From “Crumbs” to “Noah’s Arc,” AfterElton.com recalls gay characters gone from TV screens far too soon

What a terrific idea for an article!

Brent Hartinger of AfterElton.com looked back on some of television’s gay character that didn’t get to stay on the airwaves as long as Will and Jack on Will & Grace, Steven Carrington on Dynasty, Jodie Dallas on Soap, Keith and David on Six Feet Under, Scotty and Kevin on Brothers & Sisters, and the entire gang on Queer as Folk.

Brent picked some good characters including the cast of Noah’s Arc singling out the characters played by Doug Spearman and Rodney Chester. I’m still trying to figure out why the heck the show was yanked after just two seasons on Logo. There were so many stories left to tell and while the feature film that followed the series was nice, the plug was pulled far too soon.

I also agree with Brent’s pick of the Fred Savage character on Crumbs, the short-lived ABC comedy that also starred Jane Curtain. I interviewed Fred for Frontiers Magazine about this role so watched just about all the episodes. Sadly, ABC canceled the show along with another short-lived comedy that I liked even more: It’s All Relative.

Also on Brent’s list, and mine, is Zachary Qunito’s role as Tori Spelling’s gay BFF on the shortlived So NoTORIous which really deserved a second season. The make-out scene in the sauna was especially memorable.