Arts & Entertainment
Gayer than ever
Many hit shows return with queer themes and characters

A scene from ‘The McCarthys,’ a new gay-themed CBS sitcom. (Photo courtesy CBS)
Season one of “BoJack Horseman,” Netflix’s first animated original series, is now available. The show focuses on BoJack Horseman (Will Arnett), an anthropomorphic horse and former sitcom star (stay with me) trying to recapture his relevance. Amy Sedaris plays his agent, a pink Persian cat. Alison Brie provides the voice of BoJack’s ghostwriter while Aaron Paul voices BoJack’s slack roommate. Stanley Tucci has a minor role as a gay comedian.
“The McCarthys” premieres Oct. 30 at 9:30 p.m. on CBS. The family comedy centers around Ronny McCarthy, a 29-year-old gay Bostonian. Laurie Metcalf plays Ronny’s mother.
“Looking” has recently added Daniel Franzese (Damian, “Mean Girls”) to the cast. Season two returns to HBO in early 2015.
“Dancing with the Stars” season 19 premieres Sept. 15 on ABC. Contestants include Jonathan Bennett (Aaron Samuels, “Mean Girls”), designer Betsey Johnson and Sadie Robertson of “Duck Dynasty.”
“Masters of Sex,” starring Lizzy Caplan (another “Mean Girls” alum) and Michael Sheen, airs Sundays at 10 p.m. on Showtime with the second season finale airing Sept. 28. Allison Janney recently won an Emmy Award for her portrayal of Margaret Scully, the wife of Beau Bridges’s closeted Provost Barton Scully.
Logo TV’s “Secret Guide to Fabulous” premiered on Sept. 3 at 11 p.m. The show, produced by Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos, features four experts in fitness, fashion, entertaining and home design who help people revitalize their lives. Comparisons to “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy” are not unfounded.
Seasons one and two of the Netflix juggernauts “Orange is the New Black” and “House of Cards” are both available for streaming. Both shows are queer inclusive, and “Orange’s” Laverne Cox is the first openly trans actress to have been nominated for an Emmy.
Chelsea Handler’s stand-up special “Uganda Be Kidding Me” will be released on Netflix Oct. 10. The special is a live recording from a show on her recent tour of the same name.
HBO will air Beyonce and Jay-Z’s “On the Run Tour” on Sept. 20. The broadcast will feature performances from the musical power couple’s performances in Paris this month.
“The Comeback,” starring Lisa Kudrow, will make a comeback after nine years in November on HBO as six-episode mini-season.
“The Newsroom,” starring Jeff Daniels, Emily Mortimer and Jane Fonda, returns for its final season in November on HBO.
“American Horror Story: Freak Show,” created by Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk, premieres on FX on Oct. 8 at 10 p.m. Returning actors include Jessica Lange, Sarah Paulson, Kathy Bates, Angela Bassett and Francey Conroy, among others. They welcome series newcomers Matt Bomer and Patti LaBelle.
Gustin Grant stars in “The Flash,” premiering Oct. 7 at 8 p.m. on the CW.
Casey Wilson and Ken Marino star in “Marry Me,” which premieres Oct. 14 at 9 p.m. on NBC. The show is loosely based on series creator David Caspe’s (“Happy Endings”) recent marriage to Wilson, also of “Happy Endings” fame.
Jeffrey Tambor and Judith Light star in the Amazon series “Transparent.” Tambor plays a family patriarch who recently came out as a trans woman. The show debuted Feb. 6 and premieres in full this month on Amazon.com.
“How to Get Away With Murder” premieres Sept. 25 at 10 p.m. on ABC, the same night as fellow “Shondaland” juggernauts “Grey’s Anatomy” (8 p.m.) and “Scandal” (9 p.m.). In “Murder,” Viola Davis stars as Professor Annalise Keating, a lawyer. Jack Falahee plays Connor Walsh, a gay student of Keating’s. The three Thursday night Shonda Rhimes dramas are all prominent, queer-inclusive hits.
“The Walking Dead” returns to AMC on Oct. 12 at 9 p.m. Series creator Robert Kirkman has recently suggested that fan favorite character Daryl Dixon (Norman Reedus) may be gay, which would make him the show’s first LGBT character.
John Mulaney (“Saturday Night Live”) stars in “Mulaney,” which premieres Oct. 5 at 9:30 p.m. on Fox as part of the network’s Sunday night comedy block (along with “Family Guy” and “The Simpsons”). Mulaney may be most known for creating the popular SNL character Stefon, played by Bill Hader.
Season 25 of “The Amazing Race” premieres on Sept. 26 on CBS at 8 p.m., a change from its previous Sunday night time slot. A consistently queer-inclusive program, season 25 features a gay couple competing on a team together.
Emmy magnet “Modern Family” returns to ABC on Sept. 24 at 9 p.m.
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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