Watch: Here's How 90s Ss Treated Gay Characters

Contents:

• KEV MAXEN BE FIRST MALE ACH A US MEN’S PROFSNAL SPORTS LEAGUE TO PUBLICLY E OUT AS GAY
• 14 TV SHOWS THAT BROKE GROUND WH GAY AND TRANSGENR CHARACTERS
• GAY WATER, A NEW NNED CKTAIL, WANTS TO BE THE ANTI-BUD LIGHT
• THE STORY BEHD THE GAYT WEEK TV HISTORY
• THE 8 MOST ANNOYG GAY MALE CHARACTERS TV {FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}{FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}MOVIBY LOUIS VIRTELAPRIL 20, 2012/12:58 PMBY LOUIS VIRTELAPRIL 20, 2012 / 12:58 PM{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"NEWSARTICLE","HEADLE":"THE 8 MOST ANNOYG GAY MALE CHARACTERS TV HISTORY","DATEPUBLISHED":"2012-04-20T16:58:00.000+0000","DATEMODIFIED":"2012-04-20T16:58:00.000+0000","IMAGE":{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","WIDTH":1920,"HEIGHT":1080},"URL":","THOR":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","NAME":"LOGO TV"},"MAENTYOFPAGE":{"@TYPE":"WEBPAGE","@ID":"},"PUBLISHER":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","@ID":","NAME":"LOGO TV","URL":","LOGO":{"@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT"}},"CREATOR":"LOUIS VIRTEL","KEYWORDS":"THE BACKLOT","ARTICLESECTN":"MOVI"}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHEN EW RELEASED THEIR LIST OF THE 20 MOST ANNOYG CHARACTERS TV HISTORY, I HAD SEVERAL LAYERS OF REACTNS: 1) WHY AREN'T MORE SUPPORTG ROL OM MULTIMERA '90S SS PRENT? (THE '90S WAS THE FG OF BATTY, SCENE-CHEWY SUPPORTG CHARACTERS.) 2) GOOD LL ON CO OLIVER. 3) WHY IS THE ONLY GAY CHARACTER REPRENTED OM SMASH, A SHOW THAT BEGAN ABOUT TEN MUT AGO? I THOUGHT WE'D HELP REMEDY THAT THIRD PROBLEM WH A QUICK LIST OF THE MOST ANNOYG GAY CHARACTERS ON TV. I'VE EXCLUD SOAP OPERAS AND REALY SERI, SO FIVE THAT BLIP PREHENSN, BUT I'VE ADD AN IMPORTANT TWIST: FOR SOME OF THE CHARACTERS, BEG ANNOYG IS AN IMPORTANT, EVEN LIKABLE ATTRIBUTE. YOU N'T STARE AT JACK MCFARLAND FOR FIVE MUNUT WHOUT EMBRACG HIS FULL, LOUD-ASS, ANNOYG GLORY, RIGHT? RIGHT. HERE ARE THE 8 CHARACTERS WHO SPRANG TO MD, SOMEWHAT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}1. STANFORD BLATCH, SEX AND THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IT'S HARD TO BELIEVE A FEW THGS ABOUT STANFORD BLATCH (WILLIE GARSON): 1) THAT HIS BIGGT NTRIBUTN TO SEX AND THE CY OVER SIX SEASONS WAS THE QUOTE, "SHE'S FASHN ROADKILL!" 2) THAT HE ULD TOLERATE THE UNCTUO CARRIE BRADSHAW WH SUCH A PERT LTLE SE. 3) THAT, LIKE SAMANTHA, MIRANDA, AND CHARLOTTE, HE ANNOYGLY BELIEVED HE WAS CARRIE'S BT IEND. I STILL REMEMBER GAWPG WHEN CARRIE TOLD HIM HE WASN'T VED TO A "GIRLS NIGHT." UGH. GO STAR FAILURE TO LNCH, CARRIE! STANFORD, STOP BEG CARRIE'S {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}2. BIG GAY AL, SOUTH {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BEHOLD: THE MOST STUNNGLY ANNOYG GAY CHARACTER TV HISTORY. BIG GAY AL IS NO ORDARY HOMOSEXUAL, AS EVEN HIS TRAMARK LE, "I'M SUPER, THANKS FOR ASKG" EVOLVED TO ONE HELLUVA SHOWTUNE. HIS FANTASTILLY UGLY SHIRT HANGS OFF HIS BODY, HIS YIPPY WAIL IS AN CSANT FOGHORN, AND I WOULDN'T HAVE HIS ANNOYGNS ANY OTHER WAY. HE'S SUPER. THANKS FOR {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}3. BRIAN KNEY, QUEER AS FOLK (US){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}YOU N SAY THAT BRIAN KNEY (GALE HAROLD) THOROUGHLY EVOLVED DURG EVERY SEASON OF QUEER AS FOLK, REVEALG HIMSELF TO BE A PLITED, TERTG VERSN OF THE ARROGANT, DISMISSIVE GUY WE MEET SEASON ONE, BUT E ON. BRIAN WAS CEL TO JT, A BASTARD TO EVERYONE ELSE, AND I SPENT THE FIRST UPLE SEASONS ALLOTTG HIM RPECT ONLY WHEN HE BARED HIS ASS ON MERA. NOTHG IS MORE ANNOYG THAN A MAN WHO'S TOO BY FEELG "PLITED" TO BE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}4. ANTHONY MARATO, SEX AND THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}SIGH. YOU'VE DONE AGA, DARREN STAR. I SUPPOSE IF ANYTHG IS WORSE THAN TOLERATG CARRIE BRADSHAW ON THE DAILY, 'S MISTAKG CHARLOTTE "WHAT JEWISH THG CAN I TRY TODAY?" YORK FOR A FABULOLY OL BT IEND. NOT SO, ANTHONY. NOT SO. IF YOU WANT RPECT, DON'T STAND THERE BLATHERG ONE-LERS ABOUT TAMPONS FOR CHARLOTTE'S SHOW DOG. TELL CHARLOTTE SHE'S TRATGLY SIMPLE-MD ABOUT MOST THGS, MAYBE. OR NOT, I GUS. ON SEND THOUGHT, YOU AND STANFORD DO SERVE EACH {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}5. SANJAY PATEL, {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THOUGH MLIK PANCHOLY IS A HILAR IC ACTOR WHOSE TURN AS SANJAY GAVE ONE OF THE MOST MEMORABLE G-OUT SCEN HISTORY (I EVEN REMEMBER THE PURPLE TANKTOP!), THERE'S NO NYG THAT HIS ROLE ON WEEDS WAS DOWNRIGHT EYEROLL-WORTHY MUCH OF THE TIME. SANJAY ONCE CHALKED UP HIS "CSH" ON NANCY BOTW TO "DIVA WORSHIP" AND ANOTHER TIME HE GAVE ONE OF THOSE CLICHED SPEECH ABOUT HAVG PERFECT GAYDAR. UGH. ENOUGH. FORTUNATELY, PANCHOLY ALSO PLAYED THE WONRFUL JONATHAN ON 30 ROCK, ONE OF THE EAKIT AND MOST ORIGAL GAY CHARACTERS I'VE SEEN PRIMETIME -- UNTIL THAT GIG WORE TH TOO. YOU N STILL TCH HIM ON WHNEY, IF YOU DO THGS LIKE WATCH WHNEY, OF {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}6. RAY FISKE, {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}MY HONT FIRST THOUGHT UPON SEEG THE HARD-BOILED SUTHUHN LAWYA' RAY FISKE ON DAMAG: "THAT LOOKS AND SOUNDS LIKE A ROMANIAN MAN TRYG TO IMATE FORRT GUMP." OF URSE, I WAS WRONG. IT WAS A SLOVENIAN MAN. APOLOGI TO OUR REARS BUCHART! ZELJKO IVANEK MAY HAVE GARNERED AN EMMY FOR PLAYG THE VLENTLY REPRSED ATTORNEY (WHOSE GAYNS IS REVEALED LATE THE SHOW'S AWOME FIRST SEASON), BUT I WILL NEVER GET OVER HIS ANNOYG, ANNOYG, ANNOYG SUPER-TWANG. WHEN I PICTURE HIM SAYG THE WORDS, "ARTHUR FROBISHER," I {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}7. MARSHALL GREGSON, UNED STAT OF {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}NOW, WA A SEND: MARSHALL GREGSON (KEIR GILCHRIST) IS ONE OF THE MOST TERTG AND MULTIDIMENSNAL GAY TEENS I'VE EVER SEEN ON TV. HE'S SMART AND PLASPOKEN, SYMPATHETIC TO HIS MOTHER'S NDN AND UNRSTANDABLY RENTFUL TOO. BUT MARSHALL'S ANNOYG-ASS QUIRKS IS AN UNAVOIDABLE, YET VALUABLE CHARACTER TRA. WHEN HE BREWS SMUG A FOR HIMSELF, THROWS ON SMUG CLASSIL RERDS, AND SMUGLY SMIRKS AT HIS OPNELY GAY IEND LNEL'S OVERT FEYNS ( THE EARLIER EPISOS), WE N'T HELP BUT LABEL HIM WOEFULLY SELF-IMPRSED. MARSHALL GROWS A LOT, PARTICULARLY THE SHOW'S LAST SEASON WHEN HE ENDUR A BRAWL WH HIS OWN MOTHER, BUT THAT DON'T MEAN I WASN'T FURIATED WH HIM AND HIS TWEENS FOR AT LEAST 10 {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}8. JACK MCFARLAND, WILL AND {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}LET NEVER FET THAT THE APPEARANCE OF JACK MCFARLAND (SEAN HAY) ON PRIMETIME THE LATE '90S WAS AWOME. AND NECSARY. AND -- OH Y -- GLORLY ANNOYG. HE WAS UNABASHED, HILAR, REAL, AND UNSTOPPABLE. HE ALSO EMBODI "FLIGHTS" WAYS THAT THE WRIGHT BROTHERS ULD'VE NEVER PREDICTED, AND HIS NSTANT BADAGE WH THE EQUALLY ANNOYG KAREN WALKER REMAS A STAGGERG ACHIEVEMENT TELEGENIC NUISANC. FABULO WORK ALL AROUND, {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;CLEAR:BOTH;}THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;MARG:0 TO;WIDTH:90%;M-WIDTH:288PX;MAX-WIDTH:1440PX;M-HEIGHT:194PX;}LATT NEWS
• BILLY CRYSTAL PORTRAYED FIRST OPENLY GAY MA CHARACTER ON TV — SI THE 'SOAP' STORY

