NBC Today Show’s Meredith Vieira Apologizes for Post Oscar Comments
March 10, 2010
NBC “Today Show” co-host, Meredith Vieira made comments during Monday’s post Academy Awards coverage that generated a substantial number of complaints. During a celebratory interview with the cast of the multi-award winning movie, The Hurt Locker, Vieira jokingly made reference to a past hug between actors Anthony Mackie and Jeremy Renner at the time the film was nominated.
VIEIRA: “You hugged him pretty tight, I must say, in the moment. There was a lot of man lovin’ goin’ on last night. Do I have reason to be worried?”
Anthony Mackie then offered a heartfelt response, completely disarming the idea that there may be a problem with two men embracing.
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
Vieira has a long track record of supporting our community so the remarks did come as a surprise. GLAAD also heard from multiple constituents who were offended by what she said. That’s when we got on the phone with Vieira to voice concerns and ask her to address the issue. We had a very productive conversation and in the end we walked away knowing her heart is in the right place and she had no intention of causing harm for LGBT people.
She even sent along a statement of explanation and an apology which she asked GLAAD to distribute:
“During an interview with the cast of the hurt locker on Monday, I turned to actor Anthony Mackie and made a joke about “man hugging” in reference to a hug he and fellow actor Jeremy Renner had shared a few weeks earlier on our air. It was meant to be lighthearted, but some were offended by what they believed to be a homophobic comment. That was never my intent, but that doesn’t matter. Words are extremely powerful and should never be chosen lightly, even in a lighthearted moment. I apologize to any and all that I offended. My support of the gay and lesbian community is longstanding and well documented. It has not and will never waver.”
GLAAD thanks Meredith Vieira for listening to concerns, addressing this issue sincerely and for using this moment to educate the public on how words can hurt. We continue to value her as an ally and a friend.
Related Posts:Highly Anticipated Law & Order: SVU Episode Proves More Problematic Than Inclusive
March 4, 2010
Last night, NBC aired an episode of Law & Order: SVU which featured LGBT ally Kathy Griffin playing a lesbian activist. Many in the LGBT community were understandably excited about the episode, hoping for a fair, accurate and inclusive hour of television. Unfortunately, that was not the case.
In the episode entitled “P.C.,” Griffin plays Babs Duffy, a lesbian activist pressuring the Special Victims Unit to step up their investigation of the rape and murder of a lesbian woman, as well as ongoing threats to other local lesbians. As Detectives Stabler (Christopher Meloni) and Benson (Mariska Hargitay) unravel the case, they discover a subculture of “aggressives:” lesbians with a hyper-masculinized presentation. Though the detectives initially suspect one of the “aggressives,” the murderer turns out to be a local man who simply can’t stand being surrounded by lesbians when he cannot find a woman for himself.
Kathy Griffin (l.) guest starred as a lesbian activist on Law & Order: SVU, starring Mariska Hargitay (r.)
As offensive as the unoriginal victim and man-hating lesbian stereotypes were, the episode’s true problem lay in the bait and switch it pulled on its LGBT viewers. Capitalizing on Harigtay’s large lesbian fanbase as well as Griffin’s popularity in the LGBT community, NBC released a preview clip in the days before the airing that showed Griffin’s character kissing Det. Benson. However, when the episode aired last night, Duffy only attempts to kiss Benson, who refuses her advance. As Benson exits, she tells her female colleague “if I were you, I’d stay outside,” where she would be safe from the predatory lesbian. Later when it’s revealed that Duffy has a male lover, she is forced to admit she’s bisexual at an activist rally, leading her followers to label her a traitor. In her final scenes, Babs kisses Meloni’s Det. Stabler, despite not being able to kiss Det. Benson.
Amongst crime procedurals, Law & Order: SVU typically ranks among the best in terms of LGBT-inclusive episodes, having received three previous GLAAD Media Award nominations. However, “P.C.” proved to be a tremendous missed opportunity. The storyline attempted to tackle real life issues around hate crimes against lesbians, but by discrediting the Babs Duffy character, her message was also discredited. Instead, she became just another stereotype: the confused, sex-crazed bisexual.
