Darlings, When It Comes Right Down To It, THIS Was The First Gay Television Show!!!!!!!!!!!

Now, darlings, as we all know, homosexuality has been with us since before Thespis stepped out of the chorus line. It was just a matter of how it was presented down through the ages, which, of course, has changed over time. By the time I was a growing baby boomer, the Television Generation, you bet I knew all the theme songs, not to mention owning the "Debbie Reynolds Dress Designer Kit" from Colorforms. And, of course, by the time I elevated to Parker Brothers' games, especially "CAREERS," you knew I always opted for Hollywood, and the chance to win an Oscar. Guess I was off and running, girls, but what did I know??????

Long before any of us knew the words "homosexual," and what it meant, let alone the word "gay," there were certain TV characters and types who stood out, just for their, to be polite, eccentricity. Like Wally Cox, of "Mr. Peepers." Or Maynard G. Krebbs on "Dobie Gillis." And how about that male English teacher on "Our Miss Brooks?"

Like Tennessee Williams and his dramatic masterworks, TV found a way of having homosexuality creep in, without offending the Masses.

Now, what triggered all this was a discussion between Monsieur and myself, as we readied for work. Coming across a reference to Lizzie Borden, on Yahoo, I recalled the 70's TV movie, "The Legend of Lizzie Borden,", with the ground breaking performance of Elizabeth Montgomery, who had been known for an altogether different role, a mere decade earlier.

That role, of course, was Samantha Stevens in "Bewitched," and let me tell you, darlings, when I get through here, you are going to realize that this was the first true openly gay sitcom on television!!!!!!!!!!

Let's start with Liz. She was plunked down in suburbia, married to straitlaced ad exec Darrin Stevens (played originally, by Dick York). Samantha had glamorous hair, fabulous Sixties outfits, and, when it came to housewifery, glamorized things in ways Margaret Anderson or June Cleaver just could not. Added to which, she did not have to lift a finger to do anything--because she was a witch, and she had powers. Darrin, the traditionalist, tried to put the kabash on their use, but that never stopped Samantha from exercising her Witch given right!!!!! And we loved it!!!! It was all us burgeoning girls wanted--like Mary Poppins--to get chores done with a snap of the fingers, or a wiggle of the nose. Even the household help I have does not work this fast!!!!!!!!! And Liz looked glamorous all the time!!!!!!!!!!!

Then, there was this FABULOUS supporting cast--an A-list of gay icon-icry!!!!!! Starting with Agnes Moorehead, as Endora, beautified to the max, and looking for all the world as though she were going to do Hermione Gingold in "Gigi."
And how about Maurice Evans, as her father????? And Paul Lynde as Uncle Arthur--need I say more????? That great Theater Queen figure, Alice Ghostley, playing Esmeralda??? And, how about Jane Connell (Broadway's original Agnes Gooch in "Mame"), as Queen Victoria??????? People to this day still talk about THAT episode and performance!!!!!

But my favorite of all had to be Doctor Bombay, portrayed brilliantly by Bernard Fox. Now, I have no idea if Fox himself was gay or not, nor do I care, BUT he played the character as if he had just arrived from spending an evening at a gay bar!!!!!!! No wonder he loved being surrounded with Fag Hags like Endora and Esmeralda!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Then, there was the Question Of The Darrins. Dick York originated the part, and he was brilliant. Contrary to rumor, he was NOT gay, though he had appeared almost ten years before, in what is still thought of as a gay play--Robert Anderson's "Tea And Sympathy." The reason York left the show was tragic--he had suffered debilitating back pain for years, and it began to impact on his career and led to an addiction he worked hard to overcome. He was eventually replaced by Dick Sargent, who, ironically, had originally auditioned for Darrin, but turned it down to do a sitcom called "Broadside." Sargent had a history of homosexuality, and lived with a domestic partner, Albert Williams, until his death in 1994. Sargent did not officially "come out" till 1991, but during those "Bewitched" years, he made plenty of producers nervous, plus he was surrounded with the gayest sitcom cast imaginable!!!!!!! Those of us who watched him as Darrin, somehow "knew," and we just adored him for it!!!!!!!!!!

But most still wanted to be Samantha. Or Endora!!!!!!!!!!!

And, of course, the one I most wanted to be was Serena!!!!!!!!!!!

See you later, cuz!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!