KEV MAXEN BE FIRST MALE ACH A US MEN’S PROFSNAL SPORTS LEAGUE TO PUBLICLY E OUT AS GAY

TV Seri1998–2020TV-PG22mGay lawyer Will and straight terr signer Grace share a New York Cy apartment. Their bt iends are gleeful and proud gay Jack and charismatic, filthy-rich, amoral sociale lawyer Will and straight terr signer Grace share a New York Cy apartment. Their bt iends are gleeful and proud gay Jack and charismatic, filthy-rich, amoral sociale productn, box office & pany Episos246Vios54Funny Women of TelevisnFunny Women of TelevisnWe salute the brilliant women behd all those unfettable lghs on the small the galleryMore like thisReview 10 for the old seri, 1 for the rebootThe old seri was excellent.

14 TV SHOWS THAT BROKE GROUND WH GAY AND TRANSGENR CHARACTERS

Groundbreakg for s time, not jt bee 2 lead characters were gay, but for s telligent w. Kev Maxen has bee the first male ach a US men’s profsnal sports league to e out as gay. Per Outsports, as of September 2022, there have only ever been 16 players NFL history to publicly e out as gay or bisexual.

Carl Nassib beme the first active NFL player league history to announce that he is gay 2021. Per Outsports, Maxen is the “first publicly out male ach a major Amerin men’s pro sports league, ” wh WNBA ach Curt Miller, who publicly me out to the media as gay 2015, also a publicly out male ach an Amerin profsnal sports league. His sensibily as a gay artist has shaped and elevated the magaze’s athetic, but he has to keep his creativy check lt Mx be seen as a magaze for gay men.

But fish strong, as the nflict over Richie’s bathhoe project grows and Mx has to nsir whether ’s too risky for the magaze to speak to gay men, or even gay moments like this, the historil fictn feels not entirely historil. Peter is wily nsired to be the first recurrg gay character to ever appear on televisn; he was so entertag, though, he should’ve been a seri regular. He was one of the first gay men livg wh AIDS to be featured on televisn, and what’s more, his mment ceremony to boyiend Sean Sasser was the first same-sex unn broadst on televisn.

GAY WATER, A NEW NNED CKTAIL, WANTS TO BE THE ANTI-BUD LIGHT

It marked the first time a character ever publicly clared out loud, “I’m gay, ” on televisn.

It undoubtedly paved the way for more gay characters TV as Folk (2000–2005)©Showtime Networks Inc.

More notably, though, was the first hour-long Amerin show to foc solely on the liv of LGBTQ+ people, makg one of the most groundbreakg gay TV shows on this & Grace (1998–2006, 2017–2020)AF archive / Alamy Stock PhotoWill & Grace don’t have any firsts, really. What’s so trailblazg about Will & Grace was how normal was; featured two gay men at the center who were happy, well-adjted, and succsful—for the most part.

