Though GET’s quality control is consistently uneven, the mini-network certainly blankets the spectrum of gay life. “Inside/Out,” a weekly talk show, takes on such issues as gay promiscuity and parenting, while the magazine series “Makostyle” showcases gay designers, authors and artists. The hottest draw is “Party Talk,” a sort of downtown “Regis and Kathie Lee” co-hosted by boyish Brad Lamm and drag queen Linda Simpson. But the show’s star is movie critic Cathay Che, a Roseanne Arnold look-alike who bestows Q (for Queer) ratings on some decidedly esoteric stuff: “Here’s some time-warp, white-trash, drag-queen, musical science fiction. . .”
Schwam says GET is simply riding the media Zeitgeist. “Last week seven primetime series dealt with gay themes,” he marvels. “Suddenly there’s an unprecedented awareness of gays among straights.” The willingness of the celebrated to join GET’s party hasn’t hurt. Guests have included the Rev. Jesse Jackson. playwright Terrence McNally, Cybill Shepherd and a pair of wild Rosies, O’Donnell and Perez. The biggest boost came from Tom Hanks, who gave “Party Talk” reporter Jason Reeves a lengthy interview at the premiere of “Philadelphia. " As Reeves stammered his thanks, Hanks loudly replied: “Thank you, Mister Gay Entertainment Television!” With plugs like that, who needs sponsors?
