By Mark Kennedy, Entertainment Writer
NEW YORK (AP) --Netflix is once again the top contender at the GLAAD Media Awards with 26 nominations, snapping up film nods for "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" and "The Prom," comedy series nominations for "Dead to Me" and "Big Mouth" and drama TV nods for "The "Umbrella Academy" and "Ratched."
Netflix has for the past few years led the annual GLAAD nominations, which honors media for fair and accurate representations of LGBTQ people. HBO Max followed this year with nine nominations, and Amazon, Hulu and HBO each received four.
The Hallmark Channel received its first nomination for "The Christmas House," the network's first holiday movie featuring a gay lead character. GLAAD also noted that transgender characters were prominently featured in "9-1-1: Lone Star," "Star Trek: Discovery," "Saved by the Bell," "Big Mouth" and "Supergirl."
Award recipients will be announced during a virtual ceremony scheduled for April.
Several categories increased from five to 10 nominees to recognize expanding levels of diverse LGBTQ representation across several media genres.
"This year's nominees remind us that even in times of political and cultural division, diverse LGBTQ representation and visibility can enlighten, entertain, and create lasting change," said GLAAD President & CEO Sarah Kate Ellis in a statement.
The organization also noted that Ryan Murphy created, directed and produced six nominees this year — "The Prom," "Boys in the Band," "Circus of Books," "Hollywood," "Ratched" and "9-1-1: Lone Star."
Streaming services saw a total of 58 nominees, with cable receiving 29 nominations, and broadcast networks receiving 14. GLAAD also honored "Out," a Pixar animated short film on Disney+ which features Pixar's first-ever lead LGBTQ storyline, and "After Forever," an Emmy-Award winning short-form series on Amazon Prime Video that follows a group of gay friends.
In its recent "Where We Are on TV" report, GLAAD found that LGBTQ and gender inclusiveness on television has retreated slightly this season due to delays and shutdowns caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Music artists who earned GLAAD nominations this year include Adam Lambert, Brandy Clark, Halsey, Kehlani, Lady Gaga, Miley Cyrus, Pabllo Vittar, Peppermint, Ricky Martin and Sam Smith.
“Scandal” cast will reunite for online script reading for hurricane relief in western North Carolina
The cast of ABC's hit political drama "Scandal" may need to brush up on their snappy, speedy delivery known as "Scandal-pace," because they're reuniting for a good cause. Its stars including Kerry Washington, Tony Goldwyn and Bellamy Young will take part in a live virtual script reading on Nov. 17 to raise money for hurricane relief in western North Carolina.
Beginning Friday, fans can go online and donate to reserve a spot for the online reading. Proceeds will benefit United Way of North Carolina. Everyone who donates will be able to take part in a virtual pre-event with the cast and Shonda Rhimes will give an introduction.
Additional guest stars will also be announced. The online fundraising platform Prizeo is also holding a contest where one person who donates online via their site will be selected to read a role from the script with the actors. The winner should not worry about the "Scandal"-pace, assured Young over Zoom.
"Whomever the lucky reader is can read at whatever pace they want," she said.
Young, who played Mellie Young, the first lady and later Republican presidential nominee on "Scandal," was born and raised in Asheville, North Carolina. She came up with the idea for the effort with a friend and took it to her fellow "Scandal" actors, who all jumped on board. Young said this is the first script reading the cast has all done together since the show ended after seven seasons in 2018.
Which episode they will be reading has not been announced yet.
Young said it's "been devastating" to see so many parts of her hometown badly damaged by Hurricane Helene, which ravaged western North Carolina one month ago.
To research the best use for donations, Young spoke with numerous political leaders, including North... Read More