THE STORY BEHD THE GAYT WEEK TV HISTORY

It was radil back then—pecially on work TV—to see gay people jt livg their liv whout havg any ternal turmoil about beg gay.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997–2001)©20thCentFox/Courty Everett CollectnEven though dulg the Bury Your Gays trope, Willow and Tara will forever be a major tone reprentg young lbian upl. To be hont, ’s still rehg 2022—a time when gay TV seri still, for the most part, center characters who are whe, cisgenr, and the World Turns (1956–2010)When Le (Van Hansis) and Noah (Jake Silbermann) smooched a 2007 episo of this long-nng soap opera, ma history as daytime TV’s first gay kiss.

And while Kurt and Blae weren’t the first teens to kiss on TV, their first kiss 2011 was one of the first queer moments on work TV that felt like an average, everyday Fay (2009–2020)AF archive / Alamy Stock PhotoABC’s ditn to pictg a lovg, nurturg hoehold wh two gay men—Cam (Eric Stontreet) and Mchell (Jse Tyler Fergon)—is what mak Morn Fay so special, even a -pl after s first Is the New Black (2013–2019)©Netflix/Courty Everett CollectnOrange Is the New Black is one of the most diverse TV shows ever, and one of s most imprsive acplishments was lnchg the reer of Laverne Cox as Sophia Burset. “We are thrilled that Pose ph the narrative forward by centerg on the unique and unr-told experienc of trans women and gay people of lor, ” Pose creator Steve Canals said. But by the time the show was s fal season 2004, TV shows had learned how to have a gay old time.

