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    MZGenre.Podcasts.TVFilm

    Gayest Episode Ever

    Back in the day, a major sitcom doing a gay episode was a big deal. A proper gay episode would get headlines, but it would get the attention of two young guys who were still figuring things out — sexuality-wise and culture-wise. Gayest Episode Ever has screenwriter Glen Lakin and stay-at-home journalist Drew Mackie going through the great and not-so-great gay episodes of sitcoms past.

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    Latest Episodes:
    Superstore Is Queerer Than You Think Aug 05, 2020
    Show notes

    "Gender Reveal" (April 12, 2018)

    This week, Glen and Drew are joined by Karen Tongson, chair of the Gender and Sexuality Studies department at USC and the co-host of the Gen X pop culture podcast Waiting to X-Hale. We asked Karen what show she'd most like to discuss, and she chose Superstore, the current NBC ensemble comedy. Not only does it have a queer Asian lead character, but as Karen points out, there's a lot of ambient queerness on the show, in addition to one of the more diverse casts on a sitcom today.

    Watch Smack the Pony, the all-female British sketch comedy show Drew is always trying to get you to watch.

    Lauren Ash's performance as Scorpia on the new She-Ra is a wonderful, wonderful thing.

    The phenomenon of melon babies, however, is decidedly not wonderful.

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

    Buy Glen's movie, Being Frank.

    Support us on Patreon!

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

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

    And yes, we do have an official website! And we even have episode transcripts courtesy of Sarah Neal. Our logo was designed by Rob Wilson.

    This is a TableCakes podcast.

    The episode's outro track is "Baby on Fire" by Ottomix and P.K. Seigel. (Apple Music / Spotify / Amazon Music)


    Mr. Belvedere Discourages a Teen from Being Gay Jul 29, 2020
    Show notes

    "The Competition" (February 13, 1987)

    Yes, we did do an episode last year in which we summed up Mr. Belvedere are a whole and said it never did an outright gay episode. We were wrong, and thanks to two different listers who politely exposed our ignorance, this week you are getting Drew and Glen talking about the one where Heather convinces her boyfriend he's gay and Mr. Belvedere convinces him he's not. It's a weird bit of TV, but it's also one of the very few family-focused sitcoms of this era to actually acknowledge that gay people exist.

    Also you can listen to the previous Mr. Belvedere outing, but also maybe don't because this one is good enough to just replace the original?

    Christopher Hewett stars as King Koopa in Super Mario Bros. on Ice.

    Watch GEE TV to see the episode of 227 with Pee-Wee Herman.

    Enjoy the opening credits to Land of the Giants.

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

    Buy Glen's movie, Being Frank.

    Support us on Patreon!

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

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

    And yes, we do have an official website! And we even have episode transcripts courtesy of Sarah Neal. Our logo was designed by Rob Wilson.

    This is a TableCakes podcast.

    This episode's outro theme is "Balla Balla Ballerina" by Tony Manero, which isn't on any of the music streaming services or digital music stores, as near as Drew can find, so just listen to it on YouTube, I guess?


    M*A*S*H Saves a Gay Jul 15, 2020
    Show notes

    "George" (February 16, 1974)

    And finally we arrive at the show that back when we were kids was what informed us that the kids' block of syndicated TV had been turned over to the grown-ups. Now grown-ups ourselves (sorta, kinda), we still can't get into M*A*S*H, but regardless of our personal feelings we weigh in on why this show was important, even if this second-season gay-themed episode gets a B/B minus. Apologies to the M*A*S*H diehards out there.

    Subscribe to Jonathan Bradley Welch's new podcast, The Read Down. It's politics but for gays!

    Curious about the origins of this show's theme song? Listen to our episode all about instrumental theme songs from sitcoms.

    Take in the insane debate over David Odgen Stiers' sexuality.

    See what Radar's butt looked like when it was glimpsed on a national broadcast in 1973 in the 8 p.m. timeslot.

