CBS Entertainment’s new president Glenn Geller revealed that he is gay while addressing the Television Critics Association (TCA) on Tuesday.
Geller spoke about his sexuality while addressing criticism often lobbed at CBS over its lack of diversity.
In his first TCA, new CBS Entertainment president Glenn Geller fielded similar questions. The openly gay executive used himself as an example.
“I’m diverse, I fall into the LBGT category. I’m just a gay guy from Indiana who doesn’t play basketball,” Geller said. “I mentioned my husband earlier, because I want to normalize my diversity. CBS will always reflect what American looks like. [sic]”
Geller added, “We are always evolving, changing.” As for racial diversity, Geller said, “We’re not casting color blind, we are casting color conscious.”
Geller promised that two of CBS’ midseason shows – Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders featuring Gary Sinise and Rush Hour with Justin Hires and Jon Foo – feature diverse casts. He also has high hopes for a yet-to-be scheduled reality show that turns regular people into fugitives so real cops can chase them.
Geller isn’t the first broadcast president to talk openly about his sexuality. NBC Entertainment Chairman Bob Greenblatt, who is gay, said in 2011, “I have never ever been held back or questioned in any of my career steps that I’ve gone through because of my orientation. Nor have I seen it with anyone else. I mean, I think Hollywood is very open. In all the executive positions, executive producers, writers, directors, I don’t think there is any sort of negativity on that front at all behind the camera.”
