There's a gender-bending transformation happening on TV shows lately that's adding new layers to traditional television-world characters. Call it the "pre-op" phase where secondary characters transition to mainstream shows if you like, its partly due to the groundwork set out by motion pictures and fuelled by alternative TV shows too.

From Max (formerly Moira)'s character on The L Word and Carmeletta on Dirty Sexy Money, to Famke Jackson's transvestite character from a few seasons ago on Nip/Tuck; even Dylan McDermott's character in the new series Big Shots accidentally succumbs to the temptations of a transvestite too. Oh boy! Viewers are getting to see more plot twists to spice up traditional romantic story lines. (p.s. Don't be surprised if Michael Jackson's name appears when you cross Famke Jackson's name with "trans" in your online searches).

If we look at the film world, you'll see original dragsters like Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon from Some Like it Hot, Dustin Hoffman in Tootsie and we'll even throw in Robin Williams as Mrs. Doubtfire for good measure. Then there's Tula, the transexual bond girl from For Your Eyes Only who tricked more than a few people with her "where'd-it-go" bathing suit trick in her sultry appearance. More recently there's the Oscar winning performance by Hillary Swank in Boys Don't Cry and Felicity Huffman in Transamerica (we're anxiously awaiting Kate Blanchett as Bob Dylan in I'm Not There).

So it looks like TV shows are starting to get it straight. Do you have a favourite drag character?