Date: Fri, 5 May 1995 13:46:20 -0500 (CDT) From: David Anthony Wyatt List of GLBO Television Characters [version=02 April 1995] For a while now I have been trying to compile a list of television programs that have included gay/lesbian/bisexual characters as a part of their regular (or semi-regular) casts. Many shows have `dealt' with gays in a single episode or story line, but just how many have included gays on a regular (or recurring) basis? This is the list I have. My intention is to keep the list to network and widely-syndicated entertainment shows in the English language. For the purposes of this list, a character is described as `recurring' if he or she has appeared in at least three episodes. If you can recall any other shows, or can correct errors or omissions in this list, please e-mail to: David_Wyatt@UManitoba.CA The TV networks: ABC (American Broadcasting Companies, Inc.) [U.S.A.] ABCTV (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) [Australia] BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation) [U.K.] CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation) [Canada] CBS (Columbia Broadcasting System) [U.S.A.] CTV (Canadian Television) [Canada] CGS (CanWest Global System) [Canada] C4 (Channel 4) [U.K.] FOX (Fox Broadcasting Company) [U.S.A.] Granada [U.K.] HBO (Home Box Office) [U.S.A.] ITV (Independent Television) [U.K.] LWT (London Weekend Television) [U.K.] MTV (Music Television) [U.S.A.] NBC (National Broadcasting Company) [U.S.A.] PBS (Public Broadcasting System) [U.S.A.] Showtime [U.S.A.] TEN (Network Ten) [Australia] USA (USA Cable Network) [U.S.A.] NUMBER 96 (sitcom) TEN 1972-1976? Don Finlayson (Joe Hasham) Dudley Butterfield (Chard Hayward) Loosley based on what happened in a block of flats in Sydney. Don and Dudley were residents and lovers. "... NUMBER 96 created a sensation when it went on the air in 1972, dealing graphically with homosexuality, drug and alcohol addictions, ambitious and promiscuous people, insanity, rape, and sex---mostly sex." (Brooks & Marsh, 3rd ed., p. 616). An American version of the show (NBC, 1980-1981) was much tamer and did not include any gay characters. THE CORNER BAR (sitcom) ABC 1972-1973 Peter Panama (Vincent Schiavelli) 1972 Set in a New York City neighborhood bar called Grant's Tomb. The regular customers included Peter, a gay set designer. The show was reworked for the 1973 season in several elements, including dropping him, but the show was cancelled again anyway. ARE YOU BEING SERVED (sitcom) BBC 1972-1984 Mr. (Wilburforce Clayborn) Humphries (John Inman) The series was sent in the menswear department of the fictitious store `Grace Brothers'. Mr. Humphries was a camp assistant whose catch-phrase was `I'm free.' In the early episodes there were just hints that he was gay, but latterly it was directly obvious. AN AMERICAN FAMILY (cinema-verite documentary) PBS 1973, HBO 1983 Lance Loud The film crew recorded 300 hours in seven months of the life of the Loud family of Santa Barbara, California, and edited the footage into twelve one-hour episodes. In the course of the filming, son Lance came out to his parents. HBO aired a one-hour follow-up show in 1983. IT AIN'T HALF HOT, MUM (sitcom) BBC 1973-1981 `Gloria' (Melvyn Hayes) The character `Gloria' is considered to be a poof by the other members of the concert party (in WW2 Burma) because he plays all the female parts. PORRIDGE (prison sitcom) BBC 1974-1978 `Gay' Gordon ( ) Semi-regular character. He worked in the kitchens but very little use was made of the character. HOT L BALTIMORE (sitcom) ABC 1975 George (Lee Bergere) Gordon (Henry Calvert) Situation comedy set in the dilapidated Hotel Baltimore (where the `E' in the sign was burned out). All the characters were in some way eccentric. George and Gordon's eccentricity was that they were a homosexual couple. BARNEY MILLER (police sitcom) ABC 1975-1982 Marty (Jack DeLeon) Darryl Driscoll (Ray Stewart) Officer Zitelli (Dino Natali) This sitcom was set in New York City's Greenwich Village and included a variety of recurring bit parts for victims and perpetrators. Among these roles were one male couple, Marty and Darryl. Officer Zitelli also came out at one point, late in the series run. THE BOB NEWHART SHOW (sitcom) CBS 1972-1978 Craig Plager (Howard Hesseman) Occasional character, a patient of psychiatrist Bob Hartley (Bob Newhart) seeking help with his writer's block. Sexual orientation mentioned only once, in episode "Some of My Best Friends Are...". MARY HARTMAN, MARY HARTMAN (sitcom) Syndication 1976-1977 Annie `Tippytoes' Wylie (Gloria DeHaven) Soap opera paradody included a lesbian occasional character. [Was there also a male gay couple?] SOAP (serial sitcom) ABC 1977-1981 Jodie Dallas (Billy Crystal) Dennis Phillips 1978 (Bob Seagren) Alice 1979 (Randee Heller) Jodie was a regular character throughout the run of this show, although he was eventually involved with women. Dennis was the very closeted pro-football quarterback involved with Jodie the first season. Alice was a lesbian friend of Jodie's later in the show's run. AGONY (serial sitcom) LWT for ITV 1979-1981 Rob ( ) Michael ( ) Rob and Michael were a gay couple who lived next door to the Agony Aunt (Maureen Lipman). There were a couple of stories dealing with gay issues directly and they were in almost all the episodes. In the end, one commits suicide when he's forced out on a live phone-in by a rather obnoxious radio host. PRISONER: CELLBLOCK H (serial prison drama) TEN 1979-1986 Freida `Franky' Doyle (Carol Burns) prisoner 1979-1980? Doreen Anderson/Burns ( ) prisoner Vera `Vinegar Tits' Bennett (Fiona Spence) guard Judy Bryant (Betty Bobbitt) prisoner c1981-1986? _______ ( ) Judy's partner c1981 Joan "The Freak" Ferguson (Maggie Kirkpatrick) guard c1982-1986 Serial drama set in a women's detention centre in Australia. Among the cast of prisoners was a lesbian named Franky. It was also implied that the guard Vera was a closeted lesbian. As the series developed, various characters came and went, including Judy, an American prostitute, and the bisexual prisoner Doreen. BRIDESHEAD REVISITED (drama miniseries) Granada 1981 Sebastian Flyte (Anthony Andrews) Charles Ryder (Jeremy Irons) Anthony Blanche (Nicholas Grace) and a (German?) lover that Sebastian has later in the book. Based on the Evelyn Waugh novel of the same name. LOVE, SIDNEY (sitcom) NBC 1981-1982 Sidney Shorr (Tony Randall) In the made-for-TV movie, Sidney was definitely gay. But by the time the series reached the air NBC had forbidden the mention of the character's sexual orientation. DYNASTY (serial drama) ABC 1981-1989, 1991 Steven Carrington (Al Corley 1981-1982 and 1991, Jack Coleman 1982-1986) Ted Dinard 1981 (Mark Withers) Chris Deegan 1983 (Grant Goodeve) Luke Fuller 1984-1985 (William Campbell) Bart Falmont 1986?, 1991 (Kevin Bernhardt? 1986?, Cameron Watson 1991) Ted was Steven's ex-lover, who followed him back to Denver and was killed by Steven's father Blake. For a few episodes Steven roomed platonically with his gay custody lawyer Chris Deegan. For one whole season Steven and Luke courted one another and became lovers, until Moldavian terrorists killed Luke. Bart was a closeted son of Blake's political rival, until he was outed by Adam. In the 4-hour 1991 reunion show, Steven had followed Bart to D.C. and they had become lovers. FAME (drama/musical) NBC 1982-1983, syndicated 1983-1986 Montgomery MacNeil 1982 (P.R. Paul) The movie FAME had one gay character, Montgomery, and he was quickly written out at the start of the television series. 'ALLO, 'ALLO (sitcom) BBC 1982, 1984-1992 Lt. Gruber (Guy Siner) Nazi Lieutenant Gruber has a crush on Rene, the cafe owner and central character in this low comedy about the French Resistance. ALL MY CHILDREN (serial daytime drama) ABC Dr. Lynn Carlson 1983 (Donna Pescow) Devon McFadden 1977-1981 and 1983-1984 (Tricia Pursley Hawkins) After Devon discovered Lynne was a lesbian, she convinced herself that a relationship with a woman was the answer to her problems. Lynne wisely told her that you don't just choose to become a lesbian because your affairs with men don't work out. After about 2 or 3 months, Lynne decided to get on with her life and moved away from Pine Valley. IT TAKES A WORRIED MAN (sitcom) ITV 1983, C4 1984 _________ (Nicholas Le Prevost) A gay psychiatrist in this series about a newly divorced man. BRASS (sitcom) Granada for ITV 1983-1984, C4 1990 In BRASS there was a character who was based on Sebastian in BRIDESHEAD REVISITED (always carrying around a teddy bear). SANTA BARBARA (serial daytime drama) NBC 1984-1993 Channing Capwell Junior ( ) 1985? Lindsay Smith ( ) 1985? This soap opera opened its first episode with the release from prison of the wrongly convicted murderer of Channing Capwell Jr. In the course of finding the real killer, it was discovered that Channing's past included affairs with his father's mistress and someone named Lindsay Smith. More investigation turned up that Lindsay was another man. Some of this story was played out in flashback wherein Channing and Lindsay appeared. BROTHERS (sitcom) Showtime 1984-1989 Donald Maltby (Philip Charles MacKenzie) Cliff Waters (Paul Regina) Cliff was one of the three Brothers of the title and was much less comfortable with his gayness than his best friend Donald. THE JEWEL IN THE CROWN (drama miniseries) Granada 1984 Ronald Merrick (Tim Pigott-Smith) `Sophie' Dixon (Warren Clarke) Count Dimitri Bronowsky (Eric Porter) Merrick is deep in the closet. Dixon is very much out. Bronowsky just hints at his preference. Merrick's sexuality is of some relevance to the plot, especially at the end. HAIL TO THE CHIEF (sitcom) ABC 1985 Randy (Joel Brooks) White House chief Secret Service agent is gay, in this sitcom about the first woman president. IN SICKNESS AND HEALTH (sitcom) BBC 1985-1992 Winston ( ) The TIL DEATH US DO PART character Alf Garnet (Archie Bunker in the U.S. version) got someone from social services assigned to him to help after his wife died. This was character was black and gay, infuriating Alf. ST. ELSEWHERE (hospital drama) NBC 1982-1986 Kevin O'Casey 1985-1986 (John Scott Clough) Brett Johnson 1986? (Kyle Secor) ST. ELSEWHERE often featured guest roles that spanned several episodes, or that recurred periodically over longer time frames. Kevin was the latest generation of a family of hereditary patients at St. Eligius. His lover Brett had AIDS. In another, two-episode story arc, Dr. Anne Cavanero rebuffed the advances of visiting specialist Dr. Christine Holt (Caroline McWilliams). HOLLYWOOD BEAT (police drama) ABC 1985 George Grinsky (John Matuszak) This show was an attempted MIAMI VICE clone, and George ran the coffee shop where the two principal cops hung out. SARA (sitcom) NBC 1985 Dennis Kemper (Bronson Pinchot) Dennis was one of four young lawyers in this office sitcom. The show didn't last long and star Geena Davis left TV for the movies. CHECK IT OUT (sitcom) CTV and USA 1985-1988 Leslie Rappaport (Aaron Schwartz) Sitcom set in a supermarket. Leslie was overtly homosexual, and worked at the checkout registers. EASTENDERS (serial) BBC 1985-present Syndicated to some PBS stations Colin Russell (Michael Cashman) 198?