Gayest Episode Ever

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Two and a Half Men Meets a Trans Man May 10, 2023

Show notes

"An Old Flame With a New Wick" (March 1, 2004)

Despite the preconceptions you might have about Two and a Half Men, the fact remains that its first season features an episode centered on a trans man... when few other sitcoms ever bothered to tell a story about someone who's trans and male. In fact, the previous sitcom of note to do a trans man storyline was the previous episode we had guest Henry Giardina on for: the Golden Girls episode with Gil Kessler. In this installment, we discuss why sitcoms are allergic to trans men and why Two and a Half Man, improbably, doesn't completely fuck this up, even if it's very early 2000s in its understanding of trans people.

Listen to Henry & co. on the Totally Trans podcats. And listen to the the trans man-centric (kinda) episode of The Golden Girls with Henry here.

Watch the "best fellatio known to mankind" scene that won Holland Taylor the Emmy for The Practice.

You can now watch Glen's movie, Being Frank, on Freevee via Amazon Prime. WATCH IT NOW!

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And yes, we do have an official website! We even have episode transcripts courtesy of Sarah Neal. Our logo was designed by Rob Wilson. This episode's art was designed by Ian O'Phelan.

This is a TableCakes podcast.

Green Acres Meets a Woman Named Ralph May 03, 2023

Show notes

"What's in a Name?" (February 16, 1966)

On a show all about the zany inhabitants of Hooterville, Ralph Monroe (Mary Grace Canfield) stands out because the most unusual thing about her is her name. She works as a carpenter and dresses for her work, but that name alone is enough that most Hootervillians don't know what pronoun to use for her. As we discuss with special guest Josh Trujillo, Ralph is not a trans character, but this episode about her seeking a new name so she can get married, offers enough to qualify her as interesting enough to merit her own episode of this podcast… darling.

Pre-order Josh's book, WASHINGTON'S GAY GENERAL.

You can now watch Glen's movie, Being Frank, on Freevee via Amazon Prime. WATCH IT NOW!

Go shop at our TeePublic store!

Follow: GEE on Facebook • GEE's Facebook Group • GEE on Twitter • GEE on Instagram • Drew on Twitter • Glen on Twitter

Listen: Apple Podcasts • Spotify • Stitcher • Google Podcasts • Himalaya • TuneIn

And yes, we do have an official website! We even have episode transcripts courtesy of Sarah Neal. Our logo was designed by Rob Wilson. This episode's art was designed by Ian O'Phelan.

This is a TableCakes podcast.

Weirdest Episode Ever: Darkwing Duck Goes to Twin Peaks Apr 28, 2023

Show notes

This is a preview for the Weirdest Episode Ever about the time Darkwing Duck did a parody of Twin Peaks. The full episode is an exclusive for patrons pledging $5 or more a month, but this preview is going on the free feed both as an enticement and also because I share some quotes from Tad Stones, creator of Darkwing Duck, about how this strange piece of TV came to be. If you want to hear the full episode, head over to our Patreon and pledge at the $5-a-month level; you'll not only get all WEEs so far but also every episode of the new miniseries, Backdoor Pilots, launching next month.

Let's get dangerous!

For a history of the Scrooge McDuck comics and how they ended up onscreen as Ducktales, listen to the What a Cartoon episode about it. Why yes, Drew did in fact compile a list of all the instances of doubling on the original Twin Peaks. Watch Sesame Street's own Twin Peaks parody, which is also called Twin Beaks.

Bosom Buddies Never Did a Gay Episode Apr 26, 2023

Show notes

"Sonny Boy" (February 12, 1981)

Is it surprising that TV's most famous drag sitcom never dared to do anything actually gay? It shouldn't be! And for all that could end up going wrong with this premise, this episode, concerning Peter Scolari's character having to explain to his mother why he's wearing a dress, weirdly (and probably accidentally) gets a lot right about coming out. It's a story about someone saying it doesn't matter whether anyone understands your decision. As Billy Joel once said, "I don't care what you say anymore / This is my life / Go ahead with your own life / Leave me alone."

Since Bosom Buddies isn't streaming anywhere, you can watch this episode on our Vimeo.

