Arts & Entertainment
TV: Something old, something new
‘Development’ not so arrested, ‘Psycho’ gets reboot and interesting reality participants sign on
Freddie Highmore as Norman Bates and Vera Farmiga as his mother in A&E’s new series’ ‘Bates Motel.’ The famous creepy old house, seen here in the background, was rebuilt in Vancouver for the new show. Look for it March 18 at 10 p.m. (Photo courtesy A&E)
The 22nd season of CBS’s “The Amazing Race” is in full swing. Contestants include a team of YouTube hosts, Joey Graceffa and Meghan Camarena. Episodes air Sundays at 8 p.m., and the season will run until May 5.
After seven years off the air, “Arrested Development” fans will rejoice when the show returns for a fourth season in May on Netflix. Portia de Rossi, Jason Bateman and the rest of the Bluth family are reuniting along with some of the series’ famous recurring stars, including Liza Minnelli. Kristin Wiig will join the cast, playing a young Lucille Bluth.
In addition to his time as a Bluth, Tony Hale returns to “Veep,” starring Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Vice President Selina Meyer. The new season premieres April 14 on HBO.
“Celebrity Apprentice” returns to NBC with its first All Star edition on Sunday at 9 p.m. Celebrities returning to the competition include Penn Jillette, LaToya Jackson and Lisa Rinna. Omarosa will compete in the show for the third time. Past winners Joan Rivers and Piers Morgan will appear as guest judges.
CBS’s “How I Met Your Mother,” starring Neil Patrick Harris, continues to air Mondays at 8 p.m. This season saw the return of Rachel Bilson as Ted’s lesbian ex-girlfriend and the latest installment in the Robin Sparkles opus. The season finale is on May 13.
A new web series, “The 3 Bits,” launches soon. Promoted as “a queer show about sex, love, booze, drugs, friendship, family and amazing acts of stupidity,” the show stars Cole Escola who tries to navigate issues like online dating, STDs and foot fetishism. A preview for the upcoming series can be found on the3bits.com.
A&E premieres “Bates Motel” on March 18 at 10 p.m. The series depicts the early life of Norman Bates, a character immortalized by late gay actor Anthony Perkins in “Psycho.” The show stars Freddie Highmore as Norman Bates and Vera Farmiga as his mother Norma.
“Happy Endings,” starring Adam Pally and Casey Wilson, returns from its hiatus on March 29 at 8 p.m. on ABC with back-to-back episodes. RuPaul will make a guest appearance this season, as will Abby Elliot, reuniting with fellow SNL alum Casey Wilson. With the show’s move to the “Friday night death slot,” the future of the GLAAD Media Award-nominated sitcom is uncertain.
Bravo debuts a new reality show called “Dukes of Melrose” on March 6 at 10:30 p.m. The series will follow Christos Garkinos and Cameron Silver, owners of the couture store Decades. It follows the season premiere of “It’s a Brad, Brad World” at 10 p.m.
“Ke$ha: My Crazy Beautiful Life” airs on MTV on April 23 at 11 p.m. The documentary covers the drama in Ke$ha’s personal and professional life over the past two years and the making of her album “Warrior.”
Courtney Cox will join fellow “Friends” alum Matthew Perry in an April episode of NBC’s struggling sitcom “Go On.” This will be Cox and Perry’s first television appearance together since playing married couple Chandler and Monica. The series airs on Tuesdays at 9 p.m.
Sarah Chalke stars in ABC’s “How to Live with Your Parents (For the Rest of Your Life).” Chalke plays a recently divorced mother forced to move back home with her parents. Elizabeth Perkins plays her vulgar mom with a rich sexual past. The show premieres April 3 at 9:30 p.m.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5vWkCY_NQJg
Just because the Oscars have passed doesn’t mean awards season is over. Rebel Wilson hosts the MTV Movie Awards on April 14 at 9 p.m., and Blake Shelton and Luke Bryan will host the Academy of Country Music Awards on April 7 at 8 p.m. on CBS. Taylor Swift is nominated to win her third consecutive Entertainer of the Year at the ACMs.
“Shameless” continues its third season on Showtime on Sundays at 9 p.m. Fiona tries to keep the Gallagher family together despite issues with her alcoholic father, a run-in with child protective services, and Ian’s affair with Jimmy’s dad Lloyd. “The West Wing” alum Bradley Whitford will appear on the show in a multi-episode arc, playing a sophisticated gay man and political activist. The season finale airs April 7.
A new season of HBO’s “True Blood” starts June 9 at 9 p.m. It picks up where season five left off: Bill turned evil and empowered himself with Lilith’s blood, Sookie and the gang are trying to escape the Authority, Andy was forced to raise four fairy babies and the mystery surrounding the vampire Warlow began unfolding.
“Game of Thrones” returns to HBO March 31 at 10 p.m. Winter is coming to Westeros as Arya Stark continues her quest to reunite with her family, Sansa tries to escape from King Joffrey, Daenerys uses her dragons to reclaim her family’s throne and a swarm of White Walkers descends on the Night’s Watch camp.
