Read The Prime Time Closet: A History of Gays and Lesbians on TV Online
Authors: Stephen Tropiano
| “ Drew and the Trail Scout ,” Drew’s phony gay marriage to Wick (11/22/00) | |
| “All Work and No Play I,” Drew ends gay marriage to Wick (1/24/01) | |
| “Hotel Drew,” Drew rents room to gay couple (12/12/01) | |
| “The Curse of the Mummy,” Richard Chamberlain as Wick’s mum (1/6/02) | |
| DYNASTY (ABC, Drama, 1981-1989) | Reg: Steven Carrington (Al Corley, 1981-1982; Jack Coleman, 1982-1988) |
| Rec: Ted Dinard (Mark Withers) (1981); Chris Deegan (Grant Goodeve) (1983); Luke Fuller (William Campbell) (1984-1985); Bart Fallmont (Kevin Conroy) (1985-1986) | |
| DYNASTY (cont.) | “Episode One” (Premiere), Blake tells Steven to “straighten out” (1/12/81) |
| ER (NBC, Medical Drama, 1994-) | Reg: Dr. Margaret “Maggie” Doyle (Jorja Fox) (1996- 1999), third-year resident; Dr. Kerry Weaver (Laura Innes) (1995-), ER Chief; Dr. Kim Legaspi (Elizabeth Mitchell) (2000-2001), psychiatrist |
| Rec: Raul Melendez (Carlos Gomez) (1995-1996), paramedic/EMT; Yosh Takata (Gedde Watanabe) (1997- ), junior nurse; Sandy Lopez (Lisa Vidal) (2001- ), firefighter | |
| “Long Day’s Journey,” Ross helps a homeless teenager with AIDS (1/19/95) | |
| “Make of Two Hearts,” Lewis cares for HIV+ little girl (2/9/95) | |
| “Full Moon Saturday,” Man and his fiancée discover he’s HIV+ (3/30/95) | |
| “Everything Old is New Again,” Benton treats gay man with AIDS (5/18/95) | |
| “Dead of Winter,” Shep’s medic partner Raul is gay (1/4/96) | |
| “It’s Not Easy Being Greene,” Gay teen seeks help from Ross (2/1/96) | |
| “Baby Shower,” Gay and lesbian couple have child (2/15/96) | |
| “Whose Appy Now?” Doyle comes out to Carter (2/6/97) | |
| “The Healers,” Raul is badly burned and dies (2/22/96) | |
| “Take These Broken Wings,” Jeanie’s husband is HIV+ (5/9/96) | |
| “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” Jeanie reveals she’s HIV+ (10/10/96) | |
| “When the Bough Breaks,” Weaver reprimands Jeanie (10/16/97) | |
| “Obstruction of Justice,” HIV+ Jeannie sues for her job back (12/11/97) | |
| “Split Second,” Yosh is called “Chinese fag” (10/1/98) | |
| “Masquerade,” Little girl is intersexual (10/29/98) | |
| “Stuck on You,” Greene helps teen hustler (11/5/98) | |
| “Hazed and Confused,” Yosh is called “cookie fairy” (11/12/98) | |
| “Greene with Envy,” Jeanie marries and adopts baby (10/14/99) | |
| “ The Domino Heart ,” Greene helps gay spouse abuse victim (1/13/00) | |
| “Sand and Water,” Woman denied control of lover’s care (10/19/00) | |
| “Flight of Fancy,” Teen discovers he was born HIV+ (11/9/00) | |
| “Rescue Me,” Weaver dines with Dr. Legaspi (11/23/00) | |
| ER (cont.) | “Surrender,” Weaver and Legaspi spend night together (2/1/01) |
| “Thy Will Be Done,” Gay man wants to be HIV+ (2/8/01) | |
| “Witch Hunt,” Legaspi accused of sexual misconduct (3/1/01) | |
| “Where the Heart Is,” Weaver meets Legaspi’s new girlfriend (5/10/01) | |
