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Home » Best. Gay. Week. Ever. (July 6, 2007)

Best. Gay. Week. Ever. (July 6, 2007)

Michael Jensenby
Michael Jensen
, Editor
July 5, 2007

Wednesday is a new Top Chef and a new Rescue Me. Thanks to my family reunion, I'm only just now catching up on watching the previous week's episodes. Dale is acquitting himself well in the Top Chef kitchen and growing more adorable each week.

Probie (Michael Lombardi) is still bisexual on Rescue Me, though he was too busy attending to his dying mom to date much. Actually, he and Tommy (Denis Leary) went out on a "man date" which freaked Tommy out no end. Much of the episode was filled with unpleasant cracks about Probie's sexuality which, frankly, is probably how firemen usually discuss the topic. I just can't figure out who on earth actually enjoys watching these guys.

Meanwhile, the chief's son gay got married. His dad pretended to be accepting during the ceremony, even making a sweet little speech. Later the chief went home and blew his brains out -- sheesh, usually you just talk trash behind the bride's back. Actually, it had less to do with having a gay son than being forced into retirement.

Hey Paula, featuring Paula Abdul's GBFF and stylist, Daniel, has a new ep on Thursday night, but if that is too much effort my friend Dennis Hensley is recapping the show.

Yesterday I learned about a new show starting next month on BBC America. It's called Hotel Babylon and looks to be an updated, glossier and sexier version of the 1980's Aaron Spelling hit Hotel. While it's not as over-the-top as Footballers' Wives it does feel similarly reminiscent with scenery chewing villains and outlandish storylines. It also reminds me a bit of Mile High in that it gives you a behind the scenes look at the service industry -- and the picture isn't pretty.

The show is mostly of interest because it features Ben Trueman (Michael Obiora, pictured above) as a gay desk clerk. In one of the episodes he runs into a former acquaintance now turned rapper and secrets are revealed. Hotel Babylon debuts August 8.

I mentioned this week that an Emmy leak revealed Ugly Betty is one of top ten finalists in the Best Comedy category while Brothers & Sisters isn't up for Best Drama. A bit of good news for B&S fans is that Michael Ausiello is reporting that Kevin's (Matthew Rhys) love interest Jason McCallister (Eric Winters) will be back for at least a few episodes next fall.

Finally, if you live in the U.K. and love gay pop culture, we're looking for you to blog for us! If you're interested, drop me an email at editor@afterelton.com for details.

Now I'll shut up so you can have the BEST.GAY.WEEK.EVER!

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Submitted by
Michael Jensen
on Thu, 2007-07-05 13:45.
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Liz T's picture

this ATWT piece reminded me of something........

Submitted by
Liz T (8815 points) (1835 posts)
on Fri, 2007-07-06 00:29.

"an ATWT writer had told a soap magazine that CBS' Practices and Standards wouldn't allow the same amount of physical affection to be shown between gay characters as straight characters."

^ i am a member of a james sutton forum (he plays john paul on hollyoaks) and he wrote on the forum that when it comes to homosexual characters, they will *NOT* allow him and his co-star to both be shirtless....BUT...that obviously does not ring true for a heterosexual couple. another interesting thing is that why have 2 guys passionately make out and head to the bedroom where the viewer obviously knows what will happen??? but no...one of them has to keep their shirt on??? maybe you could somehow get some "reasoning" for that when you're interviewing the TV stations, etc....

i went to the board to try and get what james wrote exactly, but it's been moved. (hmm) but here is the board--> http://jamessuttonfans.com/index.php

 .....i will actually try and get jame's exact wording by contacting the "boss" of the forum. 

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Liz T's picture

found it!

Submitted by
Liz T (8815 points) (1835 posts)
on Fri, 2007-07-06 02:45.

he said the following - - - "Thought id share something with you good people that i found out the other day. Due to 'compliance' reasons it is perfectly acceptable to show a hetrosexual couple in bed together clearly topless (bare shoulders etc), or indeed naked, but when it comes to a homosexual couple (jp/craig for example), chanel 4 insists that one of the party, if not both, are wearing clothes. Hence why JP always wears a vest in the post coital scenes. I realise Hollyoaks is on at 6.30 in the evening but this, you have to remember, is the same channel that subjects us to Big Brother....Im not sure where i stand on this, so thought id open it up for discussion. Funny old world aint it....

love as always x"

^ i ended up posting what he said on another forum. (http://forum.jamessutton.org)

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Andros's picture

Michael, Michael, Michael....