Friday, April 17
Center Aging Monthly Luncheon With Yoga will be at 12 p.m. at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. Email Mac at [email protected] if you require ASL interpreter assistance, have any dietary restrictions, or questions about this event.
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Social in the City” at 7 p.m. at Hotel Zena. This is a chance to relax, make new friends, and enjoy happy hour specials at this classic retro venue. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Trans and Genderqueer Game Night will be at 7:00p.m. at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. This is a relaxing, laid-back evening of games and fun. All are welcome and there’ll be card and board games on hand. Feel free to bring your own games to share. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.
Saturday, April 18
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.
The DC Center for the LGBT Community will host “Sunday Supper on Saturday” at 2 p.m. It’s more than just an event; it’s an opportunity to step away from the busyness of life and invest in something meaningful, and enjoy delicious food, genuine laughter, and conversations that spark connection and inspiration. For more details, visit the Center’s website.
Sunday, April 19
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Lunch” at 11 a.m. at Federico Ristorante Italiano. 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.
Monday, April 20
“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 ([email protected]).
Tuesday, April 21
Center Bi+ Roundtable will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is an opportunity for people to gather in order to discuss issues related to bisexuality or as Bi individuals in a private setting.Visit Facebook or Meetup for more information.
Senior Self Defense Class with Avi Rome will be at 12:30 p.m. This inclusive and beginner-friendly class, led by Instructor Avi Rome, offers a light warm-up, stretching, and instruction in basic techniques, patterns, and striking padded targets. Each session is designed to be adaptable for all ability and mobility levels, creating a welcoming space for everyone to build strength, confidence, and community through martial arts. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.
Wednesday, April 22
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.
Asexual and Aromantic Group will meet at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a space where people who are questioning this aspect of their identity or those who identify as asexual and/or aromantic can come together, share stories and experiences, and discuss various topics. For more details, email [email protected].
Thursday, April 23
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.
Out & About
Team DC’s annual gala set for this weekend
LGBTQ sports organization to hold annual ‘Night of Champions’
Team DC will host “Night of Champions Gala” on Saturday, April 18 at 6 p.m. at the Georgetown Marriott.
This will be an evening of celebration and inspiration as Team DC honors remarkable individuals and supports the next generation of LGBTQ student-athletes.
There will be opportunities to support Team DC through auctions. The Silent Auction items will offer an array of unique goods and experiences. Additionally, Team DC will feature an exclusive selection of live auction items for those looking to make a significant impact.
This year, Team DC will recognize six outstanding awardees who have made significant contributions to the LGBTQ community and sports:
- Trailblazer Award – Adam Peck, District Wrestling
- Most Valuable Person Award – Sean Bartel (posthumously)
- Champion Award – Dan Martin
- Clark Ray Horizon Award – Manuel Montelongo, aka Mari Con Carne
- Bernard Jude Delia Award – Dr. Sara Varghai
- Platinum All Star Award – Centaur Motorcycle Club
To purchase tickets, visit Team DC’s website.
Television
‘The Pitt’ stars discuss what season two gets right about queer representation
Noah Wyle and Taylor Dearden spoke with Blade in LA
As season two of “The Pitt” comes to a close this Thursday, stars Noah Wyle and Taylor Dearden are looking back on what this season got right about queer representation.
“There is some intentionality behind it, but it’s not necessarily for the representation to be anything other than human or ubiquitous to anyone that would come into an emergency room,” Noah Wyle, who plays Dr. Robby, told the Los Angeles Blade at PaleyFest event in Los Angeles on April 12. “I know that we’ve done some storylines with some gay couples, and we did a storyline in season 1 where a woman comes in who’s cut her arm, who’s trans. But in both of those storylines, that wasn’t the point.”
Wyle continues, “In doing it that way, and not making a point of orientation being part of the problem that brings you to the emergency room, we have been told in feedback that that has been extremely revolutionary, almost, and extremely appreciated. But that’s true whether we do storylines with any kind of minority or a person with a disability. We try to have a cosmology of cast and representation on the show that’s indicative of what you find in Pittsburgh.”
Dearden, who plays Dr. Mel King, echoed Wyle’s sentiment: “I think constantly battling tropes is always important. It’s not a show about romance; it’s a show about real life and a shift in the ER. The more we represent everyday people going through everyday life, they just happen to be queer, they just happen to be trans, and making it not the plot, is putting everyone on equal playing [field]. You don’t have to have a big coming out scene.”
Queer representation on “The Pitt” is also notable through the actual actors themselves, including openly queer actor Supriya Ganesh, who plays Dr. Samira Mohan (who didn’t attend PaleyFest after the news that she is not returning for season three), and Amielynn Abellera, who plays Perlah Alawi.
“Doctors don’t put value judgments on who they treat,” Wyle concludes. “That’s not a luxury extended to them, and so that’s not part of our storytelling.”
The season two finale will air Thursday, April 16, on HBO Max, while season three has already been confirmed and is currently being written.
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