Falling for Fall TV

Now, mostly I recommend shows with queer female leads because representation still matters and all that good gravy. But, sometimes shows without queer female leads can be equally great. And if those shows are created by and star very talented actors of color, well, damn – representation means all representations so pass me the remote. Two such shows I happily stumbled upon with the start of the new fall season are “English Teacher” (on FX and Hulu) and “How to Die Alone” (also on Hulu).

The former is from writer, creator, actor Brian Jordan Alvarez (you may remember the out actor as Jack’s flight attendant husband Estefan Gloria on the “Will & Grace” reboot) and the latter is from writer, creator, actor Natasha Rothwell (who as long-suffering spa staff Belinda was the only remotely sympathetic character on “White Lotus” season 1).

Both feature main queer characters. Alvarez plays the titular gay English teacher at a present-day suburban Texas high school and Rothwell’s JFK airport work bestie is gay. And both, at least so far, are really quite good. Funny, incisive. This is what happens when you let talented POC and members of other marginalized groups tell their own stories. Creative takes on popular themes! Originality! Hilarity! Even a little pathos! More shows like this please, TV. So many more.