attractive people to watch anywhere else on television.

TiVo priority:

The Shield

Michael Jace

What is it about? This gritty, brutal police drama centers on a group of flawed police officers working in an experimental division of the Los Angeles Police Department. This is the final season of this groundbreaking drama.

Who’s gay? Julien Lowe (Michael Jace) was gay when the series debuted, but unable to deal with the conflict between his Christian beliefs and his homosexuality, Lowe underwent “sexual reorientation” therapy and married a woman. He then became a Republican congressman from Florida. Okay, I’m kidding about that last part.

When does it air? Tuesdays at 10 PM on FX.

Why should you watch? Many gay people found the idea that a gay character could successfully change his sexual orientation to be laughable, if not outright offensive. Despite the fact that Julien appears to have done just this, The Shield’s creator, Shawn Ryan, tells AfterElton.com the issue isn’t resolved and will be dealt with again during the season.

TiVo priority: