ABC eyes first gay detective TV series

Planet Out ^ | November 12, 2002 | Ari Bendersky

[H8DEMS]

In a move that will put ABC on par with NBC, HBO and Showtime in regard to groundbreaking gay-themed television, the network is developing a murder-mystery detective series featuring gay partners in the lead roles -- a first in TV programming.

"Mr. and Mr. Nash," starring actor-director-screenwriter Alan Cumming in one of the title roles, will feature a gay couple living in San Francisco that has an interior design business. The hook: They stumble upon a new murder mystery each week, not unlike "Hart to Hart," a successful murder mystery from the early '80s that included lighthearted humor.

Whether this show, which is being produced by Steve Martin along with Carsey-Werner-Mandabach (CWM) -- the production team behind hits "The Cosby Show," "Rosanne," "Dynasty" and currently "That '70s Show" -- will perpetuate or break gay stereotypes remains to be seen, according to Scott Seomin, GLAAD's entertainment media director.

"This is a murder mystery show and these guys are going to be smart and will hopefully be doing some stereotype-busting," Seomin told the Gay.com/PlanetOut.com Network. "Stereotypes are based in truth and humor. We as a community can laugh at ourselves and others better than any other minority."

While shows like "Ellen" and "Will & Grace" brought gay and lesbian characters into America's living rooms, "Mr. and Mr. Nash" will be the first to feature a committed gay couple on prime-time network TV.

"There are a lot of firsts in gay and lesbian programming and this is one of them," Seomin said. "The fact that it's coming from Martin and Carsey-Werner is incredible news. Carsey-Werner has an incredible track record (with their shows), many of which have been inclusive of gay and lesbian story lines."

For this show to work, the angle of the gay relationship will have to be showcased, Seomin said.

"The show is going to be pinned to chemistry between the leads," he said. "(The relationship) will be shown and it is necessary. If they're not going to be a couple, then make them friends."

CMW will soon start looking for Cumming's perfect match and will shoot the pilot this spring. Depending on ABC's plans, the show may air in the fall of 2003.

[scholar]

Excellent points!! Everyone has the power to turn the channel. We are not forced to watch anything. If a show does not get it's market share they will be cancelled--and if they should get enough market share to stay on television--I still am not compelled to watch the show.

[Destro]

Batman and Robin gay lovers??!! Just because an older unmarried man likes to wear a leather mask and spandex gear and he runs around with the company of a young orphaned boy at night does not mean that they are....

Um, never mind.

[HitmanLV]

ABC eyes first gay detective TV series

This should read "ABC Suits desparate - Looking To Drum Up Controversy To Drum Up Ratings"

[I'm ALL Right!]

There should be a law restricting media corporations from putting minority groups on TV.

Not at all what I was saying. My point is, it seems every TV show that is NOT specifically about a gay person or persons, has introduced a gay character. Why? The networks are quite obviously bowing to or working with the gay agenda. I am tired of it. Probably a good thing anyway. Network TV turns your brain into JELLO anyway.

[Sabertooth]

I would say that homosexuality is a behavioral attribute that one cannot change.

Then you would speak nonsense.

People have both left and entered the lifestyle.

By definition, behavioral attributes are mutable.

[Sabertooth]

This should read "ABC Suits desparate - Looking To Drum Up Controversy To Drum Up Ratings"

How about,

Michael Eisner Death Spiral Continues
Launches Scorched Earth Plan to Destroy Disney with him

[Political Junkie Too]

Will the victims be predominantly gay, too? How about the killers?

I don't know about this show. Now, maybe if one of the guys was afraid of germs they might have something...

-PJ

[Jake0001]

Absolutely, discrimination in and of itself is not a bad thing.

We all discriminate.

Just try to find a male child-care worker whether in-home or in a business. Parents won't hire him. Not that I really would blame them.

Found out a couple month ago, one of my wife's half-brothers decided he liked the "park" lifestyle after 12 years or so of marriage. I have suspicions regarding his 11 year old son who reads on a 1st grade level, is emotionally developed to about the same degree and is an especially finicky eater. To think my wife actually had my son over to spend the night in that house just a month before that disclosure!

That episode has pretty much spent any remaining "tolerance" I had about the issue. I have lost all ability to find humor in the gay is vogue routine.

[Looking for Diogenes]

Network TV turns your brain into JELLO anyway.

I'd agree and extend that to cable TV as well. It's all trash.

[WriteOn]

Who watches that stuff?

[finnman69]

"private dicks"

[Doctor Raoul]

I always suspected Columno. He always backed into the answer.

[Doctor Raoul]

Another high explosive round from Disney Rat's war against America.