Grab the remote, set your DVR or queue up your streaming service of choice! GLAAD is bringing you the highlights in LGBT on TV this week. Check back every Sunday for up-to-date coverage in LGBT-inclusive programming on TV.
The 87th Academy Awards hosted by Neil Patrick Harris and produced by Craig Zadan and Neil Meron will close Hollywood’s award season live on ABC on Sunday night. The Alan Turing biopic The Imitation Game picked up eight nominations in total, including Best Picture and Actor in a Supporting Role for star Benedict Cumberbatch. Selma, based on the 1965 voting rights marches from Selma to Montgomery, scored nominations in Best Picture and Music (Original Song). The film's character ensemble features Bayard Rustin, an openly gay man who worked as an advocate for human rights. Tegan and Sara and Lady Gaga will perform. 87th Academy Awards: Sunday, 7pm ET/4pm PT on ABC.
The Night Shift returns for a second season on Monday night. In the premiere, Topher steps up as chief of the night shift, TC is suspended from work and Jordan is under scrutiny for her mishandling of the man who shot Topher. Out actor Luke Macfarlane is set to return this season as openly gay soldier Rick who is in a relationship with series regular Dr. Drew Alister. The Night Shift: Monday, 10pm on NBC.
The 26th season of CBS' The Amazing Race kicks off this week with eleven couples racing around the world for a $1 million grand prize. This season's cast includes New Kids on the Block member Jonathan Knight who is racing with his boyfriend of seven years, Harley Rodriguez. In a twist this season, several of the couples are actually meeting each other for the first time on a blind date, including Bergen Olson and Kurt Belcher. The season kicks off Wednesday with another episode on Friday. The Amazing Race: Wednesday, 9:30pm on CBS.
Big Freedia: Queen of Bounce returns to Fuse on Wednesday night! The series follows New Orleans bounce rap artist Big Freedia and her friends, including the "Original Bounce Mother" trans artist Katey Red, as they work to build Freedia's career and bring bounce music to mainstream attention. Big Freedia: Queen of Bounce: Wednesday, 11pm on Fuse.
The GLAAD Media Award-nominated drama How to Get Away with Murder wraps its first season in a supersized two hour episode on Thursday night. In the first hour, Connor and Oliver take their relationship to the next level and Annalise defends a priest accused of murdering a colleague. In the second hour, the truth about Lila's murder is revealed and Connor, Wes, Michaela and Laurel may be in too deep for Annalise to help. How to Get Away with Murder: Thursday, 9pm on ABC.
Don't miss an all new Black Sails on Saturday night. Last week it was revealed through flashback that series lead, the pirate Captain James Flint, and Lord Thomas Hamilton were in love. The two were assigned to work together to take back Nassau from pirate control back when Flint was a member of the British navy. Between now and then, Hamilton was imprisoned in an asylum and Flint fled England after his naval commission was revoked and he is now the most fearsome pirate on the sea. In this week's episode, Flint goes back on a promise and Rackham learns a tough lesson as Eleanor works to mediate some form of peace. Black Sails: Saturday, 9pm on Starz.
Sunday February 22: 87th Academy Awards (7pm ET/ 4pm PT, ABC);Downton Abbey (9pm, PBS); Looking (10pm, HBO)
Monday:Gotham(8pm, FOX); The Fosters (8pm, ABC Family); Ellen's Design Challenge (9pm, HGTV) ; Chasing Life (9pm, ABC Family); The Night Shift (10pm, NBC); Eye Candy (10pm, MTV)
Tuesday:Pretty Little Liars (8pm, ABC Family); Sirens (10pm, USA); The Real World (10pm, MTV); Girlfriends' Guide to Divorce (10pm, Bravo)
Wednesday: Modern Family(9pm, ABC); Empire (9pm, FOX); The Amazing Race 26 (9:30pm, CBS); Nashville (10pm, ABC); Big Freedia: Queen of Bounce (11pm, Fuse)
Thursday:Grey's Anatomy (8pm, ABC); QI (8pm, BBC America); Backstrom (9pm, FOX); How to Get Away with Murder (9pm, ABC); Archer (10pm, FX); Portlandia (10pm, IFC)
Friday:The Amazing Race(8pm, CBS); Hart of Dixie (8pm, CW); Glee (9pm, FOX)
Saturday:Black Sails(9pm, Starz)
On daytime, check your local listings for information about Ellen, The Talk (CBS), The Gossip Table (VH1), The View (ABC) and The Chew (ABC). Soap operas Days of Our Lives on NBC and General Hospital on ABC (check local listings) both feature out characters.
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About GLAAD
GLAAD amplifies the voice of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community by empowering real people to share their stories, holding the media accountable for the words and images they present, and helping grassroots organizations communicate effectively. By ensuring that the stories of LGBT people are heard through the media, GLAAD promotes understanding, increases acceptance, and advances equality. For more information, see www.glaad.org, www.facebook.com/glaad, www.twitter.com/glaad and www.glaad.tumblr.com.