NBC received a failing grade in GLAAD’s Network Responsibility Index last summer for its lack of quality LGBT representation. Though the several new shows have helped the network make some progress, this episode of Law & Order: SVU marks a step backward for NBC.
GLAAD will be reaching out to NBC to express our concerns, as well as the concerns that have been voiced to us by community members. We also urge you to reach out to NBC and ask that they not insult their LGBT viewers by luring them in with the promise of an episode that ultimately proves insulting.
Related Posts:Where We Are on TV: An Update
October 30, 2009
In the ever-changing television landscape, nothing is ever certain, particularly when it comes to LGBT representation. Just weeks after GLAAD released its 14th annual “Where We Are on TV” study, noteworthy changes have already occurred in the broadcast TV landscape.
FlashForward's Janis Hawk (Christine Woods)
The study reported that Dr. Arizona Robbins (Jessica Capshaw) on ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy would be the only lesbian series regular on network television. That changed when plot developments revealed that FBI agent Janis Hawk (Christine Woods) is a lesbian on the hit new series FlashForward, also on ABC. In last week’s episode, Janis went on a first date with an attractive woman named Maya. Although Janis was shot at the end of the episode, Janis does survive…though in the violent world of FlashForward she should watch her back lest our lesbian count drop back down to one. ABC recently announced it had picked up the series for an extended 25-episode first season.
Another noteworthy development came this past Monday when NBC’s Trauma definitively revealed the identity of its gay character, who was counted but unidentified in our study. Word had spread earlier that San Francisco paramedic Tyler Briggs (Kevin Rankin) was the gay character. Sure enough, in the Halloween-themed episode, Tyler came out to his partner Cameron Boone after Tyler had had enough of Boone’s homophobic jokes in the middle of the Castro. Unfortunately, NBC announced Wednesday that it would not be picking up additional episodes of Trauma beyond the original 13-episode order. The remaining eight episodes are expected to complete production and make it to air.
Trauma's Tyler Briggs (Kevin Rankin)
Besides the impending loss of Trauma, NBC also announced the cancellation of the critically-acclaimed Southland before its second season could even premiere. But there is still hope for Southland’s Officer John Cooper (Michael Cudlitz) as TNT is reportedly interested in picking up the show. This news does not bode well for NBC’s LGBT representation, which looked promising coming into the new season. NBC’s primary LGBT characters now reside on The Office, Heroes and Mercy, which recently received a full season pick-up.
Additionally, if recent internet speculation on AfterEllen and other sites proves true, The Good Wife could become the only scripted series on CBS to feature a series regular member of the LGBT community. Though CBS has not yet confirmed this, subtle dialogue has suggested that investigator Kalinda Sharma (Archie Panjabi) could indeed be bisexual. We look forward to following this story and hope the The Good Wife will signal some progress for a network that has been lagging in scripted LGBT representation.
In the coming months The CW will see a rise in LGBT inclusion. Entertainment Weekly’s Michael Ausiello confirmed yesterday that 90210’s barely-there lesbian, Gia (Rumer Willis), will be getting some major screen time come January when she embarks on a relationship with series regular Adrianna (Jessica Lowndes). If the following statement from executive producer Rebecca Sinclair is any indication, we may have to start counting Adrianna as a bisexual character as this likely won’t be a mere ratings stunt:
“This isn’t a fling,” insists executive producer Rebecca Sinclair. “We’re coming at this [relationship] from a genuine place and not going, ‘Let’s do a titillating story that will grab some promotion.’ This is a real aspect of teenager life that’s interesting… And there’s been a real void in the 90210 universe in terms of gay and bisexual characters.”
This is shaping up to be an interesting season on many fronts! Check the glaadBLOG for TV Gayed, our weekly listings that bring you the latest on what’s LGBT on TV!
Related Posts:NBC’s The Marriage Ref Casting Married Gay Couples
October 15, 2009
NBC’s The Marriage Ref is casting and on the hunt for married gay couples! The Marriage Ref is a comic reality series where celebrities and a relationship referee help squabbling married couples make peace. Created by Jerry Seinfeld himself, this is relationship advice… with a comic twist.
