Arts & Entertainment
‘AbFab’ returns!
BBC fave comes to Logo, Chaz puts on his dancing shoes

A new Logo acquisition heralds the return of Patsy and Edina in gay cult favorite ‘AbFab.’ (Photo courtesy Logo/BBC)
ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars” starts Sept. 19 at 8 p.m. and this season’s cast is already generating buzz thanks to the inclusion of Chaz Bono, the show’s first trans contestant.
Cher, Bono’s mother, has taken to Twitter, blasting the critics and encouraging her followers to support him. His partner, Lacey Schwimmer, who danced with Lance Bass her first season as a pro on the show, has shown support.
“I just think it’s absolutely ridiculous when people have anything negative to say about anybody other than themselves,” Schwimmer told E! Online. “It’s not fair. It’s not nice. And it’s degrading. I really get sad about it.”
‘Dancing’ executive producer Conrad Green has also spoken out.
“We thought Chaz’s story was pretty compelling,” Green told E! Online. “He comes from Hollywood royalty and obviously the personal changes in his life have been quite profound.”
Former “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy,” Carson Kressley, is also a part of the cast and will be dancing with Anna Trebunskaya.
“Modern Family,” with gay couple Cameron and Mitchell, returns Sept. 21 at 9 p.m.
“Grey’s Anatomy” returns with a two-hour premiere on Sept. 22 at 9 p.m. When season seven ended, Arizona Robbins and Callie Torres, played by Jessica Capshaw and Sara Ramirez, had just gotten married after a pregnant Callie nearly died in a car accident.
ABC Family’s “Pretty Little Liars” may have had its summer finale and the second half of the season won’t start until the new year, but a special Halloween-themed episode will air Oct. 16 at 8 p.m. The episode, which takes place before the series premiere, will offer a glimpse of the relationship lesbian Emily, played by Shay Mitchell, had with her friend Allison.
Fox’s “Glee” begins its third season Sept. 20 at 8 p.m. Previews have shown Blaine, Kurt’s love interest, out of his Dalton uniform and dancing with Santana and the rest of the Cheerios while Quinn sports a new look. Sue Sylvester, played by out actress Jane Lynch, even gets glitter-bombed by Will. And don’t forget Lynch is hosting the Emmys on Fox Sept. 18 at 8 p.m.
The Oprah Winfrey Network has two new shows coming with familiar gay faces.
Rosie O’Donnell is returning to television with her own show, “The Rosie Show,” starting Oct. 10 at 7 p.m. Suze Orman will be joining Dr. Phil and Dr. Oz for “Ask Oprah’s All Stars,” which premieres Oct. 16 at 8 p.m.
“The Ellen DeGeneres Show” starts its ninth season Monday. Her premiere week guests have already been revealed and Ashton Kutcher will be giving his first daytime interview before the premiere of “Two and a Half Men.” “Ellen” airs in D.C. on channel four at 3 p.m. For other areas’ times, visit ellentv.com.
Bravo has a couple new series starting this fall.
“Mad Fashion,” which premieres Oct. 4 at 10 p.m., will feature former “Project Runway” alum Chris March, as he and his crew create designs for high-profile clients, including a Mardi Gras float ensemble for Jennifer Coolidge.
Also starting is the second season of Bravo’s “Work of Art,” a reality show seeking to discover new artistic talent. The season begins Oct. 12 at 9 p.m.
“The A-List” is slowly becoming a franchise with a new show based in Dallas starting Oct. 3 at 10 p.m. on Logo. The cast includes a former rodeo star, a gay Republican, a serial dater and more.
It’s also been announced that Logo is partnering with BBC America to bring back a couple of favorites in a new way. Jennifer Saunders and Joanna Lumley will be reprising their roles as Edina Monsoon and Patsy Stone for three new “Absolutely Fabulous” specials.
Logo has been airing repeats of the first five seasons of “AbFab” since April.
MTV starts the 26th season of “The Real World” on Sept. 28 with the show’s return to San Diego. The cast includes Virginia native Samantha, who goes by Sam, and is said to be a lesbian. A trailer for the upcoming season also shows a male roommate who is said to be bisexual.
Catfish Comedy will host “2026 Queer Kickoff Show” on Thursday, Feb. 5 at A League of Her Own (2319 18th Street, N.W.). This show features D.C.’s funniest LGBTQ and femme comedians. The lineup features performers who regularly take the stage at top clubs like DC Improv and Comedy Loft, with comics who tour nationally.
