Gay Gangs and Playboy Triplets.

• Author: McKissack, Fred
• Position: Review

News promos are supposed to be compelling. Make it startling enough for viewers, and they'll tune in just for that shiver of fear: "Tonight on News 53, our reporters have uncovered shocking evidence that large household pets may not enjoy being alone and may hold a grudge against YOU! Details at 10!"

So it should come as no surprise that I was watching a recent episode of Fox Files (Thursdays at 9 P.M. Eastern) when I saw what may be the most bizarre promo in recent memory. It went something like this. "They're just like the Crips and Bloods ... except they're GAY! Gay gangs ... Out of the closet, and on to our streets!"

Who woulda thunk, in this day and age, that there would be roving gangs of young, gay men taking to the street. Mothers, protect your children.

The show, hosted by two highly regarded journalists--Catherine Crier and Jon Scott--began with a disclaimer: Gang violence is not specific to the gay community; it's just one nasty segment of the underground. It turned out, though, that the "gay gangs" were just some kids who got into fist fights with other kids who insulted them. In one case, a gay guy punched a young woman who was with a guy he wanted to date.

Bad behavior? Yes. But national news?

The episode went on to other parts of the "gay underworld," including drugs, unsafe sex, prostitutes, and transsexuals. These were not part of the gay gangs.

But when all you have is some kids punching each other, you've got to go searching for drama. Add creepy music, jerky camera motions, MTV graphics, and drugged-out gay youth, and you have a titillating story.

The rest of the Fox Files episode consisted of a teaser segment for an upcoming animated series and a segment on sex and the Internet, The week before, there were stories on Playboy's centerfold triplets, brothels in residential neighborhoods, and the return of Roller Derby.

On occasion, Fox Files presents real news, such as the growing number of real-estate agents who have been murdered, raped, or robbed when showing homes. But such stories are handled in the same lurid, sensational style that blurs the distinction between news and the soaps.

This is the height of infotainment, which began when NBC and ABC decided to duke it out over who would dominate the prime-time news show market. There couldn't be a prime-time news gap, now could there? Dateline NBC is on five nights a week; ABC's 20/20 is on almost as much. CBS weighs in with 48 Hours and 60 Minutes II. And if you get...