Jerry Seinfeld, producer of The Marriage Ref
The show is looking for outgoing and opinionated same-sex married couples, willing to appear on national television, who want help resolving a dispute. It’s a one time appearance and camera crews will travel to you, so anyone in the US is eligible.
We’re talking about benign arguments– like one partner never puts the cap on the toothpaste– or a couple having a disagreement about what to name their baby or what the baby will call his two mommies — who controls the space on the DVR — or any annoying habits.
Whether you argue about parenting, pets, fashion, money, in-laws, weight, housework, chores, communication, neatness, jealousy, past history, friends…no topic is too small. Couples will be awarded prizes related to their particular dispute.
NBC is very excited to get some great married gay couples to be on the show and to represent the full spectrum of modern, American, married life. They are in the final weeks of casting so please contact Cindi Creager or Taj Paxton at GLAAD by MONDAY, OCTOBER 19 if you are interested.
Taj Paxton
Director of Entertainment Media
paxton@glaad.org
Or
Cindi Creager
Director of National News
creager@glaad.org
GLAAD Releases 14th Annual Where We Are on TV Study
October 1, 2009
Today, GLAAD released the14th annual “Where We Are On TV” study, a comprehensive review of scripted LGBT primetime characters in the 2009-2010 television season. After more than doubling last year,the overall number LGBT characters on broadcast networks continues a steady rise.
Glee's Kurt Hummel (Chris Colfer)
The report shows that 18 LGBT characters will account for 3% of scripted series regulars in the 2009-2010 broadcast television schedule, up from 1.3% in 2006, 1.1% in 2007, and 2.6% in 2008. The number of scripted LGBT series regulars found on mainstream cable networks continue to decline, from 40 in 2007, 32 in 2008 to only 25 this year.
This research serves as a benchmark for GLAAD’s advocacy efforts of increases in LGBT characters and stories. The storylines and characters in the Where We Are On TV report will later be reviewed for GLAAD’s fourth annual Network Responsibility Index, released after May 2010 sweeps, which grades networks on overall LGBT impressions.
For this upcoming season, ABC continues to lead the other broadcast networks in LGBT representation, with eight LGBT characters out of 168 total series regular characters (5%), the highest number and percentage of LGBT characters of any network for the 2009-2010 season. Fox, which only two years ago featured zero series regular LGBT characters at the launch of the season, now offers four LGBT series regulars out of 105 (4%). NBC has three series regular LGBT characters (3%) out of a total of 126. The CW is showing gradual improvement with two LGBT series regular characters out of 69 (3%). Unfortunately, CBS continues to disappoint. Out of 132 series regular characters, none are LGBT.
On mainstream cable networks, the number of announced LGBT series regular characters dropped to 25 from last year’s total of 32. The presence of LGBT-focused cable networks here! and Logo, which program specifically for LGBT viewers, add an additional 27 series regular LGBT characters.
Stargate Universe's Camille Wray (Ming Na)
This marks the fifth year that GLAAD has analyzed the demographics of the race, gender and ethnicity of all the 600 series regular characters expected to appear on the broadcast networks in the upcoming season. Male characters continue to outweigh female characters 57% (345) to 43% (255) in overall numbers, while 77% (466) of all series regular characters are white, down 2% from last year. African American representation has remains at 11% (67) while Latino/a representation has dropped to 5% (27). GLAAD counted 23 Asian Pacific Islander characters (4%), four more than last season.
“Our analysis also shows where there’s still work to be done. This past year, we’ve seen real progress from many networks toward making their scripted programming more LGBT inclusive,” said GLAAD President Jarrett Barrios. “At the same time, we continue to advocate that other networks including CBS follow suit and that networks across the board better reflect the diversity of the LGBT community.”
Complete results of GLAAD’s “Where We Are On TV” report can be accessed here.
Related Posts:NBC’s SNL and ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Defame Caster Semenya
September 25, 2009
Last week, we reached out to NBC with complaints about a joke told at the expense of champion South African runner Caster Semenya during September 17th’s episode of Saturday Night Live Weekend Update Thursday.
