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ABC eyes first gay detective TV series
Planet Out ^ | November 12, 2002 | Ari Bendersky

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.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Free Republic; Miscellaneous; News/Current Events; Political Humor/Cartoons
KEYWORDS: homosexuals
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To: Physicist
"Dick Gay-cy"

"Have Gun, Will Travel"

"The Pink Panthers"

"Hell-are-we Queens"

"Probe-o-Cop"

"The Naked Guns"

81 posted on 11/13/2002 2:39:11 PM PST by quark
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To: H8DEMS
Oh, yeah: this is gonna be the show that saves ABC for Eisner. Uh-huh. You bet.

Right.

If the homosexual portion of the population is only somewhere in the 5 to 10 percent range (and I think I'm being generous here), are there really any hopes that this show is going to be some kind of ratings blockbuster?
82 posted on 11/13/2002 2:45:40 PM PST by CubicleGuy
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To: H8DEMS
Episode Three: "Family Jewels in Queens"
83 posted on 11/13/2002 2:46:18 PM PST by Revolting cat!
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To: GoreIsLove
If you forbid people based on their sexual persuasion to be school bus drivers, and teachers, then yes, they are being victimized. It's called discrimination. It's no different than if they were black, or conservative and being forbidden to teach.

So people who like sex with animals, or children, or dead bodies, or who think torture is an essential part of their sexual identity - all those folks should be school bus drivers or teachers, too, right?

After all, it's just their sexual persuasion, isn't it?

Or are we redefining perversion as each pressure group whines enough?

"Some animals are more equal than others." Newspeak, don'tcha know.

84 posted on 11/13/2002 2:56:28 PM PST by jimt
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To: big ern; ForGod'sSake
HA!!
I'd say you've a mighty good talent for creating stereotypes.
But then again, are they *stereotypes*??

See BigU??
I think their archilles heel is to be found in soild reality-based truths.
These people -- seem to -- hate what they *look* like; if, how they react anytime someone reflects back what they see, counts for anything?
Kinda crazy, eh?

"I say break down all barriers in society not just minor ones like two guys tongue kissing and fondling eachother in Prime Time."

I agree.
What's with all this "Perversion Lite" crap, anyway?
Stop pussy footing around & let's get down into the dirt where the really grimey-gritty stuff is, why don't they??

Say for example: a *sitcom* detailing the *adventures* of a pair of male interior decorators specializing in bathhouses or latrines & the zany hijinx that'll ensue while out "in the field" doing bids??
Or the trials & trevails of a pair of room mate barber-gals and what it really takes to give an exceptional flat top haircut to women using their feet; while, juxtaposed (*69*) on a water bed in the dark??

Great stuff for the *entire* family, don'tcha think??

I mean?
Apparently the sponsors must be simply lined up, just beating down ABC's door for their chance to help finance ABC's *plans*.
Right? :o)

What do you wanna bet, the Gaystapo's next move will be to *try* going after corporate America to attempt similar shakedowns to what the Rev Jackass & Fat Albert have successfully pulled off?

...something's telling me it ain't gonna work quite the same way.

85 posted on 11/13/2002 2:59:25 PM PST by Landru
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To: rintense
I may be wrong but there was a show on radio many years ago (before TV) that had a Mr. and Mrs. Nash detective duo. I am told it was waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyyy back. Any old timers out there?
86 posted on 11/13/2002 3:01:27 PM PST by oldironsides
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To: H8DEMS
A new reason for people with family values to boycott Disney! Apparently they want to throw the gauntlet down to Conservatives. This is very sad to this Ohioan, whose first movie was Snow White, followed by Pinocchio.

But this theme is as anti-social as it is repugnant to normal sensibilities. It shows a total disrespect for Societal values and rational concerns over the images we present to youth as to what is acceptable. I suspect that it is even offensive to those Homosexuals, who have the good sense and taste not to flaunt what most of the world considers a sad defect.

William Flax Return Of The Gods Web Site

87 posted on 11/13/2002 3:08:52 PM PST by Ohioan
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To: H8DEMS
Well, Eisner said ABC is just going to last 4 more years. It's down to 30 months, now
88 posted on 11/13/2002 6:39:21 PM PST by Tribune7
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To: H8DEMS
This has got to be the first time that a television network has INTENDED to create a show that sucks.
89 posted on 11/13/2002 7:15:54 PM PST by joebuck
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To: Landru
Stop pussy footing around & let's get down into the dirt where the really grimey-gritty stuff is, why don't they??

