GLAAD Releases Third Annual Network Responsibility Index
July 27, 2009
Today, GLAAD released its third annual Network Responsibility Index, a report that maps the quantity, quality and diversity of images of LGBT people on television. HBO ranked highest among all networks, while ABC led broadcast networks for the third year in a row.
"True Blood's" Lafayette helped make HBO the leader in LGBT representation among all networks evaluated
GLAAD reviewed all primetime programming — 4,901 hours — for inclusion of LGBT characters or issues on the five major networks (ABC, CBS, The CW, Fox and NBC) from June 1, 2008 to May 31, 2009. GLAAD also examined all original primetime programming — 1,212.5 hours — on 10 highly-rated cable networks (A&E, FX, HBO, Lifetime, MTV, Showtime, Sci Fi, TBS, TNT, and USA). Each hour was reviewed for on-screen LGBT representations. Based on the quantity, overall quality and diversity of these representations, a grade was assigned by GLAAD’s Entertainment Media Program to each network: Excellent, Good, Adequate, or Failing.
The full, detailed report can be downloaded here: http://www.glaad.org/nri2009
HBO received a Good rating and scored the highest rating of the 15 networks evaluated with LGBT characters on shows including True Blood, The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency and Entourage that reflect the ethnic and racial diversity of the LGBT community. Of HBO’s 14 original series, 10 included LGBT content and 42 percent of the network’s total programming hours included LGBT representation. However, representation of the lesbian, bisexual and transgender communities was minimal.
"Grey's Anatomy's" Callie and Arizona helped keep ABC tops among broadcast networks
ABC and The CW ranked first and second among the five broadcast networks, just as they have every year since GLAAD began tracking for the Network Responsibility Index. However, the rankings among the remaining broadcast network shifted with CBS dropping to last place and Fox rising to third.
The 14th Annual GLAAD Where We Are On TV report on diversity will be issued in September. This analysis will examine LGBT inclusion as well as the gender and race/ethnicity of all scripted characters scheduled to appear during the upcoming season. With brand-new LGBT-inclusive shows such as Glee and Modern Family, we are optimistic that the 2009-2010 television season could see some marked improvement among the major networks. Continue checking glaad.org and glaadblog.org for the latest on the Network Responsibility Index and Where We Are on TV, as well as further news on the coming TV season.
Related Posts:The Runway Moves to Lifetime
April 1, 2009
It’s official, folks: Project Runway, a Bravo mainstay for five seasons, has officially moved to Lifetime Television. As you may recall, the beloved gay-friendly series got involved in a law suit last year when The Weinstein Company moved the show to Lifetime without Bravo’s permission.
PR: 6 has been languishing in obscurity for months, with Heidi, Tim and the whole gang having shot the entire season, not knowing if it would ever be seen.
NBC Universal, Bravo’s parent company, issued the following statement at 1 pm PST today:
NBC Universal, The Weinstein Company and Lifetime have resolved their disputes. The Weinstein Company will pay NBCU for the right to move Project Runway to Lifetime. All of the parties are pleased with the outcome. Harvey Weinstein added, “I want to personally congratulate Jeff Zucker and NBCU on their success in the litigation and thank Jeff for resolving this in a professional manner. We look forward to working together on our ongoing projects.”
So, what do you say, Runway fans? Will you make the switch? Or will you stay true-blue to Bravo?
Call to Action: Watch Prayers for Bobby
January 24, 2009
If you missed it over the weekend, you have one more chance to catch the excellent television movie Prayers for Bobby on Lifetime on Tuesday. And if you saw it, email or Facebook your friends, relatives, co-workers and fellow churchgoers and tell them to watch as well. This is a movie that should be seen by young and old, gay and especially straight. Yes, it’s that important.
Set in 1970’s California, Prayers for Bobby is the true story of Mary Griffith (Sigourney Weaver), a devout Christian who raised her children with a conservative religious perspective. When her younger son, Bobby (Ryan Kelley), reveals to his older brother that he is gay, the entire family dynamic is irrevocably shifted. While Bobby’s father and siblings slowly come to terms with his homosexuality, Mary turns to her steadfast beliefs in an attempt to “cure” her son.
Weaver, in her first made-for-TV movie, faced the daunting task of humanizing someone many might consider reprehensible, given Mary’s rejection of her son’s homosexuality. Although Weaver wasn’t raised with these types of beliefs, as a mother she can relate to the connection with her children.
“I have to say that I never felt judgmental of Mary. She meant the best for her son. That’s what’s so frightening. And as a mother, I totally connected with her because we all want our children to be safe and to make safe choices,” says the actress who met with Mary before shooting the film. “As far as she was concerned, this was a choice. And I think she didn’t understand that this was part of who Bobby was. She thought he was choosing a life, and she readily admits that she was incredibly ignorant.”.