-? Barry Clark (Gary Hailes) 198?-? Guido Smith (Nicholas Donovan) 198?-? Queenie (John Labanowski) 198?-? Joe Wallace (Jason Rush) 1990?-? Colin was a guppie graphics designer who had moved into the gentrifying east end of London. There he met Barry and the two moved in together. After Barry left to join the merchant marine, Colin met Guido, who eventually moved in with him. Queenie belonged to another plotline. He was a jail enforcer working with `the Firm' (the mob). In a later plot, a straight regular character learned he was HIV+ and became friends with Joe at an HIV counselling centre. HILL STREET BLUES (police drama) NBC 1981-1987 Eddie (Charles Levin) __________? (Lindsay Crouse) police detective Occasional roles. Eddie was an informer working for Belker, and snitched on his own lover. THE TRACEY ULLMAN SHOW (sketch comedy) FOX 1987-1990 David (Dan Castellenata) William (Sam McMurray) Within the sketch format, there were several recurring characters. One such `continuing saga' was that of 14 year old Francesca (Tracy Ullman) who lived with her father David and his lover William. They were depicted as ordinary parents with an unordinary characteristic --- they were gay. WOMEN IN PRISON (prison sitcom) FOX 1987-1988 Bonnie Harper (Antoinette Byron) Situation comedy set in a women's prison. Prisoner Bonnie was a gay English hooker. HOOPERMAN (police sitcom/drama) ABC 1987-1989 Rick Silardi (Joseph Gian) Rudy 1988-1989 (Rod Gist) Silardi and his female partner DeMont were series regulars. Sometimes a story would revolve around them, but most often it didn't. Rudy was one of Hooperman's tennants. Series set in San Francisco. AS THE WORLD TURNS (daytime serial) CBS 1956-present Hank Elliot 1988-1989 (Brian Starcher) Hank was a dress designer, who had come to town to find occupation away from his HIV+ lover Charles (never seen). Various characters reacted differently to Hank's coming out to them. CAGNEY AND LACEY (Police drama) CBS 1982-1988 ________? ( ) Later in the run of this series, one of the lead policewomen acquired a gay male neighbour, appearing on an occasional basis. HEARTBEAT (medical drama) ABC 1988 Marilyn McGrath (Gail Strickland) ________? (Gina Hecht) This short lived drama included among its cast of characters Marilyn, a lesbian nurse-practitioner. Her lover ________?, a caterer, appeared occasionally. HE SHOOTS HE SCORES (hockey drama) CBC 1986-1989? Tom Snyder (Mark McManus) 1988 hockey coach Minor character. It was revealed that the Team U.S.A. coach had been blackmailed using pictures of him kissing his male lover. (Produced simul- taneously in French as LANCE ET COMPTE for Quebec, France and Switzerland.) DOCTOR, DOCTOR (medical sitcom) CBS 1989-1991 Richard `Dick' Stratford (Tony Carreiro) Hugh Persons (Brian George) Richard was an English professor and the brother of one of the four doctors in the show. Hugh hosted the morning TV show where Dick's brother Mike did a medical segment. ANYTHING BUT LOVE (sitcom) ABC 1989-1992? Jules `Julie' Kramer/Bennett (Richard Frank) Gay editor's assistant on the magazine staff. Character's surname changed. THIRTYSOMETHING (drama) ABC 1987-1991 Russell Weller 1989-1991 (David Marshall Grant) Peter Montefiori 1989-1991 (Peter Frechette) Occasional characters. Any show about yuppies needs a guppie or two. Russell was a painter. Peter was an art designer working at the advertising company central to the main characters, and had a brief affair with Russell. By New Years of the last season of the show, it looked like Russell and Peter were getting back together again. THE KIDS IN THE HALL (sketch comedy) CBC 1989-1995 