THE 8 MOST ANNOYG GAY MALE CHARACTERS TV {FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}{FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}MOVIBY LOUIS VIRTELAPRIL 20, 2012/12:58 PMBY LOUIS VIRTELAPRIL 20, 2012 / 12:58 PM{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"NEWSARTICLE","HEADLE":"THE 8 MOST ANNOYG GAY MALE CHARACTERS TV HISTORY","DATEPUBLISHED":"2012-04-20T16:58:00.000+0000","DATEMODIFIED":"2012-04-20T16:58:00.000+0000","IMAGE":{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","WIDTH":1920,"HEIGHT":1080},"URL":","THOR":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","NAME":"LOGO TV"},"MAENTYOFPAGE":{"@TYPE":"WEBPAGE","@ID":"},"PUBLISHER":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","@ID":","NAME":"LOGO TV","URL":","LOGO":{"@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT"}},"CREATOR":"LOUIS VIRTEL","KEYWORDS":"THE BACKLOT","ARTICLESECTN":"MOVI"}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHEN EW RELEASED THEIR LIST OF THE 20 MOST ANNOYG CHARACTERS TV HISTORY, I HAD SEVERAL LAYERS OF REACTNS: 1) WHY AREN'T MORE SUPPORTG ROL OM MULTIMERA '90S SS PRENT? (THE '90S WAS THE FG OF BATTY, SCENE-CHEWY SUPPORTG CHARACTERS.) 2) GOOD LL ON CO OLIVER. 3) WHY IS THE ONLY GAY CHARACTER REPRENTED OM SMASH, A SHOW THAT BEGAN ABOUT TEN MUT AGO? I THOUGHT WE'D HELP REMEDY THAT THIRD PROBLEM WH A QUICK LIST OF THE MOST ANNOYG GAY CHARACTERS ON TV. I'VE EXCLUD SOAP OPERAS AND REALY SERI, SO FIVE THAT BLIP PREHENSN, BUT I'VE ADD AN IMPORTANT TWIST: FOR SOME OF THE CHARACTERS, BEG ANNOYG IS AN IMPORTANT, EVEN LIKABLE ATTRIBUTE. YOU N'T STARE AT JACK MCFARLAND FOR FIVE MUNUT WHOUT EMBRACG HIS FULL, LOUD-ASS, ANNOYG GLORY, RIGHT? RIGHT. HERE ARE THE 8 CHARACTERS WHO SPRANG TO MD, SOMEWHAT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}1. STANFORD BLATCH, SEX AND THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IT'S HARD TO BELIEVE A FEW THGS ABOUT STANFORD BLATCH (WILLIE GARSON): 1) THAT HIS BIGGT NTRIBUTN TO SEX AND THE CY OVER SIX SEASONS WAS THE QUOTE, "SHE'S FASHN ROADKILL!" 2) THAT HE ULD TOLERATE THE UNCTUO CARRIE BRADSHAW WH SUCH A PERT LTLE SE. 3) THAT, LIKE SAMANTHA, MIRANDA, AND CHARLOTTE, HE ANNOYGLY BELIEVED HE WAS CARRIE'S BT IEND. I STILL REMEMBER GAWPG WHEN CARRIE TOLD HIM HE WASN'T VED TO A "GIRLS NIGHT." UGH. GO STAR FAILURE TO LNCH, CARRIE! STANFORD, STOP BEG CARRIE'S {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}2. BIG GAY AL, SOUTH {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BEHOLD: THE MOST STUNNGLY ANNOYG GAY CHARACTER TV HISTORY. BIG GAY AL IS NO ORDARY HOMOSEXUAL, AS EVEN HIS TRAMARK LE, "I'M SUPER, THANKS FOR ASKG" EVOLVED TO ONE HELLUVA SHOWTUNE. HIS FANTASTILLY UGLY SHIRT HANGS OFF HIS BODY, HIS YIPPY WAIL IS AN CSANT FOGHORN, AND I WOULDN'T HAVE HIS ANNOYGNS ANY OTHER WAY. HE'S SUPER. THANKS FOR {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}3. BRIAN KNEY, QUEER AS FOLK (US){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}YOU N SAY THAT BRIAN KNEY (GALE HAROLD) THOROUGHLY EVOLVED DURG EVERY SEASON OF QUEER AS FOLK, REVEALG HIMSELF TO BE A PLITED, TERTG VERSN OF THE ARROGANT, DISMISSIVE GUY WE MEET SEASON ONE, BUT E ON. BRIAN WAS CEL TO JT, A BASTARD TO EVERYONE ELSE, AND I SPENT THE FIRST UPLE SEASONS ALLOTTG HIM RPECT ONLY WHEN HE BARED HIS ASS ON MERA. NOTHG IS MORE ANNOYG THAN A MAN WHO'S TOO BY FEELG "PLITED" TO BE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}4. ANTHONY MARATO, SEX AND THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}SIGH. YOU'VE DONE AGA, DARREN STAR. I SUPPOSE IF ANYTHG IS WORSE THAN TOLERATG CARRIE BRADSHAW ON THE DAILY, 'S MISTAKG CHARLOTTE "WHAT JEWISH THG CAN I TRY TODAY?" YORK FOR A FABULOLY OL BT IEND. NOT SO, ANTHONY. NOT SO. IF YOU WANT RPECT, DON'T STAND THERE BLATHERG ONE-LERS ABOUT TAMPONS FOR CHARLOTTE'S SHOW DOG. TELL CHARLOTTE SHE'S TRATGLY SIMPLE-MD ABOUT MOST THGS, MAYBE. OR NOT, I GUS. ON SEND THOUGHT, YOU AND STANFORD DO SERVE EACH {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}5. SANJAY PATEL, {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THOUGH MLIK PANCHOLY IS A HILAR IC ACTOR WHOSE TURN AS SANJAY GAVE ONE OF THE MOST MEMORABLE G-OUT SCEN HISTORY (I EVEN REMEMBER THE PURPLE TANKTOP!), THERE'S NO NYG THAT HIS ROLE ON WEEDS WAS DOWNRIGHT EYEROLL-WORTHY MUCH OF THE TIME. SANJAY ONCE CHALKED UP HIS "CSH" ON NANCY BOTW TO "DIVA WORSHIP" AND ANOTHER TIME HE GAVE ONE OF THOSE CLICHED SPEECH ABOUT HAVG PERFECT GAYDAR. UGH. ENOUGH. FORTUNATELY, PANCHOLY ALSO PLAYED THE WONRFUL JONATHAN ON 30 ROCK, ONE OF THE EAKIT AND MOST ORIGAL GAY CHARACTERS I'VE SEEN PRIMETIME -- UNTIL THAT GIG WORE TH TOO. YOU N STILL TCH HIM ON WHNEY, IF YOU DO THGS LIKE WATCH WHNEY, OF {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}6. RAY FISKE, {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}MY HONT FIRST THOUGHT UPON SEEG THE HARD-BOILED SUTHUHN LAWYA' RAY FISKE ON DAMAG: "THAT LOOKS AND SOUNDS LIKE A ROMANIAN MAN TRYG TO IMATE FORRT GUMP." OF URSE, I WAS WRONG. IT WAS A SLOVENIAN MAN. APOLOGI TO OUR REARS BUCHART! ZELJKO IVANEK MAY HAVE GARNERED AN EMMY FOR PLAYG THE VLENTLY REPRSED ATTORNEY (WHOSE GAYNS IS REVEALED LATE THE SHOW'S AWOME FIRST SEASON), BUT I WILL NEVER GET OVER HIS ANNOYG, ANNOYG, ANNOYG SUPER-TWANG. WHEN I PICTURE HIM SAYG THE WORDS, "ARTHUR FROBISHER," I {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}7. MARSHALL GREGSON, UNED STAT OF {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}NOW, WA A SEND: MARSHALL GREGSON (KEIR GILCHRIST) IS ONE OF THE MOST TERTG AND MULTIDIMENSNAL GAY TEENS I'VE EVER SEEN ON TV. HE'S SMART AND PLASPOKEN, SYMPATHETIC TO HIS MOTHER'S NDN AND UNRSTANDABLY RENTFUL TOO. BUT MARSHALL'S ANNOYG-ASS QUIRKS IS AN UNAVOIDABLE, YET VALUABLE CHARACTER TRA. WHEN HE BREWS SMUG A FOR HIMSELF, THROWS ON SMUG CLASSIL RERDS, AND SMUGLY SMIRKS AT HIS OPNELY GAY IEND LNEL'S OVERT FEYNS ( THE EARLIER EPISOS), WE N'T HELP BUT LABEL HIM WOEFULLY SELF-IMPRSED. MARSHALL GROWS A LOT, PARTICULARLY THE SHOW'S LAST SEASON WHEN HE ENDUR A BRAWL WH HIS OWN MOTHER, BUT THAT DON'T MEAN I WASN'T FURIATED WH HIM AND HIS TWEENS FOR AT LEAST 10 {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}8. JACK MCFARLAND, WILL AND {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}LET NEVER FET THAT THE APPEARANCE OF JACK MCFARLAND (SEAN HAY) ON PRIMETIME THE LATE '90S WAS AWOME. AND NECSARY. AND -- OH Y -- GLORLY ANNOYG. HE WAS UNABASHED, HILAR, REAL, AND UNSTOPPABLE. HE ALSO EMBODI "FLIGHTS" WAYS THAT THE WRIGHT BROTHERS ULD'VE NEVER PREDICTED, AND HIS NSTANT BADAGE WH THE EQUALLY ANNOYG KAREN WALKER REMAS A STAGGERG ACHIEVEMENT TELEGENIC NUISANC. FABULO WORK ALL AROUND, {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;CLEAR:BOTH;}THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;MARG:0 TO;WIDTH:90%;M-WIDTH:288PX;MAX-WIDTH:1440PX;M-HEIGHT:194PX;}LATT NEWS