Submitted by
Andros (1205 points) (261 posts)
on Fri, 2007-07-06 13:41.
"I just can't figure out who on earth actually enjoys watching these guys." I love you Michael but not your treatment of Rescue Me. This week episode was actually more pro-gay than usual in my opinion. Throughout the episode, the macho talk between the "guys" is homophobic, yes. Somebody who ever watched Rescue Me should not be surprised to see that. But what struck me was that when you seperate the guys from the "gang", they mellow out. It's like teen gangs. They are hardcore and fearless in groups but when you seperate them they lose their attitude they had before. In this episode, Tommy who is NOT confortable with gays hugged Probie for a long time. From him it means a lot because in real life for someone homophobic to do that means more than a season of sexless Will on Will & Grace in my opinion. He was very uncomfortable during the dinner but was there for "faggy" Probie. The Chief was also there for his son in the end. Does it matters that he probably still wished that his son go find a good girl? No. He is flawed and that is what maked Rescue Me so good. All the characters are flawedas in real life. The whole FX channel is a gray area. There are no good white(as in pure) guys and no bad black(evil) guys. Characters on this show should be judged on their improvment as human being rather than: Guys teased Probie about using facial cream = Rescue me is homophobic. Anyway I wanted to express my opinion on why I love the show and defend it. Do I wish it could be more pro-gay? Yes. Do I wish to see a perfect gay world on Rescue Me every week. No. That is not realistic because 50% of America is still homophobic.
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Jon's picture

This is as far from perfect as a show can get

Submitted by
Jon (2290 points) (467 posts)
on Fri, 2007-07-06 21:47.

I doubt anyone expects that show to have a "perfect gay world". Many of us would simply like to see homosexuality on that show in a way that goes beyond a) a cheap plot device, b) a joke, c) something to disgust people. This is a show that justified the Chief beating a gay man so badly he had to be put in a medical coma. This is a show where the producer bragged about making a character gay just to make the actor feel uncomfortable. This is a show that very nearly put a story onscreen where Probie would be manipulated into homosexuality by a scheming gay man and then when his colleagues straighten Probie out, the gay man would become dangerous. This is a show that gives all the time in the world to weep over straight men who are thuggish, violent, selfish rapists, but treats gays with nothing but contempt.

This has nothing to do with the real world. In the real world, firefighters don't have much use for gays, but gays are not really that big a part of their lives. On this show, homosexuality is a constant negative force. Even the show's producers have said they have an "unhealthy" fixation with homosexuality.

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Michael Jensen's picture

Hmm, I guess I wasn't clear enough

Submitted by
Admin
Michael Jensen (2510 points) (7116 posts)
on Fri, 2007-07-06 14:16.
because I wasn't rapping the show for homophobia this week, though in hindisght I see how it sounds that way. You are correct in all the things you say about the chief and Probie this week. I honestly simply meant the way the guys behave overall, the story arcs, etc. Their hangups, the way they think and talk, their issues in general. My feelings about the show go far beyond the gay stuff. The rape from last season, the way women in general get cheated, the covering for each other. I'm not saying it's not real (including the homophobia), just that I find it a very unpleasant hour of television to sit through. Folks this flawed simply don't work for me.
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Andros's picture

Thank you Michael

Submitted by
Andros (1205 points) (261 posts)
on Fri, 2007-07-06 15:22.
I also agree that Rescue Me treatment of various sujects is often irresponsible and that these guys are not good role models. I am glad that you saw the good pro-gay stuff in this week episode. Let's just hope it will still improve its treatment of gay people.
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Dave's picture

I have to agree with Andros...

Submitted by
Dave (2088 points) (433 posts)
on Fri, 2007-07-06 14:37.
I've been watching 'Rescue Me' since the pilot episode and I like it because it is at times laugh-out-loud hilarious and induces cringes at others (just like life). It's visceral, engaging entertainment.
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Jon's picture

As the World Turns

Submitted by
Jon (2290 points) (467 posts)
on Fri, 2007-07-06 21:49.
This story has been so poorly handled. Luke is barely in the story. His feelings for Noah came out of nowhere. Noah spends most of his time with Maddie, and Soap Opera Digest's Carolyn Hinsey has been praising them as a couple. Noah is a mediocre actor, at best. The whole thing feels very half-hearted and my guess is Luke will never have much of a story.
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sdc100's picture

As the World Turns

Submitted by
sdc100 (275 points) (53 posts)
on Sat, 2007-07-07 00:36.

> Luke is barely in the story.