BUDDY COLE: Buddy Cole (Scott Thompson) STEPS: Butch (Scott Thompson), Riley (David Foley), Smitty (Kevin McDonald) HUMANOIDS FOR HUMANISM: Shona (Bruce McCullough) Among a wide range of comedy sketches on this show is the recurring role of Buddy, who pontificates from his bar stool on the differences or the parallels between gay and straight society, or about the ignorance of straights, or the tribulations of gay life. Another recurring sketch takes place on the steps of a coffee house. Shona, a lesbian, appears in the "Humanoids for humanism" sketches, as well as others. CODCO (sketch comedy) CBC 1990?-1993 Duncan (Tommy Sexton) Jerome (Greg Malone) Recurring "Queen's Counsellors" sketch about two queeny Newfoundland lawyers. DREAM ON (sitcom) HBO 1990-present Mickey Tupper (Paul Dooley) 1992-present Roger ( ) 1993-present Comedy of a divorced New York City book editor, Martin. Mickey is Martin's father, and Roger is Mickey's lover. Occasional characters. L.A. LAW (lawyer drama) NBC 1986-1994 Cara Jean `C.J.' Lamb (Amanda Donohoe) 1990-1992 Mark Gilliam (Stanley Kamel) 1986?-? Lawyers C.J. Lamb and Abby Perkins (Michele Greene) shared a kiss in the parking lot that many interpreted as a lesbian advance. NBC seemed determined to explain that it wasn't. Later C.J. represented her ex-lover in a child custody case. Mark Gilliam was an occasional character, another lawyer. YOU RANG, M'LORD? (sitcom) BBC 1988-1993 __________? ( ) Lesbian daughter A comedy version of UPSTAIRS DOWNSTAIRS. There is a female character who is the architypal stereotype for a lesbian. Dresses up as a male, etc.... Non-flattering stereotypes. BROOKSIDE (serial drama) C4 1982-present Gordon Collins 1983-? ( ) Beth Jordache (Anna Friel) c1993-present A twice weekly serial in which one of the characters is gay. Key to an early plot line where he was `got at' at school by others who found out. Character no longer in the series. Beth is a recent addition to the cast. BARE ESSENCE (drama) CBS 1982, NBC 1983 ___________? ( ) friend of central character ___________? ( ) pro football player The best friend of a perfume company executive (Genie Francis) was a gay man who's SO was a pro football player. They lasted a few weeks before they were written out of the show. AFTER HENRY (sitcom) ITV 1987?-present Russell (Jonathan Newth) Russell is a friend of one of the principals, and operates a bookstore. A VERY PECULIAR PRACTICE (sitcom) ITV 1989-1990? [or is it BBC 1986, 1988] Dr. Rose Marie (Barbara Flyn) Greta ( ) _____________ ( ) an athelete patient of Dr Buzzard Low-brow sitcom set in a University health service. Dr. Rose Marie ran a men's sexuality counselling service wherein she advised her clients to avoid orgasm no matter what. Rose occasionally slept with Greta, a male doctor's girlfriend. There was another plotline of a doctor forming a close friendship with an athelete, who later comes out to the doctor and tells him that he loves him. ROSEANNE (sitcom) ABC 1988-present Leon Carp (Martin Mull) 1990-1992, 1993-present Jerry Gimble/Steven (Michael Des Barres) 1991-1992 Nancy Bartlett (Sandra Bernhardt) 1992-present Marla (Morgan Fairchild) 1992-1993 When Roseanne worked in a shopping mall chain restaurant, Leon was her manager. Jerry was his lover. After Leon and Jerry/Steven broke up, Leon dated TV commercial director Ken (Rick Dees) in one episode. Nancy is a friend of Roseanne's and left her boorish husband to begin a relationship with cosmetologist Marla, refusing to be labelled straight or gay. Leon bought a share in the diner owned by Roseanne, her sister, and Nancy. IN LIVING COLOR (sketch comedy) FOX 1990-1994? Blaine Edwards (Damon Wayans) 1990-1992 Antoine Meriweather (David Alan