Queer As Folk

[atse28]

someone please explain to me, I've only seen the very first episode of Queer As Folk...but I'm also lead to believe that there are two versions of this series...



One British and One from the US is this correct?



I'm in Australia and I haven't really seen either...would love to though but can't justify the buying of the DVD's and I can't seem to rent them here at all

---

Unofficially, I have to say I have no idea what you are talking about...


Officially?

[Cicca]

Yeah, there's a British version, which came out first. Uh... So to speak

Then there's the US/Canadian version which is supposed to be based on the British one, but I have no idea how close they are.



The North American version is the only one I've seen and it's a lot of fun.

invite someone dangerous to tea * look forward to dreams * imagine yourself magic

[AlteaThree]

Yes...there is the original, ground-breaking, great British version of Queer as Folk, and an American/kindasortaCanadian co-production that is more of a comedy. But it's been Americanized to the point of trying to deal with "relevant" issues and such, and it can be preachy at times. But it is still interesting to watch. The British version was made in the late 99/00, and the NA version is still in production...it started in 00.

[tommo]

The North American one is as close as it can be to the British version without the setting of Manchester and Canal Street. Honestly, it's the same thing as Who's The Boss? and The Upper Hand. Just without Joe McGann.

"There's so much more to wiccan Willow than muff-diving gimmickry" ~ SFX

[AlteaThree]

I still think the British one is better, if there is a choice. It was made better, had some better talent, and some better looking talent. The American one is still lots of fun though, and the talent is pretty much on par with the standard for network tv.



Besides, British accents are cool

"Hey, did you go to Hollywood Upstairs Medical college too?"

[GottaLuvAmber]

I got hooked on Queer A s Folk as soon as I rented the DVDs of season one. In fact, they were the first DVDs I watched on the new player I had received for my birthday.



Sure, not all gay people are like them, but I enjoy the storylines. And the all the softcore boy porn ......of course, I am a gay boy myself.



But my favorite gay couple will always be Willow and Tara....I just watch some avatars and I know they're perfect together.

Edited by: GottaLuvAmber at: 2/19/03 5:51:08 pm

[Jennpurr]

Beautiful kittens,



I have a question and hopefully someone will be able to answer it.



For anyone who saw the Season 3 premiere, does anyone know what the name of the song was at the end of the episode, where Brian was with that Justin look alike-guy? If you know who was singing it, that would be most helpful, too.



Thanks in advance,

Jen

||My Fan Fiction and More!||
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
ALEX: I did a striptease in front of her mother! Are you listening?
MARIA: One nipple does not constitute a striptease, Alex.
ALEX: She saw my nipple? Oh, God! ~ Roswell, "Surprise."

[MOUSE]

atse28 you can catch queer as folk on SBS on Monday nights at 10pm (EST). We are into the 2nd season.

Fox had the U.K. version on a while back, but I think it got the can.

I didn't watch any of the U.K. version, but I never miss the U.S version. And, it's on the same time as Buffy, so it really made my mind up this season as to whether I'd watch buffy or not.

[atse28]

Thanks MOUSE for that information, I'll tape both I think for now....

---

Unofficially, I have to say I have no idea what you are talking about...


Officially?

[maudmac]

So, okay, two eps into the new season and I see it looks like they're going to just rehash all the baby drama from S1, but with Mel this time, instead of Linds. What's up with that? Can't they think of a storyline for the token lesbians?



I'm feeling myself having issues. It's making for drama to have them going through more baby stuff, sure, but...been there, done that, you know? There are a thousand stories they could tell with them, so why do they have to revisit this one? It makes me think the writers honestly don't know how to handle them, as is common with token characters. I'm unspoiled, so it's entirely possible I'm jumping the gun on this and they're actually going to do something interesting...or do y'all think this is interesting?



I'm not sure I even really see the chemistry between Melanie and Lindsay. Now, Leda, Leda could have chemistry with a rock, but, well...um, I just really thought she was hot, okay?



