I may be barking up the wrong tree here, but I was just wondering if anyone here has ever watched Queer As Folk, and if so, what did you think of the show? I wrote off the show long ago as not being an accurate portrayal of gay society and as a result didn't really care to follow it, but I think I made a huge mistake. The show transcends sexual orientation, to me, and is more about strong characters acting in ways consistent with their established characters with great, slow-paced writing that builds from one episode to the next. If one can look past the weird political agenda the show has (it's sometimes anti-heterosexual, pro-drug and even sometimes screams "We're so oppressed!") and actually appreciate it as great storytelling with great acting, it's one of the best new television shows of the past decade. Brian Kenney is one of the all-time best television characters, and yes, the sex scenes may be a bit much for an audience not accustomed to seeing that sort of thing, but I think the show manages to still be accessible in spite of itself, simply because it's human.

I actually watched a few episodes, and what kills is for me is it's supposed to be set in Pittsburgh and I can tell you there's no way that show could happen here. This isn't a town with what I would call a large gay scene.

 

I think the sex scenes are probably what hinders the show from having a wider audience. Ironically, sex scenes are probably the reason The L Word got such a postive buzz. It's a weird comment on society when even some of the most liberal people can be thrown off by a sex scene between two guys. I know some of you guys think I'm farther to the left than a granola eating hippy, and even I got taken aback when I channel surfed into a scene of some pretty hot and heavy mansex action on this show.

I actually watched a few episodes, and what kills is for me is it's supposed to be set in Pittsburgh and I can tell you there's no way that show could happen here.  This isn't a town with what I would call a large gay scene.

 

I think the sex scenes are probably what hinders the show from having a wider audience. Ironically, sex scenes are probably the reason The L Word got such a postive buzz. It's a weird comment on society when even some of the most liberal people can be thrown off by a sex scene between two guys.  I know some of you guys think I'm farther to the left than a granola eating hippy, and even I got taken aback when I channel surfed into a scene of some pretty hot and heavy mansex action on this show.

Watching gay men have sex does not intrigue me in the least bit. I don't care that show is on and if enough people watch it I hope it stays on. But it's not my cup of tea. I don't see that as a liberal/conservative thing, I see it is a gay/straight thing. I doubt too many straight men like watching guys fuck guys. Women fucking women, on the other hand....

QAF is not porn, though. There's a lot of talk about sex, but the scenes are typically there to advance a story in one way or another, and really, they're few and far between. The show is mostly dialogue-driven.

Is this the British one? Queer as Folk was shown here about 4 or 5 years ago, was a decent enough show...

I seen the show about two or three times over my uncle's house since his wife watches it religiously so the times I was over there when it was on I was forced to watch it. It's not a bad show at all. Good characters, strong stories, and great dialogue -- but I don't know, I don't mean to offend you Loss but it's a little too gay for me.

 

I remember one episode where it opened and some guy was blowing another guy in an alley (sorry, I don't know names) and then the 'blower' ended up SPITTING the SEMEN on a poster of a politician (I believe it was) he didn't like.

 

The show is money in every aspect, but there's something about it that can't pull me in to watch it every week. Hope I didn't come off as a homophobe... I'm far from that.

QAF is not porn, though. There's a lot of talk about sex, but the scenes are typically there to advance a story in one way or another, and really, they're few and far between. The show is mostly dialogue-driven.

I know that it isn't porn. I remember the asd for the show when it started and remember thinking that the show didn't interest me at all. My understanding is that it is a gay soap opera and since it's on one of the pay channels they can go a lot further than most soap operas. I have no problem with the show being on the air or people liking it, it's just not for me. This is not an anti-gay thing, just a personal preference. I like Desperate Housewives and used to watch 90210 every week, so what do I know?

 

I remember one episode where it opened and some guy was blowing another guy in an alley (sorry, I don't know names) and then the 'blower' ended up SPITTING the SEMEN on a poster of a politician (I believe it was) he didn't like.

I would find this distastful regardless of the gender of people involved. And it would seem, at least from this example that the show doesn't necesarilly portray gay men in the best light.

 

My previous post made me sound like a dick and that was not my intention and I didn't realize it did until I re-read it.

I'm not offended at all, and I appreciate you providing your thoughts where you could. Flyboy made comments about the characters and storylines that at least made me smile -- I guess I'm just trying to get a feel for how the show comes across to the average heterosexual. There was no right or wrong answer.

 

My wife loves this show. I don't watch TV drama as it is so this show would be no exception.

Are we talking the British original, or the American remake? Cause I've seen episodes of both and unfortunately, the US version can't touch the original. Don't get me wrong, it keeps the same themses and all, but it's just not as good.

