CHARLIE LAWRENCE: CANCELED?
After only two episodes, Nathan Lane's new series CHARLIE LAWRENCE has been pulled from the CBS schedule for the next
couple of weeks —but it's not officially canceled and could return as soon as July 20. However, the series debuted to dismal ratings,
and the hiatus may signal its imminent cancellation. Although its ratings were low, I really loved the series as a vehicle for Lane's
over-the-top personality and comedic style. Playing an openly gay Congressman who had previously been a popular TV star on a
TOUCHED LIKE AN ANGEL-like series, CHARLIE LAWRENCE has been far superior to Lane's failed 1998 series, ENCORE!
ENCORE!, in which he played a straight womanizing opera singer.
BIG BROTHER 4: NO GAYS
BIG BROTHER 4 premieres Tuesday, July 8, but this year there will not be any gay or lesbian housemates. (Previous housemates
have included Bunky and Marcellas. At some point, the new series will include an update on what Marcellas has been doing since
BIG BROTHER 3). The new season does have an interesting new twist, though. On the opening episode, eight of the 13 contestants
will be surprised by the news that one of the other contestants is actually an ex with whom they had previously been involved in a
relationship.
JASON STUART AND MICHELE GREENE: A 'STRONG MEDICINE' REUNION: Gay actor/ comedian Jason Stuart had a surprise
when he arrived on the set of Lifetime's STRONG MEDICINE for a guest stint that airs this Sunday—the other guest star was Michele
Greene (Abby on L.A. LAW), who was friends with Jason in junior high and high school! (Michele is best known for giving Amanda
Donahoe TV's first prime time lesbian kiss on L.A. LAW). On STRONG MEDICINE, Jason plays a TV chef on a talk show, and Michele
plays the cooking lady. The chef is very shallow and only cares about his show—and not about Michele, who has leprosy. July 6 at 9
p.m.
WED., JULY 2: ALL MY CHILDREN (ABC, noon) Last week, Bianca was mortified when a tabloid ran a cover photo of Lena in
bed with a man, with the headline 'ERICA KANE'S DAUGHTER LOSES LOVER IN INSIDER TRADING SCAM.' Lena is arrested, and
Bianca feels totally betrayed— not knowing that Lena was set up by Michael Cambius, and the photo of her in bed with the man is a
computerized fake!
THURSDAY, JULY 3: AMAZING RACE 4 (CBS, 7 p.m.) This year's two gay-inclusive teams are still in the race: Chip and Reichen,
a gay married couple from Beverly Hills, and Tian and Jaree, The Lesbian/Straight Actress/Model Team.
SEAN HAYES ON LETTERMAN (CBS, 10:35 p.m.)
SAT., JULY 5: E! TRUE MELROSE PLACE (E!, 6 a.m.) Remember gay Matt (Doug Savant)?
SUNDAY, JULY 6: PANDEMIC: FACING AIDS (HBO, 11 a.m.) The last in a weekly documentary series of five half-hour films,
directed by Rory Kennedy and narrated by Elton John, looking at the global dimension of the AIDS crisis. Today: 'India'
CHER: THE FAREWELL TOUR (NBC, 7 p.m.) Repeat: Taped in Miami in November 2002.
SEX AND THE CITY (HBO, 8 p.m.) Samantha turns the tables on Jerry the hunky waiter (Jason Lewis).
THE WIRE (9 p.m.) With Sonja Sohn as lesbian Detective Shakima Greggs.
STRONG MEDICINE (Lifetime, 9 p.m. ) New: 'Rash Decisions' Gay actor/comedian Jason Stuart guest stars as a TV chef who
develops a mysterious rash.
TUESDAY, JULY 8
REAL WORLD PARIS (MTV, 9 p.m.) Gay Simon from Ireland, 18, has been in the background so far, hugging the girls and staying
away from the three moronic straight guys this season.
Gay Boy Ric is a comedian and pop singer based in L.A. E-mail gayboyric@yahoo.com .