Mornings suck. So every morning TNG brings you a fun video to help ease the pain…

OK. So… TV sucks. But this video is fucking hilarious.

The depiction of gay men in popular culture has come a long way. Back in the day, the few gay characters actually on TV were the boogeymen in afterschool specials, hiding in bushes, stroking their ginormous mustaches, and waiting for the chance to jump out and defile some nubile All-American boy. Fortunately, since then, as we all know, attitudes towards homosexuality, especially in the entertainment industry, have relaxed significantly. But how far have we really come? Sure, there are more gay characters on network television and in mainstream movies than ever, but what kind of characters are they? Fully developed, with compelling interests and storylines? Or shells, filled with stereotypes and used solely to prop up the hetero leads?

Lately, it seems to me that the vast majority of gay male TV characters (on both scripted and unscripted programs) are these emasculated, infantilized, mincing little sidekicks endowed with this bizarre ability to summon a perfect party dress, a sassy, yet soothing pep talk and a lovely bottle of Pinot Grige with nothing more than a flick of the (limp) wrist. Now, don’t get me wrong. “Magically fierce purveyor of fabulosity and sassafras” is infinitely better than “monstrous, raping pedophile,” but I still take issue with this idea that so many television writers seem to share: if you’ve got a character that’s a dude who’s into other dudes, he’s got to be the shallow, two-dimensional, dick-crazed, finger-snapping lady-in-waiting of the nearest straight female. Why? Because that’s amusing and/or comforting to the majority of the viewing public and, if all we’re doing is making fun of his all-consuming desire for clothes, wine and dick, rather than condemning him to hell, isn’t that actually called being sensitive? Well, unless I’m way off-base here, it’s actually called being pretty fucking lame, not to mention short-sighted and lazy.

Obviously, not every television show, book or movie is like this. There have been many gay characters over the years who have been cool, compelling people, treated with dignity and respect. And the creators of those characters and stories deserve our gratitude. But sometimes it gets so frustrating when you plunk ten bucks down for a movie or turn on the tube, because it seems like for every Willow Rosenberg, there are a thousand Jack McFarlands, and for every Rickie Vasquez, there are a million Miss J’s. What’s a boy to do?

Well, watching the video above and having a chuckle is a start at least. From the same folks who gave us the incomparably funny Sarah Haskins, here’s That’s Gay, a hilarious send-up of gay stereotypes in the media. This first episode is all about the “Gay Best Friend” archetype. What do you think? Let us know your opinion in the comments.

Also, I know this is a video all about gay male stereotypes, but I don’t want to leave our female and transgendered readers out of the conversation. Far from it! We’re all here and we’re all queer, right? How do you feel about the portrayal of lesbian, bisexual, or transgendered characters in the media? What’s cool? What could still use some work? Sound off!

Oh, and happy Friday!