    Trapper John stars as Major Nelson in I Dream of Jeannie: 15 Years Later.

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

    Buy Glen's movie, Being Frank.

    Support us on Patreon!

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

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

    And yes, we do have an official website! And we even have episode transcripts courtesy of Sarah Neal. Our logo was designed by Rob Wilson.

    This is a TableCakes podcast.

    This episode's outro theme is "Warrior" by Riky Maltese (Apple Music / Spotify / Amazon Music)


    Roc Has a Gay Uncle Jul 08, 2020
    Show notes

    "Can't Help Loving That Man" (October 20, 1991)

    Looking at the various 90s-era Fox shows that focused on black characters, Roc was the one with the reputation for tackling social issues with the most gravitas. Early in the show's run, Richard Roundtree — Shaft himself! — guested as the title character's uncle, who comes bearing the news that 1) he's gay; 2) he's getting married; and 3) his beloved is a white man. To discuss the various layers of this Roc episode, Drew and Glen are joined by University of Iowa professor Dr. Alfred L. Martin Jr., whose field of study includes a focus on the depiction of gay black men on sitcoms. Alfred's forthcoming book is titled The Generic Closet: Black Gayness and the Black-Cast Sitcom. Yes, we would love to interview him when his book comes out.

    Read more about Alfred's work on his faculty page.

    We mention the episode of Golden Girls that was recently pulled from Hulu for its alleged use of blackface, and Alfred mentions the larger racist implications of that episode that were not discussed and may not be discussed as a result of being pulled. This week, Steven W. Thrasher wrote an excellent piece for Vulture on various moments on the show in which the central characters display racist attitudes and why the show's fans are better off acknowledging these failings.

    Lisa Simpson singing "God Bless the Child" on The Simpsons Sing the Blues.

    Also Glen's favorite song, "Macho Duck."

    The book Alfred brings up is Fade to Black and White: Interracial Images in Popular Culture, by Erica Chito Childs. It's about the depiction of interracial couples on TV and in other media. And the book Drew brings up is Queering the Color Line, by Siobhan B. Somerville. It's about the intersection of racial and queer identity.

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

    Buy Glen's movie, Being Frank.

    Support us on Patreon!

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

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

    And yes, we do have an official website! And we even have episode transcripts courtesy of Sarah Neal. Our logo was designed by Rob Wilson.

    This is a TableCakes podcast.

    This episode's outro theme is "Color My Love" by Fun Fun (Apple Music / Spotify / Amazon Music)


    Too Close for Comfort Does an Episode About Male Rape Jul 01, 2020
    Show notes

    Content warning: In this episode we talk about sexual assault.

    "For Every Man, There's Two Women" (July 20, 1985)

    This week, we're not talking about an explicitly LGBT-focused episode of TV. No, we're talking about the episode of Too Close for Comfort in which a male character, Monroe, is sexually assaulted by two women. No, really. Jim J. Bullock, the actor playing that character, is gay in real life, and because Monroe is coded as queer as well, this episode serves as a bizarre example of not just how a sitcom can handle a sensitive topic but also how some actors' offscreen sexuality can color the way their performance is received and even how their characters get written. Jeffrey McCrann joins Drew and Glen to try and make sense of this strange, strange bit of TV history.

    RAINN is an online organization that offers both information about sexual assault and counseling. You can chat live with a counselor here.

    Have a listen to the episode of the Drew-Tony podcast You Have to Watch the Movie that Jeffrey guested on back in 2018. We talk about Fright Night. Much in the way Bullock's offscreen sexuality informs this episode of TV, the queerness of Fright Night's cast really changes the way that movie plays out.

    This 2012 A.V. Club article on this episode is pretty much the best text trying to make sense of this episode. It also brought us to this interview with Jim J. Bullock on the website Guy Spy. Check out Old Time TV, without whose help we would not have been able to do this episode.

    Behold the short-lived wonder of Jim J. and Tammy Faye.

    And have a look at the David Lynch series Rabbits that Jeffrey mentions.

