In 1977, as now, gay rights initiatives were a contentious issue on many state ballots, and entertainers often drew harsh criticism for taking political stances. So it's no wonder HBO thinks the time is right for a biopic about Anita Bryant.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, the cable channel is developing a movie about the singer-turned-activist. 'Sex and the City' creator Darren Star is directing and co-producing the film, whose writer is Chad Hodge (best known for the CW's fugitive-family drama series 'Runaway,' whose pilot Star produced).

Television and the talent show have been partners since the very first days of the industry. Taking the best (and sometimes worst) performers and putting them in front of the camera, these shows introduced viewers to personalities that either faded into the background or became household names. Usually, these personalities had a talent that would entertain the public -- singing, dancing, telling jokes -- that they would use once they left the talent show stage to increase their fame.

It continued in this fashion throughout the decades. Until, of course, the 21st Century and the Reality Revolution. While standard, yet bigger and bolder, talent shows continued, network programmers began to realize that there were more talented people than just performers. There were models, clothing designers, chefs, hair stylists, and businesspeople out there ready to show their stuff and make it big. So, they turned some of their attention away from singers and dancers and focused on the others. The result? A schedule full of top models, top chefs, top businesspeople, and top inventors.

In other words, the talent show had returned to television in a big way.

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