'Law & Order: SVU' isn't the only show to make plots out of real-life headlines.

On this Sunday's 'Drop Dead Diva' (July 24, 9PM ET on Lifetime), Jane (Brooke Elliott) represents a teenage lesbian couple after the two are denied the right to attend their high school prom. The show's writers were inspired by the true story of Constance McMillen, a lesbian teen who successfully sued her Mississippi high school for the right to bring her girlfriend to prom.

In a concurrent storyline, guest star Clay Aiken plays a man who was jilted by his Russian mail-order bride.

But the 'American Idol' alum isn't the only openly gay guest star in this episode, titled 'Prom.' Wanda Sykes, Lance Bass and Amanda Bearse ('Married With Children') also play roles, as does McMillen in a cameo as a bailiff.

Aiken, who's kept a low profile this year, explains to AOL TV why he took this role, what he hopes the show's message will accomplish and, surprisingly, which highly-rated reality competition TV program is not on his DVR.

How did your guest spot on 'Diva' come about?
They'd asked me before to be a part of it ... I wasn't able to get into town because I was doing 'Spamalot' in New York. But we kept the door open. When they called back this time, the storyline was a bit more resonant with me because it's based on a true story. After Constance sued for the right to take her girlfriend to the prom, [the school] canceled it. I think the show's goal in casting myself and other known individuals who are out and gay was to make people, who may feel excluded and are watching, see that we're a symbol. We have Lance, Wanda, Amanda and myself who are on the show and we are all out, gay, proud, successful and happy.

Do you sing in it?
I do not. It's nice to be able to do something different. It's one of the few times where I haven't played myself. I've done several TV shows where I have. The 'Drop Dead Diva' producers said to me, "You can play yourself and/or you can sing." I said I didn't want to do either of those things so they gave me this character, which I think is a little more interesting than I am! [Laughs]

Do you want to do more acting roles?
I may plead the Fifth on this one ... I loved being a part of it. The people on this show are incredible and I enjoyed making new friends. I also loved being on 'Spamalot' on Broadway. I'm a live performer. That's where my heart is. Being on Broadway is what I enjoy the most.

What else is keeping you busy?
This was actually the only thing I've done this summer. I toured early in the year. I wanted to spend time with my family and my little one [son, Parker Foster]. I've made that my goal for the next several months, [but] I miss working a little bit.

Any thoughts on how 'American Idol' has successfully reinvented itself?
I have watched 'Idol' in six years. I always disappoint interviewers when they ask me 'Idol' questions because I haven't seen it in so long. I don't even know what it looks like!

'Drop Dead Diva' airs on Sun., July 24 at 9PM ET on Lifetime.