I agree about Big Brother, but I actually really enjoyed American Idol. They mightnot announce it, but there's no way that Danny and Colton aren't gay, at least, and I liked both of them. I especially like Danny sassing Simon.

Oh. My. God. Becky.

Half the contestants are obviously gay.  If we want to be all weirded out about the judges keeping gay contestants off, then why on earth would they have included Danny Noriega in the show?

This show keeps ALL sexuality hidden - including totally downplaying the spouses of the participants.  At most, they will flash to a wife in the audience, but we hardly ever even find out their names.  They want the contestants to seem available to the viewers and emphasizing either their orientation or their spousal situation would hurt that.

Sure let's point out obvious homophobia.  But let's not look for it where it isn't.

And I wouldn't be surprised if being a bit queeny won't help a few of them.  One of the married guys was soooooooo boring that no one will remember him enough to vote.

I agree with you totally about CBS' handeling of BB9. The closest thing they came to a showmance was last season when they had Eric hop into bed with Dustin, which lasted about 3 sec. before Eric couldn't handle it. I wish that they were not so afraid to show things like two gay guys kissing.

We should also keep in mind that CBS is also the network with the only gay teen couple on daytime television, that is not a Jerry Springer talkshow. Just in case you forgot, As The Words Turns' maso chase gay couple NUKE are on this network. I don't see why CBS is makign these types of decisions, but then deciding to nuter their gay characters.

I agree with rem581 though about American Idol. I really like a few of the contestants. Unfortunately, if I decided to not watch any show that didn't reveal that their character and contestants were gay, I would only be watching Survivor. Granted that there are more than just that one show, but there are not that many.

I think that some people are not comfortable enough to be out on national television when you are a teenager. I wish that is was different, but I'm not sure that being an openly gay person on national television and then having to go back to Utah, or Mississippi to spend the rest of your life, is as easy for some as others. After all a gay child was shot in sothern California just the other week, for being gay. I cannot imagine how hard it is for someone who lives in the Bible Belt, or other red states.

I think that this really comes down to the networks. If they are going to show openly gay people, they should not be afraid to show their lives. Whould the world reall end if they showed two openly gay men kissing? Or would the World stop turning if Nuke was shown in bed, like every other couple on daytime tv?

Apparently CBS and Fox think so, but then again so does almost every other major network.

Much Love, Brian

Check out my BLOGS at Bchin's Rants and Ask a Queer Questions.

I had never watched any Big Brother before this season (I'm usually all about Reality TV). I thought I would give it a chance because of the Neil and Joshuah twist and, well, there's nothing else on TV right now. I was really disappointed in how they handled the Neil situation last night but I guess given the other craziness in the house it makes sense. These people are incredibly annoying and I have no interest in continuing to watch. Clearly they didn't match anyone up with their soulmate... I think the real process here was setting up psychopathic/stalkerish men with passive women who would rather create lesbian relationships than call these guys out on their crap. What a waste!

 As for American Idol, I'm still keeping up hope for this season. If Danny or Colton continues to do well there's no way their sexuality won't come up. Also, is it just me or did anyone else's gaydar go off with Jason Yeager? I've been watching on and off during the auditions and last night was the first time I had seen him. In his bio they only mentioned his son. It was just a thought...

Geez, I need to read a book or something!

Tonight the Diva opens in Vega and without her show business is nothing.  In an industry rife with homosexuals and lesbians it is amazing how oppressive shows like AMERICAN IDOL and BIG BROTHER really are re-inforcing some rather awful stereo types.  Joe and Dustin last year, and now Joshua this year, come across as mean spirited maladjusted gay men.  I am not reccommending "straight acting" men, a term I loathe too.  There are many gay men who are successful, resourceful and happy in their lives.  There are many succesful gay singers that could be stars on AI.

Simon (wait for it) Cowell, Randy (Dawg, when was my last hit) Jackson, and Paula (I was a Laker Girl too) Abdul are the snorers.  From Billy Strayhorn and even earlier to to Elton John, gays have always been influential in the writing, playing, and performing of music.  AMERICAN IDOL is looking to bubble gum pop for its super stars.  Rueben Studdard is not Fats Waller, Clay Aiken is not Frank Sintra, Kelly Clarkson is not Judy Garland, and Jordan Sparks is not even a presence, let alone a legend.  There is an element of something that is always missing in these people that makes them truly special.  A true idol is not churned out every few months.  Only a 12-year old mind would have faith in this stuff.

Talking about gaydar going off, does anyones gaydar go off after seeing David Hernandez? I know mine does VERY BADLY and I've read stuff about him being gay and his MySpace being changed back to ''straight'' after he made the TOP 24. Either ways, I dont really care if he's gay or not, he's incredibly talented and has an amazing voice.

David Hernandez, David Archuleta and Michael Johns are my picks this season for the guys and Kady Maloy and Ramiele Malubay for the girls.

 

Verraros has said on this very site that he stayed closeted on ''American Idol'' because he didn't think Randy Jackson and Simon Cowell would judge him the same way if he were out. He also believes he wouldn't have gone as far with audiences if he were openly gay. Yet another, R.J. Helton, who placed fifth in the first season of ''Idol,'' came out in 2006. I'm sure there have been other closeted ''Idols.'' It would take a very strong and self-confident guy to be out. Homophobia is so pervasive in our society that we grow up with so much self-loathing. In England, Will Young, their ''Pop Idol'' winner, didn't come out until after he had won.

Brian, thank you so much for highlighting the explicit comments made by Joshua against Amanda. I had already commented on Towleroad, but again, I'm still very stunned with the language he used. If anything, I wonder if the reactions from the houseguests (and America) would be any different if someone had called another houseguest a f****** or n******. Really, really outrageous, I think, which is why this incident should be held to the same standard.

I've been an avid watcher of Big Brother since the first season and I have to say that I'm really disappointed this time. A number of things that have happened so far really turned me off. Not only is the cast grossly vapid (moreso than regular), but why is CBS allowing some of these things to air or (or not air)? Is it for ratings? Does CBS think that showing smut is the best approach to steal rival networks' audiences?

I have to make a list of why this season is sinking:

1) The "Couples" twist appears to have backfired and most of the partners act sterile towards each other

2) Adam Jasinski's hypocritical and downright offensive comments about autistic children

3) Neil's mysterious and uninformative exit (which may lead others to think it's a conspiracy)

4) Joshua repeatedly calling Amanda a c***, as noted above

5) Jen referring to Ryan as racist in the live feeds, which goes unmentioned on the broadcasts

Besides these things, the cast isn't very diverse, and I'm not just referring to racial or ethnic backgrounds. Most of them are around the same age and are White obviously, but does anyone else wonder if CBS just went to local bars and did auditions?

CBS, I really hope you get it together next time. It was probably a mistake to have a winter season, especially one juxtaposed on the same nights with Idol, but you need to do something fast before everyone else watching jumps ship (and according to recent wires, Lowe's has already).