Read The Prime Time Closet: A History of Gays and Lesbians on TV Online
Authors: Stephen Tropiano
| “T.G.I.F,” A pro athlete wants to come out on the air (8/5/95) | |
| LIVING SINGLE (Fox, Comedy, 1993-1998) | “Woman to Woman,” The gang throws a lesbian shower (3/21/96) |
| LOT, THE (AMC, Drama, 1999-2001) | “Danny Mathews Takes A Wife,” Gay movie star must marry to save career (3/18/01) |
| “Oscar’s Wilde,” Studio sanitizes Oscar Wilde bio by making him hetero (4/1/01) | |
| LOU GRANT (CBS, Drama, 1977-1982) | “Cop,” Reporter Joe Rossi befriends a closeted gay cop (9/17/79) |
| LOVE & WAR (CBS, Comedy, 1992-1995) | “Bali Hai,” Jack has a male admirer (3/14/91) |
| LOVE BOAT (ABC, Comedy, 1977-1986) | “Strange Honeymoon,” Groom and best man mistaken for gay couple (11/8/80) |
| “Frat Brothers Forever,” Doc’s old frat brother comes out (10/6/84) | |
| LOVE BOAT: THE NEXT WAVE (UPN, Comedy, 1998-1999) | “Smooth Sailing,” Two guys are mistaken for a gay couple (4/13/98) |
| LOVE, SIDNEY (NBC, Comedy, 1981-1983) | Reg: Sidney Shorr (Tony Randall) |
| LUSH LIFE (Fox, Comedy, 1996) | Reg: Nelson “Margarita” Marquez (John Ortiz) bartender |
| M*A*S*H (CBS, Comedy, 1972-1983) | Reg: Corporal Max Klinger (Jamie Farr), cross-dresser |
| “George,” Frank tries to “out” a gay soldier (2/16/76) | |
| M.Y.O.B. (NBC, Comedy, 2001) | “Boys in the Band,” Gay student has affair with female teacher (6/6/00) |
| MAD ABOUT YOU (NBC, Comedy, 1992- 1999) | Rec: Debbie Buchanan (Robin Bartlett) (1995-1999); Dr. Joan Herman (1996-1999), Debbie’s lover |
| “Ovulation Day,” Debbie comes out to Paul, Jamie and her parents (1/7/96) | |
| “Dr. Wonderful,” Debbie’s parents meet Joan (9/17/96) | |
| “Tragedy Plus Time,” Debbie is not sure if she should marry Joan (10/27/98) | |
| MAGGIE (Lifetime, Comedy, 1998) | “Pilot,” Artistic teen pretends to be gay (8/18/98) |
| MALCOLM & EDDIE (UPN, Comedy, 1996- 2000) | “The Commercial,” TV commercial turns sports bar into gay bar (2/24/97) |
| “Sibling Rivalry,” Malcolm, his lesbian friend and Eddie vie for waitress (8/4/97) | |
| MALCOLM IN THE MIDDLE (Fox, Comedy, 2000- ) | “Lois vs. Evil,” Beauty pageant contestants think Francis is gay (3/19/00) |
| MARCUS WELBY, M.D. (ABC, Medical Drama, 1969-1976) | “The Other Martin Loring,” Confused gay, married, alcoholic diabetic (2/20/73) |
| “The Outrage,” Welby treats male teen raped by his teacher (10/8/74) | |
| MARRIED WITH CHILDREN (Fox, Comedy, 1987-1997) | “Dance Show,” Peg steps out with two gay men, (10/21/90) |
| “Lez Be Friends,” Marcy is jealous of her lesbian cousin (4/10/97) | |
| MARY HARTMAN, MARY HARTMAN (First- run syn., Comedy/Soap Opera, 1976-1977) | Rec: Howard McCullough (Beeson Carroll) (1976); Ed McCullough (Lawrence Haddon) (1976); Annie “Tippytoes” Wylie (Gloria DeHaven) (1976) |
| MARTIN (Fox, Comedy, 1992-1997) | “You’ve Got a Friend,” Martin-is jealous of Gina’s new male friend (10/10/93) |
| MARY TYLER MOORE SHOW (CBS, Comedy, 1970-1977) | “My Brother’s Keeper,” Rhoda and Phyllis’s gay brother hit it off (1/13/72) |
