I love Showtime. Not just because they're the network that brought lesbian audiences The L Word, but also because in the wake of the Jennifer Beals, Kate Moennig starrer, two fine female-driven half-hours have taken its place.
And considering Showtime has green-lighted a third season for both Nurse Jackie and United States of Tara, the strong women are resonating well with audiences - the pickups come just days after each show premiered its second season.
Or perhaps it's that both dramedies feature lesbian story lines this season: On Tara,Chasing Amy's Joey Lauren Adams falls in love with Emmy winner Toni Collette's alter, Buck.
Joey Lauren Adams
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Meanwhile, on Jackie -- which is written and created by out lesbians Liz Brixius and Linda Wallem -- Julia Ormond will be guest starring in a three-episode arc as one of our favorite doc's lesbian lovers... (use your imagination).
Julia Ormond
While there is no direct competition between the two series, I find myself struggling to decide which series I enjoy more. After screening the first six episodes of both Jackie and Tara's second seasons, it remains a close race: I went into Season 2 with Edie Falco and the wonderful ensemble that is the Jackie cast on top. But Tara's second set almost has Collette's name engraved on the Emmy Award.
While the hospital setting creates a solid frame for Jackie and company, I find myself rooting more for Tara and her family and their individual story lines that all come crashing together in Episode 7. John Corbett as Tara's husband Max is off-the-charts good this season and Keir Gilchrist's young and questioning Marshall is brilliantly written by creator and head writer Diablo Cody (Juno, Jennifer's Body).
Keir Gilchrist
With the early Season 3 pickups given to both shows, their respective creative teams should stand tall -- and not make plans for the morning of July 8 -- when nominations for the 62nd Primetime Emmys are announced - and Aug. 29, when the statuettes will be awarded.
Bravo, Showtime.
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