Howard Bragman talks celebrity 'Coming Out' show: 'You'll be happier if you're out than if you're a closeted action star'

We dont need to know about these peoples personal lives!?

HOWARD BRAGMAN:Oh come on, weloveknowing about peoples personal lives!

Look at your sister publication,Peoplemagazine!

I mean, we want to know every detail, every nuance.

And you know what?

Its going to be very documentary-esque.

Every case is different.Chely Wright, I met with a year ahead of time.

Meredith Baxter, thanks to the tabloids, we had about five days.

I have to say there are wows and duhs.

Meredith Baxter probably qualifies as a wow.

Clay Aiken mightve been more of a duh.

But theyre all important, and theyre all courageous.

Because realistically, the cumulative number [of major celebs whove come out] aint that big.

Were talking a couple dozen people, not hundreds.

In acting, its an issue.

But its all a balancing act.

Well, my advice is, play the odds.

Odds are youll have a happier life if youre out than if youre a closeted action star.

But its a shockingly personal decision.

and me calling someone and saying Have you every thought of… Have you made those calls, seriously?

Ive done it where I have an inkling.

But people have reached out to me, too, after hearing about the show.

Do you have a wish list already?

Ill tell you a couple of things.

First, it doesnt have to be the biggest star in the world to make it interesting.

I dont think Chley was the biggest star in the world.

Its really about the story.

And there is hope: Adam Lambert gives me tremendous hope.

I dont care if youre boy, girl, or sheep, hes sexy!

I dont think it matters.

I dont think well be standing at the podium at the GLAAD awards saying Shhhh!

Its really an honor, though, to do something like this.

Theres no greater political act than the simple act of coming out.

And theres no harder or more courageous act.

And to document this really life-changing moment for people, its beyond what I could have imagined.

Have you thought about spinning this concept out to regular everyday people, not just famous folks?

I dont want to look beyond whats ahead.

Ive been asked not to discuss that at this point.

That would be a great scandal!

Id love that, are you kidding?

Robert Redford would end up making a movie about it.

Youre talking to a publicist here, okay?

I hope that happens.

And I hope hes a stud and he hits on the host of the show.

Seriously, though, why do this show, and why now?

I want people to understand that standing up and saying Yes, Im gay is a huge deal.

In honor of Chely, were coming out.

Were dealing with it.

And the high school promised them a safe place to learn.

That was huge for Chely.

That made it all worth while.

But my theory is therevolutionis over; were now in theevolution.

Evolutions take longer and produce fewer results than revolutions, but were getting changes incrementally.