| “Rampage,” Weaver comes out to Romano (5/17/01) | |
| “Blood Sugar Sex Magic,” Malucci calls Weaver a “Nazi dyke” (10/11/01) | |
| “Never Say Never,” Weaver visits a gay bar (10/18/01) | |
| “Quo Vadis?” Weaver asks out Lopez (11/22/01) | |
| “I’ll Be Home for Christmas,” Weaver and Lopez go on a date (12/13/01) | |
| “A River in Egypt,” Lopez outs Weaver with a kiss (1/17/02) | |
| ED (NBC, Comedy- Drama, 2000- ) | “The Whole Truth,” Ed prepares closeted gay grandpa’s will (12/6/01) |
| EDUCATION OF MAX BICKFORD, THE (CBS, Drama, 2001-2002) | Reg: Erica Bettis (Helen Shaver), Male-to-female transsexual |
| ELEVENTH HOUR, THE (NBC, Medical Drama, 1962-1964) | “What Did She Mean By Good Luck?” Actress with lesbian tendencies (11/13/63) |
| ELLEN (a.k.a THESE FRIENDS OF MINE) (ABC, Comedy, 1994-1998) | Reg: Ellen Morgan (Ellen DeGeneres); Laurie (Lisa Darr) (1997-1998); Peter (Patrick Bristow) |
| Rec: Barrett (Jack Plotnick) (1995-1998), Paige’s assistant | |
| “Two Ring Circus,” Peter and Barrett tie the knot (2/28/96) | |
| “The Puppy Episode,” Ellen comes out to friends (4/30/97) | |
| “Hello Muddah, Hello Faddah,” Ellen comes out to her folks (5/7/97) | |
| “Moving On,” Ellen comes out to her boss (5/14/97) | |
| “G.I. Ellen,” Ellen in a Civil War reenactment (11/5/97) | |
| “Emma,” Ellen discovers Emma Thompson is gay (11/19/97) | |
| “All Ellen, All the Time,” Ellen works as radio talk show host (12/3/97) | |
| “It’s a Gay, Gay, Gay, Gay, World,” Spence dreams gay is the norm (2/25/98) | |
| ELLEN SHOW, THE (CBS, Comedy, 2001-2002) | Reg: Ellen Richmond (Ellen DeGeneres), guidance counselor |
| Rec: Bunny Hopstetter (Diane Delano), gym teacher | |
| EMPTY NEST (NBC, Comedy, 1988-1995) | “Single White Male,” Charlie discovers new roommate is gay (1/7/95) |
| EQUALIZER, THE (CBS, Detective Drama,1985-1989) | “Christmas Presence,” Equalizer protects child with AIDS (12/16/87) |
| EVENING SHADE (CBS, Comedy, 1990-1994) | “The Perfect Woman,” Ponder dates a transsexual (1/31/94) |
| EVERYBODY LOVES RAYMOND (CBS, Comedy,1996- ) | “What’s with Robert?” Family wonders if Robert is gay (1/10/00) |
| “Fairies,” Ray’s sons are fairies in school play (2/19/01) | |
| EXECUTIVE SUITE (CBS, Drama, 1976-1977) | Rec: Leona (Patricia Smith); Julie Solkin (Geraldine Smith) |
| “ Re: The Sounds of Silence,” Julie comes out to Leona (12/6/76) | |
| “ Re: What are Patterns For?” Leona admits feelings for Julie (12/13/76) | |
| “ Re: The Identity Crisis,” Julie’s funeral (12/20/76) | |
| FACTS OF LIFE (NBC, Comedy, 1979-1988) | “Rough Housing,” Blair teases tomboy Cindy (8/24/79) |
| FAME (NBC, Teen Drama, 1982-1983; First-run syn., 1983-1987) | “Best Buddies,” Danny’s old friend comes out (1987 ) |
| FAME L.A. (First-run syn., Drama, 1997-1998) | “Duet,” Ryan’s girlfriend is bi (1/31/98) |
| FAMILY (ABC, Drama, 1976-1980) | “Rites of Friendship,” Willie’s childhood friend is gay (9/28/76) |
| FAMILY LAW (CBS, Legal Drama, 1999- ) | “We Love You, Miss Jessup,” Buddy’s favorite teacher is outed (11/1/77) |
