We still have two months before the return of the award-winning ABC drama Brothers & Sisters, but the show—and some of its actors—are getting attention from different sides of the spectrum.

The gay rights organization Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) has applauded ABC for its portrayal of gay characters on its television shows.  Among the big free-TV networks, ABC got the highest score in the organization's second GLAAD Network Responsibility Index, powered by programs such as Desperate Housewives and Ugly Betty.  Brothers & Sisters was praised in particular, for portraying the first gay marriage on television.

Viewers might remember the drama's second season finale, where sous chef Scotty Wandell (Luke Macfarlane) proposed to lawyer Kevin Walker (Matthew Rhys).  The episode ended with a gay marriage, attended by their families—the first such storyline between series regulars.  Previous gay marriages on television involved only minor recurring characters or guest characters.

Also, Steven Weber, who was once a guest star on the drama, is reported to have been given a four-episode story arc on the CBS drama Without a Trace.  Entertainment Weekly reports that little is known about his character, except for that his character's presence won't be good news to FBI missing persons unit chief Jack Malone (Anthony LaPaglia).

If you may recall, Weber appeared in three episodes of the second season of Brothers & Sisters, playing Graham Finch, a specialist at Ojai Foods whose flirtatious relationship with Sarah Walker (Rachel Griffiths) intensifies into an all-out affair after her divorce with Joe Whedon (John Pyper-Ferguson).  The relationship eventually draws to an end after they realize that their affair almost put an end to the family business.  The report also hinted that Weber might make a return in the show's third season.

Brothers & Sisters, which has received another slew of nominations for this year's Emmy Awards, returns to television screens on September 28, from 10pm, on ABC.


-Henrik Batallones, BuddyTV Staff Columnist
Sources: Reuters, Entertainment Weekly
(Image courtesy of ABC)