WATCH LIST: Fall TV Season Starts With “Modern Family” and “Murphy Brown”
In Theaters
A superb, sharply written biopic about queer French author Sidonie Gabrielle Colette (Keira Knightley) and her charming yet conniving husband Henri “Willy” Gauthier-Villars (Dominic West), who claimed credit for her tremendously popular series of Claudine novels while she found a more nurturing love—and public scandal—with a genderfluid woman, Missy (Denise Gough). Could easily be an awards season contender. (September 21, Bleecker Street)
When 19-year-old U.S. Marine Joseph Scott Pemberton murdered a transgender woman Jennifer Laude in the Philippines, the subsequent trials resulted in controversy, outrage, and questions about how U.S. imperialism still rules in foreign countries. In PJ Raval’s gripping, insightful documentary, a trio of women including transgender BuzzFeed/VICE journalist Meredith Talusan seek ultimate justice for Jennifer and her accused murderer. (September 21, Breaking Glass Pictures)
DVD/Blu-Ray/Video on Demand
In his follow-up to the supernatural-tinged gay Thai featureThe Blue Hour, director Anucha Boonyawatana spins the story of an estranged couple, Shane and Pitch, that becomes close again when one is dying and the other delves into Buddhism to try and save him—or at least guarantee him a bright afterlife. (DVD, TLA)
TV/Streaming
TV journalist Murphy Brown (Candice Bergen) returns in the age of Trump and “fake news,” and with assist from openly gay Indian-American actor Nik Dodani’s social media-savvy millennial, Pat Patel, learns how to navigate the new reality. Welcome back, girl—we need you! (September 27, CBS)
Billed as the “first LGBT Latinx TV talk show” with a pop culture beat, Glitterbomb is hosted by Patrick Gomez (Entertainment Weekly’s senior editor), Enrique Sapene, and Alexander Rodriguez (iHeart Radio’s “On the Rocks”). New episodes premiere every Thursday through December. (LATV)
The tear-jerking, LGBTQ-inclusive Emmy-winning series about the Pearson family continues with its third season. Will there be more revelations and flashbacks about Randall’s (Sterling K. Brown) late gay father? (September 25, NBC)
Season 12 will close out this beloved hit sitcom starring out actor Jim Parsons, who reportedly was reportedly ready to move on to other things and turned down an additional two-year contract and about $1 million per episode (read his open letter about the show’s end here). Don’t despair, though—Parsons will continue to narrate its successful spin-off about his character’s childhood, Young Sheldon. (September 24, CBS)
In season five of Lee Daniels’ addictive music dynasty drama, Luscious (Terrence Howard) and Cookie Lyon (Taraji P. Henson) start from scratch after losing their company, with assistance from gay son Jamal (Jussie Smollett). Season 3 of Lee Daniels' other LGBTQ-inclusive music industry-set series, Star, also premieres tonight. (September 26, Fox)
This 10th season of the multiple Emmy-winning comedy will see the death of a cast member, so expect some levity with the laughs. Who will bite the dust? They’re keeping that totally under wraps. Don’t you dare mess with our Jesse Tyler Ferguson, ModFam! (September 26, ABC)
