Ming-Na Boldly Goes Where Stargate's Never Gone Before

Chinese-American actress Ming-Na is used to forging new territory. The talented and gorgeous performer has made a career of playing inspirational, strong women while many of her contemporaries glided by on nondescript "girlfriend" roles. Her work has shone a light on the doubly complex experience of being a member of a minority and a woman with her memorable roles in The Joy Luck Club and voicing Disney's only Asian princess, Mulan, the cross-dressing warrior heroine. After her near-decade starring on the successful medical drama ER before its end in 2004, most of us have come to know and love the sincere, vulnerable female characters she's embodied and Ming-Na's signature twinkling laugh.

The gifted actress took on a new challenge when she joined the cast of Syfy's latest original series, Stargate Universe. A self-admitted geek, Ming-Na was excited to explore the sci-fi world and work with a large ensemble cast as a group of civilians and soldiers who've been stranded in space aboard the ancient and mysterious Destiny ship. Aside from playing the challenging part of a strong-minded strategies and human resources expert member of the International Oversight Committee, Ming-Na's character, Camile Wray, is also the first LGBT person in the Stargate franchise's world. It's the first Asian American lesbian character on basic cable and one of the few lesbians currently on American prime-time television.

Planet Out spoke to the beautiful and bubbly Ming-Na about playing a lesbian for the first time, all the exciting high-stakes drama aboard the Destiny, and shooting a love scene with a woman, Reiko Aylesworth, for November 20's Stargate Universe episode, "Life."

PLANET OUT: Thanks so much for speaking to us today. I'm all caught up on my Stargate Universe episodes so I have lots of questions.
MING-NA: Me too! No, I'm just kidding ... [laughs]

Gay TV on a Thursday Night: A Real O.C. Housewife Says Bye

Thursday night television is looking like just a perfunctory pass for us to get to the good stuff on Friday night. We can't wait to see Stargate Universe's episode "Life" Friday night for the first Camile Wray-centric episode! The beautiful Chinese-American actress Ming-Na (as Wray) and sexy Reiko Aylesworth from Lost  play a committed, close lesbian couple in the touching episode. While we're waiting for that ship to come in, why not pass the time with some fan favorites like The Vampire Diaries and the finale of Project Runway's sixth season? Plus a day we never thought would come: Bravo says goodbye to one of the original Real Housewives of Orange County.

At 8 p.m., turn on your TV for some fresh blood on a fresh episode of the sexy series The Vampire Diaries is up on the CW. Hot, immortal vampire brothers Damon (Ian Somerhalder) and Stefan (Paul Wesley) run into a fresh threat when competition comes to town.

Gay TV on a Wednesday Night: Big Names on 'Modern Family'

We love Wednesdays! The best night of gay TV and LGBT characters by far, Wednesday prime time boasts favorites Glee, Modern Family, and Top Chef: Las Vegas. Show choir, hilarious gay dads, and food porn -- all the elements are awesome. Tonight's draws are especially dishy when a student gets a crush on Glee's Mr. Schuester (who wouldn't?!), the funniest Modern Family around gets TWO huge guest-star grabs (one is thinking man's hunk Edward Norton), and did we mention Candis Cayne is on Nip/Tuck tonight? Check out all the best TV has to offer for your night, then comment about what you're watching.

If you're a fan of table flipping and phrases such as "prostitution-whore," catch the classy Jersey girls from The Real Housewives of New Jersey on NBC's Mercy, tonight at 8. Teresa Giudice and Jacqueline Laurita pop by the show. Giudice tweeted they’d guest-star as characters who "rough up a little whore." Shouldn't be too much of a stretch for the hot-tempered mama.

At 9 the power hour of prime-time gay TV is in full effect. On an all-new Glee on Fox, the kids partner off to perform ballads. Odd star out Rachel (Lea MIchele) is partnered with Mr. Schuester (Matthew Morrison) and develops a crush that's cutely embodied in a performance of the Police hit "Don't Stand So Close to Me." While we could do with them spreading the musical numbers around to the supporting players a bit more, Rachel is hilarious at her self-awareness-free, eccentric dramatic heights.

Gay TV on a Tuesday Night: Heather Locklear is Back

Memorable as Monday night TV may have been, Tuesday has a TV moment that many have been holding their breath for: the return of Heather Locklear to Melrose Place. Will bringing "the bitch back" make or break the fledgling nighttime soap remake? Time will tell. But it will certainly be worth watching for a shot of Amanda Woodward adrenaline. Coupled with the exciting conclusion of the miniseries event The Prisoner and a Gleeful gay guest in late night, and you've got a perfect night of TV set for Tuesday.

Starting at 8 p.m., watch the thrilling final chapters of the six-part, star-studded AMC event The Prisoner. While devoted fans of the ‘60s cult film doubted the revamp could rival the original, we've been engrossed by the enigmatic and always flawless performance from Sir Ian McKellen as Two. Tonight's climax sees a death sentence passed down to Six (Jim Caviezel) and possibly secrets of the Village revealed.

At 8:30 on NBC, Project Runway mentor and pretty much our favorite thing to come from reality TV ever, Tim Gunn, makes an appearance on The Biggest Loser. Gunn's on hand to gussy up the remaining competitors, who are due for a big makeover now that they've shed so much weight.

Gay TV on a Monday Night: Gaga ‘Gossip Girl’ & 'The Prisoner'

In what's scheduled to be a promising week's worth of wonderful gay TV, Monday heads things off with a winning lineup. With How I Met Your Mother offering another Barney-centric episode and Gossip Girl's big guest star, Lady Gaga, it's an especially awesome night for regular fans. Throw in a brand-new Bravo reality series that courts foodies and AMC's The Prisoner redux starring out actor Sir Ian McKellen and you've got a five-star evening of entertaining television.