| MATT WATERS (CBS, Drama, 1996) | Reg: Russ Achoa (Felix A. Pire), high school student |
| “Who?” Russ explores his family’s roots (2/7/96) | |
| MAUDE (CBS, Comedy, 1972-1978) | “Maude’s New Friend,” Maude befriends a gay author (12/2/74) |
| “Arthur’s Worry,” Walter dreams he kissed Arthur (11/5/76) | |
| “The Gay Bar,” Maude vs. Arthur when new gay bar opens (12/3/77) | |
| MAX LIEBMAN PRESENTS (NBC, Musical Variety, 1954-1955) | “Lady in the Dark,” Carleton Carpenter as Russell (9/25/54) |
| MEDICAL CENTER (CBS, Medical Drama, 1969- 1976) | “Undercurrent,” Gay medical researcher faces homophobia (9/23/70) |
| “Impasse,” Lesbian psychiatrist helps sexually confused patient (10/1/73) | |
| “The Fourth Sex” (Parts I & II), Surgeon undergoes sex change (9/8/75, 9/15/75) | |
| MELROSE PLACE (Fox, Drama, 1992-1999) | Reg: Matt Fielding (Doug Savant) (1992-1997), social worker/doctor |
| Rec: Jeffrey Lindley (Jason Beghe) (1994-1995); Dr. Paul Graham (David Beecroft) (1995); Alan Ross (Lonnie Schuyler) (1995-1996); David Johansen (Rob Youngblood) (1996); Dr. Dan Hathaway (1996- 1997); Connie Rexroth (Megan Ward) (1997-1998) | |
| “Till Death Do us Part,” Billy’s best man is gay (5/18/94) | |
| “Farewell Mike’s Concubine,” Matt and Dan take it slow (11/18/96) | |
| “Brand New Day,” Matt moves to San Francisco (9/8/97) | |
| “World According to Matt,” Amanda reads Matt’s diary (8/14/98) | |
| MEN BEHAVING BADLY (NBC, Comedy, 1996- 1997) | “The Odds Couple,” Jamie tries to prove his neighbor is a lesbian (1/15/97) |
| “Spoils of War,” Brenda makes Jamie feel like a gay pal (11/2/97) | |
| MEN, WOMEN, AND DOGS (WB, Comedy, 2001) | “A Fetching New Lawyer,” Royce pretends he’s gay to get a woman (12/30/01) |
| MIDNIGHT CALLER (NBC, Drama, 1988-1991) | “After It Happened,” Jack learns ex-girlfriend got AIDS from bi man (12/13/88) |
| “Someone to Love,” Jack says goodbye to dying Tina (11/7/89) | |
| MILLENNIUM (Fox, Police Drama, 1996-1999) | “Pilot,” Serial killer attempts to cleanse city of the “plague” (10/25/96) |
| MISSION HILL (WB, Animation, 1999) | Reg: Gus (voice of Nick Jameson), gay man in his late 60’s; Wally (voice of Tom Kenny), Gus’s lover for 40 years |
| MR. BELVEDERE (ABC, Comedy, 1984-1989) | “Wesley’s Friend,” Wesley’s friend has AIDS (1/31/86) |
| MOESHA (UPN, Comedy, 1996-2001) | “Labels,” Hakeem’s cousin Omar is gay (10/1/96) |
| MOMMIES, THE (NBC, Comedy, 1993-1995) | “I Got the Music in Me,” Paul is worried his son Blake could be gay (11/6/93) |
| “Mr. Mommies,” Is stay-at-home dad next door gay? (3/19/94) | |
| MOVIE STARS (WB, Comedy, 1999-2000) | “He’s Reese, He’s Here, Get Used to It,” Reese is a gay icon (6/18/00) |
| MURDER ONE (ABC, Legal Drama, 1995-1997) | Rec: Louis Heinsbergen (John Fleck) (1995-1996), office manager |
| MURPHY BROWN (CBS, Comedy, 1988-1998) | “Come Out, Come Out, Wherever You Are,” Miles has a homoerotic dream (3/4/92) |
| “The Anchorman,” Jim’s pub is a gay bar (2/24/94) | |
