The Best Gay TV Preview Ever!

September 7^th

True Blood

Nelsan Ellis in True Blood

What is it about? Vampires come out of the closet after a synthetic blood is developed, meaning they don’t have to gnaw on human beings anymore. Except for fun.

Who’s gay? Lafayette Reynolds (Nelsan Ellis), a short order cook who is more than he seems. Word is there are also gay vampires and the show was created by out writer Alan Ball of Six Feet Under.

When does it air? Sundays on HBO at 9 PM.

Why should you watch? For starters, it’s Alan Ball. Plus the whole vampire-as-a-gay-metaphor thing is pretty obvious and the show definitely plays with it. And Lafayette looks as if he might be something refreshing when it comes to gay men of color on television. That is unless he becomes a sexual predator stereotype.

TiVo priority:

Entourage

Rex Lee in Entourage

What is it about? A studly actor, his posse of friends, his overbearing agent, and that agent’s gay assistant.

Who’s gay? Lloyd (Rex Lee), assistant to megalomaniac agent Ari Gold.

When does it air? Sundays on HBO at 10 PM.

Why should you watch? Despite not getting terribly much screen time (or still having a last name after 38 episodes), Lee has managed to imbue Lloyd with far more personality than one would expect. The character is actually more than another bitchy gay assistant, however the show could definitely stand to develop him further. Entourage also occasionally includes queer storylines, but has also misstepped in handling some transgender issues.

TiVo priority:

September 9^th

Privileged

The cast of Privileged, featuring Allan Louis (right)

What is it about? Poor but smart plucky girl moves to Palm Beach, Florida to tutor Rose and Sage Baker, the spoiled brats of superrich Laurel Limoges (Anne Archer). Many life lessons ensue, each more fabulous than the last.

Who’s gay? Marco (Allan Louis) is the chef for the Limoges and the one person the girls can turn to for a shoulder to cry on. He also happens to be gay.

When does it air? Tuesdays at 9 PM on the CW.

Why should you watch? Even if this is another secondary character most likely doomed to “barely there” status, there isn’t exactly a glut of out minority characters on television, so that is one reason to support the show. I haven’t seen an episode yet so it’s hard to know if Marco will be more of a cross between Alice from The Brady Bunch and Mr. Belvedere or something more interesting such as Giles from Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

TiVo priority: