Gays of our Lives (December 1, 2008)

This week, we bring you two new ‘Getting To Know’ features, the flashy and outrageous dramedy Beautiful People and the steamy and romantic ‘Til The Wedding….

GETTING TO KNOW … BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE

Growing up is tough, especially when you’re a poor kid from a working class family. It’s even tougher when you’re somewhat fey, have a habit of slipping into women’s dresses and dream of success in the fashion industry. And then there are those full color fantasies that come at the oddest times. That’s the premise of the quirky dramedy Beautiful People, a six-part mini-series recently airing on BBC Two in the U.K. Set in Reading, Berkshire in 1997 and in present day New York City, Beautiful People is based on the childhood memoirs of Simon Doonan, the creative director at Barney’s Department Store.

Pictured: Samuel Barnett and Gary Amers

Each episode begins in present day with adult Simon (Samuel Barnett, who played gay in the stage and film versions of The History Boys), as he relays a childhood story to his boyfriend, the dim, but pretty Sacha (Gary Amers), about how he acquired a prized (and usually tacky) possession.

Pictured: Luke Ward-Wilkinson

Fade to the past where the story is told through the eyes of 11-year-old Simon, played by Luke Ward-Wilkinson. And as with all gay boys who grow up to be fabulous, Simon has the quintessential quirky TV family: the slutty sister, the boozy mom, the blind aunt, the daffy, but ultimately wise dad. With an unerring eye for details of the period and a lively soundtrack, Beautiful People tells its off the wall (and sometimes bawdy) tales with camp, a touch of the zany and, above all, warmth.

Beautiful People was wildly successful in the UK, garnering massive ratings and critical acclaim. The series has completed its run on BBC Two, but as of yet there is no word if the show will be commissioned for a second season.