186: John Goodman Played Gay on Normal, Ohio

“Caught on Tape” (November 15, 2000)

John Goodman’s follow-up sitcom to Roseanne was Normal, Ohio, which only lasted seven episodes before Fox yanked it from its schedule in late 2000. Unfortunately, the take-away from its failure was that audiences wouldn’t buy a guy like Goodman playing gay, which is perhaps not one of the problems this show needed to fix? This week, special guest / homosexual academic Hollis Griffin joins us to discuss why this show didn’t work and why it’s still worth discussing as a failed imitator to Will & Grace.

You can now watch Glen’s movie, Being Frank, on Freevee via Amazon Prime. WATCH IT NOW!

Watch the episode we’re discussing on YouTube. Also watch Don’t Ask, the unaired pilot that eventually became this show.

Episode artwork by Ian O’Phelan.