Alienated and quickly becoming more detached from the safety of his close knit family, Bobby’s depression drives him to suicide. Now, faced with the devastating tragedy of losing a child, Mary begins to question her faith and, through a painfully emotional journey, ultimately draws strength and support from the gay community, joining PFLAG in an effort to help other families.
Here’s what critics are saying:
Indeed, the story is told with subtlety and sophistication, and the performances — especially Ryan Kelley as Bobby and Weaver, who will almost certainly be in the running for an Emmy — are excellent. It may be the best TV movie on gay issues ever, precisely because there is absolutely nothing cautious or watered down in its execution. — Brent Hartinger, AfterElton.com
Prayers for Bobby certainly has. . .in Weaver a leading lady whose prayers for a part worthy of her talents have been forcefully answered. — Brian Lowry, Variety
Bobby becomes a universal story of a child trying to please a parent, and of a parent who learns too late that children will, after all, listen. — David Wiegand, San Francisco Chronicle
Prayers for Bobby will play three times on Lifetime: Saturday, January 24, 9-11 PM; Sunday, January 25, 8-10 PM; and Tuesday, January 27, 9-11 PM.
What to Watch: This Weekend
January 23, 2009
CANCEL YOUR SATURDAY NIGHT PLANS! It is imperative you stay home and watch the Lifetime Original Movie Prayers for Bobby, starring Sigourney Weaver in what many are calling the performance of her career. Read more about it!
Friday
> 9:00 PM Friday Night Lights, NBC (1 hr) NEW
Lesbian mayor Lucy Rodell confronts Principal Taylor on her decision to use the Jumbotron money to hire more teachers. The nerve!
Saturday
> 9:00 PM Color Splash, HGTV (30 min) NEW
Gay interior designer David Bromstad reworks living spaces.
> 9:00 PM Prayers for Bobby, Lifetime (2 hrs) NEW
Get out the Kleenex and watch Sigourney Weaver star in this true story about a deeply devout Christian mother who, after her gay son’s suicide, devotes her life to LGBT activism.
> 10:00 PM The Graham Norton Show, BBC America (1 hr) NEW
Out Irish comedian Graham Norton hosts celebs from around the globe in this latenight talk show.
> 10:00 PM Savage Grace, Sundance Channel (2 hrs) REPEAT
Based on true events, this film tells the story of unabashed social climber Barbara Daly (Julianne Moore), who, after watching her marriage to a wealthy man crumble, later attempts to “cure” her son’s homosexuality with tragic results. Savage Grace marked director Tom Kalin’s return to Sundance 16 years after his first feature, Swoon, helped define “New Queer Cinema.” Airing as part of Sundance Channel’s “31 Days of Sundance” program.
Sunday
> 8:00 PM Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, ABC (2 hrs) NEW
After an Iraqi veteran’s home is demolished by a tornado, the team rebuilds his family’s house on a new plot of land. Gay designer Michael Moloney appears in this very special two-hour episode.
> 9:00 PM Big Love, HBO (1 hr) NEW
Heather is Sarah’s devoutly Mormon best friend who secretly harbors a crush on her.
> 9:00 PM The L Word, Showtime (1 hr) NEW
In this Sapphic soapy drama, dare to guess who killed Jenny. (Or, depending on your opinion of her, who didn’t kill Jenny.)
> 10:00 PM Desperate Housewives, ABC (1 hr, 1 min) REPEAT
In this repeat from October, the now-successful Andrew sells his old clunker of a car to poor Gabrielle.
> 10:00 PM The United States of Tara, Showtime (30 min) NEW
In this new comedy about a woman with multiple personalities, Marshall is her sweet, sensitive son who has a crush on a cute boy from class.
Must See: Prayers for Bobby on Lifetime
January 16, 2009
Shed all your previous notions of what a made-for-TV movie is and trust us when we say to set your TiVo for Prayers For Bobby, airing Saturday, Jan. 24 on Lifetime. This moving and emotional film, starring Sigourney Weaver, tells an incredible true story of a mother’s love for her gay son.
Weaver plays a 1970s religious suburban housewife and mother who struggles to accept her young son Bobby being gay. What happens to Bobby is tragic and causes Mary to question her faith; ultimately this mom changes her views in ways that she never could have imagined.
What’s remarkable about this story is the complete 180 this woman makes during the course of her life. At first, she truly believes that being gay is a sin and does her best to “save” her son. But when faced with tragedy, she realizes that her previous beliefs have been wrong. Ultimately, it is her faith that gives her the strength to love her son — and gay people everywhere.