At 8 o’clock on CBS, tonight's How I Met Your Mother sees its out star Neil Patrick Harris return to his character roots. Barney is back in dating action after breaking up with Robin (Colbie Smulders). There's not even a momentarily monogamous relapse as he enacts a legendary plan for his return to the dating scene.

Gay TV on a Thursday Night: Dolly Parton, Cheyenne Jackson

The weekend is almost here, and pretty soon there will be holiday celebrations and obligations galore, so it is your pop-culture duty to soak up as much entertainment as possible before then. While some of us are still swooning over the musical male members of the Glee club -- and ladies like Lea Michele, no? -- Thursday has arrived, and with it new and exciting gay characters, actors, and favorites popping up all over prime time. Project Runway airs part 1 of the season’s finale, gorgeous and talented gay actor Cheyenne Jackson debuts on 30 Rock, and the divine Dolly Parton is on the late-night schedule. Best gay night of TV ever? Watch and let us know!

Start out the night with some FlashForward on ABC at 8. Aside from the cute cast of Joseph Fiennes, John Cho, and hot hobbit Dominic Monaghan, FF boasts the only lesbian on prime-time broadcast TV other than Grey's Anatomy's Doc Zona. ABC Thursday night is literally representing. Tonight Mark (Fiennes) has to cut out on his romantic getaway with Lost's luscious Sonya Walger when he has a chance to nab the mysterious tattooed assassin from his flash. Hopefully we see our favorite FBI broad, Janis Hawk (Christine Woods) tonight too.

By request, we are back on the fang-fan beat! In The Vampire Diaries, also on at 8, on the CW, things get tense in Mystic Falls tonight. The mysterious new history teacher Mr. Saltzman (Matt Davis) fraternizes with student Jeremy (Steven R. McQueen) and his Aunt Jenna (Sara Canning). The girls get all uppity over the medallion, and badass Damon (Ian Somerhalder) lets Stefan (Paul Wesley) know exactly why he's back in town.

Gay TV on a Wednesday Night: CMAs & 'Glee's Back

We refuse to refer to the midway point of the week as "hump day," but it is certainly the hottest night of gay TV all week long. With Glee finally back after a painful two-week absence it seemed all was right in the Wednesday world of prime time, but sadly, tonight we'll have to go without a new episode of Modern Family. With the Country Music Association Awards airing tonight on ABC, cute country boys will have to suffice as a passable substitute. We've got the prime-time picks not to be missed on tonight's tube.

At 8 p.m. on CBS, the lovable Canadian half of Will & Grace, Eric McCormack, pops up again on tonight's The New Adventures of Old Christine. McCormack tries to teach the flaky Christine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) how to be tough and stick it out when things get rough rather than reveling in quitting.

Kicking off at 8, the 43rd Annual CMA Awards on ABC honor excellence in country music. With big-name performers including Kenny Chesney, Reba McEntire, Sugarland, and Taylor Swift, the show should be packed with powerhouse performances. Cuties Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley host the three-hour award ceremony.

Gay TV on a Tuesday Night: Shakira, Amerie on Late Night

Hello, Tuesday television lineup. While you're not packed to the brim with LGBT characters and gay-favorite celebrities, you still have a few things going for you, dear Tues, not the least of which is the brand-new sci-fi series V, starring Lost and Gia beauty Elizabeth Mitchell. Coupled with the new season of Tabatha's Salon Takeover with Tabatha Coffey, Tuesday could become known as the babes-in-charge night. It's also a hot night for music favorites, with Shakira, Amerie, and Marc Anthony (Mr. J-Lo) all popping up to perform on late-night talk shows. See, Tuesday? You're more than just the night in between Gossip Girl and Glee; you've got charming characters of your own. Set the DVR, and let Planet Out know what you liked and loathed later.

If V hooked you last week with its premiere, tonight's episode will draw you further into the mysterious visitors and their mission objectives here on Earth, at 8 p.m. on ABC. They've arrived and they're hot, or at least their rep, Anna (Morena Baccarin) is. But what do they want? Erica (Elizabeth Mitchell) has reason to be suspicious when it turns out a visitor is tracking her and Father Jack (Joel Gretsch).

Gay TV on a Monday Night: ‘Gossip Girl’ Threesome

Lately it seems like the best gay story lines are relegated to daytime TV. Well, if you've never gotten swept up in the soap scene or just prefer your entertainment in a prime-time package, Planet Out makes sure to point out the top choices every night of the week. This Monday brings the funny with hot Neil Patrick Harris packing on the pounds in a new How I Met Your Mother, the men of Million Dollar Listing continuing to compete for high-priced California real estate, and some big guests shaking up late night. Turn on your TV and enjoy all the gay we can squeeze out of tonight's television lineup, then tell us what you loved or hated.

Start the night right in the seasoned hands of NPH on CBS at 8 o’clock. In tonight's episode of How I Met Your Mother, it's more relationship hurdles for relationship newbies Barney (NPH) and Robin (Cobie Smulders). It's a fair question we've all faced in a happy, committed relationship: Are we getting fat? The season of nonstop Canadian jokes continues when Alan Thicke pops up as a fellow-Canadian celeb pal of Robin’s.

Kathy Griffin: 'Let's Dance' on TV

The Emmy award-winning star of My Life on the D-list is getting another television show! Kathy Griffin will host Let's Dance, debuting on ABC November 23. The new show will premiere with a special 90-minute episode immediately following the popular Dancing With the Stars season finale.

Each week contestants will compete by re-creating famous and favorite celebrity routines. ABC has already added five episodes of the show to its schedule.

One things for sure, in a sea of weepy, feel-good reality fodder, Griffin will pack some punch with her comments.