I watched Doctor Kildare and had no idea Richard was gay. Even after I found out, it made no difference to me when watching Shogun and Thorn Birds. I was a music and drama major and there were many gay guys with the same major. I didn't know they were gay until we had all graduated and were living in NYC. That was my first real awareness of what being gay was about, but I learned in a hurry. I had many gay friends during my NYC years.

I never thought about Shogun having so much influence here in the US, but I can see that you're right.

The Thorn Birds is available on DVDs. You should definitely watch it sometime.