| “Are You My Father?” Transsexual fights for child custody (2/21/00) | |
| “The Gay Divorcee,” Gay man fights for custody of adopted kids (4/9/01) | |
| FANELLI BOYS, THE (NBC, Comedy, 1990-1991) | “Pursued,” Dominic discovers childhood friend is gay (9/19/90) |
| FANTASY ISLAND (ABC, Drama, 1998-1999) | Reg: Harry (Edward Hibbert), Mr. Roarke’s assistant |
| FELICITY (WB, Drama, 1998-2002) | Reg: Javier Clemente Quantata (Ian Gomez) |
| “Love and Marriage,” Noel’s brother comes out; Javier moves to Spain (1/23/99) | |
| FELICITY (cont.) | “Ancient History,” Noel has his eye on lesbian classmate (10/10/99) |
| “The Biggest Deal There Is,” Javier and Samuel get married (5/24/00) | |
| “One Ball, Two Strikes,” Richard reveals he’s not gay, but a virgin (10/8/00) | |
| “A Good Egg,” Javier and Samuel decide to have a child (11/22/00) | |
| “Blackout,” Meghan’s lesbian friend visits (4/25/01) | |
| “Moving On,” Female student her eye on Javier (11/28/01) | |
| FIRED UP (NBC, Comedy, 1997-1998) | Rec: Ashley (Mark Davis), female impersonator |
| “Truth or Consequences,” Ashley quits show biz after bad review (9/29/97) | |
| 413 HOPE STREET (Fox, Drama, 1997-1998) | Reg: Melvin Todd (Karim Prince) |
| FIRST YEAR (NBC, Legal Drama, 2001) | Reg: Warren Harrison (Mackenzie Astin), lawyer |
| “There’s No Place Like Homo,” Warren is honored by gay organization (4/2/01) | |
| FOR YOUR LOVE (NBC, Comedy, 1998; WB, 1998- ) | “The House of Cards,” Sheri’s gay friend Tom comes to visit (11/19/98) |
| FRASIER (NBC, Comedy, 1993- ) | Rec: Gil Chesterton (Edward Hibbert), restaurant critic |
| “The Matchmaker,” New station manager thinks Frasier is gay (4/10/94) | |
| “The Impossible Dream,” Frasier has a dream he’s in bed with Gil (10/15/96) | |
| “The Ski Lodge,” Ski instructor falls for Niles (2/4/98) | |
| “IQ,” Lesbian falls for Roz (4/8/99) | |
| “Out with Dad,” Martin pretends he’s gay (2/10/00) | |
| FREAKS AND GEEKS (NBC, Teen Drama,1999- 2000; Fox Family Channel, 2000) | “The Little Things,” Ben learns Amy was born intersexual (7/8/00) |
| FRIENDS (NBC, Comedy, 1994- ) | Rec: Carol Willig (Anita Barone, 1994, Jane Sibbet, 1995- ); Susan Bunch (Jessica Hecht) (1994- ) |
| “The One with the Sonogram at the End,” Ross and Susan and Carol are pregnant (9/29/94) | |
| “The One where Nana Dies Twice,” Chandler is mistaken for gay (11/20/94) | |
| “The One with the Candy Hearts,” Ross and Susan and Carol on Valentines Day (2/9/95) | |
| “The One with the Birth,” Ross and Susan and Carol are parents (5/11/95) | |
| FRIENDS (cont.) | “The One with Phoebe’s Husband,” Phoebe’s husband is straight (10/12/95) |
| “The One with the Baby on the Bus,” Chandler and Joey mistaken for gay couple (11/2/95) | |
| “The One with the Lesbian Wedding,” Carol and Susan tie the knot (1/18/96) | |
| “The One when Joey Moves Out,” Joey and Chandler “break up” (2/15/96) | |
| “The One with Barry and Mindy’s Wedding,” Joey practices kissing guys (5/16/96) | |
