Reality, Non-Competition

In this category, the monkeys just go about their lives, and the cameras follow along. It’s kind of the Jane Goodall school of reality TV. Granted, their lives are pretty amped up compared to ours, but it’s still about putting one foot in front of the other. The producers just make no promises that it won’t be done on a tightrope over a pit of snakes.

Out of the Wild

We broke new ground here, with the Discovery Channel casting its first gay participant ever on the network. Yeah, we were as stunned as anyone to see Jeff Corwin’s wife and baby. In fact, we took our ‘dar into the shop for a tune-up after that.

But when Jake Nodar was dropped into the middle of the Alaskan outback with a bunch of people and told to walk home, we were hooked. This was a great, stereotype-busting man who could hunt, fish, hike, and then turn his dinner’s pelt into a fashion accessory.

In fact, we were so smitten with Jake that we brought him on to do his own recaps and some vlogs afterward.

Janice Dickinson Modeling Agency

What is it about the World’s First Supermodel that makes us watch this train wreck? She claims an affinity for the gays, and she genuinely seems to have it. We're oddly drawn to her, and we have no idea why. It’s not just the endless parade of manflesh she forces to strip in front of the cameras, though that doesn’t hurt. Nor does the fact the JDMA regular J.P. Calderon is a sweetheart, and we loved watching his coming out back in season two. And at the end of last year, Janice had promoted J.P. to an agent and taken him away to New York City, which should prove interesting for the next season.

Shirts & Skins

When Logo decided to break their mold and air a reality show about a gay basketball team preparing for a competition, we were a little skeptical. But the guys were no joke, even if there was no way they could have afforded that loft in San Francisco. And out John Amaechi as a mentor to the guys was a touching bridge between amateur and professional sports. Plus, athletic gay men!

Color Splash

As the winner of HGTV's first Design Star contest, David Bromstad won his own show on the network. David is a sweet guy, and not a polarizing character like so many contestants on reality television. His specialty is, naturally, color and how to use it in a home. As long as he keeps the tight shirts, he can paint our place pink with yellow polka dots for all we care.

The Real World: Brooklyn and Cancun

After losing it's way from the halcyon days of Pedro Zamora and The Real World; San Francisco, this MTV stalwart finally found it's way back from relentless drunken debauchery. In fact, the last two cycles have not only featured some great out participants including J. D. Ordonez and Derek Chavez, but have actually not made us want to gouge our eyes out (yes, we're talking to you Real World: Denver).