# Viacom Re-Announces A Gay TV Channel: Program or Help Develop Some Shows **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 30, 2004, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/viacom-re-announces-a-gay-tv-channel-program-or-help-develop-some-shows/237337 "2004-03-30T16:19:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![lissener](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lissener/32/6139_2.png) [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2004, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/viacom-re-announces-a-gay-tv-channel-program-or-help-develop-some-shows/237337/21 "2004-03-31T02:15:07Z")
Man, Eve, I hope you can make this happen. Robert Osborne never answers my mash notes! ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2004, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/viacom-re-announces-a-gay-tv-channel-program-or-help-develop-some-shows/237337/22 "2004-03-31T02:20:47Z")
And while they might be cool about the Dope part, the Straight thing is going to be a minus. ---
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2004, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/viacom-re-announces-a-gay-tv-channel-program-or-help-develop-some-shows/237337/23 "2004-03-31T02:21:57Z")
Problem with a movie show is the movies–that’s the reason AMC when down the crapper and MST3K couldn’t get a lot of films. You have to buy broadcast rights, in bulk, and it depends on what kind of movies Viacom could get their hands on. Me, on the other hand, I am _so_ qualified for this job. If only I weren’t a stout middle-aged matron with a face like a coffin . . . Oh, well, I gots chic an poisonality! ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2004, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/viacom-re-announces-a-gay-tv-channel-program-or-help-develop-some-shows/237337/24 "2004-03-31T02:26:52Z")
Meanwhile, Eve, in a complete hijack but since I have your attention, have you heard about _Silent Laughter_? It’s a stage version of silent comedy movies. The actors perform old slapstick routines with no dialogue. ---
**Author:** ![DocCathode](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doccathode/32/18773_2.png) [@DocCathode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocCathode)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2004, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/viacom-re-announces-a-gay-tv-channel-program-or-help-develop-some-shows/237337/25 "2004-03-31T02:43:32Z")
> [@Eve](#): > > Me, on the other hand, I am _so_ qualified for this job. If only I weren’t a stout middle-aged matron with a face like a coffin ! Lined with silk? Padded? The top half opens independently of the bottom? (Now I have this image of Eve reaching to a temple and opening her forehead, revealing a brain tilted at a rakish angle and bearing a tiny lorgnette. I believe **Eve** is not the only Doper who should have a show on the Gay Channel. **Una Person** could have an automotive repair show. It just needs a catchy title. Hmm, Diesel Dyke? ---
**Author:** ![Mearl\_Dox](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/65b543/32.png) [@Mearl\_Dox](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mearl_Dox)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2004, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/viacom-re-announces-a-gay-tv-channel-program-or-help-develop-some-shows/237337/26 "2004-03-31T03:04:32Z")
I think the conclusion we’re reaching is not just that there are lots of Dopers who would be great on a Gay Channel, but that what we really really need is a Straight Dope Network. Other than the reruns of the TV show, we could have **Storytime with Scylla** , or **The Great Debate Hour** … The Gay channel sounds all right, especially if they have more of a focus on gay-themed movies and less on reruns of shows like **Ellen** or **Queer Eye**. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2004, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/viacom-re-announces-a-gay-tv-channel-program-or-help-develop-some-shows/237337/27 "2004-03-31T03:22:35Z")
> [@DMark](#): > > Also, I am sure many of you will be shocked to know there are several Gay people who have worked on films, television sitcoms and dramas, and theater. My guess is there might be, oh I donno, maybe 200,000 people jumping at the chance to do projects that are close to their heart. If there was ever a marriage made in heaven - Gay Network and original programming sounds like a perfect match! Yeah, right! Next you’ll tell me they’re in the fashion industry! ---
**Author:** ![lissener](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lissener/32/6139_2.png) [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2004, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/viacom-re-announces-a-gay-tv-channel-program-or-help-develop-some-shows/237337/28 "2004-03-31T03:43:03Z")
> [@Eve](#): > > Problem with a movie show is the movies–that’s the reason AMC when down the crapper and MST3K couldn’t get a lot of films. You have to buy broadcast rights, in bulk, and it depends on what kind of movies Viacom could get their hands on. > > Me, on the other hand, I am _so_ qualified for this job. If only I weren’t a stout middle-aged matron with a face like a coffin . . . Oh, well, I gots chic an poisonality! Eve, maybe you could sweet talk Robert Osborne into recommending you to host Silent Sunday Night? It’d certainly be a foot in the door. (One hint: Robert, like me, is a Betty Hutton fan, so ixnay on the Erilspay of Aulinepay thing.) ---
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2004, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/viacom-re-announces-a-gay-tv-channel-program-or-help-develop-some-shows/237337/29 "2004-03-31T04:04:56Z")
> [@DocCathode](#): > > **Una Person** could have an automotive repair show. It just needs a catchy title. Hmm, Diesel Dyke? Nah, call it, _Edsel Merman_. ---
**Author:** ![moriah](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b2d939/32.png) [@moriah](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/moriah)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2004, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/viacom-re-announces-a-gay-tv-channel-program-or-help-develop-some-shows/237337/30 "2004-03-31T04:28:37Z")
> [@Eve](#): > > Ummm, how about a show with _me_, hosting old movies? Where do I get hold of these people? Drama Queen Theatre 3000! * * * BTW, All: Check out the Brini Maxwell Show. Brini is a Drag Queen with Donna Reed sensibilities hosting a home and style show on E! and Style Networks. The irony is so dryly understated you’d think it was British. F-n hilarious. Schedule: ```auto **E!** Episode "Cocktail Party" 4/1 11:30 am Episode "Garden Living" 4/8 11:30 am ------- **Style:** (some have no episode title availabe, I'll summarize show description...) Temporary Living Spaces 3/31 11:00 am Repeats: 4/3 9:30 pm Repeats: 4/4 12:30 am "Re-Purposing" 3/31 11:30 am Tips on Traveling 4/2 10:00 pm repeats 4/3 1:00 am repeats 4/3 9:00 pm repeats 4/4 12:00 am ``` Peace. ---
