Queers, Pride & Gay Wiseguys


Pink has become the color of money for cable.  Queer Eye for the Straight Guy has been a runaway success for Bravo.  The L Word has scored huge for Showtime.  And, the same network continues to reap in the bucks from Queer As Folk.

QAF is only into the second episode of Season Four, and though ratings aren't what they were in the first year, they are still strong enough for Showtime to re-sign the series for a fifth year.

Robert Greenblatt, Showtime's President of Entertainment says the fifth season will premiere in the Spring of 2005.    

"Since its premiere in 2000, Queer As Folk has distinguished itself not only as a valuable signature series for Showtime, but it has significantly helped change the television landscape by portraying gay men and women as fully dimensional characters," said Greenblatt. 

"It is responsible for blazing the trail for other gay-themed programs to thrive. Its fifth season will be no less impactful, as we continue the compelling stories and relationships that have made this series so indelible," he added.

Showtime is unfurling the Rainbow flag for another gay TV outing as well.  The network has declared June to be Pride Month on the net.

Highlighting the month of special programming is  The Opposite Sex: Jamie's Story and the original picture Jack.  Additionally, the network continues to support the Viacom and Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation's multi-year HIV/AIDS initiative, entitled KNOW HIV/AIDS, with programs that educate consumers about the disease.

The Opposite Sex: Jamie's Story will premiere June 7, 2004 at 9:00 PM (ET/PT). The focus of this 90 minute documentary is Jamie, 47, a male-to-female gender reassignment candidate formerly known as Jim. A macho man from a small town in Michigan, she has been married to Brenda for 25 years and fathered their 12-year-old daughter. This is the second of two documentaries which focus on one individual's transition and surgery.  Both verite documentaries are directed by Oscar  nominee Josh Aronson (Sound and Fury).  

The other, Opposite Sex: Rene's Story is about Rene, 31, a female-to-male gender reassignment candidate.  Rene took hormones for years and 'passed' as a man for all of his adult life. 

Also premiering in June is JACK. Anton Yelchin stars as Jack, a 15-year-old boy who must come to terms with his parents divorcing, his own puberty and the revelation that his father is gay.

The film also stars Stockard Channing and Ron Silver. Directed by Lee Rose from the screenplay by A.M. Homes based on her novel.  The film will premiere June 20 at 8:00 PM

Then, every Tuesday throughout June, the network will air back-to-back episodes of the miniseries Armistead Maupin's More Tales of the City and Further Tales of the City.

On June 1 and June 27, Showtime will air a number of short films.  This includes the premiere of a new installment of Scenarios USA, an anthology of short films created by high school students who teamed up with industry professionals to produce stories that inspire kids to act responsibly and make healthy choices about sexual matters.  Included are the short films Lipstick, Today I Found Out, From an Objective Point of View,  and  Just Like You Imagine.

Over at HBO, capo Vito Spatafore was caught in a compromising position with a male security guard.  The now outed gay mobster  is played by actor Joseph Gannascoli who is relishing the twist.

"It adds a lot of depth to the character," he says.