Gayest Episode Ever

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Rest in Peace: Phyl Petrillo, Dorothy Zbornak's Trans Sister Mar 24, 2021

Show notes

Heads up: This episode revolves around a funeral for a character that we are reading as trans. The humor had at the expense of the deceased may be difficult for some audience members to hear.

"Ebbtide's Revenge" (December 15, 1990)

If you're reading this episode title and saying, "I've seen every Golden Girls, and I'm pretty sure Dorothy doesn't have a trans sister," we've got a guest to respond with "Are you sure about that?" Dr. Ada-Rhodes Short, mother of robots and co-host of the Totally Trans podcast, joins us to talk about trans lesbians and why a few TV characters, Phyl Petrillo included, speak to a trans experience, and why Phyl's funeral speaks to a trans nightmare.

Listen to our previous Golden Girls episodes:

The Golden Girls Meet a Trans Man (with Ada's co-host, Henry Giardina)
Glen Writes a Golden Girls (a.k.a. "Vince Meat")
The Golden Girls Had a Gay Live-In Cook
Blache's Homo Brother Wants to Get Gay Married
Blanche's Brother Is a Homo
Dorothy's Friend Is a Lesbian

You should subscribe to Ada's podcats, Totally Trans! Do it now!

And listen to the Totally Trans episodes we mention in our talk:

Also have a listen to the Bone & Sickle episode about Medusa that Drew somehow found a way to bring up.

Watch Drew's video compilation of every LGBT joke ever on the history of The Simpsons.

Buy Glen's movie, Being Frank.

Support us on Patreon!

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

Listen: iTunes • Spotify • Stitcher • Google Play • Google Podcasts • Himalaya • TuneIn

This episode's outro track is "Don't Treat Me So Bad" by Linda "Babe" Majika: Apple Music • Amazon Music • Spotify

Doogie Howser's Best Friend Is a Homophobe Mar 17, 2021

Show notes

"Spell It M-A-N" (January 6, 1993)

You might be surprised to learn that Doogie Howser M.D. only lasted four seasons and 97 episodes, but perhaps because Neil Patrick Harris has continued to be famous ever since, the show casts a lot longer of a shadow than it might otherwise. This fourth-season episode deals with Vinnie (Max Casella) being horrified to learn that his college roommate is gay, and because NPH is himself an out gay man, it plays out a lot different today. All this plus a special appearance by Teen Witch herself, Robyn Lively!

Listen to the episode of Smart Mouth explains the history of Pocky to food writer Tien Nguyen.

Listen to Monday Afternoon Movie's special tribute to the late, great Cloris Leachman.

Listen to Drew's 80s music podcast and its new episode about South African synthop.

Drew was on this week's Talking Simpsons, discusses Sophie Krustofsky and Drew Barrymore.

And finally, if you want to know what the hell Drew was talking about at the end of this one, listen to Astonishing Legends' series on the Black-Eyed Kids... if you dare.

You can actually watch the entirety of Neil Patrick Harris cinematic masterpiece Purple People Eater right now on YouTube.

Check out the cover art they picked for the very not gay third season of Doogie Howser.

There is not a single accepted explanation for what prostitutes have to do with pasta puttanesca, and don't believe anyone who tells you otherwise.

Before there were The Croods, there was Cro.

This is the Drider of which Glen speaks.

Watch Drew's video compilation of every LGBT joke ever on the history of The Simpsons.

Buy Glen's movie, Being Frank.

Support us on Patreon!

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

Listen: iTunes • Spotify • Stitcher • Google Play • Google Podcasts • Himalaya • TuneIn

This episode's outro track is "Song of Arabia" by Clad, which is actually not available on any streaming service but maybe just listen to it on YouTube?

Al and Peg Bundy Meet a Gay Couple Mar 10, 2021

Show notes

"The Dance Show" (October 21, 1990)

Given the reputation of Married… With Children, you might be surprised to know that its treatment of a same-sex married couple is actually rather progressive. But yeah, in spite of his many hang-ups, Al Bundy seems unbothered by the prospect of two guys being married, even if the part that impresses him most is dedicated food preparation. We'll take what we can get, and at least comedy-wise, this fifth-season episode is firing on all cylinders.

Listen to Smart Mouth's new episode on the history of breakfast with comedian Kate Willett.

Watch Matt Baume's Culture Cruise video on this Married… With Children episode, which we cite several times in this episode.

Listen to the What a Cartoon episode on TailSpin, which talks about Sally Struthers in addition to many other things.

Read the Vulture piece on the "lost roles" of Married… With Children.

Watch the Television Academy video in which Michael Moye talks about 227.

Shop for Gayest Episode Ever shirts, totes and more on our TeePublic page.

Watch Drew's video compilation of every LGBT joke ever on the history of The Simpsons.

