Ryan Murphy, Neil Patrick Harris and Andy Cohen among TV Guide’s 25 Most Influential People

TV Guide editors have compiled a list of 25 people for its Power List of the 25 most influential people in television – men and women who help shape American culture through the television screens in our homes.

While it’s no surprise to find Oprah Winfrey, Jerry Bruckheimer, and Tina Fey on the list, I’m especially pleased that three openly-gay folks were among the powerful: Glee creator Ryan Murphy, the multi-talented Neil Patrick Harris and Bravo’s Andy Cohen.

Here’s a bit of what the editors had to say about the powerful trio:

Ryan Murphy: The creator of Nip/Tuck and director of such films as this summer’s Eat, Pray, Love has gifted Fox with a group of hot young musical kids to take the place of the network’s increasingly uncool Idols.
Ryan is pleased that his self-described “provocative” storylines encourage debate. “I think my work is polarizing,” he says.  In Glee’s second season, he plans to delve even further into issues involving minorities, class differences and disabilities, and will add a Christian character for a conservative perspective.
“In this show, people see characters who are like themselves and move their agendas, beliefs and fears forward,” he says. “That, to me, is influence.”

Andy Cohen: He is the man who built Bravo. From Queer Eye for the Straight Guy to The Real Housewives, the out and proud Cohen has executive produced some of TV’s most buzzed-about unscripted shows, all while inviting viewers to join in on the process – and the party.
“They have been driving us solidly for the past four years,” Andy says of Bravo’s devotees. “We’ve let fans choose challenges on Top Chef … I was the first exec to blog daily and engage with the audience every day, and I think the audience respects that Bravo respects them. We occasionally wink at them and bring them in on the inside. They are the most educated audience on cable.”

Neil Patrick Harris: With three years remaining on his How I Met Your Mother contract, Neil says he’s been planting the seeds for a variety or talk show: “I’d love to be like Ed Sullivan and show people really cool acts.” The out-of-the-closet star negates recent claims that gays can’t convincingly play straight.
“Neil is a hero of mine,” says Ryan Murphy, who cast him in Glee. “He’s just about the work. Combine that with his charm, and he’s the best ambassador we can have.”