US networks continue to come out as CBS debuts gay sitcom

Brand Republic 10-Jan-01

US TV networks are continuing their affair with the gay community as CBS becomes the last of the big four US TV networks to launch a sitcom featuring an openly gay character.

LONDON (Brand Republic) – US TV networks are continuing their affair with the gay community as CBS becomes the last of the big four US TV networks to launch a sitcom featuring an openly gay character.

Me and Frankie Z, which is set to hit US TV screens later this year, revolves around a struggling New York-based actor Frankie and his gay room mate Warren.

CBS is following the network pack with its latest sitcom offering. First was ABC with the much-publicised coming out of Ellen Degeneres, star of the eponymous long-running show. Next came NBC with Will & Grace, which was followed by Fox and its Normal, Ohio.

Critics have already hit out at Me and Frankie Z, accusing it of being too much about the characters’ “gayness” rather than being about people who happen to be gay. Similar criticism was directed at Ellen, which was cancelled not long after Degeneres came out and ratings plummeted.