Arts & Entertainment
FALL ARTS 2016: TV
Queer representation soars on network, cable and streaming series
The cast of ‘Finding Prince Charming,’ the controversial new LOGO series. (Photo courtesy LOGO)
The latest report from GLAAD revealed that of the 881 regular characters that appeared on broadcast primetime programming in 2015, only 4 percent (35) were identified as gay, lesbian or bisexual. And an additional 35 or so LGBT characters were recurring.
The numbers are a bit more promising on cable and streaming services, and the success of these programs has led to better representation in the months ahead as the 2016-17 TV season gets underway.
Of course, we’ll have to wait until 2017 to see returning faves such as Cosima from “Orphan Black” and Lena and Stef from “The Fosters,” but the next few months offer plenty of new and returning characters coming to the boob tube (or computer screen).
The CW has never been shy about having LGBT characters as part of its main casts and that trend continues in 2016. Friday nights will feature the second season of “Crazy Ex Girlfriend” starting Oct. 21, which has a sweet love story developing between “White” Josh and Darryl. “DC’s Legends of Tomorrow” features the out superhero White Canary played by Caity Lotz every Thursday night at 8 p.m. Fellow superhero show, “Supergirl” will be introducing lesbian Maggie Sawyer when the show moves to the CW Monday nights beginning Oct. 10.
The popular AMC series, “The Walking Dead” returns to Sunday nights Oct. 23, and the show continues to have several gay characters among its living. Although there’s a chance that the popular Aaron (Ross Marquand) will meet his maker at the hands of Nagen and his bat Lucille in the series opener, characters such as Eric and Tara continue to be part of the zombie fight.
“Empire,” the Fox Wednesday night megahit, returns on Sept. 21, and continues to feature gay characters in major plotlines, including Jamal, played by out actor Jussie Smollett.
On the comedy front, ABC’s “The Real O’Neals” returns on Tuesday nights at 9:30 p.m., beginning Oct. 11. Although there were rumors of the show having its series order trimmed from 22 to 12 episodes following some controversial remarks by out star Noah Galvin, the sitcom will have a complete season and further follow the adventures of a family learning to live with their gay son.
Another sitcom back for its second year that provides plenty of laughs is “Superstore,” starring America Ferrera. One of the store’s employees, Mateo (played by Nico Santos), is gay. The show returns Thursdays at 8 p.m., on Sept. 22.
“Shameless” premieres on Showtime on Oct. 12 with the Gallagher clan again dealing with just about every problem under the sun. When last we tuned in, bi-polar Ian was getting serious with his HIV-positive boyfriend, Caleb, and this season promises to deal with their relationship a great deal.
On Thursday nights, “Finding Prince Charming” airs on Logo, and has already created quite the buzz. Hosted by Lance Bass, the show is a “Bachelor”-esque show for gay men, with 13 suitors competing for the heart of Robert Sepúlveda Jr.
Speaking of dating shows, former “Flavor of Love” standout Tiffany Pollard is shopping “The Ex,” a gay dating show where each week, two exes will vie for the attention of three contestants in the hopes of finding new love after heartache. The show is expected to have a cable network attached soon and starting to air this fall.
Married comedians Cameron Esposito and Rhea Butcher are best known for their podcast, “Put Your Hands Together,” and in August saw their new TV show, “Take My Wife” start a 12-week run on Seeso. The show follows the newlywed lesbian couple co-hosting a standup showcase.
MTV recently started airing “Mary + Jane” on Mondays at 10 p.m. The show follows two pot-trepreneurs (Jordan and Paige) on the East-side of Los Angeles, with Jordan (played by Jessica Rothe) described as “sexually fluid and fiercely independent and empowered.”
The cast of ‘Mary+Jane,’ a new MTV series about ‘pot-trepreneurs.’ (Photo courtesy MTV)
The second season of reality show, “I Am Jazz,” aired this summer and will continue showing reruns on Wednesdays at 10 p.m. on TLC. The show follows the life of transgender teen Jazz Jennings and her family through an 11-part series.
Amazon’s Emmy darling “Transparent” returns for a third season on Dec. 4, further following the adventures of Mort, a transgender played by Jeffrey Tambor.
Beginning Oct. 16, “Queer Ghost Hunters,” a docu-show about LGBT ghost hunters debuts online on YouTube, following the adventures of real people discovering stories of the queer past in places as diverse as the Ohio State Reformatory.
“Feral,” a TV show that follows a group of gay 20-somethings who learn about love, loss and friendship while living in the vibrant, artistic queer community of Memphis, will premiere on Dekkoo.com on Oct. 6.
‘Feral’ follows young gay lives in Memphis. (Photo courtesy Dekkoo)
After a four-year hiatus, “VH1 Divas” makes a triumphant return on Dec. 5, although the performers are still being kept under wraps.
