TV GETS GAYER

A new sitcom, an old movie, a documentary, and a series from England

• A Minute with Stan Hooper

For 10 years, Stan Hooper (Norm Macdonald) has been closing each episode of America’s favorite news- magazine Newsline with his commentary, “A Minute with Stan Hooper.” Hooper’s minute presents real stories about real people from middle America ... from a midtown Manhattan studio. • Looking to deliver a more honest “minute” and to live in the vanishing America he has commented on for a decade, Hooper moves with his wife (Penelope Ann Miller) to Waterford Falls, Wisconsin, a small town they passed through on their honeymoon 15 years ago, a town that embodies the old-fashioned values and idyllic lifestyle he has been championing. • When the Hoopers arrive in this “average small town,” they find that it is anything but average. Among other interesting facts, the central meeting place is Petersen Boys’ Diner, which also happens to be the post office, gas station, souvenir shop, and the place to buy videos, is owned by Lou Petersen (Garret Dillahunt) and Pete Petersen (Daniel Roebuck) ... and they’re not brothers. • A Minute with Stan Hooper airs Wednesdays on Fox at 7:30 p.m. —Suzie Lynde

• Also on Fox

Arrested Development stars Jason Bateman and Portia de Rossi as siblings in a wildly dysfunctional family. David Cross plays the sexually ambiguous jobless husband of de Rossi’s character. In the premiere episode (November 2), he accidentally gets involved with a group of gay protesters, which makes him realize he wants to be an actor. The quirky show airs Sundays on Fox at 8:30 p.m. —Blase DiStefano

• The Children’s Hour on Turner Classic Movies

James Garner wants Audrey Hepburn. Shirley MacLaine wants Audrey Hepburn. It’s a 1961 melodrama, so guess who gets Audrey Hepburn. Yeah, MacLaine not only loses Hepburn, but she also loses her life … well, not exactly loses her life, but takes it—by hanging herself. Hey, it’s 1961, and director William Wyler was probably a tad bit nervous about all that lesbian stuff. But it’s still worth a watch, if for no other reason than to see what people thought about homosexuals some 40 years ago. Just try not to take it too seriously. • For those of you who start to fade at about 10 at night, you’ll have to set that VCR, because Turner Classic Movies (TCM) is airing The Children’s Hour on Tuesday, November 25, at 11 p.m. Be sure to let the tape also record the following hour-long program (1–2 a.m.), Private Screenings: Shirley MacLaine, on which MacLaine talks to Robert Osborne about many of her films, including interesting tidbits about The Children’s Hour. • FYI: Many of MacLaine’s films will be shown starting at 7 p.m. every Tuesday in November on TCM. Check local listings for schedule or visit www.turnerclassicmovies.com. —BD

• Abused and Catholic on Sundance

Director Mark Dowd, a British journalist who once studied for the priesthood, explores the sexual abuse scandal that has shocked the world and thrown the Catholic Church into crisis. He interviews male and female victims of abuse, along with current and former church officials, as he investigates the institutional response to mounting charges of abuse and cover-up. Reporting from Boston and Rome, Dowd considers how the definitive response to the crisis may come not from the Vatican, but from the ordinary churchgoers and clergy who are urging change. Abused and Catholic premieres on Sundance Channel, Monday, November 17, at 9 p.m. Repeat airings: 24th at 12:30 p.m., 25th at 4:20 a.m., and 28th at 9:30 a.m. To confirm schedule: www. sundancechannel.com. —Troy Carrington

• Bob and Rose on Showtime

Bob (Alan Davies, Jonathan Creek) and Rose (Lesley Sharp, The Full Monty) meet while hailing taxis and quickly hit it off. After Bob reveals he’s gay, Rose tries to be content with the fact that they’ll be nothing more than friends—that is, until an evening out ends in passionate lovemaking. Now a confused Bob must “come out” to his parents all over again by admitting he’s dating a woman, and he must deal with his ex, Carl, who could potentially sabotage his relationship with Rose. To make matters worse, Bob’s long-time friend Holly (Jessica Stevenson, The Royal Family) realizes she’s jealous and if Bob’s going to be with a woman, why not her? This six-episode series, airing on Showtime Women on Wednesdays, was written by Russell T. Davies, writer and creator of the British series Queer as Folk. The episodes began airing on October 22, but the previous synopsis gives you enough info to see the last four episodes that air each Wednesday in November. The complete series will be available to VOD subscribers starting November 26. And, at press time, the series was scheduled to be repeated on the main network in 2004. —SL

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