ABC announced this week it will move forward with production on Men In Shorts, a new sports comedy inspired by the life of openly gay LA Galaxy star Robbie Rogers.
The 27-year-old Olympian, who became the first openly gay man to play in a major North American professional league sport in May 2013, tweeted he’s “really excited to be a part of this” last night.
Though the project is still obviously in early pre-production, writer Claudia Lonow and producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron have already revealed a loose storyline. According to their release, Men In Shorts will center on “a young pro soccer player who takes one small step out of the closet and one giant leap into the spotlight.”
Deadline has much more:
Men In Shorts will combine elements of a family and workplace comedy. “To me, a sports team locker room is a workplace we haven’t seen before,” [Lonow] said. Like in real-life, the protagonist comes from a conservative family. The project naturally takes liberties — on the show, the guy’s parents are still together, and, while Rogers’ father had been completely supportive and accepting, the soccer dad on the series “has more of a journey to go,” Lonow said. The comedy will chronicle how the soccer player’s teammates and friends interact with him after his coming out and how they start evaluating their own secrets that are keeping them from “being happier and more authentic.”
Now that it’s official, we should probably discuss possible lead actor options.
DDstar1me
I hope it doesn’t turn out campy. ABC if this show is done right then you’ll have a pretty good sitcom.
kevininbuffalo
@DDstar1me: It will be campy, that’s the only way TV knows how to portray Gays especially in sitcoms.
Paco
Sitcoms are usually campy with extreme characters (stereotypes) for the laughs and designed to be family friendly. I would prefer a good gay drama on network television. I think it is time for one.
enlightenone
Too many TV channels and not enough creativity. This is the result! In the “closet” until this past year, and as I recall from all interviews, not much comedy to be had, so perhaps not enough for a full season hopefully.
Mikah
He is gorgeous.I hope the show will be great.
isafakir
He should be himself in the show. god is he cute and sexy.
Dixie Rect
Will be canceled in 2 episodes, if it even gets to air.