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But Bryan's storyline may at least offer something other than the usual gay male stereotypes. Bryan is not only a successful U.S. District Attorney (as opposed to the sensitive teacher or interior decorator), but a devoted, if harried, father sharing joint custody of Gabriel, his son, with his wife. Unfortunately, in the pilot episode, Bryan learns his wife plans to move with Gabriel out of state. Presumably, Bryan will fight to keep his son near him. It would also be refreshing to see Bryan gain a love interest at some point.

Should Brothers and Sisters make the fall schedule, there is another factor to give viewers hope that Bryan will play at least a somewhat-prominent role: the openly gay Jon Robin Baitz (The Substance of Fire) serves as the show's writer and executive producer. This is usually a good sign that gay characters will be well-rounded and integral to the plot.

HELP ME HELP YOU (Comedy) ABC
Someone should help the creators of this not-very-fresh sounding sitcom. Cheers/Becker veteran Ted Danson plays a Dr. Phil-type celebrity therapist helping a group of misfits deal with their “issues”. Call it Cheers in Therapy. Josh, played by Jim Rash (Fenton on That 70's Show), is described as a meticulously put together man with “unresolved sexual issues”. Suspecting he is gay, Josh's wife recently dumped him, but Josh refuses to admit he's anything more than metrosexual.

Judging from the character description and the casting of Rash, it appears that so far Josh is going to be yet another in a long line of fussy, uptight obviously gay men who can't deal with it. Call him Niles Crane minus Daphne. Perhaps that is better than no gay presence at all, but one could be forgiven for wondering.

In the pilot script, Josh and his wife fight about whether or not he is gay as he tries on a pink J. Crew blazer. If that isn't cliché enough, Josh describes the blazer as “too cinch-y” and then debates whether it is more Winter Melon or Coral in color. Yet he is again surprised and outraged when his wife suggests he is homosexual.

Later during a group therapy session, the word “vagina” grosses Josh out. He also admits to having worn a Wonder Woman cape as a boy. Afterward, when Josh orders coffee, the barista refers him to as the non-fat chai guy to which Josh replies: “Those spices are like a siren's song.” If that line isn't coming out of David Hyde Pierce's mouth, then it shouldn't be uttered at all.

In the pilot script, Josh and his wife fight about whether or not he is gay as he tries on a pink J. Crew blazer. If that isn't cliché enough, Josh describes the blazer as “too cinch-y” and then debates whether it is more Winter Melon or Coral in color. Yet he is again surprised and outraged when his wife suggests he is homosexual.

Later during a group therapy session, the word “vagina” grosses Josh out. He also admits to having worn a Wonder Woman cape as a boy. Afterward, when Josh orders coffee, the barista refers him to as the non-fat chai guy to which Josh replies: “Those spices are like a siren's song.” If that line isn't coming out of David Hyde Pierce's mouth, then it shouldn't be uttered at all.

As they talk basketball, Josh invites the barista to a game, an offer the barista eagerly accepts. But first he thinks it's prudent to let Josh know he isn't gay. Josh, of course, is completely stunned by the idea that the barista thinks he is gay. The barista mentions Josh 's voice as a tip-off because of course all men with high-pitched voices are gay. Later, one of the therapy group members laughs at the fact Josh doesn't know he is gay. For good measure, he then jokes about a gay guy who committed suicide. We're talking laugh-a-minute comedy here. Gay viewers can be forgiven for not getting hot and bothered about this show's chances for getting picked up.

Indeed, there seems to be little here to get excited about in Help Me Help You. If you really fancy uptight, fussy men, why not just watch reruns of Frasier? Perhaps Help Me will turn out to be funny, but it already feels like the jokes will be at the expense of the gay character as opposed to the homophobia of those around him. Been there, done that. Of course, the same can be said of the show's entire premise.

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