 

The original was completely groundbreaking, in a time where gay shows hadn't hit the mainstream at all, it just did what it did with no compromises or apologies. If you ask me, the American version is just cashing in on 'gaystream' society of today.

If you ask me, the American version is just cashing in on 'gaystream' society of today.

You could use that arguement for tons of shows out there right now. It's like a big "GAY REVOLUTION" and if networks aren't with it in some way, they get left behind. It's really quite sad.

Steffie, I haven't seen the UK one, but I'm interested in doing so. I've heard some say it's better and some say it's worse. What's being referenced here is the American version.

I'm sorry, I thought the 90s was the decade of the big GAY REVOLUTION flyboy. I don't know too many shows developed inthe last couple of years that scream BIG GAY REVOLUTION.

Maybe I meant that social-wise, goodhelmet. So many people turning "gay" because it's a "trend" and the "cool thing to do". Please.

I don't know any people who are gay because it is cool.

I don't know any people who are gay because it is cool.

And you teach in high school?

Yes, he teaches in high school, and that doesn't mean he hasn't seen his share of trendy bisexual chicks, but there's a difference between being gay and calling yourself gay to fit in. There's no correlation. In fact, homosexuality is decidedly uncool. The problem is that the gay community has a stranglehold on a large portion of pop culture, so it appears that it would be that way, when it actually isn't.

 

As recently said on The Simpsons:

 

"Now, go back to working in every single aspect of entertainment!"

I may be barking up the wrong tree here, but I was just wondering if anyone here has ever watched Queer As Folk, and if so, what did you think of the show? I wrote off the show long ago as not being an accurate portrayal of gay society and as a result didn't really care to follow it, but I think I made a huge mistake. The show transcends sexual orientation, to me, and is more about strong characters acting in ways consistent with their established characters with great, slow-paced writing that builds from one episode to the next. If one can look past the weird political agenda the show has (it's sometimes anti-heterosexual, pro-drug and even sometimes screams "We're so oppressed!") and actually appreciate it as great storytelling with great acting, it's one of the best new television shows of the past decade. Brian Kenney is one of the all-time best television characters, and yes, the sex scenes may be a bit much for an audience not accustomed to seeing that sort of thing, but I think the show manages to still be accessible in spite of itself, simply because it's human.

I don't watch the show, but my girlfriend does, and she seems to have the same opinions that you do. I don't know if she cares for the more recent stuff, but I think she owns the first season on DVD. She likes the show, though, and certainly thinks the portrayal of the gay community is far superior to that of, say, Queer Eye For The Straight Guy (which I probably don't need to tell you about).

so it's cool to be gay like it's cool to be jewish, apparently.

so it's cool to be gay like it's cool to be jewish, apparently.

I'd say that's a proper analogy.

I'm sorry, I thought the 90s was the decade of the big GAY REVOLUTION flyboy. I don't know too many shows developed inthe last couple of years that scream BIG GAY REVOLUTION.

I agree. The Rosanne kiss and Ellen were sort of the forerunners who took all the heat and now that the moral outrage has subsided it is more accepible. Although there was a little bit of outrage up here over the Queer Eye guys making over a few of the Red Sox players. Apparently one the "Queers" smelled Doug Mirabelli's cup, which is disgusting (would anyone want to smell a cather's cup, especially one that he has been using in 90 degree heat in Florida?), although somewhat funny. I don't think there would be outrage if the Jackass guys did it, but since they're Queer Eye guys are gay a few of the talk show hosts around here got up and arms.

 

For the most part, at least where I live being gay is pretty much accepted, but flaunting it is not as much.

 

As you know, MA legalized gay marriage last year. I was interning at the state house shortly after it happened and have a few funny and some pathetic stories. I might relay them later.

Right... Will & Grace, Ellen, Rosie, um.. what other gay shows? Those are all old and gone or on their last legs.

 

To answer your question flyboy, the students I observe don't seem any more gay or less gay than other homosexuals I know. Maybe becasue they decide they want to flaunt it in public. Who knows? I justknow that I don't see students painting the hall with rainbows displaing their gay pride.

I can count nine girls that I went to high school with for two to four years, who went to college and told their parents they were bisexual. That's more than I'd expect

It's very different for males and females. But, I'll just say I've met my share of bulldykes, and none of them were ever glorified or anything.

To answer your question flyboy, the students I observe don't seem any more gay  or less gay than other homosexuals I know. Maybe becasue they decide they want to flaunt it in public. Who knows? I justknow that I don't see students painting the hall with rainbows displaing their gay pride.

Ah, okay. It's apparent that our high schools we attend are totally different, then.

 

It was a pretty big issue and I searched Google and found this:

 

http://www.gaywired.com/article.cfm?section=9&id=3347