TVSquad

If you've been moaning over the lack of series centered on gay puppets, I have some good news for you.

Last November, I told you about a project from Jim Henson Studios called Tinsel Town (or Tinseltown, everyone seems to spell it differently). The series features two gay Muppets, a bull named Samson Knight and a pig named Bobby Vegan, who adopt a human child.

The LBGT Web site AfterElton.com decided to delve a little deeper into a statement made by actor David Hyde Pierce in a recent AP interview about his return to Broadway in the musical Curtains.

The article mentions producer/writer Brian Hargrove (Wanda at Large, Titus) as Pierce's partner, but doesn't go into any detail beyond that. AfterElton decided to find out for sure (and they're a site about gay celebrities, so why wouldn't they?) and received confirmation, that yes, David Hyde Pierce is indeed a gay man.

The world responded: "He's gay? Huh. Are you going to finish that muffin?"

Recently, Paul mentioned that the ombudsman for children's television in Poland had come out against the Teletubbies, and Tinky Winky specifically, for promoting homosexuality.

To be fair, the comment about Teletubbies promoting homosexuality was brought up by journalists during a magazine interview, and ombudsman Ewa Sowinska replied by saying that, due to the "purse" carried by Tinky Winky, she would investigate these claims. I say "to be fair" not to defend Sowinska exactly, but just to point out that she was responding to claims made by others. Still, that doesn't quite explain how holding a "purse," or "money bag," or whatever the hell that thing is, equals being gay. I think someone needs to go back to Gay School and learn a lot more about that specific sexual orientation.

The conservative Polish government recently launched a probe to find out whether or not the children's show Teletubbies promotes a homosexual agenda. Much like the late Jerry Falwell, government appointee Ewa Sowinska is concerned that the show may have a negative effect on the children of Poland. Her concerns began when she "noticed (Tinky Winky) has a ladies purse, but (she) didn't realize he's a boy."

(S11E02) I think the basic idea behind this episode is summed up by the "straight" priest at Camp New Grace when he informs the "confused" residents of the camp that they are like paper clips, and that like paper clips, God wants them to be straight, nevermind the fact that they were created "not straight" to begin with. At the end of the episode, Butters also sums it up nicely when he says, "I wasn't confused until everyone started telling me I was."

Here's an interesting AP article on gay actors in Hollywood (including television) and how the industry actually seems to be trailing the public in acceptance. The notion seems to be that while the public has greeted the recent public announcements from the likes of T.R. Knight and Neil Patrick Harris with a shrug, it's still difficult for gays to make it past casting agents and producers, especially for heterosexual roles.

(S02E03) So far this season Moral Orel has delved a little deeper into the lives of the other characters, and it's nice to see Orel's tiny universe expanding to include everyone else.

This episode examines the enigmatic, mostly homosexual and definitely polyamorous Coach Stopframe, who jumps between loyalty to God or Satan as frequently as he gains and loses interest in both men and women. He definitely has a thing for Orel's father, but it's still somewhat vague what their history is exactly, or what it is Clay wants from the relationship. I can't decide whether Clay is in denial about his homosexual tendencies, or if he just likes being lavished with the kind of attention Coach Stopframe gives to him. People don't always reveal themselves with absolute clarity, and Moral Orel seems to understand this, peeling back a little more about each person with every episode.

(S01E02) I'm a homosexual and I'd love a sandwich. - Kevin Beekin

This episode took several hilarious satirical jabs at misconceptions about gay people, the most revealing (and uncomfortable) scene being where they interview an actual gay person and keep telling him to end his sentences with "girlfriend" so he'll appear more gay than he seems. If you miss the guerrilla improv of Upright Citizens Brigade, Dog Bites Man is probably your kind of show. This episode begins with the KHBX News team taking part in a racial sensitivity seminar where they talk about their experiences working with people of different races and backgrounds, including Tilly's dream about a black man which she wasn't sure was racist or not because while he was well-endowed, he was also president of Harvard Law School. They also mention a gay man in a wheelchair who used to work for them and who insisted everyone call him "Rolaids." Alan, the director, misses the point of the seminar entirely and brings an electric razor with him, thinking it's actually about "facial" sensitivity.

(S01E08)

Reverend Putty: Judas had a pretty good omelet face mask.

In this episode, Orel learns another important lesson from one of Reverend Putty's sermons, this time about loyalty and doing whatever it takes to make your friend happy. Orel decides to test this theory on Coach Stopframe's nephew Joe, willingly joining in such questionable activities as throwing rocks at cars, burning ants, and beating two sexually-curious young boys with baseball bats in the forest. We also get some more insight into Orel's parents, who we learn are both having an affair with Coach Stopframe.

As I mentioned previously, playwright Jeff Whitty took offense to what he considered Jay Leno's less-than-enlightening attitude towards gays and gay culture, and penned a letter to the late night comedian to let his feelings be known. Apparently Whitty wasn't quite expecting the response his letter would stir up. Some people agreed with his assessments, while others, like gay comedian Jim David (who you should check out if you've never seen him before, because he's hilariously dead pan in his mockery of everyone) feel Whitty needs to just lighten the heck up. Probably the coolest thing to come out of this is that Leno actually contacted Whitty by phone, which, according to Whitty, didn't necessarily solve any issues, but was a nice gesture, regardless.

[via Pop Candy]