Sigourney Weaver and Lifetime Networks were honored at the Trevor Project’s annual Cracked Xmas event in December. Weaver received The Trevor Life Award, which honors an individual who, through his or her example, support, volunteerism and/or occupation, is an inspiration to LGBTQ youth.
In a statement, Weaver said, “I feel grateful and humbled to be honored with the Trevor Life Award, and to be recognized as an ally to the LGBTQ community. I hope that films such as Prayers for Bobby will send messages of compassion and acceptance to all people, and compel them to create safer, all-encompassing environments for our young people.”
Prayers for Bobby premieres Jan. 24 at 9 pm, with encore presentations Jan. 25 at 8 pm and Jan. 27 at 9 pm.
Talented Reality Star Dies Young
December 16, 2008
TV Guide is reporting the sad news of makeup artist and reality star Todd Homme’s sudden death at the age of 23. Homme, who can be seen on tonight’s season finale of Blush on Lifetime, was found by his partner Neal after passing in his sleep. His mother told TV Guide, “I went to the medical examiner early today, and they took tissue samples from his organs and the doctor said they couldn’t find anything wrong with him. No drugs, alcohol or pills.” Services will be held on Wednesday.
Special Sunday Night Viewing: Matthew Shepard Biopics
October 11, 2008
To honor the memory of slain gay college student Matthew Shepard, Lifetime and HBO will be re-airing two original films on Sunday, October 12. They are not to be missed.
It has been ten years since Matthew was brutally killed in Laramie, Wyoming. His death shocked and saddened people around the world.
In 2002, two television films were made to dramatize the anti-gay hate crime. Now, to commemorate the event, HBO Signature will re-air the acclaimed The Laramie Project while Lifetime Movie Network and GLAAD will join to commemorate the anniversary of Matthew’s death by airing the Emmy-winning The Matthew Shepard Story, originally made for NBC.
A generation has grown up unaware of the story of Matthew Shepard. This Sunday, set your DVR or gather the family around to watch two incredible stories about the life and senseless death of a young man that brought issues of anti-gay discrimination and violence to an international audience.
The Matthew Shepard Story
Sunday, Oct. 12; 12pm ET/9am PT, Lifetime Movie Network
The Laramie Project
Sunday, Oct. 12; 10:15 pm, HBO Signature West, 7:15 pm HBO Signature East
Please view the trailer for The Laramie Project here:
Cable Nets Line Up to Come Out
October 9, 2008
Something historic will happen this Saturday, Oct. 11, in honor of National Coming Out Day: At least seven cable networks will air supportive coming out public service announcements, making this the largest national one-day television promotion ever for LGBT equality.
Fox Reality Channel, IFC, Lifetime, The N, SCI FI Channel, Sundance Channel, USA Network and various ABC affiliates will air GLAAD’s “Be an Ally & a Friend” PSAs on Saturday. Several of the networks also aired the celebrity spots throughout the week. The spots feature 22 personalities, such as T.R. Knight, Marlee Matlin 
and Martina Navratilova, sharing with viewers the importance of accepting gay friends and family members.
This is the 20th Annual National Coming Out Day, observed every October 11. The day was established in 1988 to commemorate the first anniversary of the second national march on Washington for LGBT rights.
“National Coming Out Day gives us a vital opportunity to talk about ensuring that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people feel comfortable being open about who they are with their friends and families and in their communities,” says GLAAD President Neil G. Giuliano. “Thanks to the generosity of our broadcast partners, we have a tremendous opportunity to reach Americans across the country with a message of inclusion and acceptance.”
REVIEW: Two Tales of Matthew Shepard
October 7, 2008
HBO Signature and Lifetime Movie Network bring the brutal murder of Matthew Shepard to the small screen this Sunday. While heartfelt, both overlook telling aspects of small-town life in Little America, according to New York Magazine reviewer John Leonard.
The Laramie Project
Missing Persons
by John Leonard, New York Magazine
You’ll be anguished by the angels and confounded by the shoes. The same angels show up in both these variations on a hate crime. They are friends and classmates of Matthew Shepard, constituents of grief, supporters of gay rights. Outside the church or the courthouse, dressed up in sheets with scaffolding for wings, they interpose themselves between the cameras of the media and the agitators chanting homophobic slogans. They complicate the “live” vampire feed. The Matthew Shepard Story tells us that these angels wore earplugs so as not to have to hear the slogans. Toward the end of The Laramie Project, they will also resonate, of course, with a production of Tony Kushner’s Angels in America at the University of Wyoming.
