Ferdinand the Bull Is Gay (and Other Observations About Disney Shorts)
Gayest Episode Ever
Tony Rodriguez joins us one last time for a sequel episode of sorts to our one about . This time, we’re focused on old-time Disney shorts that lend themselves to a queer reading. If you want to watch this cartoons before you listen, here’s a list of where you can find them online. In order of discussion: (1938) (1935) (1953) (1934) (1941) (1932) (1952)
info_outline
The Closest Full House Got to a Gay Episode
Gayest Episode Ever
This is a rerun of an episode that originally aired in 2021. “The Play’s the Thing” (November 17, 1992) The big joke with Full House never did a gay episode despite being a show about three men cohabitating and coparenting in San Francisco. However, the fifth season introduced Derek (Blake McIver Ewing), a new friend for Michelle who’s well-mannered, soft-spoken and really good at showtunes. We’d argue that Derek, while young, still comes off as a queer-coded character, and the fact the actor himself would later come out makes the performance all the more interesting.
info_outline
The Simpsons Meets Tennessee Williams
Gayest Episode Ever
“A Streetcar Named Marge” (October 1, 1992) Although it was not on our final season schedule, circumstances conspired to make us discuss The Simpsons one last time — and we’ve picked a classic-era episode that may not scream “gay” but it definitely mutters it under its breath. In addition to Jon Lovitz playing the abusive theater director Llewelyn Sinclair, this one also features a young gay man’s guide to culture. We have courtesy of . Our logo was designed by . This episode’s art was designed by . Sound cues for this podcast were composed by .
info_outline
Duckman Investigates Homosexuality (If Only Briefly)
Gayest Episode Ever
“Forbidden Fruit” (January 16, 1996) At long last, we are proud to announce the first episode of our podcast to feature both hosts of Talking Simpsons, Henry Gilbert and Bob Mackey. It’s also the last episode to feature them both, because we are kicking this podcast into its grave. But in the process we manage to have a nice conversation about adult animation and how Duckman compares to the Simpsons episode “Homer Badman.” Listen to that goes deeper on Duckman history. Listen to Talking Simpson’s special about — and support Minnesota immigrants in the process!
info_outline
Dungeons & Dragons Has the Queeniest Knight in Saturday Morning HIstory
Gayest Episode Ever
This is a rerun of an episode that originally aired in 2019. “Odyssey of the Twelfth Talisman” (September 28, 1985) Once upon a time, there was a Saturday morning cartoon based on Dungeons & Dragons, and in its final few episodes it had one of its male characters hit it off with a one-off NPC who was witty and matched him, insult for insult. This one-off also happened to be male, and whether by accident or whatever, the resulting episode plays out kinda like a male-on-male romcom that just happens to be situated in medieval fantasy setting. Don’t worry if you’ve never experienced a...
info_outline
Oh Grow Up: Short-Lived, Underrated and Gay
Gayest Episode Ever
Whelp, here it is: the final time this podcast is ever going to teach you about a short-lived show that you maybe never heard of. In the grand scheme of 90s sitcoms about attractive people living in New York, ABC’s Oh Grow Up might seem like an also-ran. However, John Ducey’s Ford managed to be a more rounded gay character than most of its longer-lived contemporaries gave us in much longer runs. He comes out, he questions his place in the gay scene and he gets laid. What’s more, he very much seems like a prototype for the gay lead in Alan Ball’s follow-up TV project, Six Feet Under. We...
info_outline
Married… With Children Meets a Beach Gay
Gayest Episode Ever
“Life’s a Beach” (May 21, 1989) For our final season, we’re not hitting up that many of the GEE favorites. There’s no Seinfeld, no Friends, no Roseanne, no Golden Girls. Hell, there’s not a Simpsons on the schedule at the moment. But we will make time for Married… With Children, whose third season finale provides some nice moments to remind you all why the Bundys matter. There’s even a hot gay couple, however briefly. The Fox Files theme was composed and performed by . Listen to Talking Simpsons’ episode about . And yes, you can listen to all ten episodes of Fox Files right...
info_outline
Dear John Meets a Gay
Gayest Episode Ever
“Stand by Your Man” (February 16, 1989) This might well be the last time we’re discussing a one-off gay episode done by a mainstream sitcom. Dear John’s popularity burned bright but quickly, and early in its first season it threw a new character into the mix who was not only gay but also gay. Cleavon Little actually won an Emmy for this performance, and it’s deserved, even if some of his antics read a little dated in 2026. We have courtesy of . Our logo was designed by . This episode’s art was designed by . Sound cues for this podcast were composed...
info_outline
Jennifer Slept Here Is a Little Gay Boy’s Fantasy
Gayest Episode Ever
This is a rerun of an episode that originally aired in 2019. “Jennifer: The Movie” (October 29, 1983) We’re celebrating both Halloween and week two of our celebration of Ann Jillian with an episode about how the 1983 NBC series Jennifer Slept Here is both so very weird and also a little gay boy’s fantasy — because it pairs an awkward boy with glamorous ghost, and that’s secretly what every little gay boy wishes he had to guide him through his awkward years. This is peak 80s, but also it has one of the best sitcom themes ever, regardless of decade.
info_outline
Star Trek Isn’t a Sitcom But It Sure Is Gay
Gayest Episode Ever
“The Offspring” (March 12, 1990) Yeah, we finally did an hourlong — and if you’re surprised that we picked Star Trek: The Next Generation, then you are probably unaware how many fans of GEE are also huge Star Trek nerds. We’re joined by friend , who knows more about the Star Trek franchise than we do, to discuss the episode with Data’s daughter Lal, which isn’t especially any of the letters in LBGTQ but manages to tread into each of their territories. Trust us, it’s a great episode of TV even if you don’t know the difference between an Andorian and a J’naii. We...
info_outline
“The Competition” (February 13, 1987)
Yes, we did do an episode last year in which we summed up Mr. Belvedere are a whole and said it never did an outright gay episode. We were wrong, and thanks to two different listers who politely exposed our ignorance, this week you are getting Drew and Glen talking about the one where Heather convinces her boyfriend he’s gay and Mr. Belvedere convinces him he’s not. It’s a weird bit of TV, but it’s also one of the very few family-focused sitcoms of this era to actually acknowledge that gay people exist.
Also you can listen to the previous Mr. Belvedere outing, but also maybe don’t because this one is good enough to just replace the original?
Christopher Hewett stars as King Koopa in Super Mario Bros. on Ice.
Watch GEE TV to see the episode of 227 with Pee-Wee Herman.
Enjoy the opening credits to Land of the Giants.
Buy Gayest Episode Ever shirts, totes and more on our TeePublic page.
Buy Glen’s movie, Being Frank.
Support us on Patreon!
Follow: GEE on Twitter • Drew on Twitter • Glen on Twitter
Listen: iTunes • Spotify • Stitcher • Google Play • Google Podcasts • Himalaya • TuneIn • SoundCloud
And yes, we do have an official website! And we even have episode transcripts courtesy of Sarah Neal. Our logo was designed by Rob Wilson.
This is a TableCakes podcast.
This episode’s outro theme is “Balla Balla Ballerina” by Tony Manero, which isn’t on any of the music streaming services or digital music stores, as near as Drew can find, so just listen to it on YouTube, I guess?