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Best. Gay. Week. Ever. (October 17, 2008)AND THE GAYS JUST KEEP ON COMIN'... If you haven't been watching TNT's legal drama Raising the Bar (which among its central cast features Jonathan Scarfe as closeted gay lawyer Charlie Sagansky), next Monday's episode might be a good time to watch, as it features the most action for Charlie in regards to his gayness. Considering that most of the action in general for Charlie has been in his confounding sexual affair with an insane judge played by Jane Kaczmarek, it's about time the show dug a little deeper into his gay side, and for the most part the episode is pretty solid.
Raising the Bar's Jonathan Scarfe Charlie has been seeing a gay fashion designer name Rafael (played by gay actor Wilson Cruz) on the side, and in Monday's episode Rafael is picked up for giving an undercover cop Ecstasy at a party. Rafael turns to Charlie for help and Charlie can't turn him down, but also isn't willing to come out, so he has to do some serious string-pulling behind the scenes. Ultimately he has a serious talk with Rafael about how their differences are deeper than out vs. closeted, and Jerry (Mark-Paul Gosselaar), who has been helping Rafael for Charlie knowing full well why but not asking, finally calls him on it and gives him the chance to come out, leading to a rather touching moment between the two. I don't like legal procedurals and honestly haven't watched the show before, but I thought the situation was handled pretty well and found all the actors likable in their roles (less Charlie, as he's in some serious denial). Probably the most notable element was Jerry's continued, unconditional support of Charlie; he obviously knows that his friend is struggling with his sexuality and tries to make it as easy for him as possible to come out, and makes the observation that being gay is not a big deal anymore, but being a branded a liar is. (He also goes on to list a handful of out gay judges, one of which is Judge Ventimiglia, who appears several times throughout the episode without wearing a big gay hat or anything.) It's at least unique to see a gay character's coming out in this manner ... although I understand that in subsequent episodes things aren't handled quite as well. In the meantime, Monday's ep is worth checking out. Also on Monday we've got more Lance Bass on Dancing with the Stars, and a new episode of Shirts & Skins, which I'll admit has become a guilty pleasure for me. Tuesday's the big Greek finale ... with Calvin (Paul James) split from Michael and headed back toward Heath, will we see an official reunion before the year is out? I've been a fan of the show since the start, so I might be a bit biased in saying that if you've been missing Greek you've been missing out ... but here's a handy collection of Calvin's most recent scenes, to catch you up if you want to tune in for the finale. (Big thanks to Anthony for the clips!) We've also got a double-dip of JanDick with a Janice Dickinson Modeling Agency reunion/clip show and the season finale, which promises all sorts of shock and awe. Did I say "awe"? I meant "abs". Oh, and Katie Holmes starts her arc on Eli Stone (including musical numbers!), if you're into that kind of thing. Wendesday brings a new Top Design, and a very special gay guest judge: Simon Doonan, aka Mr. Jonathan Adler, swings by to judge a challenge that asks the competitors to design a room around a chandelier. I'm a huge Doonan fan, so I'll be tuning in for this one despite the fact that the show generally puts me to sleep. Justin meets his match on this week's Ugly Betty Next Thursday's Ugly Betty brings wee Justin (Mark Indelicato) back into the mix, when the youngest (and most fabulous, sorry Hilda!) Suarez auditions for Billy Elliot on Broadway and comes up against a "bully" named Randy, who may wind up being more of a friend than a foe. We have more snaps over here, and we'll definitely be watching to see what develops with this new relationship. There's also a new Survivor (with gay lawyer Charlie still among the castaways) and more Sarah Silverman lunacy for gay besties Brian and Steve. And that's next week! Now let me get out of the way so that y'all can have the Best.Gay.Week.Ever! Submitted by on Thu, 2008-10-16 21:32. |
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News, Reviews & Commentary on Gay and Bisexual Men in Entertainment and the Media
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Max Greenfield
Go Greek!
Brian is right, if you are not watching all of Greek you are definitely missing out. Do not think of this show as another Gossip Girl, One Tree Hill, or any of these other teen shows. It is of a higher quality in the writing, acting, and themes. Sure there are the more soapy elements of the story (the Frannie/Casey battle for one), but all of them are handled with better wit and style than most shows (teen or otherwise).