Whereas the shoes remain a mystery. In The Laramie Project — originally a stage piece based on 200 interviews conducted by Moises Kaufman and his Tectonic Theater colleagues, with a small cast playing multiple roles, before it was opened up to blue sky, brown prairie, and big-name acting — the two men who abducted, tortured, and murdered Shepard are asked point-blank by the detective (Clancy Brown): “Why did you take his shoes?” They don’t know, or choose not to explain. In The Matthew Shepard Story, a flashback follows the boy on a school holiday from Switzerland to Morocco, where, as if in undress rehearsal, he will be ambushed and assaulted by young thugs who also take his shoes. This coincidence is not remarked upon by either film, since they haven’t seen each other. But those of us who have seen both are none the wiser.
The Matthew Shepard Story
In fact, there’s surprisingly little overlap. When Matthew’s father, Dennis Shepard, rises in court to urge mercy instead of death for Aaron McKinney, he says the same thing whether he’s Sam Waterston on [Lifetime Movie Network] or Terry Kinney on HBO. But The Laramie Project is otherwise an anthropology of a small town (population 26,000) and a cowboy culture (“Live and let live” is how they like to think of themselves), with soul-searching locals impersonated by the likes of Dylan Baker, Steve Buscemi, Kathleen Chalfant, Peter Fonda, Janeane Garofalo, Joshua Jackson, Laura Linney, Camryn Manheim, Christina Ricci, Lois Smith, and Frances Sternhagen. Whereas The Matthew Shepard Story, as we’d expect of a commercial network movie, is the usual nuclear-family fallout shelter, all about what it felt like to be Matthew (Shane Meier) as well as his parents (Waterston and a very bruised Stockard Channing), and almost entirely innocent of politics, community, or ideology.
So, perhaps oddly, Matthew is mostly missing from The Laramie Project, which is more about how people have to reimagine themselves to accommodate what happened to him — while Laramie is mostly missing from The Matthew Shepard Story, which seeks rather to account for the agonizing family decision not to ask for capital punishment. From The Matthew Shepard Story, you wouldn’t know about any of the remarkable people we meet in The Laramie Project, like Father Roger Schmit (Tom Bower), the Catholic priest; Rebecca Hilliker (Camryn Manheim), who runs the University of Wyoming theater program; or Reggie Fluty (Amy Madigan), the police officer who treated Matt’s bloody wounds, only to discover that he was HIV-positive. From The Laramie Project, you wouldn’t know how spectacularly unhappy Matthew had been before his fatal abduction, even in Denver, or that his father was in Saudi Arabia during most of the trial. And from neither film do we learn anything at all about Aaron McKinney and Russell Henderson, the born losers who left him hanging on a fence; for this intelligence, you must consult JoAnn Wypijewski’s extraordinary essay in Harper’s three years ago.
Well, in Laramie, as one closeted gay rancher explains, they didn’t exactly live and let live. It is more like “If I don’t tell you I’m a fag, you won’t beat the crap out of me.” But how is this much different from anyplace else in our homophobic country and our homophobic world? In Laramie, at least they seem to take what happened personally.
This review originally appeared March 4, 2002, copyright New York Magazine
The Matthew Shepard Story
Sunday, Oct. 12; 12pm ET/9am PT, Lifetime Movie Network
The Laramie Project
Sunday, Oct. 12; 10:15 pm, HBO Signature West, 7:15 pm HBO Signature East
Déjà vu Battle of Matthew Shepard Bio-Pics
October 6, 2008
Sunday, Oct. 12, marks ten years since the murder of college student Matthew Shepard. Six years ago, two television films were made to dramatize the anti-gay hate crime, but a well-publicized turf war broke out when NBC scheduled their film to air opposite one airing on HBO.
The Matthew Shepard Story
HBO had highly promoted The Laramie Project, adapted from the off-Broadway play of the same name, to air on March 16 of that year but were caught off-guard when NBC announced they would air their version of the story the same night.
The Laramie Project
“For whatever reason, they either wanted to damage our film at the cost of their film — which is a $3 million torpedo — or they didn’t have a lot of confidence in their film,” Chris Albrecht, HBO’s then-president of original programming, told The New York Times.
While NBC claimed the scheduling gaffe “was a total coincidence,” HBO blinked and rushed their film to air a week earlier. Both films would go on to be nominated for GLAAD Media Awards with The Laramie Project taking the prize.
A generation has grown up unaware of the story of Matthew Shepard. This Sunday, set your DVR or gather the family around to watch two incredible stories about the life and senseless death of a young man that brought issues of anti-gay discrimination and violence to an international audience.
The Matthew Shepard Story
Sunday, Oct. 12; 12pm ET/9am PT, Lifetime Movie Network
The Laramie Project
Sunday, Oct. 12; 10:15 pm, HBO Signature West, 7:15 pm HBO Signature East