Although NBC listened to our complaints, the network has yet to issue a statement, an apology or give an acknowledgment that the joke was in poor taste.
Please contact NBC and voice your serious concerns about this joke. Ask NBC to apologize and cut the joke from future airings.
Sharon Pannozzo
NBC Publicity
Sharon.Pannozzo@nbcuni.com
This week, a viewer also alerted us to a recent segment on Jimmy Kimmel Live! titled “Kids Weigh In” which perpetuated a series of severely insensitive media reports questioning Caster Semenya’s gender.
“Kids Weigh In” was introduced with a monologue by Kimmel that quickly shifted from comedic to offensive when he reported on the rumors surrounding Semenya. Among several distasteful comments, Kimmel referred to Semenya as a “hermaphrodite,” and to her hairstyle as a “hermafro.”
Kimmel’s reference to Semenya as a “hermaphrodite” is in itself offensive—the term is outdated and stigmatizing. The use of such a term was only one of the many problems that the segment illustrated—Kimmel later commented on the IAAF testing of Semenya’s gender saying, “if it takes three months to figure out whether you’re a woman or not, then you probably aren’t.”
During the segment, several children were asked to decipher the athlete’s gender, because according to Kimmel, “kids are the most honest people in the world.” In the interviews, eight children were shown a photograph of Semenya and asked if she was male or female.
Although the video clip was intended to be a humorous take to the gender debate surrounding Semenya, the end result proved to be defamatory.
GLAAD is currently reaching out to ABC and Jimmy Kimmel Live! about the segment. To voice your concerns please contact:
Aime Wolfe
Aime.wolfe@abc.com
GLAAD Reaching Out To NBC About Problematic Caster Semenya Joke
September 18, 2009
We’ve been alerted by many of our supporters about a problematic segment which aired during last night’s Saturday Night Live Weekend Update Thursday.
During the segment, Amy Poehler told this joke:
“Caster Semenya, the champion South African runner whose gender has been called into question, withdrew from a cross country race this past weekend citing an unspecified injury. No word on what the injury is, though it’s rumored she’s suffering from an enlarged penis.”
We are very alarmed that NBC chose to make fun of the young athlete in this dehumanizing manner, particularly given reports that Semenya is on suicide watch after unconfirmed, yet detailed results of her gender testing by the International Association of Athletics Federations were leaked to the Austrailian press, prompting a wave of intrusive, speculative and in many cases sensational media reports about her.
GLAAD is currently reaching out to NBC with serious concerns about this crass and stimatizing joke. We will have more information for you as it becomes available. Please check back for updates.
Related Posts:Tonight Show Guests Made Uncomfortable By Taking Woodstock Gay Kiss
August 18, 2009
Last night on The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien, guest Demetri Martin talked about his role in the upcoming Ang Lee film Taking Woodstock and the discomfort he felt when he realized he would be playing a gay man and would have to kiss another man.At this point, guest Shaquille O’Neal scoots away from Martin on the couch and the audience and O’Brien begin laughing hysterically. Towleroad’s Andy Towle posted a rough transcript this morning:
MARTIN: There’s a scene in the movie where I have to kiss a guy, where I have to make out with this guy. (big laughter as Shaq moves away on couch) . Ang [Lee], the director said, listen, in that scene you have to kiss a girl first, and then you push her away, and then you kiss the guy. We can cast your girlfriend if you want….So the day comes, and I’m kind of dreading it but I’m like my girlfriend will be there so that’s cool. We do the first take. I kiss my girlfriend, I have to push push her away. And then I have to go really make out with the guy in front of her. And I hadn’t anticipated…
CONAN: The weirdness of doing this in front of your girlfriend.
MARTIN: And then, like eight takes later…we keep doing it over and over again. And it was weird cause it was like girlfriend, push her away, guy, oh yeah I want to kiss you, and then, okay girlfriend again…I had like 500 Altoids that night. I thought it would make a difference.
CONAN: It doesn’t really, I know.
The incident is especially unfortunate because we were beginning to see a change, following Brokeback Mountain and Milk, in the way straight actors approach gay roles and discuss same-sex intimacy in the media. Furthermore, O’Neal has proven to be an ally to the LGBT community in the past, even assisting in stopping a gay bashing four years ago.
