TV: Several LGBT Characters Missing Next Season

The end of the week produced a laundry list of canceled TV shows, getting rid of several LGBT characters from the major networks.

In addition to New Normal and Happy Endings being canceled, as reported Friday, NBC has canceled the comedy Go On, as well as musical drama Smash. On ABC, Malibu Country which co-starred Lily Tomlin, will not be coming back for another season.

Other shows like ABC's Don't Trust The B----- in Apt. 23, created by openly gay writer Nahnatchka Kahn, and The CW's 90210, Emily Owens, M.D., and The L.A. Complex were also canceled this year. Long-running NBC comedy The Office, will air its season finale May 16.

This season's record number of LGBT characters, which is tallied annually by GLAAD, may be markedly reduced depending on the approximately 40 shows that have been picked up across the networks for this fall. A poll by the Hollywood Reporter in November showed that the high number of gay characters on television has helped make LGBT issues more acceptable to mainstream television viewers.

Actor and GLAAD spokesman Wilson Cruz told The Hollywood Reporter it's in the networks' best interest to continue to greenlight shows with LGBT characters.

"The sheer number of characters who will no longer be on the air means diversity on television is once again at risk," Cruz said. "Following a season with the highest recorded number of LGBT characters, these cancellations mean networks have to make a concerted effort to ensure the 2013-2014 season truly reflects the diversity of their audience."