CBS PRESIDENT VOWS TO ADD MORE GAY CHARACTERS

CBS President Nina Tassler conceded Wednesday that she is “very disappointed” with her network’s progress in incorporating gay characters into its scripted shows. Asked about the failing grade that CBS received from the gay activist group GLAAD, Tassler told television critics meeting at their annual “tour” in Beverly Hills, CA, “We know, and we will do better.” She named three shows, The Good Wife, $#*! My Dad Says, and Rules of Engagement in which gay characters will be introduced next season. Tassler said that she plans to “look for every opportunity we can to improve the numbers [of gay characters] we have represented in the cast,” Tassler said. “And we’ll continue to focus on that as we go into development season. We’re not happy with ourselves.” Her statement was greeted with a degree of skepticism from GLAAD, which issued its own statement saying, “After two years of receiving a ‘failing’ grade and a commitment last year to be more inclusive, we hope that CBS President Nina Tassler makes true on this promise to bring the network more in line with the industry standard.”