    Here's an explainer for how the movie Streets of Fire may have "inspired" elements in the video game Final Fight, which BTW is one of the most homoerotic games ever.

    And here's the weird bit with Roseanne and Freddy Krueger that makes it four — count 'em FOUR — of the daughters from Just the Ten of Us who share screentime with Freddy. Weird, right?

    Buy Glen's movie, Being Frank.

    Watch Drew's weird video art project, GEE TV.

    Support us on Patreon!

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

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

    And yes, we do have an official website! And we even have episode transcripts courtesy of Sarah Neal. Our logo was designed by Rob Wilson.

    This is a TableCakes podcast.

    The outro for this episode is "Number of the Dancer" by Al Monroe, which isn't on any of the online music services, but it is on YouTube if you want to hear it.


    I Love Lucy Makes the First Gay Joke in Sitcom History Jun 24, 2020
    Show notes

    "Lucy Thinks Ricky Is Trying to Murder Her" (November 5, 1951)

    Can we do a whole 52-minute episode that is essentially about one single joke? Hell yes we can. The fourth episode of I Love Lucy sure seems like it might feature the first gay joke in the history of sitcoms. And although we are open to arguments otherwise, it's nonetheless interesting to think that the show that wouldn't allow its married leads to share a bed onscreen would slip even a small gay joke past the network censors.

    Visit our new Tee Public store and plaster your body and household with the Gayest Episode Ever logo.

    The Boy Culture blog's excellent timeline of LGBT milestones on TV.

    The 1980 People magazine interview where Lucy says she's down with the gays.

    The Washington Blade article on Lucy Ricardo's appeal to gay men.

    A compilation of Frank "That Guy Who Says Yes" Nelson saying yes.

    And if you want to listen to us debate whether the Dick Van Dyke Show ever made a semen joke, listen to that episode here.

    Buy Glen's movie, Being Frank.

    Watch Drew's weird video art project, GEE TV.

    Support us on Patreon!

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

    Buy Glen's movie, Being Frank.

    Support us on Patreon!

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

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

    And yes, we do have an official website! And we even have episode transcripts courtesy of Sarah Neal. Our logo was designed by Rob Wilson.

    This is a TableCakes podcast.

    This episode's outro theme is "Slice Me Nice" by Fancy (Apple Music / Spotify / Amazon Music)


    GEE TV Jun 18, 2020
    Show notes

    GEE TV is a weird little art project that Drew felt compelled to do. It's six 80s-era NBC sitcoms in a three-hour block, complete with of-the-era commercials. In order: Silver Spoons, The Facts of Life, Gimme a Break, 227, Empty Nest and Night Court. Hit the audio to hear Drew explain it all to Glen, who's being a good sport about this. Watch the video here. And it's on Vimeo here.

    Episodes, in order:

    • Silver Spoons, "Me & Mr. T" (October 16, 1982)
    • The Facts of Life, "Cousin Geri Returns" (December 30, 1981)
    • Gimme a Break, "Nell's Friend" (December 1, 1983)
    • 227, "Toyland" (February 14, 1987)
    • Empty Nest, "Rambo of Neiman Marcus" (November 11, 1989)
    • Night Court, "Dad's First Date" (October 17, 1985)

    If you dig this, check out Drew's other weird video art. There's All the Colors of the Night, which is horror movies set to 80s music, and there's VHSmas, which is all 80s Christmas magic. It's all up at Phanto Films.

    Buy Glen's movie, Being Frank.

    Support us on Patreon!

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

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

    And yes, we do have an official website! And we even have episode transcripts courtesy of Sarah Neal. Our logo was designed by Rob Wilson.

    This is a TableCakes podcast.