Grier) 1990-1992 Recurring "Men on Films" sketch. Campy stereotypes done for laughs. COP ROCK (musical/drama) ABC 1990 Ray Rodbart (Jeffrey Allan Chandler) Ray Rodbart was the personal secretary to the mayor. He was a minor regular, appearing in virtually every episode. His homosexuality was only discussed in one episode. E.N.G. (newsroom drama) CTV 1991-1994 Eric `Mac' MacFarlane (Jonathan Welsh) Mac, a regular minor character in this series, came out to his co-workers and his brother when he was faced with blackmail by threat of outing. GRACE AND FAVOUR (sitcom) BBC 1991-present Mr. (Wilburforce Clayborn) Humphries (John Inman) Yes, he's back, and as gay as ever, in spite of the fact that he's been in bed with a woman from episode one on. This sequel to ARE YOU BEING SERVED? airs on some PBS stations under the title ARE YOU BEING SERVED? AGAIN! NORTHERN EXPOSURE (ensemble comedy/drama) CBS 1990-present Ron Bantz (Doug Ballard) 1991-present Erick Hillman (Don R. McManus) 1991-present Occasional characters, Ron and Erick operate a bed-and-breakfast serving primarily Japanese tourists. The show has another interesting gay angle. The fictitious town of Cicely was founded by lesbian lovers Roslyn and Cicely, when their car broke down in the Alaska wilderness. The final episode of 1992 told the story of Roslyn (Jo Anderson) and Cicely (Yvonne Suhor). Ron and Erick's wedding made real-world headlines in 1994. BRITTAS EMPIRE (sitcom) BBC 1991-present? Gavin ( ) & Tim ( ) Gay couple. [No further information yet available. Any assistance welcomed.] THE SIMPSONS (animated sitcom) FOX 1989-present Waylon Smithers (Harry Shearer [voice]) Smithers is the ultimate sycophant, positively doting on his boss, nuclear power plant mogul Monty Burns. But the interest is more than business, often extending into the romantic, and the erotic. NEIGHBOURS (serial drama) TEN?, syndicated to BBC? 1985?-present _____________? ( ) a lesbian _____________? ( ) another lesbian _____________? ( ) a gay youth. [Can anyone tell me anything about this show?] ONE LIFE TO LIVE (serial daytime drama) ABC 1968-present Billy Douglas 1992-1993 (Ryan Phillipe) Jonathan Michaelson 1992, 1993 (Bruce McCarty) Rick Mitchell 1992-1993 (Joe Fiske) Billy Douglas moved into Llanview in the summer of 1992, a 17 year old highschool senior. Billy's struggle to come out to himself and his homophobic parents, in the midst of a town bitterly divided over a rumour that the local minister might be gay, occupied a substantial share of OLTL air time over the summer of 1992. Jonathan, lover of the minister's late brother, showed up to ask for help making a quilt panel. Billy met Rick Mitchell carolling on Christmas eve 1992 and left for Yale the next summer. THE REAL WORLD (cinema-verite documentary) MTV 1992, 1993, 1994 Norman Korpi 1992 Beth Anthony 1993 Pedro Zamora 1994 Sean 1994 MTV gathers together seven young people to live in an apartment, under the watchful eye of the television camera. Each year has involved a different location and residents. In 1992 one of the roommates was Norman, a bisexual. The 1993 cast included a lesbian named Beth. The 1994 edition included Pedro, an AIDS educator. Sean, his boyfriend, also appeared. ELDORADO (serial drama) BBC 1992-present? Freddie _______? ( ) retired gay nurse __________? ( ) local in the Spanish town [No further information yet available. Any assistance welcomed.] MELROSE PLACE (ensemble drama) FOX 1992-present Matt Fielding (Doug Savant) Jeffrey Linley (Jason Beghe) 1994 John Rawlings (Tom Schanley) 1995 police detective Matt was a social worker who ran a shelter for runaways. The character's sexual orientation was mentioned repeatedly in pre-premiere publicity, but was hardly visible on the show for years. Jeffrey, a navy lieutenant, dated Matt briefly, then returned after leaving the Navy, revealing is HIV+ status. Det. Rawlings investigated Matt's second gaybashing, was rebuffed when he tried to ask Matt out, and was revealed to be a violent cop. DROP THE DEAD DONKEY (sitcom) C4 1991-present? Helen Cooper (Ingrid Lacey) 1993-present Newsroom sitcom. Helen is the deputy editor of the news program. ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS (sitcom) BBC 1992-present Justin (Christopher Malcolm) ex-husband Oliver (Gary Beadle) ex-husband's lover Occasional characters. Show about a somewhat neurotic woman fashion designer. TO PLAY THE KING (drama miniseries) [British production] 1993? seen on PBS ____________ ( ) King's press aide [No further information yet available. Any assistance welcomed.] BEVERLY HILLS 90210 (highschool/college drama) FOX 1991-present Mike Ryan 1993-1994 (Brandon Douglas 1993-1994, Jack Armstrong 1994) After appearing in a couple of episodes involving fraternity-related plots, Kappa Epsilon Gamma fraternity president Mike Ryan (recast) was accidentially outed by one of the regular characters. A couple of seasons earlier, the apparently gay (but not yet declared or decided) high school athlete Kyle Conner (David Lascher) appeared twice. SISTERS (drama) ? 199?-present Norma______ (Nora Dunn) 199?-present Occasional character Norma_______ is the producer of one of the title sisters' local television talk show. THE JOHN LAROQUETTE SHOW (sitcom) NBC 1993-present Teddi (David Shawn Michaels) 1993-1994? Patrick (Jazzmun) Situation comedy set in a bus station. Recurring minor roles included Teddi and Pat, gay transvestites. TALES OF THE CITY (serial drama miniseries) C4 1993 seen on PBS 1994 Michael "Mouse" Tolliver (Marcus D'Amico) waiter Mona Ramsay (Chloe Webb) advertising copy writer Anna Madrigal (Olympia Dukakis) landlady Jon Fielden (William Campbell) doctor Dorothy "D'orothea" Wilson (Cynda Williams) model Beauchamp Day (Thomas Gibson) advertising executive Peter Cipriani (Kevin Sessums) A-gay Armistead Maupin's first `Tales' novel (of six) brought to television by British financing. The residents of 28 Barbary Lane, and their friends and lovers. The only series with G's, L's, B's, and O's. Cameo appearances as the "A Gays" include Arch Gidde (Ian McKellen), Bill Hill (Lance Loud), Chuck Lord (Paul Bartel), and Rick Hampton (Bob Mackie). GP (medical drama) ABCTV 1990?-present Martin Dempsey 1994?-present (Damian Rice) doctor Title short for `General Practitioner.' GP gained a positive reputation for its presentation of AIDS, gay/lesbian, and other social/medical issues. In 1992 a gay doctor joined the practice, but was graphically shown being gay-bashed (twice) and murdered on the second attempt. Show recenty added another gay doctor to the practice. MY SO-CALLED LIFE (teen angst drama) ABC 1994-1995 Enrique "Rickie" Vasquez (Wilson Cruz) student Richard Katimski (Jeff Perry) English teacher Highschool drama centred on a girl and her two best friends, one of whom is gay. When Rickie was kicked out of his home, Mr. Katimski struggled with whether or not to open his home. DADDY'S GIRLS (sitcom) CBS 1994 Dennis Dumont (Harvey Fierstein) Sitcom set in a clothing company. Action centred on a newly single father and his three daughters. Dennis was a fashion designer. FRIENDS (sitcom) NBC 1994-present Carol Willig (Anita Barone) 1994 (Jane Sibbett) 1995-present Susan Bunch (Jessica Hecht) Occasional characters. Generation X sitcom about a group of six friends, one of whom is divorced from his pregnant ex-wife Carol. Participating in the pregnancy means accommodating Carol's new lifestyle, with