GLAAD's 2010 Network Responsibility Index: Delving Deeper Into The CW

Last week, GLAAD released its 4^th annual Network Responsibility Index. The purpose of the report is to evaluate GLBT representation on television by trying to assign a quantitative number to GLBT representation on primetime television for the five major broadcast networks (ABC, CBS, The CW, Fox, NBC) and the top ten cable networks (MTV, ABC Family, TNT, Showtime, Lifetime, FX, HBO, USA, A&E, TBS).

GLAAD defines their methodology as counting “major and minor” impressions, an "impression" being anytime a GLBT character appears onscreen. Even two straight characters discussing marriage equality counts as a minor impression.

To determine each network’s final rating, GLAAD counts up the total impressions and divides by the number of original hours of programming the network airs. That number is the percentage of GLBT inclusive hours aired by each network.

GLAAD also looks at racial diversity and diversity in the “G” vs “L” vs “B” vs “T” categories and further break the subject down by reality, scripted, newsmagazine, and sporting/special events. So if, for example, Sir Elton John were to sing at the Super Bowl, all four hours appear to get credit.

While GLAAD's analysis provides one way at looking at GLBT representation, it's also important to look at the quality of the characters as they can often be "barely there" characters who hardly ever appear, or are stereotypical or offensive.

All this week, AfterElton.com will delve deeper into the report, looking at each network in turn.

The CW does have one of the most diverse group of gay characters

Today we start with The CW, which received the top score percentage-wise amongst broadcast networks, with 35% of their 570 hours of original programming featuring GLBT content. The network's final rating was "Good." (Only MTV earned an "Excellent," the first time GLAAD has given a network that rating.)

Which shows gave The CW such a high percentage of impressions? America’s Next Top Model again featured Miss J Alexander, Jay Manuel, and Andre Leon Talley, as well as some of the models. (GLAAD also stretches the bounds of “original programming” to the breaking point by crediting the reruns of cycle 11 that ran over the summer, plus cycle 12 in the fall.)

On Gossip Girl, GLAAD counts any time Eric walked through a background scene on the show as an impression. While the two minutes of screentime used to develop his flirtation with bisexual Elliott showed promise, calling his role “expanded” seems a stretch. But he appeared in some fashion or another in fourteen episodes last season, even if his own story only happened briefly in two.

Eric rolled with the news that Elliott could like both boys and girls.

GLAAD also cites Chuck Bass having kissed another man as an impression, even though the character did so only as part of a plot and not because he was romantically interested in the man he cast. (The show has indicated this isn't the first time he's had a same-sex kiss, but has yet to do anything else with his supposed bisexuality.)

Calling any of these plots fully developed gay storylines seems generous at best, especially as the books the show is based on do have fully realized gay characters that we are not seeing here.