Buy Glen's movie, Being Frank.

Support us on Patreon!

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

Listen: iTunes • Spotify • Stitcher • Google Play • Google Podcasts • Himalaya • TuneIn

This episode's outro track is "Girl Dream" by Connie Hyland, which is actually not available on any streaming service but maybe just listen to it on YouTube?

Cybill Befriends the Gay Waiter Mar 03, 2021

Show notes

"Three Women and a Dummy" (May 13, 1996)

Alongside Murphy Brown, Designing Women and The Nanny, Cybill was one of CBS's female-forward heavy-hitters in the 1990s. It didn't last as long as the other three — and yes, there's quite the story there — but in its four seasons it did manage to give us the Waiter. Played by Tim Maculan, he's one of the more important queer characters to recur on a popular sitcom in the decade. We discuss this, plus Alan Ball's involvement, the whole Cybill vs. Baranski controversy and whether this show was a remake of Absolutely Fabulous or not.

Listen to Smart Mouth's episode with Nicole Georges, all about the history of tabouleh. Also listen to the new episode of Singing Mountain, Drew's video game music podcast.

Read Linda Bloodworth Thomason's article recounting her experiences with CBS boogeyman Les Moonves.

Listen to You Must Remember This's season dedicated to Polly Platt.

Glen is right: There was a Moonlighting-inspired episode of Alvin and the Chipmunks.

Watch Drew's video compilation of every LGBT joke ever on the history of The Simpsons.

Buy Glen's movie Being Frank.

Support us on Patreon!

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

Listen: iTunes • Spotify • Stitcher • Google Play • Google Podcasts • Himalaya • TuneIn

This episode's outro track is "Maria Magdalena" by Sandra: Apple Music • Amazon Music • Spotify

Interview: Demetrius Andre Bady Feb 26, 2021

Show notes

What does it take to get a teen-centric show like Moesha to do a gay episode? Well, we talked to the writer of "Labels," Demetrius Andre Bady, who explains how the idea arose, how the final product differed from the original script, and what he thinks the legacy of the episode is today. Even better? He tells us which of the Moesha cast members pulled him aside to praise the bravery it took to push for this gay-inclusive script. Dr. Alfred L. Martin returns to ask questions and jokingly accuse Demetrius of malice. . BTW, this interview will make a lot more sense if you listen to our episode all about Moesha's gay episode. Follow Demetrius on Twitter. Follow Alfred on Twitter. Support us on Patreon! Follow: GEE on Facebook • GEE's Facebook Group • GEE on Twitter • GEE on Instagram • Drew on Twitter • Glen on Twitter Listen: iTunes • Spotify • Stitcher • Google Play • Google Podcasts • Himalaya • TuneIn

Moesha Meets a Gay Guy Feb 24, 2021

Show notes

"Labels" (October 1, 1996)

It's the tale of two sitcom episodes. Depending on who you are, this is either an episode about Moesha meeting a gay teen who's scared to come out, or it's an episode about the dangers of gossip. Maybe it's both. We are joined once again by Dr. Alfred L. Martin Jr. to discuss the importance of Moesha, why this episode of TV is utterly unique and who the cutest boy at Crenshaw High School is. (Spoiler: It's Omar.)

Listen to our previous outing with Alfred, about Roc's gay wedding episode.

Read more about Alfred's work on his faculty page. Also read his essay about Omar for Flow.

Watch the trailer for or rent Tongues Untied, the 1989 art film by Marlon T. Riggs about black queer life during the AIDS epidemic.

Listen to Smart Mouth's episode on coconut shrimp with Julia Loken — and check out the show's new swag: a to-go cutlery set.

Shop for Gayest Episode Ever shirts, totes and more on our TeePublic page.

Watch Drew's video compilation of every LGBT joke ever on the history of The Simpsons.

Buy Glen's movie, Being Frank.

Support us on Patreon!

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

Listen: iTunes • Spotify • Stitcher • Google Play • Google Podcasts • Himalaya • TuneIn

This episode's outro track is "Evolution" by Sheryl Lee Ralph: Apple Music • Amazon Music • Spotify

Roseanne's Friend Is a Lesbian (Later Bi) Feb 17, 2021

Show notes

"Ladies' Choice" (November 10, 1992)

Ninety episodes later, we dared to venture back to Roseanne. How does its legacy of LGBT advocacy hold up all these years later — and in light of the show's namesake's hard right turn into all manner of Trumpy badness? Glen and Drew have their takes, but that ultimate decision is up to you. However, this episode represents a milestone in representation as it makes Sandra Bernhard's Nancy a queer part of the show for seasons to come.

Listen to our previous episode about Roseanne.

Listen to Roseanne writer Stan Zimmerman share his stories about Sandra Bernhard in our interview with him.