her lover Susan. PARTY OF FIVE (drama) FOX 1994-present Ross (Mitchell Anderson) Occasional character, violin teacher to Claudia, the second youngest of the five orphans of the title. LIBERTY STREET (drama) CBC 1995-present Nathan Jones (Billy Merasty) Generation X drama about the inhabitants of a warehouse converted into apartments. Nathan is one of the tenants, a gay native ex-bicycle courier. MADISON (highschool drama) CGS 1995-present Beth (Shaira Holman) band member Occasional character. Member of a band in which one of the regulars plays. HOPE AND GLORIA (sitcom) NBC 1995-present Isaac (Eric Allan Kramer) hair stylist Sitcom set in a talkshow production. Isaac looks after the star and guests' appearance. Minor role. Some also rans: THREE'S COMPANY (sitcom) ABC 1977-1984 --- Archetype of the airhead sitcom. The premise of the living arrangements was that the landlord would only allow Jack to live with Janet and Chrissy if he was gay. [I guess some things were morally acceptable and others weren't.] No `really' gay characters, though. GOLDEN GIRLS (sitcom) NBC 1985-1992 --- Blanche's gay brother Clayton Farnsworth (Monte Markham) appeared twice. The pilot for GOLDEN GIRLS included a gay cook/houseboy as a regular cast member, but the character was eliminated when series production began. STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION (science fiction) Syndicated 1987-1994 --- Dr. Crusher's orderly in season one, Ensign Freeman ( ) 1987, was supposed to be gay (according to the script writer). A 1991 promise by series creator Gene Roddenberry to introduce minor regular gay characters during the 1991/92 season was reneged on by Paramount after Roddenberry's death. ROC (sitcom) FOX 1991-present --- An interracial gay couple Russell (Richard Roundtree) and _______? ( ) have appeared twice. IN THE LIFE (talk/variety) PBS 1992-present --- Monthly show focusing on gay and lesbian life in the US. Some PBS stations elected not to broadcast it. No roles (therefore no gay characters). And two that don't belong on the list: BATMAN (comic-book drama) ABC 1966-1968 This was the story of a bachelor millionaire named Bruce who kept house with a teenaged lad named Dick. Bruce and his young ward Dick went everywhere together and dressed in capes and tights to combat the villains of Gotham City. As Batman, Bruce was completely tongue-tied whenever villain Cat-Woman ever suggested anything remotely sexual. [There were, of course, no gay characters in BATMAN, but one might wonder about Louie the Lilac (Milton Berle).] SESAME STREET (children's education) PBS and worldwide syndication 1969-present Just who are Ernie and Bert? Those two guys living together for all these years, sharing a bedroom... And why is it Bert is always so interested in Ernie's baths? [No children's show would depict a male couple among its menagerie of characters. Would it?] References: Brooks, Tim, and Earle Marsh, _The_Complete_Directory_to_Prime_Time_Network_TV_ Shows:_1946-Present_, Third edition, New York: Ballantine Books, 1985; Fifth edition, New York: Ballantine Books, 1992. Castleman, Harry, and Walter J. Podrazik, _Harry_and_Wally's_Favorite_TV_Shows:_ A_Fact-Filled_Opinionated_Guide_to_the_Best_and_Worst_on_TV_, New York: Prentice Hall Press, 1989. Collis, Rose, "Telling Tales," _Gay_Times_, September 1993, pp. 10-12. Eisner, Joel and David Krinsky, _Television_Comedy_Series:_An_Episode_Guide_to_ 153_TV_Sitcoms_in_Syndication_, Jefferson NC: McFarland & Co. Inc., 1984. Freuer, Jane, Paul Kerr and Tise Vahimagi, eds., _MTM:_`Quality_Television'_, London: British Film Institute, 1984. The contributions and assistance of many helpful USEnet and GayNet readers is gratefully acknowledged.