As we reported yesterday, The Tonight Show also aired a problematic segment last Thursday which made fun of the transgender community. GLAAD has reached out to NBC regarding this incident. We will also be staying abreast of upcoming promotional appearances by the cast of Taking Woodstock.
Related Posts:Tonight Show Makes Tired Transgender Jokes
August 17, 2009
On last Thursday’s episode of The Tonight Show, host Conan O’Brien repeated his “Conan’s Tabloid Moment” segment and used the skit to make easy and unfunny jokes at the expense of the transgender community.
“Conan’s Tabloid Moment” typically involves O’Brien staging scandalous tabloid photos with the (false) intent of selling them to magazines to make a profit. In Thursdays segment, O’Brien began by posing at a strip club after a few drinks then wondered how to make the situation even more embarrassing for himself. At this point, a neon sign reading “Trannie’s” appears and the female strippers slap on fake mustaches.
Conan O’Brien has shown in the past that he is a comedian capable of making gay-themed jokes without resorting to cheap laughs and offensive slurs. This was most recently on display when he made fun of NBC’s Failing grade in the GLAAD Network Responsibility Index. Unfortunately, sensitivity to transgender issues is an area in which many comics frequently fall short. Not only is the term “tranny” offensive to the transgender community, the representation of transgender women as mustached men in dresses is a harmful misrepresentation.
GLAAD has reached out to NBC and is hoping to have an update to this issue soon.
Related Posts:NBC’s Upcoming Trauma to Feature LGBT Character
August 6, 2009
AfterElton editor Michael Jensen continues to dig up major scoop from the Television Critics Association press tour and as he predicted, the news does indeed “gladden GLAAD’s heart.”
Via AfterElton.com:
- The cast of NBC’s Trauma
Here’s some news that should gladden GLAAD’s heart (not to mention ours!): I’ve confirmed exclusively that NBC’s new medical drama Trauma is going to include a major gay character as part of its cast.
Set in San Francisco, this is an “intense, action-packed look at one of the most dangerous medical professions in the world: first responder paramedics.”
And one of those first responders is going to be an out gay man or woman…I know the identity of the gay character, but you’ll have to wait for now to find out who it is. I will tell you that the show’s executive producersDario Scardapane and Jeffrey Reiner told me it was important that a show set in San Francisco include a gay character and that they wanted to avoid the cliched coming out storyline. Kudos to them for that.
I’ve seen the pilot and I have to say, I certainly didn’t realize this character was gay and Scardapane and Reiner told me the “reveal” is fun and different. And even though I’m not a fan of medical dramas, I rather liked this one. Here’s hoping it lasts longer than Kings. Trauma premieres Monday September 28th.
As reported in GLAAD’s Network Responsibility Index, NBC earned a Failing grade after only 8% of its original programming included LGBT-inclusive images. The addition of a gay character to Trauma signals a shift in the right direction and we are optimistic that NBC will be able to improve upon their grade.
Related Posts: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:NBC Affiliate Rejects Equality Ad, Blames NFL
February 2, 2009
A Los Angeles NBC affiliate says it did not air an equality ad featuring a gay couple and their children during Sunday’s Super Bowl coverage because it was rejected by the NFL late Friday. Meanwhile, the ad did run during Super Bowl coverage on NBC affiliates in other parts of California.
NBC’s owned and operated affiliate KNBC refused to air the paid ad produced by GetToKnowUsFirst.org featuring a gay family and supporting marriage equality during Super Bowl programming, says the groups project organizer John Ireland. According to Ireland, KNBC stated that it had shown the ad to the NFL legal department, which rejected it for being “advocacy,” a category they claim to exclude. Despite this policy, however, other advocacy ads aired multiple times throughout the day’s NFL-controlled programming.
The rejected 30-second ad features two married African American men raising five children ages 6 to 25. Among the advocacy ads which did air on KNBC were PSAs for TobaccoFreeCA.org and DontBeAnAsterisk.org , an anti-steroids advocacy campaign.