I love those shows, but 's disappotg how poorly they age -- the characters are clearly homophobic, regardg queerns as weird at bt and a threat at worst. After seeg Mil panic and ll gay people abnormal, I found myself wishg Murphy Brown had been better than that. Frasier, on the other hand, probably aired more affirmg gay episos than any other primetime show until Ellen and Will & Grace.

It started wh a 1994 episo entled "The Matchmaker, " which Frasier's gay boss thks they're on a date. Even by today's standards, 's a pretty posive pictn of a gay character -- there's no ht of hostily om Frasier, asi om the awkwardns about havg been on a date wh his boss. Given how other shows of the time prented homosexualy as a crisis, that this episo don't treat like a big al is self a big al.

There was John Waters' aspiratnal character on The Simpsons, a popular gay gut character on Married wh Children, and South Park's Big Gay Al (who is plited and problematic, I know).

BILLY CRYSTAL PORTRAYED FIRST OPENLY GAY MA CHARACTER ON TV — SI THE 'SOAP' STORY

In 1998, Frasier aired an episo lled "The Ski Lodge" which nobody seems particularly troubled when a gay character pursu Nil.

) Post-Ellen, TV started to make queer storyl more mastream, wh gay characters beg so monplace that there was no one way they were picted. " In that one, Mart is urted by a gay man, and queerns is more out the open than ever.

So normal that Fox tried to market a gay s starrg John Goodman entled Normal, Oh. In the span of a , we went om gay characters beg treated as a crisis, to beg met wh ambivalence, to beg aspiratnal, and then fally beg so normal 's the name of the show. Well, an episo of Frasier that b all of those thgs -- pl Frasier's first gay bar, his first gay kiss, and his first boyiend.