AfterElton.com’s Fabulous Fall Gay TV Guide!

Posted by

on September 8, 2010

Why the dark circles under our eyes? Because we’ve been up late screening all the fall gay-related TV programs, so you can know what to watch (and, more importantly, what not to watch) on television this fall.

And no, that’s not the same thing as vegging out in front of the TV. There was nary a bowl of ice cream or popcorn in sight.

Well, okay, maybe there was. But still. You wouldn't believe what we watched so you wouldn't have to!

As usual, the broadcast networks and cable channels are offering gay viewers something of a mixed bag: more “barely there” gay characters like Eric on Gossip Girl, but also perhaps the most high profile talk show ever hosted by an out gay man with The Nate Berkus Show.

Two shows, Law & Order: Los Angeles and It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia are directly taking on the subject of same-sex marriage, and The Vampire Diaries and The Good Wife are adding gay characters.

For new shows like No Ordinary Family, The Event, and Raising Hope, we have to be content with promises from the creators that they’ll incorporate gay characters “eventually.”

But let’s get to the shows, shall we?

And for those of you who are new to our season TV previews, you may ask, “Who’s the Great Gay?” As always, it’s the collective wisdom of all who toil here at AfterElton.com, the sum total of years of insightful entertainment analysis and razor-sharp television criticism.

Well, okay, mostly it’s just me blathering on, with the others yelling at me whenever I get something wrong.

Thursday, September 9

The Vampire Diaries (The CW, Thursdays, 8 PM)

Why It’s Gay: It was AfterElton.com – that’s us! – that broke the story that co-creator Kevin Williamson would be adding a gay character this season.

The Great Gay Says: Who knew? A show that seemed like a total rip-off of Twilight (and was clearly greenlit because of that) ended up being … surprisingly good – far better than Twilight, in fact. Worth checking out: Alessar's recaps of the show in AE's forums.