And if you need more Morgan Fairchild in your life, listen to the Monday Afternoon Movie episode about The Initiation of Sarah. Also listen to the two final installments of Sam Pancake Presents the Monday Afternoon Movie's mini-season about the made-for-TV sequels to The Stepford Wives: The Stepford Husbands with Greta Titleman and The Stepford Children with Tim Murdock. In fact, Tim hosts his own queer horror podcast, Happy Horror Time. There's a promo in this week's episode and you can listen to episodes of his show here.

Shop for Gayest Episode Ever shirts, totes and more on our TeePublic page.

Watch Drew's video compilation of every LGBT joke ever on the history of The Simpsons.

Buy Glen's movie, Being Frank.

Support us on Patreon!

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

Listen: iTunes • Spotify • Stitcher • Google Play • Google Podcasts • Himalaya • TuneIn

This episode's outro track is "Pistol in My Pocket" by Lana Pellay, which despite being a total banger doesn't seem to be streaming anywhere, so I guess just listen to it on YouTube? Or maybe on Drew's 80s music podcast?

Phyllis Dates a Homo Feb 10, 2021

Show notes

"Out of the Closet" (November 1, 1976)

Rest in Peace, Cloris Leachman. She leaves behind a legacy that includes such sitcom greats as The Mary Tyler Moore Show, The Facts of Life, The Simpsons, Malcolm in the Middle and Raising Hope, as well as a great body of other acting work. For two seasons, she also starred in a spinoff to Mary Tyler Moore that had Phyllis Lindstrom starting over in San Francisco. And in the second season of that show, she dated a man who turned out to be gay.

Listen to our season one episode about The Mary Tyler Moore Show.

Listen to episodes of Katherine's podcast, Smart Mouth, including being vegan in Iceland and the history of department store lunch counters.

Listen to part one of Monday Afternoon Movie's look at the made-for-TV sequels to the Stepford Wives.

Shop for Gayest Episode Ever shirts, totes and more on our TeePublic page.

Buy Glen's movie, Being Frank.

Support us on Patreon!

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

Listen: iTunes • Spotify • Stitcher • Google Play • Google Podcasts • Himalaya • TuneIn

This episode's outro track is "San Salvador" by Azoto: Apple Music • Amazon Music • Spotify

Patty Bouvier Has a Girlfriend + Every LGBT Joke on The Simpsons Ever Jan 28, 2021

Show notes

"Livin' la Pura Vida" (November 17, 2019)

The Simpsons are going to Costa Rica! Gayest Episode Ever returns for its fourth season with an installment of The Simpsons that demonstrates how much the show has evolved in 31 seasons. But that's not all! In addition to discussing Patty's first functional relationship, we're also introducing a new side project: "Smithers & Beyond: Every LGBT Joke on The Simpsons Ever." Assembled over the course of the last year by Drew, it shows not just every "Smithers is gay" joke but how the shows approach to LGBT topics reflects the changing American conversation about queer people and queer issues.

We discuss the "Smithers & Beyond" at the top of the episode, but you can watch the video here.

Shop for Gayest Episode Ever shirts, totes and more on our TeePublic page.

Buy Glen's movie, Being Frank.

Support us on Patreon!

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

Listen: iTunes • Spotify • Stitcher • Google Play • Google Podcasts • Himalaya • TuneIn

This episode's outro track is "Get Dancin'" by Disco Tex and His Sexolettes (a.k.a. Hooray for Everything)

Frasier Dates a Gay Guy Dec 23, 2020

Show notes

"The Doctor Is Out" (September 30, 2003)

Three episodes into its final season, the gay subtext of Frasier comes to a climax, so to speak, when a dashing opera director played by Patrick Stewart becomes infatuated with Dr. Crane — and Frasier goes along with it about as far as a confirmed hetero can. This is our final episode of the year! We did so many episodes! Isn't it amazing what you can do when sex and socializing are completely off the table? AUGH!

Listen to our previous Frasier episodes: Frasier's Boss Is Gay (our first episode ever!) and Frasier Has a Gay Dream.

And special thanks to Matt Baume whose Culture Cruise installment about this episode pointed out the relationship between it and the dawn of Queer Eye for the Straight Guy and the perception that gay men can be a heterosexual's guide to the finer side of life.

Shop for Gayest Episode Ever shirts, totes and more on our TeePublic page.

Buy Glen's movie, Being Frank.

Support us on Patreon!

Follow: GEE on Facebook • GEE on Twitter • Drew on Twitter • Glen on Twitter

Listen: iTunes • Spotify • Stitcher • Google Play • Google Podcasts • Himalaya • TuneIn

This episode's outro track is "Take It as a Game" by Evelyn Barry: Apple Music • Amazon Music • Spotify