| “The One with the Metaphorical Tunnel,” Ross is upset Ben plays with a doll (10/10/96) | |
| “The One with the Ballroom Dancing,” Joey teaches janitor to dance (10/16/96) | |
| “The One with the Nap Partners,” Joey and Ross enjoy taking a nap together (11/9/00) | |
| “The One with Chandler’s Dad,” Chandler’s dad is drag performer (5/10/01) | |
| “The One with the Secret Closet,” Monica really enjoys Phoebe’s massage (1/31/02) | |
| GENERAL HOSPITAL (ABC, Soap Opera, 1963- ) | Rec: John Hanley (Lee Mathis) (1994-1996); Ted Murty (Patrick Fabian) (1997-1998), high school teacher; Elton Freeman (Loren Herbert) (2001- ), Laura Spencer’s assistant |
| GETTING PERSONAL (Fox, Comedy, 1998) | “Chasing Sammy,” Milo pretends he’s gay (5/18/98) |
| GIDEON’S CROSSING (ABC, Medical Drama, 2000-2001) | “Freak Show,” Woman with cancer tells husband she’s transsexual (11/15/00) |
| GIMME A BREAK (NBC, Comedy, 1981-1987) | “Chief’s Gay Evening,” Chief finds out an old friend is gay (11/13/82) |
| GO FISH (NBC, Comedy, 2001) | “Go PDA,” Hazard thinks Fish’s brother is gay (6/19/01) |
| GOLDEN GIRLS, THE (NBC, Comedy, 1985- 1992) | “Pilot,” Girls’ gay houseboy, Coco (9/14/85) |
| “Isn’t it Romantic,” Dorothy’s lesbian friend has crush on Rose (10/11/86) | |
| “Strange Bedfellows,” Blanche is involved in a sex scandal (11/7/87) | |
| “Scared Straight,” Blanche’s brother Clayton comes out (12/10/88) | |
| “Ebbtide’s Revenge,” Dorothy’s cross-dressing brother dies (12/15/90) | |
| “Sister of the Bride,” Clayton gets married (1/12/91) | |
| “Goodbye Mr. Gordon,” Blanche and Dorothy appear on TV as lesbians (1/11/92) | |
| GOOD NEWS (UPN, Comedy, 1997-1998) | “Pilot,” Mrs. Dixon’s gay son comes out (8/25/97) |
| GRACE UNDER FIRE (ABC, Comedy, 1993- 1998) | “Cold Turkey,” Grace’s ex’s gay cousin, DeForest Kelly, visits (11/22/94) |
| “Emmett’s Secret,” Grace discovers father-in-law, Emmett, is gay (12/5/95) | |
| “Emmett, We Hardly Knew You,” Emmett’s lover comes to his funeral (12/18/95) | |
| GROSSE POINTE (WB, Comedy, 2000-2001) | Rec: Richard Towers/Michael Johnson (Michael Hitchcock) |
| “Boys on the Side,” Johnny’s #1 fan is a gay kid (11/19/00) | |
| “Passion Fish,” Marcy thinks Sarah Michelle Gellar has hots for her (2/16/01) | |
| GROUNDED FOR LIFE (Fox, Comedy, 2001- ) | “Relax,” Walt accidentally outs a co-worker (3/27/01) |
| GROWN-UPS (UPN, Comedy, 1999-2000) | “Pilot,” J’s new roommate thinks he’s gay (8/23/99) |
| GUARDIAN, THE (CBS, Legal Drama, 2001- ) | “The Men From the Boys,” Nick helps gay teen find a home (10/23/01) |
| GUYS LIKE US (UPN, Comedy, 1998-1999) | “In and Out,” Sean pretends he’s gay; Jared worries Maestro is gay (10/12/98) |
| HAIL TO THE CHIEF (ABC, Comedy, 1985) | Reg: Randy (Joel Brooks), Chief Secret Service Agent |
| HARRY-O (ABC, Detective Drama, 1974-1976) | “Coinage of the Realm,” A pair of gay hit men (10/10/74) |
| HEAD OVER HEELS (UPN, Comedy, 1997) | Reg: Ian (Patrick Bristow), celibate bisexual romance counselor |