Lives change when a person comes out of
the closet. And that, Showtime believes, would make great
television.
According to a report by The
Hollywood Reporter, the cable channel is developing a reality
series that documents the altered lives of gay people as they take
that plunge.
Each episode of the series, titled Way
Out, seeks to document a closeted persons life – before, during
and after the big reveal – and how coming out affects their
relationships with friends and family.
Bryn Freedman, who executive produced
A&E's Intervention, will share co-producing duties with
Evan Weiss.
“It's a show that has universal
appeal because everybody can relate to having part of their lives
hidden,” said Freedman. “The show is all about getting to know
the person – why they have been reluctant to come out and what it
looks like to be living a lie, [and] what it is like when people are
trying to set you up with dates.”
Freedman believes the show is similar
to the acclaimed Intervention, and will provoke similar
controversial reactions.
“Before the show comes out, I think
people will have a lot of concerns about it,” she said. “But
like with Intervention, people see we're treating this subject
with absolute respect and care and expect it will open a lot of
hearts and minds.”
The project remains in the pilot state,
but Showtime has shown great strength with gay related
material in the past.
And as the cable channel prepares to
bid farewell to its much loved lesbian drama L Word, it most
assuredly is looking for ways to maintain its gay audience.
Gay Entertainment Report is a feature
of On Top Magazine, and can be reached at ontopmag@ontopmag.com.