ARMISTEAD MAUPIN’S TALES OF THE CITY

Produced by Britain’s Channel 4 in 1993, this ground-breaking television miniseries created an uproar when it aired on PBS the following year. Adapted from Maupin’s first novel and starring Olympia Dukakis and Laura Linney, the drama shattered precedent by depicting the love lives of gay and straight characters alike. This provoked official condemnations from the legislatures of Georgia, South Carolina and Oklahoma—and a bomb threat at the PBS station in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

“Armistead Maupin’s Tales of the City” received record-high ratings, Best Miniseries recognition from the National Board of Review, two major Emmy nominations and television’s most prestigious honor, the Peabody Award. Nevertheless, PBS bowed to conservative pressure and dumped its plans for a sequel.

“One of the ten best miniseries of all time.”  - Entertainment Weekly

“Uncommonly fine television.”  - The New York Times

“A landmark.”  - Los Angeles Times