| “A Comedy of Eros,” Frank’s play turns into gay love story (9/30/96) | |
| MUSCLE (WB, Comedy, 1995) | Reg: Bronwyn Jones (Amy Pietz), newscaster |
| MY SO-CALLED LIFE (ABC, Teen Drama, 1994- 1995) | Reg: Enrique “Rickie” Vasquez (Wilson Cruz), high school student |
| Rec: Mr. Kamitski (Jeff Perry), Rickie’s teacher | |
| “Pilot,” Angela’s family meet her new friends (8/25/94) | |
| “In Dreams Begin Responsibilities,” A girl has a crush on Rickie (1/26/95) | |
| N.Y.P.D. (ABC, Police Drama, 1967-1969) | “Shakedown,” Detectives uncover a homo blackmail ring (9/5/67) |
| “Everybody Loved Him,” Gay theatre producer is murdered (3/18/69) | |
| NYPD BLUE (ABC, Police Drama, 1993- ) | Reg: PAA John Irvin (Bill Brochtrup) (1995-1996, 1998- ); Det. Adrianne Lesniak (Justine Miceli) (1994-1996); Officer Abby Sullivan (Paige Turco) (1996-1997) |
| “Oscar, Meyer, Weiner,” Gay screenwriter’s Oscar statue is stolen (12/7/93) | |
| “Jumpin Jack Fleishman,” Murder case involves a cross- dresser (1/18/94) | |
| “Simone Says,” Lesniak’s ex-boyfriend pulls gun in the squad room (11/15/94) | |
| “Don We Know Our Gay Apparel,” Murder in a gay bar (1/3/95) | |
| “Dirty Socks,” John Irvin is introduced (3/21/95) | |
| “The Bank Dick,” John and his cop boyfriend are gay- bashed (5/16/95) | |
| “One Big Happy Family,” Lesniak tells Medavoy she’s a lesbian (11/7/95) | |
| “Heavin‘ Can Wait,” Rumors spread about Lesniak (11/14/95) | |
| “Dirty Laundry,” John cuts Sipowicz’s hair (11/21/95) | |
| “Curt Russell,” Lesniak discusses her sexuality with Russell (11/28/95) | |
| “The Nutty Confessor,” Lesniak and Martinez become involved (2/20/96) | |
| NYPD BLUE (cont.) | “Head Case,” Gay professor murdered by disturbed student (2/27/96) |
| “Auntie Maimed,” Martinez breaks up with Lesniak (4/30/96) | |
| “Unembraceable You,” Abby comes out to Medavoy (12/10/96) | |
| “A Wrenching Experience,” Medavoy meets Abby’s lover Kathy (4/15/97) | |
| “I Love Lucy,” Transvestite Angela is murdered (4/22/97) | |
| “Bad Rap,” Greg agrees to father Abby and Kathy’s child (4/29/97) | |
| “Three Girls and a Baby” Kathy is shot by Abby’s jealous ex-lover (10/14/97) | |
| “Remembrance of Humps,” Transsexual is murdered (12/16/97) | |
| “What’s Up Chuck?” John’s friend, PAA Dolores, is murdered (2/16/99) | |
| “Raphael’s Inferno,” Man embezzled by transsexual girlfriend (3/2/99) | |
| “Voir Dire This,” John is shot; Sylvia is murdered (5/18/99) | |
| “A Hole In Juan,” Baby dies under care of transsexual (1/18/00) | |
| “The Man With Two Right Shoes,” Gay man is castrated by a hustler (1/25/00) | |
| “Welcome to New York,” John assists with gay love triangle case (3/21/00) | |
| “Writing Wrongs,” John babysits for Sipowicz’s son (2/13/01) | |
| “Thumb Enchanted Evening,” Lesbian Lt. Dalto, the squad’s new chief (3/27/01) | |
| “Flight of Fancy,” Lt. Fancy gets Lt. Dalto replaced (4/3/01) | |
| “A Little Dad’ll Do Ya,” John visits dying father who rejected him (3/19/02) | |
