MTV Studios Announces Reboot Of GLAAD Award Winning Series 'Undressed'

MTV Studios is continuing the trend of bringing back past TV series with the news that Undressed, which ran from 1999 to 2002, will get the reboot treatment.

Logging over 200 episodes over six short seasons, the scripted anthology series would feature a new cast each season, and episodes would focus on two or three interwoven storylines.

Created by two-time Oscar-nominated director Roland Jaffe (who will return as executive producer), Undressed was credited for bringing frank discussions about sex to younger television audiences.

The program often used its young characters’ restless energy to dramatize narratives related to the lives of teens and young adults.

While Will & Grace dealt with the issue of sexual orientation, Undressed went full-on exploring sexuality, including several same-sex relationships making it one of the most inclusive series on the air at the time.

In 2003, the series was honored with a GLAAD Media Award for 'Outstanding Daily Drama.'

In addition, the show was the springboard that launched several successful stars of today including Chad Michael Murray (One Tree Hill), Christina Hendricks (Mad Men), Brandon Routh (Legends of Tomorrow), Jason Ritter (Joan of Arcadia), Max Greenfield (New Girl) and more.

The announcement comes as MTV wraps up it’s 5th consecutive quarter of primetime ratings growth.

“Undressed was ahead of its time and we’re looking forward to developing the series for a whole new generation,” said Pamela Post, head of scripted programming for MTV Studios, MTV, VH1 and Logo. “Much has changed in the dating/relationship world since the series first premiered and we’re excited to showcase how both have evolved.”

MTV also recently announced reboots of popular shows The Real World and Daria.

Nielsen Begins Tracking Same-Sex Couples' TV Habits

The cast of 'Murphy Brown'

For the first time ever, TV data tracking service Nielsen has begun to report the television viewing habits of LGBTQ Americans.

Working in conjunction with GLAAD, Nielsen is now measuring the viewing habits of households with same-sex couples, whether they are spouses or unmarried partners.

The first results show that what we watch varies a bit from the general television viewing audience.

For instance, the top four shows for all viewers for the week ending September 30, 2018, were:

1. Manifest (NBC)
2. The Big Bang Theory CBS)
3. NCIS (CBS)
4. This Is Us (NBC)

But, for same-sex households, the top four shows were:

1. Murphy Brown (CBS)
2. Manifest NBC)
3. American Horror Story (FX)
4. This Is Us (NBC)

S0, there’s some crossover in the Top 4s with Manifest and This Is Us, but things diverge from there.

The cast of 'Manifest'

When it comes to the Top 20 shows preferred by same-sex households, eight shows don't appear at all in the general viewers' Top 20: Murphy Brown, American Horror Story, Modern Family, Mom, 9-1-1, Rachel Maddow Show, Grey’s Anatomy, Empire and Law & Order: SVU.

It’s easy to see why many of those are of interest to the LGBTQ community. Modern Family, American Horror Story, Empire and 9-1-1 all have gay leading characters. And Rachel Maddow is openly lesbian.

Conversely, some of the most popular shows on television like Blue Bloods, Bulland NCISdon’t show up in our Top 20.

According to USA Today, the new data collection is only including households with same-sex couples, not individuals, out of sensitivity to “privacy concerns.” Nielsen hopes to incorporate individuals eventually.

Sarah Kate Ellis, GLAAD's president and CEO, said in a statement, “We are at the highest levels ever reported for LGBTQ inclusion on television, and it's important that we know American audiences are connecting with these characters and shows.”

“We appreciate Nielsen’s commitment to ensuring that LGBTQ people wherever they live and consume television are being counted, and that those numbers are being reported,” she added. “GLAAD is proud to work alongside them as they continue to expand and enhance their capabilities."