Tickets are $17.85 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.
Arts & Entertainment
Catherine O’Hara, ‘Schitt’s Creek’ star and celebrated queer ally, dies at 71
Actress remembered for memorable comedic roles in ‘Beetlejuice’ and ‘Home Alone’
Catherine O’Hara, the varied comedic actor known for memorable roles in “Beetlejuice,” “Schitt’s Creek,” and “Home Alone,” has died at 71 on Friday, according to multiple reports. No further details about her death were revealed.
O’Hara’s death comes as a shock to Hollywood, as the Emmy award-winning actor has been recently active, with roles in both “The Studio” and “The Last of Us.” For her work in those two shows, she received Emmy nominations for outstanding supporting actress in a comedy series and outstanding guest actress in a drama series.
In 2020, O’Hara won the Outstanding Lead Actress in a comedy series award for her work in the celebrated sixth and final season of “Schitt’s Creek.” She was also known as a queer ally and icon for her theatrical and often campy performances over multiple decades. In “Schitt’s Creek,” she played Moira Rose, the wig-loving mother of David Rose (played by series creator Dan Levy). David is pansexual, but the characters around him simply accept him for who he is; the show was embraced by the LGBTQ community with how naturally David’s sexuality was written and portrayed. That show ran from 2015 to 2020 and helped bring O’Hara and her co-stars into a new phase of their careers.
In a 2019 interview with the Gay Times, O’Hara explained why the show got LGBTQ representation right: “Daniel has created a world that he wants to live in, that I want to live in. It’s ridiculous that we live in a world where we don’t know how to respect each other and let each other be. It’s crazy. Other shows should follow suit and present the world and present humans as the best that we can be. It doesn’t mean you can’t laugh, that you can’t be funny in light ways and dark ways. It’s all still possible when you respect and love each other.”
Additional credits include “SCTV Network” (for which O’Hara won a writing Emmy), “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,” “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” “Six Feet Under,” “Best in Show,” “Home Alone 2: Lost in New York,” and “Dick Tracy.” O’Hara also lent her voice to “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” “Chicken Little,” “Monster House,” and “Elemental.” O’Hara was expected to return for Season 2 of “The Studio,” which started filming earlier this month.
Friday, January 30
Friday Tea Time will be at 12 p.m. at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ+ adults. Bring your beverage of choice. For more information, contact Mac ([email protected]).
Spark Social will host “RuPaul’s Drag Race S18 Watch Party” at 8 p.m. This event will be hosted by local drag queens TrevHER and Grey, who will provide hilarious commentary and make live predictions on who’s staying and who’s going home. Stick around after the show for a live drag performance. This event is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Saturday, January 31
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Brunch” at 11 a.m. at Freddie’s Beach Bar & Restaurant. This fun weekly event brings the DMV area LGBTQ+ community, including allies, together for delicious food and conversation. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Sunday, February 1
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community and Conversation” at noon at As You Are. This event is for those looking to make more friends and meaningful connections in the LGBTQ+ community. Look for the Go Gay DC sign on the long table near the front window. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Monday, February 2
“Center Aging: Monday Coffee Klatch” will be at 10 a.m. on Zoom. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ+ adults. Guests are encouraged to bring a beverage of choice. For more information, contact Adam (adamheller@thedccenter.org).
Tuesday, February 3
Universal Pride Meeting will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This group seeks to support, educate, empower, and create change for people with disabilities. For more information, email [email protected].
Wednesday, February 4
Job Club will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom upon request. This is a weekly job support program to help job entrants and seekers, including the long-term unemployed, improve self-confidence, motivation, resilience and productivity for effective job searches and networking — allowing participants to move away from being merely “applicants” toward being “candidates.” For more information, email [email protected] or visit thedccenter.org/careers.
Center Aging Women’s Social and Discussion Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This group is a place where older LGBTQ+ women can meet and socialize with one another. There will be discussion, activities, and a chance for guests to share what they want future events to include. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.
Thursday, February 5
The DC Center’s Fresh Produce Program will be held all day at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. People will be informed on Wednesday at 5:00 pm if they are picked to receive a produce box. No proof of residency or income is required. For more information, email [email protected] or call 202-682-2245.
Virtual Yoga Class will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This free weekly class is a combination of yoga, breath work and meditation that allows LGBTQ+ community members to continue their healing journey with somatic and mindfulness practices. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.
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