| NAKED TRUTH, THE (NBC, Comedy, 1995-1998) | “Women Get Plastered, Star Gets Even,” Nicky and TJ pretend they’re gay (1/23/97) |
| NANCY WALKER SHOW, THE (ABC, Comedy, 1976) | Reg: Terry Folson (Ken Olfson), Nancy’s assistant |
| “The Homecoming,” Nancy’s husband returns from sea, (9/30/76) | |
| NANNY, THE (CBS, Comedy, 1993-1999) | “A Fine Friendship,” Fran thinks attractive male nanny is gay (2/6/95) |
| “Oh Vey, You’re Gay,” Mr. Sheffield’s new publicist is a lesbian (10/23/95) | |
| “The Chatterbox,” Pilot spin-off with gay hairdresser, Claude (5/15/95) | |
| NASH BRIDGES (CBS, Police Drama, 1996-2001) | Reg: Stacy Bridges (Angela Dorhmann), Nash’s sister; Pepe (Patrick Fischler) (1996-1998), office manager |
| “Javelin-Catcher,” Nash is on trail of a transvestite basher (4/19/96) | |
| “The Counterfeiters,” Nash and Joe pose as gay couple (1/10/97) | |
| “Knockout,” Nash discovers Stacy is dating his Nash’s ex (2/7/97) | |
| “Crossfire,” Nash thinks his daughter’s beau is gay (1/9/98) | |
| “Cude Grace,” Det. undercover at transgender beauty pageant (4/3/98) | |
| “Imposters,” Nash and Joe retrieve Cher impersonator’s stolen wig (10/2/98) | |
| “Girl Trouble,” Joe discovers Pepe is his “cybergal” (10/17/99) | |
| NED AND STACEY (Fox, Comedy, 1995-1997) | “The Gay Cabelleros,” Ned pretends he’s gay to please a client (2/19/96) |
| “Saved By the Belvedere,” Ned has secret male admirer (1/20/97) | |
| NED BLESSING (CBS, Western, 1993) | “Oscar,” Ned meets Oscar Wilde during his U.S. tour (9/8/93) |
| NEW YORK UNDERCOVER (Fox, Police Drama, 1994-1998) | “Without Mercy,” Mercy killer on the loose at an AIDS clinic (11/21/96) |
| NIGHT COURT (NBC, Police Drama, 1984-1992) | “The Blizzard,” Dan is trapped in an elevator with a gay man (12/6/84) |
| “Best of Friends,” Dan discovers old buddy had a sex change (11/7/85) | |
| “Passion Plundered,” Dan and Harry unknowingly fall for a lesbian (12/20/89) | |
| 9 TO 5 (ABC, Comedy, 1982-1983; first-run syn. 1986-1988) | [Title Unknown] Bud discovers old girlfriend is a lesbian (5/87) |
| NORM (ABC, Comedy, 1999-2001) | “Norm Dates Danny’s Dad,” Norm thinks Danny’s father is gay (4/7/99) |
| “Norm and the Hopeless Case,” Norm falls for a lesbian (11/3/00) | |
| NORMAL, OHIO (Fox, Comedy, 2000) (original pilot title: DON’T ASK) | Reg: Butch Gamble (John Goodman) |
| NORTHERN EXPOSURE (CBS, Comedy-Drama, 1990-1995) | Rec: Ron (Doug Ballard), inn owner; Erick (Ron R. McManus), inn owner |
| “Slow Dance,” Ron and Erick arrive in Cicely (5/20/91) | |
| “Cicely,” Story of Cicely and Roslyn, the town’s founders (5/18/92) | |
| “I Feel the Earth Move,” Ron and Erick tie the knot (5/2/94) | |
| NURSES, THE (a.k.a THE DOCTORS AND THE NURSES) (CBS, Medical Drama, 1962-1965) | “Nurse is a Feminine Noun,” Male nurse teased by co-workers (2/13/64) |
| OH GROW UP (ABC, Comedy, 1999) | Reg: Ford Lowell (John Ducey) |
| Rec: Sal (Ed Marinaro), Hunter’s boss | |
| 100 CENTRE STREET (A&E, Legal Drama, 2001- 2002) | Reg: Judge Atallah Sims (LaTanya Richardson) (2001- ) |