I love the gay sensibility and wit creator Sean Patrick Smith brings to the show. When Frannie does something particularly mean to Casey, Casey's boyfriend (hottie Michael Rady) exclaims "That...bitch?!?" Casey's response of "I love it when you try to be catty" had me laughing out loud. The show is great, and everyone should check it out.
Greek is AWESOME!!!
I could not agree more. When I first saw the advertisements for Greek, I thought it was going to be a stupid show. In fact, I didn't start watching it until after I found out there was a gay character involved.
But ever since then, in addition to just really liking the show and it's characters, the storyline of Calvin has been handled magnificently. Would I like to see more of Calvin? Absolutely, but I think the way the writers have handled his story and his love life more than makes up for his lack of time on screen.
I really love how Calvin is not dealing with the fact that he is gay because he is already beyond that. Instead, Calvin is trying to figure out exactly where he belongs in the gay community and you could really see this going on with his relationship with Michael. Michael was the more out and proud type who enjoys dancing and "the finer things in life". Calvin is much more laid back and into sports and raunchy sex comedies. I like that there is an out and proud character who likes to watch sports and have fun doing things that are normally considered "guy stuff".
I thought Paul James was terrific on this week's episode when he broke up with Michael but also during the last scene where he was lamenting afterward with Rusty and Cappie that he thinks he might have lost his soulmate. Thank God, or the God of your choice, for these writers!
Shame shame James
Shame shame James Marsden... After taking on those serious gay roles earlier in your career like that gay guy who got the other one infected with HIV, I thought you had become an ally. Now I see it was all a sham! A mockery just to better your resume! Now that you've made the big time starring as a homophobe who turns out to be gay, you won't care anymore about your real fans!!
Wow... so yeah not surprised about James Marsden or his crappy movie. I will say though that if Brandon Staughton were to go superficial gay just for a minute I'd still watch if not for the chance to see him in the nude!
Two Josh Zuckermans
I'd also like to point out (in case someone somehow misses the fact) that this new Josh Zuckerman in Sex Drive is not the talented (and out) musician Josh Zuckerman that we recently profiled on Homophonic.
HOMOPHONIC.net
In Music from Out Musicians
Wow Im surprised
Wow. Im surprised to see that James Marsden would agree to be involved in a project like this one. I know some time its in the editing that goes wrong but still. This one sounds like it was a misguided project from the get go.
He has played gay before many times and mostly in a good light. Im disappointed.
Great column Brian.
Maybe it's just cause I'd drink James Marsden's bathwater, but
Maybe it's just cause I'd drink James Marsden's bathwater, but I saw a clip of one of his scenes in Sex Drive and I was rolling about.
Of course, this is not the kind of movie I'd ever go to see -- I'm sure it'd be a lot less fun if you were paying 11 bucks for it. But still. "Cock expert ... Cockspert!" Heh.
No, not "distant gay traces" -- it's distingué traces!
I have had it with Bravo
Tabatha
Did you see her program? It was great (the season has ended). There was a lot you could pick up about business management in that show and it was really eye-opening about salons.
Gotta agree with you on the rest though.
Death Trap
Did anyone else read that
Everything I've read,
Degrassi: The Next Generation
Speaking of gay characters on television, the commercials for Degrassi: The Next Generation have been teasing viewers by telling us that one of the guys on the football team isn't into girls, but exactly who it is hasn't been revealed yet.
This is Degrassi's eighth season, and while Marco may be gone for good (he's no longer listed in the credits), it looks like we'll be getting another gay character in a recurring role. My money is on Riley, played by Argiris Karras.
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2835199
He's one of only two new characters on the football team, and the other one didn't seem like a likely candidate. He's listed in the theme song, so he'll have a significant part to play in the series.
I have no idea when "the big reveal" will be, but it's something to keep your eye on!
Riley
You were right, AnnieO! The reveal was in "Man with Two Hearts" which aired November 7th on The-N and airs tonight on CTV. He kisses Peter (who is apparently straight, although I hope Peter will discover that he is bi) and then denies it later when Peter tries to talk to him about it. So there's still quite a way for this story to go.
By the way, I like the new characters on Degrassi so far, especially the niners. I hope the show keeps going.
Thank You Brian!!
Can't wait for the DVD's to arrive, even though you couldn't promise to tie them up in a pretty little bow--curses HBO! Thank you again, Brian. You definitley have a place to crash if you ever visit good ol' sunny, possibly blue state-y, Florida.
Aww, loved the picture of
You call that a bitchy