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TV MUCH MORE GAY THAN EVER
FEY ACCOMPLI
For Tina Fey, Sarah Palin is a
THE NUMBER OF GAY AND LESBIAN CHARACTERS ON Recurring characters also increased — with
gift that keeps on giving. The
30 Rock Emmy winner is riding
television has more than doubled this season 19 part-timers this season compared with 13 last
her Saturday Night Live Palin
on American broadcast networks. year. There are fi ve bisexual women among
impersonation to literary riches.
The new peak was determined regulars, including two on ABC’s The New York Post reports Fey
by an annual survey conducted Grey’s Anatomy, but no lesbians.
will be paid over $5 million for a
by the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Giuliano cited Fox as the most
nonfi ction humor book. SNL’s
ratings spiked 49 percent for
against Defamation (GLAAD), improved in gay representa-
the fi rst four shows featuring
reports The Associated Press. tion. Last year Fox had no gay
the Palin parodies.
There are currently 16 gay char- characters while now it leads
acters regularly featured on net- all networks with fi ve. Fox over-
ARTHUR KENT’S WAR
work scripted shows, topping last took ABC, which also features
Former NBC correspondent
Arthur Kent, who was
year’s seven. The results also indi- prominent gay characters in Ugly
nicknamed the “Scud Stud”
cate a reversal of a two-year trend Betty, Desperate Housewives, and
during the
of declining gay representation. Brothers & Sisters. CBS currently 1991 Gulf
“As the networks gradually add is the only network with no gays.
War, has
characters from all backgrounds Gays and lesbians now com-
settled a
lawsuit
and all walks of life to prime- prise 2.6 percent of the network
against
time programming, more and
GLAAD TIDINGS Seeing
TV universe, up from 1.1 percent
Universal
more Americans are seeing” the
“nontraditional” roles,
in 2007 and 1.3 percent in 2006. Pictures.
nontraditional lifestyles of their
SCUD STUD
Kent alleged
as here on Ugly Betty.
GLAAD was founded in 1985
friends and neighbors refl ected to counter alleged inaccuracies
Sues over war
that footage
fi lm footage. used in last
on TV, GLAAD President Neil Giuliano said. in news coverage related to the gay and lesbian
year’s movie
However, the conservative Family Research communities. Their Web site states GLAAD
Charlie Wilson’s War violated his
Council’s Peter Sprigg sees an ulterior motive. is “dedicated to promoting and ensuring fair, intellectual property rights.
“I’m convinced that for the most part, these accurate, and inclusive representation of people
characters are placed on TV for propaganda and events in the media as a means of eliminat-
LEE’S LEGEND
An unprecedented showbiz
purposes, to persuade people to be more accept- ing homophobia and discrimination based on
biography is under way courtesy
ing of homosexual conduct,” he told CNN. gender identity and sexual orientation.”
of China state TV. The Legend of
Bruce Lee, a 50-part prime-time
series, chronicles the life of the
GOVERNOR BATMAN?
martial-arts icon. Bruce Lee died
at the height of his fame in 1973
at age 32 but his fi lms weren’t
NEW MEXICO’S GOVERNOR, DEMOCRAT BILL seen in the communist nation
Richardson, is term-limited out.
until the home-video era.
OM
When politicians can no longer run for re-elec-
tion, they often talk up a possible successor.
ROWLING’S RICHES
S
/NEWSC
Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling
T
O
Who’s Bill Richardson chatting up? It’s Hollywood
earned almost $9 per second
actor Val Kilmer. over the past year. Forbes
Is Richardson trying to steal a page from
magazine lists the 43-year-old
A
TMAN/DP PHO
California’s playbook, where with Hollywood fl air
Rowling as the world’s highest-
Terminator star Arnold Schwarzenegger claimed the
earning author. She’s Britain’s
GES / B wealthiest woman, with an
governor’s mansion?
estimated worth of $1.1 billion.
TY IMA
“I like the idea,” Richardson told TV reporters. Meanwhile in India, a court
GET
has dismissed a lawsuit fi led
WN/
“Val Kilmer is a New Mexican, he was Batman [in
1995’s Batman Forever]. You know there have been
against the makers of a fi lm
successful actors going into politics. I haven’t talked
titled Hari Puttar. Warner Bros.
alleged that the name infringes
to him about it, I don’t know how serious he is, but
on their Harry Potter copyright.
/FREDERICK M. BRO
you know if he jumps in a race he’s got name ID, so Hari Puttar is an Indian name
it can’t be discounted.”
meaning “God’s son.”
Richardson’s second term ends in 2011, which
NEW IDENTITY Will former Batman Val
gives Kilmer time to assemble a political team.
AP IMAGES / KENT Kilmer be the next celebrity governor?
URIE/
DECEMBER 2008 / NEWSMAX 19
0016_NF_Showbiz.indd 1916_NF_Showbiz.indd 19 111/7/08 2:24:28 PM1/7/08 2:24:28 PM
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