Once again, it's Showtime! (The Buzz).

HAVING WOOED GAY MALE subscribers with two sex-drenched seasons of Queer as Folk, Showtime is now directing a come-hither wink toward lesbian audiences. The network recently committed to a full season of Earthlings, Ilene Chaiken's oddly titled ensemble series about the lives and loves of gay and bisexual women in West Hollywood, Calif. The impressive cast--carrying over from the previously lensed pilot-includes Mia Kirshner, Jennifer Beaks, Pam Grier, Karina Lombard, Laurel Holloman, and Leisha Hailey.

With the GLB market locked up, Showtime's next target audience may be from the next life. The cabler has also committed to a season of Dead Like Me, from out creator Bryan Fuller (writer of NBC's recent Carrie). The show, about a deceased teen girl who discovers that her life lessons are just beginning, has already earned a nickname from catty queens behind the scenes: My So-called Afterlife.