Bay Area Reporter :: Television News

Boldly go, girl: The Lavender Tube on 'Star Trek: Discovery,' Alan Ritchson, 'AHS' and more

April 16, 2024 | by Victoria A. Brownworth

"Star Trek: Discovery" closes out at five queer-inclusive seasons, the hunky "Reacher" star speaks out, and Kim Kardashian can act? Yup, all this and more in our TV columnist's watchful eye.

Oh, 'Mary & George'! — Starz series' royal bed-hopping antics

by Brian Bromberger
Apr 9, 2024

The new seven-episode limited series, "Mary & George," streaming now on Starz, is probably the gayest, bawdiest series ever screened on TV. It raises carnal intrigue and scheming within a monarchy to new heights of audacity and salaciousness.

Netflix's 'Ripley' — Caravaggio, queer glances, and pictorial piazzas

by Joshua Polanski
Apr 9, 2024

The new eight-episode limited series "Ripley" stars the beloved Andrew Scott in a dark, calculating, and alluring run at the character Tom Ripley, based on Patricia Highsmith's first in a best-selling series of books.

Love is in the air: The Lavender Tube on TV romances, gay games and Vanderpump's villa

by Victoria A. Brownworth
Apr 2, 2024

Our TV columnist covers the many romances on a drama, a soap, a sitcom and a reality series, plus a super queer scifi animated series with voiceovers by Michelle Yeoh, Russell Crowe and more big names.

History repeating: The Lavender Tube on 'Manhunt,' 'Chisholm,' '3 Body Problem' & more

by Victoria A. Brownworth
Mar 19, 2024

We're in unusual and fractious times, politically. But our current era is far from the only inflection point in U.S. history, as some of our TV columnist's selected TV shows prove.

Ashley Ray's 'Ice Cream Money,' and hit podcast tell truths with laughs

by Laura Moreno
Mar 10, 2024

Ashley Ray, the "most famous bisexual solo polyamorous Black queer comedian, actor, and writer currently based in Los Angeles," continues to inform and entertain with her recently released debut comedy album "Ice Cream Money."

Comedy tonight? The Lavender Tube on 'SNL's fails, the new 'Elsbeth' and more

by Victoria A. Brownworth
Mar 5, 2024

Like Charlie Brown with that football, we keep tuning in to "Saturday Night Live" most Saturday nights to watch political satire and maybe hear some good music from the weekly guest, only to have that football of fun swiped away.

'The New Look' — Dior vs Chanel miniseries' wardrobe malfunction

by Brian Bromberger
Feb 20, 2024

"The New Look" chronicles how Paris reclaimed its title as the capital of haute couture, launching modern fashion by dueling designers Christian Dior and Coco Chanel after the disastrous World War II Nazi occupation.

Group scenes: The Lavender Tube on 'Couple to Throuple,' 'Girls5eva' and more

by Victoria A. Brownworth
Feb 20, 2024

Dry January has turned seamlessly into Lent, but we can't give up everything fun, can we? Here's some fun viewing to keep you sated. A girl group music series returns, couples seek a third, and Taylor Tomlinson's hot while Jon Stewart? Not.

'Capote vs. The Swans' Truman's deadly crash landing from high society

by Brian Bromberger
Feb 13, 2024

"Capote's Women: A True Story of Love, Betrayal and the Swan Song of an Era" by Lawrence Leamer, is the basis for the Ryan Murphy anthology series "Feud: Capote vs. The Swans," which premiered on FX and is now streaming on Hulu.

Cruises & comedy crashes: The Lavender Tube on 'Death and Other Details,' SNL's off-kilter sketches and more

by Victoria A. Brownworth
Feb 6, 2024

Hulu's new murder mystery series "Death and Other Details" will remind you of "White Lotus" and other shows, but it's got three lesbians. Our columnist also cover SNL's comedic crashes, and news of their next guest host, a racist homophobe.

Are you 'Open To It?' Frank Arthur Smith dishes on his gay non-monogamy series

by Christopher J. Beale
Jan 30, 2024

"Open To It" is a web series led by Frank Arthur Smith. In season one we meet Cam and Greg, a gay couple who make the decision to start hooking up with other guys. What follows is an episodic master class in comedic representation turned all the way up.

Milestones and millstones: The Lavender Tube on 'Law & Order's anniversary, Jodi Foster, & the political race and -ism

by Victoria A. Brownworth
Jan 23, 2024

NBC's "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" celebrates an amazing TV milestone this season: 25 years on prime time with a woman — Emmy winner Mariska Hargitay as the lead character, detective, now captain, Olivia Benson — since the series debuted.

Swan songs: The Lavender Tube on Capote's crash, Golden Globes gaffes & more

by Victoria A. Brownworth
Jan 9, 2024

The latest in Ryan Murphy's 'Feud" series dives into Truman Capote's scandalous exposé of New York's society women, and how their revenge led to his downfall; plus, abortion nightmares and insurrection terrors.

2023 & we: The Lavender Tube's year in review

by Victoria A. Brownworth
Dec 26, 2023

In so many ways 2023 was an abjectly terrible year for Americans in general and LGBTQ people in specific. Yet several TV included LGBTQ characters, actors and story lines that made for compelling viewing.

Arts & Culture :: Television