Meredith Baxter's New Family Ties: Ryan John

f you're like me, if someone told you Meredith Baxter was a lesbian, you'd probably give a confused look and ask some follow up questions.  Like, who is that?  Unless you saw her picture attached to an inciting headline as you searched your favorite news and entertainment website, you probably didn't remember that she was the mom from Family Ties. I have to admit that I think Family Ties is a timeless family comedy where Michael J. Fox plays Alex P. Keaton, one of the funniest television characters ever.  But from that show, most people can only remember two names: Fox and Courtney Cox.  Although Mallory's boyfriend Nick was pretty funny in his Neolithic ways, his impression on us pretty much stops with his long earring and leather jacket and his trademark one syllable responses.
 
Now lets imagine for a second that the actor Scott Valentine's role as Nick was successfully spun off and glorified on the television show, The Art of Being Nick and Scott Valentine had the opportunity to build a career on the tough guy, dense, motorcycle driving meat head image that was launched in Family Ties. Him announcing his homosexuality would be shocking and betraying to the general viewing public.  But in reality, when Meredith Baxter announces she's a lesbian, it's nothing more than a human interest piece where people maybe curious enough to read her emotional struggles and the psychology behind her impossible male marriages. Realizing she was a lesbian and coming out of the closet was probably the most trying thing for this woman, as it is anyone who struggles with their sexuality.  Personally for Meredith Baxter it could have been a roller coaster ride of confusion, resentment, anger, and embarrassment and whatever emotional turmoil that denied her sexual authenticity. 
 
Baxter's perception as the understanding, ex-hippy mom with the All American blonde hair and blue eyes pretty much ended with the final episode of Family Ties in 1989.  Although shes been somewhat active in the past twenty years doing TV movies, guest appearances and talk show hosts stints, the expression of her true sexuality this year can can give her the entertainment second wind she may want or need. Whether it's a Paris Hilton sex tape, Senator Larry Craig's solicitation of sex in a bathroom stall, Elliot Spitzer's affair with a call girl or superstar Tiger Woods admitted sexual affair with a cocktail waitress, or an ex-TV mom from a hit TV show twenty-five years ago, personal sexual actions are enough to get us talking . 
 
Although a singer, songwriter and actor like Adam Lambert may take some heat from organizations like GLADD and may be shunned by some conservative television sets  for his sexual inappropriateness, his success in the entertainment industry certainly wont be stunted. People aren't confusing Adam Lambert with the high school jock. But before the final contest of Idol was complete, Lambert had people wondering if he'd be the first "Gay Idol."  His sexuality increased his notoriety and put him on the map from the beginning.  Meredith Baxter's career may receive the resuscitation she needs in the second half of her entertainment life.