Gender-Bending Crime Fighter Hits Television, Stirs Up Controversy: VIDEO

There's a new TV character in town, a 12-year-old-boy-turned-girl-crime-fighter on Hub's new children's cartoon program, SheZow. Hub, a cable network owned by parent companies Discovery Communications and Hasbro Inc., is hoping their new superhero(ine) will bring in viewers and interest.

The Los Angeles Times reports:

In "SheZow," a 12-year-old boy - named Guy - uses a magic ring to transform himself into a legendary crime fighter. When evi lurks, Guy says, "You go, girl!" and becomes SheZow.

"When I first heard about the show, my reaction was 'Are you out of your minds?'" said Margaret Loesch, chief exeutive of the Hub. "Then I looked at it and thought, 'This is just funny.'"  

Not everyone is as amused as Loesch however. Conservative blog Breitbart tagged "SheZow" with the moniker of "transsexual" and reported:

Nothing says “child-appropriate material” quite like gender-bending underage superheroes...That show follows the adventures of a 12-year-old boy named Guy who uses a magic ring to transform himself into a crime-fighting girl. Yes, you read that correctly. When Guy says the magic words – “You go girl!” – he becomes SheZow, wearing a purple skirt and cape, as well as pink gloves and white boots.

Breitbart also suggests that Loesch "may or may not have been high (and leftist) when she greenlit this project." The New York Daily News reported on GLAAD's response to the conservative backlash:

...a spokesman for GLAAD fired back that criticizing the animated series for "promoting" transgender themes is, well, cartoonish.

 “This Breitbart News article is just a laughable attempt at attention seeking, comparable to Jerry Falwell attacking the Teletubbies, and demonstrates a profound ignorance of transgender people since this show doesn't include any,” said GLAAD’s Rich Ferraro.

"SheZow" represents a departure from the more gender-constricted programming readily available for young children. However, Hub sees the new show as a possible boon to their business, which is currently struggling against juggernauts like Nickelodeon and Disney:

...who knows, maybe if "SheZow" is a hit, Hasbro can start merchandising her white go-go boots, and her ring.

"We'll see, won't we?" Loesch said.

Watch the show's intro, AFTER THE JUMP...

ACLU Urges 'Modern Family' Producers to Marry Mitch and Cam

A new initiative of the ACLU, ACLU Action, has launched a campaign urging Modern Family writers to marry Cam and Mitch.

They write:

"The freedom to marry is being advanced in American living rooms as much as in court rooms," said ACLU Executive Director Anthony D. Romero. "As we wait for the Supreme Court to rule, we want to keep this issue on the minds and screens of Americans everywhere."

ACLU Action aims to activate the ACLU's 750,000 online supporters to have a political impact through social media and new grassroots organizing tools, and to reach out to new audiences, with its message of equal rights for all. By calling on Americans to "RSVP" that they will watch Cam and Mitch get married, the campaign will let the "Modern Family" producers know that a wedding episode would be a ratings hit. The campaign will put marriage equality before new and younger audiences through social media channels.

ACLU Action plans to deliver the "guest list" created by this RSVP to the producers of "Modern Family," Steven Levitan and Christopher Lloyd. The delivery will be timed to capitalize on the energy arising out of the landmark Supreme Court cases to be decided this summer, as the writers and producers are scripting the next season of "Modern Family."

Should you wish to join that list, you can do so here.

Jesse Tyler Ferguson reacted to the campaign via Instagram: "Love this! Thank you ACLU! Maybe once Prop 8 is overturned"

Gay HBO Andrew Haigh Dramedy Starring Jonathan Groff Set to Go

A gay dramedy starring Glee's Jonathan Groff and directed by Andrew Haigh (Weekend) has been given the go-ahead by HBO, according to the Hollywood Reporter:

The eight-episode dramedy hails from Andrew Haigh, who directed the pilot that is based on Michael Lannan's feature script Lorimer. Haigh will executive produce alongside Bored to Death's Sarah Condon and Brothers and Sisters' David Marshall Grant, with Lannan receiving a co-EP credit.

The untitled entry will revolves around the three friends in San Francisco who explore the fun and sometimes overwhelming options available to a new generation of gay men. Groff stars alongside Frankie J. Alvarez and Murray Bartlett. Production will begin in the fall in San Francisco for a 2014 premiere.

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Here's the Trailer and Clips for Sean Hayes' New Sitcom 'Sean Saves the World': VIDEO

Over the weekend I mentioned that Sean Hayes was returning to network TV as a single gay dad in Sean Saves the World, with Thomas Lennon and Linda Lavin. Here's NBC's preview of the new shoe.

Watch the trailer and two clips, AFTER THE JUMP...

The 'Arrested Development' Season 4 Trailer is Here: VIDEO

The Bluth family is back for the the foruth season of Arrested Development, which will be presented House of Cards-style by Netflix, with all 15 30-minute episodes available simultaneously. Excited?

Watch, AFTER THE JUMP...

NBC Cancels 'The New Normal' After One Season

NBC has canceled the gay parenting/surrogacy comedy The New Normal after one season, according to The Hollywood Reporter:

Boosted by The Voice, the Justin Bartha-Andrew Rannells starrer about a gay couple starting a family earned a full-season order in October despite early protests from conservative watchdog groups. The series, like the rest of its Tuesday block, suffered without The Voice, notching a string of lows before the singing competition returned to revitalize the lineup. While its April season finale was penned to serve as a potential series finale, producers said that a second se  ason would have featured the newly married couple raising their newborn son.

The 20th Television entry marks Murphy's first show to not move beyond its freshman run.

Murphy's other shows have been re-upped. Glee for two more seasons, and American Horror Story for a third season.