Yesterday was my third day at TCA, but it felt like I'd been here for five years already. Small example: I don't drink coffee in the mornings; I drink tea. Well, this morning, I started drinking coffee. But never mind that; you want the news, right? Here's the short version: ABC is so gay and multicultural I feel like I walked into a parallel universe after the first two days of Fox.

Wednesday started off with a press conference with ABC's President of Entertainment, Steven McPherson. He was soon asked why they chose to renew some shows and not others, and he said, "There were certain shows that, you know, we didn't bring back that performed OK. It really, to us, is based on creative upside. Did we believe in the show runners? Did we believe in the shows? What was the performance? How did we think the audience was responding?"

Of course this got me thinking: Is he talking about Cashmere Mafia?

After the press conference I asked him that very question, and here's what he had to say — it's quite revealing:

Steven McPherson: Cashmere Mafia honestly was a decision that creatively we were disappointed in the execution. It did OK ratings-wise, but it never really to me fully realized its opportunity. I think there was never quite the insight about those kind of women and their lives and what it would be. It felt like it was kind of an outsider looking in at what that might be like, and I felt like Sex and the City was really such a very real, honest look at that, in an insightful way, and I just felt like we never got there with Cashmere Mafia.

So it sounds like ABC's head honchos just didn't wind up liking Cashmere Mafia. I'm not sure where along the lines the creative decisions got made, but I do recall that the original pilot was much more interesting than the one that aired, and whoever made the decision to change it made the wrong choice. RIP, Caitlin and her pregnant first girlfriend.

Next up was the panel for Eli Stone, a series about a lawyer who discovers that he's a prophet. Oh, and it's created by openly gay executive producer Greg Berlanti, who's also behind Brothers & Sisters and Dirty Sexy Money. Last season Eli Stone included one episode that aired in February 2008 about a lesbian custody battle; unfortunately I didn't see it so I don't know what happened (perhaps if you saw it you could enlighten me in the comments). … continue reading

As promised, Lori and I are finally back on the interweb with a new episode of She Made Me Watch This!

This week, we talk about that ridiculous lesbian kiss in the Lipstick Jungle season finale; the new Judy Greer comedy Miss Guided; Marlee Matlin and Kristi Yamaguchi on Dancing with the Stars; the status of the queer women currently on Survivor and Top Chef; and the tragedy that was Marvita's haircut on America's Next Top Model (A mullet, Tyra? Really?)

We also wander off-topic to discuss how Lori spent her time in Alaska; why the apartment is completely re-arranged every time I come home from work these days; and how I supposedly don't treat my iPods very well (is it my fault they don't like being dropped?). There's also a near-miss with one of the bunnies that gives Lori a mild heart attack on-camera. Good times!

One apology: Because we had to marathon the last few episodes of Lipstick Jungle in order to talk about it for the vlog, we didn't get started on filming this until late in the evening, and by the time we got to a decent take, we were more than a little sleepy (I think it was around 2am). So we're sorry if our energy was a little low on this one — we're definitely going to start earlier next time!

Speaking of next time — if there's interest, we thought we'd add a segment at the end of SMMWT! answering reader questions related to TV and movies (so, not questions about AfterEllen.com in general or personal advice questions, more like "when is X show coming out on DVD?" and "why did they cancel [fill in the blank], or "What do you think of the show Y?"). So if you have any questions like that, please feel free to leave them in the comments and we'll try to answer them in the next episode or two.

A few weeks ago, we reported that Marlee Matlin will be on the new season of Dancing With the Stars.

It seemed strange to me at first — not because she's deaf, but because she just doesn't seem like the reality TV type, whatever that is — but this video makes me think she'll be pretty adorable on the show.

"I must have been drunk that morning." Heh.

If only she could keep Nancy O'Dell (or another woman with a grabbable booty) as her dance partner! But her partner on the show will be Fabian Sanchez, aka the 2006 U.S. Mambo Champion. He's not half as lovely as Jennifer Beals, which I suppose goes without saying. Here's another clip of Fabian and Marlee, this time on Entertainment Tonight. … continue reading

I'm just going to admit it upfront: I've never seen Dancing with the Stars. While I've always liked the idea of ballroom dancing — those were my favorite scenes from Gray Matters, besides all the ones with Rachel Shelley — the idea of watching B and C-list celebrities learn to do it? It never appealed. Until now.

The cast for next season has just been announced, and I'm definitely intrigued by the list of ladies, especially the name at the top of the list. I'm not sure what this bodes for the Spice Girls reunion plans, but the biggest coup for the casting people as far as I'm concerned is landing Melanie Brown, aka "Scary Spice."

I've been a fan of Brown's since her Spice Girls days (OK, I'll admit I owned an album) and have felt vindicated each time she ups her gay creds. She appeared in the stage version of Rent, you may remember, as Mimi. And she is constantly rumored to have been in relationships with women, though I have to say I really, really don't get the Eddie Murphy thing. Want to see an image from her Spice Girls days? I do.

One Dancing participant I'm actually a little scared of — or maybe scared for — is Marie Osmond. I can't rid my head of this image from press release photos of the Osmond 50th Anniversary, which will air in March of next year. What is that outfit, Marie? … continue reading

by Sarah Warn

ABC has renewed almost its entire current schedule for next season, and unusually early. The list of shows making the cut include Grey's Anatomy, Men in Trees, Brothers and Sisters, Ugly Betty, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, The Bachelor, and Dancing With the Stars.

The fate of According to Jim is still up in the air. I don't know how I'll sleep tonight.

Now that Dancing with the Stars is coming back, it's time for an out lesbian contestant. Who should it be: Ellen? Rosie? Melissa? Maybe a less obvious choice, like Suze Orman? Or Sheryl Swoopes? Or, ooh, I know: Leisha Hailey! Just for kicks, they could go with Mimi from Work Out - as long as they institute a "no biting" rule. It's for everyone's safety.

In the meantime, at least we have Laili Ali...