    This episode's outro theme is "Watching Trees" by Eleven Pond. (Apple Music / Spotify / Amazon Music)


    WKRP LGBTQ+ Jun 17, 2020
    Show notes

    "Les on a Ledge" (October 2, 1978)

    For reasons we can't imagine, WKRP in Cincinnati decided its third episode should feature a trans-themed B plot alongside an A plot about one of the characters contemplating suicide because people think he's gay. It's a lot. And while that plot synopsis might seem like a recipe for disaster, this one is funnier and more progressive than you might expect. Don't get us wrong: It does things that today's audiences will probably roll their eyes at and might even shake their head at. But among these are some things that might surprise you in a good way.

    Visit our new Tee Public store and plaster your body and household with the Gayest Episode Ever logo.

    Listen to Drew on this week's Talking Simpsons. Hell, listen to his previous Talking Simpsons while you're at it.

    This L.A. Times article on The New WKRP in Cincinnati explains how the original series became so successful in syndication.

    Is "Bruce" a homosexual name? Stan Lee says yes.

    Listen to "Once I Had a Love," Blondie's original version of "Heart of Glass.

    If you can separate the fact that he is being murdered by a horrible monster, Gary Sandy is hot as hell in the 1980 movie Troll.

    Listen to this female sports reporter incinerate a viewer complain that women should not report from locker rooms.

    Buy Glen's movie, Being Frank.

    Support us on Patreon!

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

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

    And yes, we do have an official website! And we even have episode transcripts courtesy of Sarah Neal. Our logo was designed by Rob Wilson.

    This is a TableCakes podcast.

    This episode's outro theme is "Take Me Higher" by Stefano Pulga, which doesn't seem to be for sale or streamable on any of the major music sites. Weird.


    American Dad Steals a Gay Couple's Baby Jun 10, 2020
    Show notes

    "Surro-Gate" (December 7, 2007)

    Okay, hear us out. Some of you may be surprised that we're doing American Dad or that Glen and Drew are both fans of it. We put forward the case that it's a different sort of show than Family Guy is. This episode follows a previous gay-themed installment, and it demonstrates how bringing a homophobe around to respecting queer people as equals isn't a one-and-done thing; it's a continual process, and lots of people who think they're tolerant need to realize when their tolerance has limits.

    Buy Glen's movie, Being Frank.

    Support us on Patreon!

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

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

    And yes, we do have an official website! And we even have episode transcripts courtesy of Sarah Neal. Our logo was designed by Rob Wilson.

    This is a TableCakes podcast.

    This episode's outro theme is "America" by Baby's Gang (Apple Music / Spotify / Amazon Music)


    Herman's Head Meets a Lesbian Jun 03, 2020
    Show notes

    "Sperm 'n' Herman" (September 20, 1992)

    At long last, we're finally talking about the series that you've been dying to hear about… if your name is Drew or Glen. Yeah, we both have memories of liking Herman's Head. And while its one gay episode does some things right and some things wrong, it's the first sitcom we've discussed that tackles the complicated issue of being queer and also being a parent. It also allows us to talk about all the crazy stuff happening on Fox back in the early 90s.

    The Junger-Witt font, BTW, is Clarendon Bold.

    Here is Lisa Simpson's Herman's Head moment. And here is a second possible Herman's Head moment. And listen to Small Town Dicks if you want to hear Yeardley Smith talk about heinous crime in rural America.

    Also Listen to Happy History, the new TableCakes podcast that Drew produced, if you want to hear not-Lisa Simpson talk about not-true crime.

    Check out the work of Norn Cutson, the talented artist who contributed some original art to a forthcoming GEE merch project. Thanks, Norn!

    Soak in the glorious 90s-ness of lesser-known Fox shows such as The Edge, Shaky Ground, True Colors, Stand by Your Man, and Woops.

    Buy Glen's movie, Being Frank.

    Support us on Patreon!

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

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

    And yes, we do have an official website! And we even have episode transcripts courtesy of Sarah Neal. Our logo was designed by Rob Wilson.

    This is a TableCakes podcast.

    This episode's outro theme is "Desire" by Roni Griffith. (iTunes / Apple Music / Spotify / Amazon Music)


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