You can now watch Glen's movie, Being Frank, on Freevee via Amazon Prime. WATCH IT NOW!

Listen to Drew talk about R.L. Stine with Kelly Nugent on the Teen Creeps podcast and talk about Jack Hill with James Eldred on the Cinema Oblivia podcast.

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Follow: GEE on Facebook • GEE's Facebook Group • GEE on Twitter • GEE on Instagram • Drew on Twitter • Glen on Twitter

Listen: Apple Podcasts • Spotify • Stitcher • Google Podcasts • Himalaya • TuneIn

And yes, we do have an official website! We even have episode transcripts courtesy of Sarah Neal. Our logo was designed by Rob Wilson. This episode's art was designed by Ian O'Phelan.

This is a TableCakes podcast.

Parks & Recreation Marries Gay Penguins Apr 19, 2023

Show notes

"Pawnee Zoo" (September 17, 2009)

Okay, fine, we did the Parks & Rec episode you asked for, but here's the thing: The one were Leslie Knope marries gay penguins is not the pro-gay piece of TV history you think it is. Nowhere in this episode does Leslie ever say she gives a dirty squirt about gays or same-sex marriage. The episode never takes a position, and the fact that it won a GLAAD Media Award makes it all the more galling that "Pawnee Zoo" plays out as Leslie liking positive attention but never saying a single nice thing about gay people.

Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts and we'll read reviews on next week's ad. YOU CAN MAKE US SAY WHATEVER YOU WANT!!!

You can now watch Glen's movie, Being Frank, on Freevee via Amazon Prime. WATCH IT NOW!

Go shop at our TeePublic store!

Follow: GEE on Facebook • GEE's Facebook Group • GEE on Twitter • GEE on Instagram • Drew on Twitter • Glen on Twitter

Listen: Apple Podcasts • Spotify • Stitcher • Google Podcasts • Himalaya • TuneIn

And yes, we do have an official website! We even have episode transcripts courtesy of Sarah Neal. Our logo was designed by Rob Wilson. This episode's art was designed by Ian O'Phelan.

This is a TableCakes podcast.

John Goodman Played Gay on Normal, Ohio Apr 12, 2023

Show notes

"Caught on Tape" (November 15, 2000)

John Goodman's follow-up sitcom to Roseanne was Normal, Ohio, which only lasted seven episodes before Fox yanked it from its schedule in late 2000. Unfortunately, the take-away from its failure was that audiences wouldn't buy a guy like Goodman playing gay, which is perhaps not one of the problems this show needed to fix? This week, special guest / homosexual academic Hollis Griffin joins us to discuss why this show didn't work and why it's still worth discussing as a failed imitator to Will & Grace.

You can now watch Glen's movie, Being Frank, on Freevee via Amazon Prime. WATCH IT NOW!

Watch the episode we're discussing on YouTube. Also watch Don't Ask, the unaired pilot that eventually became this show.

Go shop at our TeePublic store!

Follow: GEE on Facebook • GEE's Facebook Group • GEE on Twitter • GEE on Instagram • Drew on Twitter • Glen on Twitter

Listen: Apple Podcasts • Spotify • Stitcher • Google Podcasts • Himalaya • TuneIn

And yes, we do have an official website! We even have episode transcripts courtesy of Sarah Neal. Our logo was designed by Rob Wilson. This episode's art was designed by Ian O'Phelan.

This is a TableCakes podcast.

Brothers Brings a Sitcom Sensibility to Gay Bashing Apr 05, 2023

Show notes

"It Only Hurts When I'm Gay" (October 25, 1985)

On paper, the idea of a sitcom taking on the subject of gay bashing seems like the worst idea, but somehow Brothers — TV's first gay sitcom — manages to tell a real story about violence against gay people while avoiding the hokey "very special episode" tropes. We're as shocked as anyone how good this turned out, and what's more, it's genuinely funny without underselling the gravity of the attack.

You can now watch Glen's movie, Being Frank, on Freevee via Amazon Prime. WATCH IT NOW!

Please, watch this episode (and other Brothers episodes!) on YouTube. The posting we used to do this episode only had 36 views as of the time this GEE went live!

