Work Out: time to weigh in

Last night's premiere of the hit Bravo reality series Work Out was quite something, eh? There's already drama, spatting, hysterics, emotional outbursts, and of course lots and lots of exposed skin. We've got a new interview, an old interview that actually showed up in the episode, and more for you Work Out fans -- so be sure to read on.

As far as Work Out's stable of toned and tempestuous trainers goes, things are as insane as usual. It was interesting to see the feud that had developed between Doug (pictured below) and Jesse (pictured at left), which actually brought some very interesting points about gay men and infighting in the community into the spotlight. To see the comments that got Doug in trouble with Jesse in the first place, read our interview with him from last year, which actually made a cameo appearance in last night's episode.

It was of course was a pleasant surprise for us to see "AfterElton.com" on screen during the premiere, particularly as it was in relation to a specific discussion of gay visibility. I fully expect to see something similar when Heroes returns in April.

Doug's work with his ex-partner (who recently suffered from kidney failure) was easily the most touching representation of gay love that I've seen on television in probably forever, and it was of course bittersweet to see Doug back in his element, as though his untimely passing in January was just a bad dream. It was nice to see that the season has been dedicated to his memory.

As a special treat, we've got a super-fresh interview up on the main page with bodybuilding bookends Jesse and Brian, who -- despite having initially been pitted against one another for Jackie's attention -- have become close friends.

To find out just how close, you'll have to read the interview ... okay, Brian's still straight, but he says Jesse's working on it! Here's a taste:

Brian: We’re team players now. We play on the same team. But not on that team, Jesse.

Jesse: Unless Brian has more than five drinks.

Brian: He gives me roofies and he says they’re Tic-Tacs. But I know they’re not. I always feel real funny after I take one. He says, “It’s only one calorie!”

Jesse: I think Peeler and I have developed a point to where our jabs just roll off each others shoulders. In the end, if Peeler ever needed anything I would be there for him. And I hope the feeling's mutual.

All kidding aside, it's great to see a gay man and a straight man from very different backgrounds come to be good friends -- a kind of relationship not generally explored in the media that really comes through in the interview.

We've also got a new polling feature on the new and improved main page, and we've made today's question about the show. Head on over and weigh in.

And if that's still not enough for you Work Out fans, head on over to our recently-created Work Out forum, where you can dish to your heart's content on "gay fat", Mimi, and anything else about the show.

Aaaaaaaaand exhale. Whew.