George Takei and Spouse to appear on "Newlywed Game"

[Jobydrone]

I haven't seen this posted here yet, feel free to remove if it's a double

http://www.philly.com/philly/entertainment/celebrities/20090917_ap_tvsnewlywedgamefeaturesfirstgaycouple.html

TV's 'Newlywed Game' features first gay couple
DAVID BAUDER

The Associated Press

NEW YORK - Even as states and jurisdictions made gay and lesbian marriages legal, "The Newlywed Game" has played it straight , until now.

The long-running game show, now on the GSN cable network, said Wednesday it will feature its first gay couple this season on a celebrity edition. George Takei, who played Mr. Sulu on "Star Trek," will appear with his partner, Brad Altman.

They just celebrated their first anniversary after being married in Los Angeles last September, but they're nothing like the giggly young couples the game is known for. Takei and Altman have been together for 22 years.

"What we want is to display the normality and the joy of having a happy union," Takei said.

"The Newlywed Game" has been on TV off and on since it premiered in prime-time on ABC in 1967, mostly with Bob Eubanks as host. Singer Carnie Wilson is now host of the show, which is in its second season on GSN and done well in the ratings for the network.

The show always teased and tested couples about how well they know each other, with the slightly lascivious Eubanks delighting in questions about "making whoopee."

It has since featured older couples, interracial couples and some who have lived together many years before marriage. Even long-ago contestants were retested as part of "Oldyweds Game" segments.

Kelly Goode, GSN's programming chief, said she couldn't speculate on why gay couples were never included in the past because GSN, the former Game Show Network, has only been responsible for the show for two years. She said it was in the game's rules that the couple needed to have a legally-recognized marriage to play.

The change "made sense for GSN," Goode said. "It seems like the show has always reflected the times in terms of marriages depicted and this felt like the next logical step."

Takei and Altman haven't taped their episode yet but expect to do so soon. GSN hopes to air in October.

The show is sprinkling a handful of celebrity players and their new spouses in this season, including Davy Jones of The Monkees, Christopher Knight of "The Brady Bunch" and Jonny Fairplay of "Survivor."

Wilson said she had been pressing behind-the-scenes to have an all-gay edition of the show. She's excited about Takei's appearance.

"It's needed at this point," she said. "To me, this is not anything political. This is not a political statement. This show has always been about couples and how well they know each other."

Dan Gainor, a vice president at the conservative Culture and Media Institute, said the move was a publicity stunt for a show most Americans didn't realize was still on the air. Despite Wilson's views, Gainor said he believed it was a political statement for the California-based show and network, coming in a state where voters banned same-sex nuptials months after Takei and Altman married.

"They're trying to use TV and the movies to set the gay agenda and make it mainstream," Gainor said.

Even though they've been a committed couple for 22 years, Takei said he and Altman are quietly preparing for their appearance. He's taking careful note of what his partner orders in restaurants and wears.

"To be included in something we never felt we'd be included in is very satisfying," he said

[alanp]

They're still making the Newlywed Game?

[ChadH]

"The Conservative Culture and Media Institute". Hey, that sounds like a great place to work. I bet they throw a really fun Xmas party. Lot's of people milling about slurping punch, talking about lawnmowers and wood-working. :smilie_bleh:

[Bromptonboy]

Lot's of people milling about slurping punch, talking about lawnmowers and wood-working. :smilie_bleh:

Uh-oh - I think you overheard our lunchtime conversation today!  :)

[alanp]

I don't have a problem with groups providing information and giving viewers a heads up if they want to avoid seeing something; just as long as they don't try to keep something from airing or coming to theaters.  Everyone's offended by something so there is no way to keep everyone happy.  I don't want someone else to be my filter.

EDIT:

I mean, George on the Newlywed game might not be for me but that doesn't mean that's not for someone else.  Just like a lot of the slasher movies I watch aren't for everyone but I enjoy them.  I'm so sick of people trying to ban things and keep everyone from seeing it (not picking on this specific group because I don't know anything about it.  I just see this sort of thing.), and would much rather groups provide information and let the viewers decide.

[Geekyfanboy]

I don't have a problem with groups providing information and giving viewers a heads up if they want to avoid seeing something; just as long as they don't try to keep something from airing or coming to theaters.  Everyone's offended by something so there is no way to keep everyone happy.  I don't want someone else to be my filter.

EDIT:

I mean, George on the Newlywed game might not be for me but that doesn't mean that's not for someone else.  Just like a lot of the slasher movies I watch aren't for everyone but I enjoy them.  I'm so sick of people trying to ban things and keep everyone from seeing it (not picking on this specific group because I don't know anything about it.  I just see this sort of thing.), and would much rather groups provide information and let the viewers decide.

"The Conservative Culture and Media Institute" is not "providing information and giving viewers a heads up" They are making acquisitions about the Newlywed Game and GSN for allowing a "gay" celebrity couple play the Newlywed show.

And just a note.. they were married during the time when it was legal and to be consider a Newlywed you need to be married no more then two years... and they recently had there 1 year anniversary.. so they qualify as a Newlywed couple.

[alanp]

Oh I don't know anything about that group or what their tactics are.  Nor did I know there had been an incarnation of the Newlywed Game since the 70s.  I don't get the Game Show Channel, or any other cables channels.

In my experience, some groups can't stand for something they don't like being on TV and either set the goal of preventing something from airing or getting the channel banned.  When I was in middle school, the town fathers where I was living decided that the adults who pay the cable bill should no longer have access to MTV because they were showing Beavis and Butthead.  So for years, MTV was gone.

Where I went to college, they were at it again and got rid of Comedy Central.  They didn't think the adult college students who pay their cable bill (or anyone else) needed to see a channel that shows South Park and The Daily Show.  As far as I know, that cable system is still unavailable to show that channel.

Groups have also attempted to block rock bands like KISS and Alice Cooper from preforming; as well as slasher movies in theaters.

I personally object to these kinds of tactics.  I ask why couldn't they have just sat on the sidelines and give the issue lip service and allowed the viewers to decide whether watch it or not?  Why does anyone think their tastes should decide what everyone is allowed to see or hear?

But not all of the groups use these radical tactics (thankfully) many just raise objections and suggest their like minded readers/listeners avoid programming.  And to me that's a way I would prefer they go about it if they really object to what's on TV.

[Rico]

There will always be other people (or groups) who think they know what's "best for you."  I can certainly make up my own mind, thank you very much.   :)