Ireland said, “We bought ads before, during and after the Super Bowl in ten markets across California. We planned this buy weeks in advance and heard late Friday that the NFL rejected our ads [in Los Angeles] because they violate the NFL’s ‘no advocacy’ policy. I was truly stunned while watching the programming, to see that they had selectively blocked our ads, while allowing other advocacy ads to air.”
Keith Fisher, CEO of New and Improved Media, the ad agency for GetToKnowUsFirst.org, explained the chain of events. He said, “Late Friday afternoon, KNBC told us they had shown it to the NFL Legal Department and that it was rejected because it was ‘advocacy.’ Clearly, the other ads they ran meet anyone’s definition of advocacy.”
“We are disappointed that this ad couldn’t reach an audience with images of our families during one of the most watched programming events of the year,” said Neil G. Giuliano, president of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD). “GLAAD is calling on KNBC to meet with GLAAD and GetToKnowUsFirst.org to discuss why this message would be rejected and to remedy this situation.”
A series of ads featuring gay and lesbian families were produced for GetToKnowUsFirst.org by the non-profit organization POWER UP. Gina Levy, who directed the PSAs, expressed her anger that the ad buy was blocked. “Marriage Equality is a civil rights issue. As a straight woman, I know this affects all of us, not just people who happen to be gay,” said Levy. “It is important for us all to get to know these families. It’s a shame that’s not going to happen today.”
The rejected ad can be seen at GetToKnowUsFirst.org.
CBS News Gives Ann Coulter Airtime in the New Year
January 6, 2009
The notoriously provocative author Ann Coulter is back in the mainstream media this week promoting her new book. This time CBS News The Early Show chose to give Coulter a platform to tout her latest work, entitled, Guilty: Liberal “Victims” and their Assault on America.
Although Coulter did non discuss any gay issues during her January 6 appearance on CBS News The Early Show, she did have a tense discussion with host Harry Smith, who before the interview questioned whether he should have invited her on in the first place.
“Ann Coulter is in the studio this morning. She has a brand new book. It’s called Guilty: Liberal “Victims” and Their Assault on America, and in it, she says that I am certifiably insane. Perhaps I am, for having her –- on the program this morning.”
In December Media Matters for America put NBC News on notice about a potential January 6 appearance by Coulter on NBC’s The Today Show. We at GLAAD also called NBC Universal executives with our concerns about Coulter’s past anti-gay defamation on NBC Programs. As Reuters reported yesterday NBC cancelled Coulter’s January 6 appearance due to an apparent scheduling conflict, but seemed to indicate the door is wide open for future appearances by Coulter:
“We’ve had Ann Coulter on ‘Today’ many times, but because of the news in Washington and the Middle East, we decided to cancel her appearance tomorrow,” NBC News said in a statement Monday. “Understanding the media as well as she does, we are sure she knows this happens from time to time. We look forward to welcoming her back in the future.”
We urge NBC, CBS and all mainstream outlets to carefully consider the wide range of inflammatory rhetoric Coulter has spouted over the years including numerous anti-gay outbursts. We applaud Media Matters for America for continually speaking out about Coulter and sharing all of her past vitriolic statements. GLAAD will also continue to hold the media accountable for giving pundits like her a voice to promote intolerance.
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
Welcome Back, Rosie
October 2, 2008
NBC has officially announced Rosie O’Donnell’s return to network TV. On November 26, NBC will air Rosie’s Variety Show, a live pre-Thanksgiving special featuring a broad range of acts designed to keep you glued to the TV while you stuff your bird.
Rosie O'Donnell
The special has been in the works for months, but now that NBC has made it official, Rosie is now seeking the entertainment to fill an hour. Expect to see celebrity guests, musical acts, comedy skits and a contest both for in-studio and at-home audiences.
“The key to reinventing variety starts with the talent. And Rosie was the perfect person for this,” executive producer David Friedman told Variety. “She was already doing a variety show in daytime. Once we got Rosie, we were already ahead of the game.”
O’Donnell says hosting a live variety show is “a dream come true.”
If the special is a hit, it could potentially expand to a weekly series.
Rosie’s Variety Show will air November 26 at 8 pm on NBC.
