Posted on 11/13/2002 6:47:01 AM PST by 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.
Please. I don't want to see what he's 'detecting.'
But what to call it?
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Alan Cumming (in makeup as Nightcrawler from X-Men 2 - May, 2003)

What a goofy idea. Doesn't ABC realize the Clinton/90s era of liberal BS is over now? The pervert movement has maxed out, and I don't think people are going to like a show they can't relate to. The networks try out countless numbers of shows, and most of them flop. Remember the sitcom Fox tried to do with John Goodman as a perv? That show flopped, and that's just what I expected would happen.
Can't be too hard to do, huh.
Just start "the search" at public restrooms in bus stations, parks etc.
George Michael would come in particularly helpful in that regard & might just serve as a fairly competent "Technical Advosor" since they are -- after all -- shooting this joke in Los Angeles.
"Depending on ABC's plans, the show may air in the fall of 2003."
ABC's *plans*; don'tcha just love it?
...while y'all are focusing your attentions on PeeeTahhh Jennin's, huh? {g}
I would watch it. Two skank lesbians groping each other while the bad guys rob Fort Knox.
Armed with strap-ons they rise to the occasion! Drama at its best! HA!
hahaha that was my thoughts too...
and the "author's" name is Ari BENDERsky! hmmmmmmmmmmmm
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