Inclusive and diverse storytelling are deeply rooted in Viacom’s social ethos, and its shows and movies are frequent contenders at the GLAAD Media Awards, which honor accurate and inclusive representations of LGBT people and issues. This year is no exception—Viacom received six GLAAD nominations for programming on CMT, Nickelodeon, VH1, Comedy Central and logotv.com.
Read more about our 2017 nominations.
Outstanding Drama Series
Nashville – CMT
CMT earned its first GLAAD nomination ever, for Nashville’s story about LGBT characters working in a stereotypically “straight” industry.
Frank Tanki, general manager of CMT and TV Land, says the network’s GLAAD nomination is not only great recognition for Nashville, but also serves as a benchmark for the brand’s overall strategy. “It signals that our modern country strategy is taking root and being noticed in all the right ways,” Tanki explained.
“Creatively, Nashville continues to trail blaze. Last season, we welcomed CMT’s and Nashville’s first-ever transgender character and actress, and also added a new LGBT character as a series regular. On the integrated front, we partnered with Budweiser for a multi-episode arc in which openly-gay singer, Will Lexington, becomes the face of the brand and is spotlighted in a commercial built around the theme of love and acceptance. The integration was well-received by both the LGBT and ad communities, with industry powerhouse, Adweek, proclaiming the integration as ‘ground-breaking.’”
Outstanding Kids & Family Programming
The Loud House – Nickelodeon
Watch a clip:
Last year, GLAAD’s ceremony recognized LGBT-inclusive children’s content as its own category for the first time—and Nickelodeon snagged one of the inaugural nominations for its animated hit, The Loud House.
One of the show’s main characters, Clyde McBride, has two dads. Mr. and Mr. McBride are overbearing, stereotypical versions of suburban helicopter parents—in other words, nothing revolutionary. But giving LGBT characters a chance to be as boring as straight ones is, if not revolutionary, an inspiring display of inclusivity.
Congratulations to The Loud House @TheLoudWriters for being nominated in the @glaad Media Awards for “Outstanding Kids & Family Programming!” In the words of Luna Loud, “Rock on!” See all nominees: https://t.co/WzokRufcDo pic.twitter.com/LH2ip5mxvE
— Nickelodeon Animation (@NickAnimation) January 22, 2018
Outstanding Reality Program
RuPaul’s Drag Race – VH1
Drag Race is a GLAAD veteran. This year, the show earned a nomination for Outstanding Reality Program—after werking its way from Viacom’s LGBT-focused Logo to VH1 in 2017, where it shattering ratings records and attracted an even more diverse fan base.
Thanks @glaad!!!Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.#GLAADAwards https://t.co/pisBQ2cQ2O
— RuPaul’s Drag Race (@RuPaulsDragRace) January 19, 2018
Drag Race’s cult following magnified after Viacom’s strategic decision to give the show a platform on its dominant adult entertainment brand, the place where “pop culture comes to party,” as VH1’s tagline proclaims.
One million viewers tuned in to watch the show’s season finale—the highest number in show history. President of MTV, Logo and VH1 Chris McCarthy called Drag Race a “cultural phenomenon” in an interview with Deadline from April 2017. “We brought in a whole new set of audience that is loving the show,” said McCarthy.
“The GLAAD nominations for RuPaul’s Drag Race recognize the series at its very core: a platform for LGBT voices and a celebration of individuality, self-expression and the human spirit,” said Pamela Post, Senior Vice President of Original Programming, VH1, MTV and Logo. “We’re particularly proud and heartened by the warm reception for Peppermint – our openly transgender competitor – which sparked a national conversation about trans representation in entertainment.”
Outstanding Talk Show Episode
“Danica Roem” The Opposition with Jordan Klepper – Comedy Central
We were invited to tag along to @oppositionshow with @jordanklepper. Jordan interviews VA Delegate-elect @pwcdanica, who made history earlier this month. Tune in at 11:30pm ET! pic.twitter.com/1u6UneArcZ
— GLAAD (@glaad) November 30, 2017
Danica Roem is an LGBT trailblazer, the first openly trans person in a state legislature. She was elected to Virginia’s House of Delegates in November 2017 after building a successful career in both journalism and heavy metal – subjects Jordan Klepper deftly covered in an interview on The Opposition, shortly after Roem’s historic win. The pair had obvious chemistry, and showcased a similar ability to weave humor into serious (and sometimes dry) legislative issues.
For example, Klepper touched upon Roem’s plans to improve Virginia’s infrastructure, and elicited this response:
“As transgender people, we don’t get to fly our unicorns to work every day,” said Roem. “We only get to use them on weekends, sometimes Thanksgiving.”
Watch a clip:
“Trans Veterans React to Ban,” The Daily Show with Trevor Noah – Comedy Central
Following President Trump’s rash move last year to fire all transgender troops, The Daily Show host Trevor Noah interviewed two transgender U.S. army veterans. While many news outlets covered Trump’s divisive decision, The Daily Show’s commentary went a step further.
According to Slate, “Trevor Noah set himself apart from the crowd, cutting through the noise by talking at length with two people who really understand this issue from personal experience: Joey Whimple and Jennifer Marie Long, two trans U.S. Army veterans.”
Watch a clip:
Outstanding Digital Journalism – Multimedia
“Made to Model: Trans Beauty in Fashion” – LogoTV.com
Rounding out the nominations is Made to Model: Trans Beauty In Fashion. The brainchild of Logo, VH1, and MTV, Made to Model highlights Viacom’s visionary storytelling as a piece of digital, long-form journalism that breaks barriers in both content and format.
By showing what it’s like to be trans in the fashion industry, LogoTV.com plays a vital role in Viacom’s robust ecosystem of inclusive storytelling. The concept had not been fully explored on our other networks or shows, but found a perfect niche online thanks to creative collaboration among networks.
Congratulations to CMT, Nickelodeon, VH1, Comedy Central and Logo for their recognition, and congratulations to the rest of the Viacom family for helping to create culturally resonant content.
The GLAAD Media Awards will take place on April 12 at 8:30 p.m. ET