**Author:** ![iampunha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/74df32/32.png) [@iampunha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iampunha)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2004, 6:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/viacom-re-announces-a-gay-tv-channel-program-or-help-develop-some-shows/237337/31 "2004-03-31T06:30:18Z")
> [@Eve](#): > > Me, on the other hand, I am _so_ qualified for this job. If only I weren’t a stout middle-aged matron with a face like a coffin . . . Oh, well, I gots chic an poisonality! If your appearance becomes an actual issue (as opposed to one you feel is present but to which nobody else objects), you could always do running commentary and write the bits for a talking head to do. ---
**Author:** ![plnnr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7ea924/32.png) [@plnnr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/plnnr)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2004, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/viacom-re-announces-a-gay-tv-channel-program-or-help-develop-some-shows/237337/32 "2004-03-31T13:53:43Z")
Re-runs of Ralph Edwards and “Queen for a Day” seems tailor made for the channel, no? Also, they need to come up with something for us butch guys - maybe a variation on “American Chopper” and some wrestling. ---
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2004, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/viacom-re-announces-a-gay-tv-channel-program-or-help-develop-some-shows/237337/33 "2004-03-31T14:31:32Z")
> [@Mearl Dox](#): > > I think the conclusion we’re reaching is not just that there are lots of Dopers who would be great on a Gay Channel, but that what we really really need is a Straight Dope Network. Other than the reruns of the TV show, we could have **Storytime with Scylla** , or **The Great Debate Hour** … Or an hilarious sitcom starring **Lieu** , _Tales from the Men’s Room_ . . . ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2004, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/viacom-re-announces-a-gay-tv-channel-program-or-help-develop-some-shows/237337/34 "2004-03-31T14:52:37Z")
> [@Little Nemo](#): > > Eve, tell them your online cult of devotees will all subscribe to their channel if they put you on the air. And that if they don’t, we’re all armed and we know where to find them. (I always find that enclosing a picture of the person to whom you’re addressing the cover letter asleep in his/her bedroom gets their immediate attention.) ---
**Author:** ![Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otto)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2004, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/viacom-re-announces-a-gay-tv-channel-program-or-help-develop-some-shows/237337/35 "2004-03-31T15:01:50Z")
_Godwin’s Law and Order_ ---
**Author:** ![Homebrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c89c15/32.png) [@Homebrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Homebrew)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2004, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/viacom-re-announces-a-gay-tv-channel-program-or-help-develop-some-shows/237337/36 "2004-03-31T15:03:02Z")
> [@DocCathode](#): > > **Una Person** could have an automotive repair show. I think her real passion is guns. _Target Practice hosted by Una_? _Shooting with Una_? Okay, the title needs some work ---
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2004, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/viacom-re-announces-a-gay-tv-channel-program-or-help-develop-some-shows/237337/37 "2004-03-31T15:18:32Z")
OK, I have just e’d Brian Graden and Tom Freston, the two guys at Viacom/MTV in charge of the start-up. I mentioned my creds, that before AMC went down the toilet, they were interviewing me for a hosting position (assuring them my being interviewed had nothing to do with the toilet-going-down of the network!) and that my only request is that I get to open the show by sweeping into the room like Loretta Young. ---
**Author:** ![threeorange](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@threeorange](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/threeorange)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2004, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/viacom-re-announces-a-gay-tv-channel-program-or-help-develop-some-shows/237337/38 "2004-03-31T16:17:29Z")
> [@Mr. Blue Sky](#): > > Actually, I meant UPN. I was thinking of the classic “Homeboys In Outer Space”. IIRC, that atrocity _was_ inflicted by the WB. ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2004, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/viacom-re-announces-a-gay-tv-channel-program-or-help-develop-some-shows/237337/39 "2004-03-31T16:29:58Z")
> [@Eve](#): > > Or an hilarious sitcom starring **Lieu** , _Tales from the Men’s Room_ . . . Or even _Tails from the Men’s Room_… ---
**Author:** ![Hamish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a5b964/32.png) [@Hamish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamish)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2004, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/viacom-re-announces-a-gay-tv-channel-program-or-help-develop-some-shows/237337/40 "2004-03-31T20:33:19Z")
How about some Saturday morning cartoons? Japan has a whole industry of queer-themed animation. It’s hard to get a gay kiss in prime time on mainstream American television, while an anime aimed at teenagers – Maho Tsukai Tai – has a gay kiss in the opening credits. You could have Sailor Moon and Card Captor Sakura uncut. Oh, and good luck **Eve**. If you do get in, I’ll almost regret not owning a TV. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/viacom-re-announces-a-gay-tv-channel-program-or-help-develop-some-shows/237337.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/viacom-re-announces-a-gay-tv-channel-program-or-help-develop-some-shows/237337.md?page=3)