Go shop at our TeePublic store!

Follow: GEE on Facebook • GEE's Facebook Group • GEE on Twitter • GEE on Instagram • Drew on Twitter • Glen on Twitter

Listen: Apple Podcasts • Spotify • Stitcher • Google Podcasts • Himalaya • TuneIn

And yes, we do have an official website! We even have episode transcripts courtesy of Sarah Neal. Our logo was designed by Rob Wilson. This episode's art was designed by Ian O'Phelan.

This is a TableCakes podcast.

Barney Miller Protects the Rights of Gay Parents Mar 29, 2023

Show notes

"The Child-Stealers" (January 24, 1980)

A hundred episodes and one pandemic later, we're finally returning to the least offensive police precinct in TV history. This sixth-season episode sees the return of Marty and Daryl, the recurring homos at the center of the previous Barney Miller we covered. What results is an interesting look at how police are able and sometimes unable to intervene with homophobia keeps a parent from seeing their child.

Listen to our previous Barney Miller episode.

Regarding the JoJo's Bizarre Adventure recommendation at the end of the episode, check out the Retronauts episode that relaunched Drew's enthusiasm for this series. Also check out the JoJo's Bizarre Explainer podcast.

Listen to Smart Mouth's popcorn episode and listen to Monday Afternoon Movie's two-parter with special guest Julie Brown!

Go shop at our TeePublic store!

Follow: GEE on Facebook • GEE's Facebook Group • GEE on Twitter • GEE on Instagram • Drew on Twitter • Glen on Twitter

Listen: Apple Podcasts • Spotify • Stitcher • Google Podcasts • Himalaya • TuneIn

And yes, we do have an official website! We even have episode transcripts courtesy of Sarah Neal. Our logo was designed by Rob Wilson. This episode's art was designed by Ian O'Phelan.

This is a TableCakes podcast.

Miss Piggy Is a Gay Icon Mar 22, 2023

Show notes

"Miss Piggy's Hollywood" / "First Show" (May 14, 1989)

Better known by the segment title, Miss Piggy's Hollywood, this mostly forgotten bit of TV history aired on NBC in 1989 and more or less works out to be the thing Drew and Glen dreamed into existence: The Comeback but with Miss Piggy. In this half-hour, you see Miss Piggy repeatedly try to assert herself in Hollywood, only to be knocked down every time. Gee, is there a reason gay men are drawn to this character who's seeking acceptance from a society that refuses to give it to her?

Watch Miss Piggy's Hollywood right now on YouTube.

Listen to the Maintenance Phase episode about Elizabeth Taylor's diet book.

Watch: Miss Piggy and Joan Rivers and also Miss Piggy and Herb Alpert.

Go shop at our TeePublic store!

Follow: GEE on Facebook • GEE's Facebook Group • GEE on Twitter • GEE on Instagram • Drew on Twitter • Glen on Twitter

Listen: Apple Podcasts • Spotify • Stitcher • Google Podcasts • Himalaya • TuneIn

And yes, we do have an official website! We even have episode transcripts courtesy of Sarah Neal. Our logo was designed by Rob Wilson. This episode's art was designed by Ian O'Phelan.

This is a TableCakes podcast.

Weirdest Episode Ever: Lucy Gets Eaten by a Dragon Mar 15, 2023

Show notes

"Lucy Goes to Scotland" (January 6, 1956)

It's our second I Love Lucy episode and also our second "It was all a dream!" installment of Weirdest Episode Ever. So what is to be made of a dream sequence where Lucy Ricardo is ultimately fed to a dragon? Perhaps not much, but if you want to approach it from a perspective of dream analysis, it's very likely that Lucy's sacrifice has something to do with Lucille Ball's impending divorce and her allowing celebrity to triumph over her personal life. And that's not even saying anything about Vivian Vance and William Frawley playing a two-headed dragon that can't stand being yoked to its other half.

Listen to our previous I Love Lucy outing, about how it just might have made the first gay joke in sitcom history.

The logo for Weirdest Episode Ever was designed by Ian O'Phelan. The theme music was composed by Nick Loiacano.

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