They're trying to build up Noah as a character. Since Luke already has a history, they're putting him in the background until the [inevitable?] relationship.

> His feelings for Noah came out of nowhere.

Don't crushes often come out of nowhere, aka "love at first sight"? Actually, Luke hated Noah at first but it might have just been misplaced attraction. A protective mechanism of sorts. It's a well-used device in cinema and literature. They even alluded to it when Maddie and Noah mentioned "The Shop Around the Corner." And think back to Hepburn/Tracy and Day/Hudson movies.

The crush for Noah isn't too surprising. They're the same age, he's attractive and outgoing. Everyone else seems to like him.

> Noah spends most of his time with Maddie

According to studies, most gay male teens had a galpal. Maddie is his galpal. Being a new arrival to Oakdale, Noah had no other friends. Plus, they share many of the same interests.

The writers are trying to throw us off by suggesting a relationship between the two. Today's encounter may be indicative of Noah's confusion. Or a misguided attempt to please his father. Gays are banned from the military. To satisfy his father by enlisting, and get tuition, he has to become straight -- or pretend to be straight.

> my guess is Luke will never have much of a story.

Well, Luke already had a major story last year. With Luke coming out to Noah on Monday, things may gather steam. The question is when will Noah come out to Luke? Only when they are out to each other can relationship develop.

As an aside, Luke may be the one to save Gwen and Jade. The preview shows the two in some sort of semi-homoerotic bondage scene. Just kidding. They will be tied to tracks as a train rushes forward. Luke was a hero at Raven Lake so he may have a repeat performance this year. At the lake, his crush (Kevin) didn't reciprocate. Hopefully, he'll have better luck in Branson.

Please view my YouTube ATWT videos for other comments.

 

 

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sdc100's picture

As the World Turns - Luke vs Noah

Submitted by
sdc100 (275 points) (53 posts)
on Sat, 2007-07-07 13:43.

> " Luke is barely in the story ... Noah is a mediocre actor, at best. ... my guess is Luke will never have much of a story."

Interestingly, my Noah Highlights video is being viewed by twice as many people as my Luke Highlights video. Both were posted on YouTube around the same time, and both highlights were from the 7/6 episode. Obviously, one can draw very few conclusions, if any, but a margin of 2-to-1 (145 vs 71) is pretty significant.

The only explanation I have is that the Noah video features the word "sex" in the title. In other words, some viewers may have accidentally stumbled onto it by searching on the word "sex."

Otherwise, it means that Noah is significantly more popular than Luke among the viewers. At least among those using YouTube. The 3rd and 4th links below lead to the videos in question.

ATWT 7-6-07

Pt 1/2 - Luke & Jade Arrives; Noah Meets His Dad - 9:59
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YDajMszUzg8

Pt 2/2 - Luke Sees Noah & Maddie Have Sex - 10:17
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=THoxJBs2dmo

Luke Highlights - Arriiving in Branson - 07:16
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Ln2YU4H_-E

Noah Highlights - Dad Troubles; Sex withMaddie - 10:12
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHnB_5i50GE


=============

ATWT 7-5-07

pt 1/4 - The Gang in Branson; Luke Stays Home - 08:54
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gv5S2KVGtrA

pt 2/4 - Luke Tells Lily about Jade; Noah's Past - 09:17
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofBwBR_KL3g

pt 3/4 - Luke Helps Jade; Will & Cleo Alone - 09:27
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sDd0diB5P_4

pt 4/4 - Luke &Jade Got Proof and Go to Branson! - 10:25
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vrd3SmVx-mg

Luke Highlights in Oakdale; Others in Branson - 09:44
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lG1uqfgiEB4

Noah Highlights in Branson; Hints of the Past - 03:26
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b4IL8mn1bfc

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Absurdist's picture

It's Cheese-tastic!

Submitted by
Absurdist (105 points) (21 posts)
on Sat, 2007-07-07 22:15.

I am still mortified every time I see Gene Kelly (Gene freakin' Kelly, people! The one with the buns of steel!) in a tux on rollerskates. That he had to go out like that... Olivia Newton-John has yet to live that entire film down, and it's been over twenty years. LINE DANCING ON ROLLERSKATES, PEOPLE! My excuse at the time was that I was thirteen and it was my first boy-girl double date. I couldn't truly appreciate the heinousness of it all at the time. By the way, it looks like Michael Beck effectively died after the movie came out. Maybe he'll go to the show just for the sheer camp factor of it all. It's just a bad chocolate-chip cookie flashback. I think I need to be put out of my misery now.

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