GLAAD's 2010 Network Responsibility Index: ABC Improves On Greatness and Falls In Rankings

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).

For an explanation of how GLAAD defines their methodology, please read our post Monday on GLAAD’s rating for The CW. Our look at Fox’s representation is here.

Today we’re going to look at ABC, who has had, short of a few hiccups, the best record on GLBT representation for quite some time. And despite ranking third amongst the broadcast networks in terms of percentage of hours featuring gay content at 26%, ABC still has more GLBT inclusive hours than any other network.

For one thing, ABC produces 1,147 original hours of programming, compared to 781.5 hours for Fox, and only 570 hours for The CW. So despite producing 297.5 hours of gay inclusive programming,– 50% more The CW – ABC finishes third.

As with Fox, the Alphabet network benefits from reality programming with out dancer Louis Van Amstel contributing multiple hours on Dancing With the Stars and designers on Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. But both shows contributed fewer hours overall than So You Think You Can Dance and American Idol contributed to Fox’s schedule.

Louis was so cute when he brought his boyfriend to Chelsea Lately

But where ABC truly shines is with its scripted programming. Grey’s Anatomy continues to provide the only fully realized lesbian relationship on network television with the characters of Callie and Arizona. Ironically, Callie’s character was originally introduced as a love interest for George, played by the out T.R. Knight.

Modern Family was the breakout hit of last fall’s TV season, with newly adoptive parents Mitchell and Cameron learning to be parents and interacting with their wacky yet realistic extended family. The show did stir some controversy by the end of the season because Mitchell and Cameron hadn’t yet shared a kiss, but the producers have stated they have a story arc planned that fits the character’s neuroses about PDA.

Never before has a couple balanced each other so well.

Other ABC comedies also touched gay topics with more frequency than on other networks. The Middle had the daughter dating a boy that the family believed to be gay, even if the boy himself was unaware of it yet, and featured several awkward but caring fatherly moments between him and the dad. And Cougar Town skated a knife’s edge with gay jokes that at times could have been offensive in less competent hands, such as their “gay test” episode or when Travis “came out” to Grayson.