One of the most anticipated specials of the year is a TV remake of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” (starring Laverne Cox as Frank-N-Furter and Adam Lambert as Eddie), which will air on Fox on Oct. 20.
Another musical sure to excite is NBC’s live broadcast of “Hairspray,” with Harvey Fierstein recreating his Broadway role as Edna. Jennifer Hudson, Kristin Chenoweth and Martin Short also star.
Of course, many shows do have gay supporting characters that sometimes get storylines such as Clark from ABC’s “Dr. Ken,” airing Fridays at 8:30 p.m., beginning Sept. 23; or “Younger’s” Maggie (played by the brilliant Debbi Mazar, and airing on TV Land at 10 p.m., Wednesdays, beginning Sept. 28).
The fourth annual Equality Prince William Pride was held at the Harris Pavilion in Manassas, Va. on Saturday, May 17.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
The Washington Blade held its 18th annual Summer Kickoff Party in Rehoboth Beach, Del., on Friday, May 16. Delaware Gov. Matt Meyer spoke along with State Sen. Russ Huxtable, CAMP Rehoboth Executive Director Kim Leisey, Blade Editor Kevin Naff, and Clear Space Theatre Managing Director Joe Gfaller. The event raises funds for the Steve Elkins Memorial Fellowship in Journalism, which was awarded to AU student Abigail Hatting.
(Washington Blade photos by Daniel Truitt)
In some fowl fiction foreshadowing, a gay-owned chicken joint has come home to roost on U Street, taking a page from the chicken window subplot on the HBO show “Looking.”
Last Friday, Lucky Pollo – much more than just a takeout window – stretched its wings atop the busy nightlife corner of 14th and U Streets NW.
Behind the poultry production place is Zach Renovátes, a D.C.-based nightlife operator and managing partner of LGBTQ venues Bunker and District Eagle, as well as the LGBTQ event production company KINETIC Presents.
Renovátes opened Bunker in February 2023 and District Eagle in January of this year. Lucky Pollo is the third in his growing gay empire, though this time there are noshes.
“Lucky Pollo was meant to be fun and a little provocative,” Renovátes said.
Based around its Peruvian-style rotisserie chicken, Lucky Pollo is a quick-service restaurant boasting a small menu of poultry and sides. Renovátes says that the dishes are deeply rooted in Peruvian culinary tradition, “a playful experience alongside seriously good food.”
Lucky Pollo’s signature chicken is steeped in a dozen-plus-spice marinade for 24 hours. The meat is then slow-roasted, rotisserie-style, over oak-wood charcoal. Chicken options include quarter, half, and whole.
Helming the kitchen at Lucky Pollo is Chef Luis Herrera, who brings Peruvian recipes passed down through three generations, including his grandmother Laura’s original creations.
Beyond the full bird, the menu features Peruvian-inspired sides like yuca fries (“I personally love these,” says Renovátes) and fried plantains, as well as comfort classics such as mac and cheese and mashed potatoes, and bowls, wraps, and salads. Herrera oversees development of the multiple sauces (including staff favorite, the “secret green sauce”), crafted in-house using traditional Peruvian ingredients.
Lucky Pollo, in its streetside perch, is an independent concept from District Eagle, open to the public and staying open late (3 a.m. on weekends) to serve both nightlife guests and the wider U Street crowd hungry for late-night bites. However, just beyond the kitchen, tucked in the back lies a vintage 1950s candy machine—labeled “Out of Order,” which serves as the door leading to subterranean District Eagle.
Renovátes notes that when District Eagle is open, security staff will maintain a strict two-line policy, ensuring that those seeking meat to eat will not get entwined with those looking to gain access to District Eagle.
Lucky Pollo unites the need for sustenance with the idea of a bit of fortune, given its motto, “Get Lucky” and the whimsical brand mascot: a leather-booted chicken perched on a horseshoe. Renovátes and his District Eagle business partner had always been interested in opening a restaurant, and the Lucky Pollo space was indeed lucky: It already came with a functional kitchen. Plus, he says, the nearby fast-casual places around 14th and U streets “don’t offer a lot of quality options,” so opening the chicken spot “was a no-brainer.”
The space, designed by NYC creative Jasin Cadic, blends theatrical street-art-style vibes with Keith Haring-inspired wall prints, neon signs, and ceiling-hung chicken figurines —”some edgy, some sweet,” says Renovátes —creating an immersive, playful atmosphere. Lucky Pollo and District Eagle maintain separate amenities for their respective customers.
Lucky Pollo opened last week with a competition to devour a whole rotisserie chicken in the fastest time, with the winner earning $1,000 and a framed spot on the restaurant’s “Wall of Fame.” The opening also featured other games and prizes, and a full crowd spilling out the door.
“We want it to be a great place to eat, but also serve as a playful front for something completely unexpected.” Renovátes says.
On weekends especially, he jokes, the motto will be, ‘Come for the chicken, stay for the cock.’”
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