Indeed! Let's project a little for upcoming scenes of these two posterior decorators:

1. The two defectives staring longingly into the depths of each other's eyes.
2. Lovingly holding hands at the bedside of a fellow traveler recently succumbing to AIDS.
3. Walking arm in arm while gazing at a beeeutiful sunset as the Pacific laps gently at the shore.

I'm gonna be sick!

Question: Does a society have the right to expect, nay, demand certain behaviors from its members; be they corportate or individuals? Behavior(s) that are consistant with generally accepted societal norms? I suppose the notion being that members of a society should be expected to behave in a manner that serves to strengthen, or at least maintain that society as opposed to weaken it?

Presumably our constitution forbids the federal government(our elected representatives) from intervening in matters of individual expression, association, etc. How do we as a society, assuming we want to discourage this type behavior, then proceed.

Are the states precluded from writing law that would keep this filth off the air within its borders? Even satellite dishes? Make anybody that wants to see this smut go to Californy to buy their dish! Yeah yeah I know, but we've got lots of counties here in east Texas where alcohol can't be sold, is it that much of a stretch to have a state where smut can't be sold??? Where's the Women's Temperence League when you need 'em ; )

FGS

90 posted on 11/13/2002 7:25:42 PM PST by ForGod'sSake
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To: Charles Martel
I heard he's a huge fan of Chomsky.
91 posted on 11/13/2002 7:26:31 PM PST by stands2reason
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To: H8DEMS
Okay, since only 3% of the population is gay, why are we constantly bombarded with this liberal-brainwashing-agenda, garbage? I swear if I have to see that over-the-top guy on Will and Grace again I'll absolutley vomit on my television.

That said, I'll also say that I don't hate gay people, my degree was in liberal arts (ironically) and because of that I met and became friends with quite a few people who are gay, and I like them. Interestingly, the vast majority of them don't flaunt their sexuality any more than any heterosexuals I know flaunt their adoration for the opposite sex! I personally think that the stereotypical presentations of gay men (such as that guy on W&G) do more to make gay people look strange, unnatural, and obnoxious than they do to help PR. (Not that I'm concerned with helping thier PR.)

Quite honestly, I don't need to witness men lusting over other men, or lesbian women kissing. I just don't. I think it's disgusting. Why the H*LL are the networks pandering to 3% of the population? The other 97% of our population would certainly have more money to spend with the networks, wouldn't they? This makes me so angry. I know, I can turn the television off. That's exactly what I'll do, but it will not make any difference in their programming choices.

"flame" away.

92 posted on 11/13/2002 9:50:54 PM PST by I'm ALL Right!
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To: CubicleGuy
See: Will and Grace. ugh
93 posted on 11/13/2002 9:52:11 PM PST by I'm ALL Right!
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To: joebuck
This has got to be the first time that a television network has INTENDED to create a show that sucks.

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Did you forget about Baby Bob?!!!

94 posted on 11/13/2002 10:26:39 PM PST by I'm ALL Right!
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To: H8DEMS
The working title for the show was "The Silly Savages."
95 posted on 11/13/2002 10:45:22 PM PST by Man of the Right
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To: H8DEMS
A gay couple is the only thing going for this show, at least it will get some publicity. People just don't buy this sort of detective shows. We've all become to accustomed to gritty police dramas, not to mention some gritty reality, to believe that two people can go around running to rich people killing each other with exotic poisons. It's the stuff of old British detective novels, and nobody is going to buy it.

In the end it just won't work. Gays or no gays.
96 posted on 11/13/2002 11:46:25 PM PST by MattAMiller
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To: H8DEMS
Will they be packing rods or fudge?


97 posted on 11/13/2002 11:58:55 PM PST by rockfish59
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To: H8DEMS
A hardboiled gay dick?
98 posted on 11/14/2002 12:07:33 AM PST by aruanan
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To: Physicist
I suggest the title In Dragnet with Sgt. G.A. Prideday and his partner Bill Gayman.

Opening dialog: "My name is Prideday, I carry a purse. And a badge, in my purse."

99 posted on 11/14/2002 4:49:33 AM PST by putupon
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To: H8DEMS
ABC eyes first gay detective TV series

Let me guess they're going to call it The Streets of San Francisco.

(Is Eisner doing this because Gay Day has done so much for Disney?)

100 posted on 11/14/2002 5:24:08 AM PST by PBRSTREETGANG
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