Cupid is resurrected ... will his arrows find any gay couples this time around?

Earlier this month, ABC announced a deal with producer Rob Thomas, creator of Veronica Mars, to resurrect his short-lived 1998 series, Cupid. The series followed a man who believed himself to be the god Cupid, banished from Mount Olympus and charged by Zeus to unite 100 couples in love in order to earn his way back.

Sadly, despite the show’s expert balance of comedy, romance and drama, as well as the considerable chemistry between leads Jeremy Piven and Paula Marshall (as Cupid and the psychologist assigned to his case), ABC canceled it after a mere 15 episodes (a travesty that I’m only now beginning to forgive the network for). Over the years, the show has developed a substantial cult following, as evidenced by its number one ranking (take that Bette!) on the poll currently taking place over at Sony Home Entertainment’s website asking visitors to vote on which series they’d most like to see make its way to DVD.

And thus, ABC decided that the current television climate is ready for the show to make a comeback. The new incarnation will feature the same concept, but with new plotlines, new actors, and a new location (with Los Angeles replacing Chicago). Sadly, the humpy Piven will not be reprising his title role.

My question is, with the (slightly) more progressive attitude of major network television producers, ABC’s growing crop of gay-friendly programming (Ugly Betty, Brothers and Sisters, Desperate Housewives, et al.), and Rob Thomas’ history of including gay characters and plotlines on Veronica Mars, will we be seeing the god of love play matchmaker to some same-sex couples? I’d like to think so, but we’ll just have to wait and see.

What say you, AfterElton.com readers? Will ABC continue to be the most gay-inclusive of the major networks? Will Cupid work without the charismatic Piven as lead? Will viewers even sign on for a show that already proved to be a flop once before?