Here are the Top 20 television shows watched by households with same-sex couples for the week ending September 30, 2018 (via USA Today):

1. Murphy Brown (CBS)
2. Manifest (NBC)
3. American Horror Story (FX)
4. This Is Us (NBC)
5. The Big Bang Theory (CBS)
6. The Good Doctor (ABC)
7. Modern Family (ABC)
8. The Big Bang Theory (special) (CBS)
9. The Voice (NBC)
10. Young Sheldon (CBS)
11. Mom (CBS)
12. 9-1-1 (Fox)
13. 60 Minutes (CBS)
14. The Voice (Tues) (NBC)
15. Young Sheldon (special) (CBS)
16. Rachel Maddow Show (MSNBC)
17. Grey's Anatomy (ABC)
18. New Amsterdam (NBC)
19. Empire (Fox)
20. Law & Order: SVU (NBC)

What do you think, readers? Are your favorite shows in this Top 20?
(h/t USA Today)

LGBTQ Representation Hits All-Time High On Television

Billy Porter as "Pray Tell" on POSE

GLAAD recently released its 14th annual Where We Are on TV report; a comprehensive forecast of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and/or queer (LGBTQ) characters expected in primetime scripted programming in the 2018-19 television season.

This is the 23rd year GLAAD has tracked the presence of LGBTQ characters on television.

First time since GLAAD began tracking these statistics, there are more LGBTQ people of color (50%) than white LGBTQ people (49%) on broadcast television.

Of the 857 regular characters on broadcast scripted primetime programming, 75 identified as LGBTQ. Additionally, there were 38 recurring LGBTQ characters.

Netflix had the highest number of LGBTQ characters on streaming platforms, and FX was the top cable network thanks to this year's LGBTQ-themed series Pose and The Assassination of Gianni Versace.

It's great to hit record highs, but GLAAD is pushing for even more visibility on television with a 2-year goal of 10% of series regular characters on primetime broadcast television being LGBTQ.

Shonda Rhimes Shuts Down Twitter Hate Over Same-Sex TV Scenes

Scene from "How To Get Away With Murder"

Shonda Rhimes has long been credited for her inclusion of minority characters on television. Whether Grey's Anatomy, Scandal or the new How to Get Away With Murder.

Both Scandal and How to Get Away With Murder have recently gotten attention for some steamy scenes involving gay men.

This past Sunday, Rhimes responded to a Twitter user who was not feeling the vibe of these scenes. "The gay scenes in Scandal and How to Get Away With Murder are too much. There is no point, and they add nothing to the plot," wrote the user.

Check out Rhimes' response:

. @Dabdelhakiem There are no GAY scenes. There are scenes with people in them.
— shonda rhimes (@shondarhimes) October 19, 2014

@Dabdelhakiem If you are suddenly discovering that Shondaland shows have scenes involving people who are gay, you are LATE TO THE PARTY.
— shonda rhimes (@shondarhimes) October 19, 2014

. @Dabdelhakiem If u use the phrase "gay scenes", u are not only LATE to the party but also NOT INVITED to the party. Bye Felicia. #oneLOVE
— shonda rhimes (@shondarhimes) October 19, 2014

I love all you Tweeples. Even the ones who still need to grow. And remember that at some point, someone discriminated against you too.
— shonda rhimes (@shondarhimes) October 19, 2014

I don't know why this kind of hate is out there. Ugh. #onelove. At least in Shondaland. Have a great rest of your weekend!
— shonda rhimes (@shondarhimes) October 19, 2014

Here's one of the now infamous scenes. Maybe it's just me, but I think it's pretty terrific :)

(via the Hollywood Reporter)

Dance For The Cameras

This is from a local newscast I believe here in Las Vegas.

Check the kid in black at the :15 mark.

Express yourself! Own it!

(via kenneth-in-the-212)

Extended trailer for upcoming Carrie Underwood LIVE version of "The Sound Of Music"

Carrie Underwood to star in LIVE television remake of "The Sound of Music"

Extended trailer for the upcoming LIVE TV presentation of "The Sound of Music" starring Carrie Underwood, Stephen Moyer, Audra McDonald, Christian Borle and Laura Benanti.

I had the chance to work with Stephen Moyer this summer in the Hollywood Bowl production of CHICAGO the Musical and found him to be a great guy.  AND he has a big background in musical theatre that a lot of people don't know about.  Yet.

Looking forward to this - airs Thursday, December 5th at 8PM