I suppose you could say whatever you like about Mel and Linds, but it's obvious they love each other. Lord knows they've been through enough crap. It's just that, for me, W/T are the gold standard for chemistry now and Melanie and Lindsay don't even come close.



Whatever they do, all I ask is that we never, ever, ever see Guillaume again. I hated him. And that whole storyline was ridiculous, anyway.



Some random thoughts about the boys (and Debbie ):



I want Justin to be happy with Ethan, because I think Ethan's far better for him than Brian. But...Brian getting that boy who looked like Justin... It made me feel a twinge of sympathy for Brian because I think he really does love Justin. Paying his tuition, even though they aren't together? Tell me that isn't love.



Anyway, so yeah, Brian's a complex, dynamic character and I like that. I vacillate between liking him and disliking him. So that's some pretty good writing, in my opinion. My gf says that Lindsay is the only person who loves Brian unconditionally. I suppose that might be true, yes. I'll have to think more about that.



I hate Michael. I absolutely detest how he talks to Debbie. Like he's ashamed of her. Grow the fuck up, Michael, and see that you have a priceless mother.



And Michael has just about the perfect boyfriend in Ben. Ben is kind and patient and thoughtful. (Way cuter than David, too. I can't being a little shallow sometimes. And I was bored to death by the whole Michael/David thing.) Anyway, as part of Michael's Growing the Fuck Up process, he also needs to learn to tell Brian no more often.



Debbie. QaF is worth watching just for her. I love her. I noticed on the official site, they finally are selling her "You say tomato I say fuck off" shirt. (Now, if they had them in my size, I can't say I wouldn't get a "Some people are too white" shirt, too.)



I love Emmett. I really do. I don't know about this thing with him and Ted, though. Besides, whatever happened to Ted being in love with Michael? Remember that? That just kind of went away, didn't it? The scene where Emmett is talking about missing his friend Ted after Emmett blew the flight attendant guy was sweet. You could really see Ted struggling, shifting out of "boyfriend" mode and back into "just friends" mode. I guess I want them to be happy, but I'm not sure I think they're right for each other. It seems kind of forced, to me. Like the writers weren't quite sure what to do with them, so they just threw them together. Because I think they could better have explored the "friends who become lovers and may or may not go back to being just friends" issue with Brian and Michael.



So...what's going in your heads about the show? New ep tonight and all.

---

i know there is strength
in the differences between us
and i know there is comfort
where we overlap

Edited by: maudmac at: 3/17/03 3:54:29 am

[Cicca]

Huh.

I think I pretty much have to say ditto!

Except for me, I started watching in Season 2 so I missed all of the original baby stuff. I do think that the boys get the lion's share of the writing on the show, so the creative juices seem to run out when they get to Mel and Lindz.



As for ditto....



Leda? Hot.

Hot.

Yes, hot. I don't really miss her character because she brought a lot of uncertainty into the picture. But heck, bring her back, put her in leather and sit her down at the cafe. I'd be fine with that.



Justin and Ethan? Adorable. Not as fascinating as Brian and Justin, but lots healthier for little cutie Sunshine.



Michael? Whiny little shithead. I agree, he's awful to Debbie and he treats the most excellent Ben like crap. *thumping Michael on the back of the head* Of course I'm also really worried about Ben. And I wish he'd find a better boyfriend than Michael.



Brian? Love him and hate him. So intriguing.



Debbie? To take a page from her book, she fuckin' rocks!



Ted and Emmett. I'm enjoying watching what happens with their relationship. Emmett had me nearly in tears after that bit with Ted. I'm reserving judgment on whether or not their pairing is forced or not.



Emmett? I adore Emmett!

invite someone dangerous to tea * look forward to dreams * imagine yourself magic

[Rosenberg]

I just realized that the actor who plays Ethan (Justin’s two-timing boyfriend) in Queer as Folk is the same actor who played Scott Hope in season 3 of Buffy. I was watching Bad Girls on FX and I thought he looked awfully familiar. Then when he smiled it hit me - Ethan! A little younger and more clean cut than in QAF, but definitely the same guy.

[gwydionslegend]

I caught that too Rosenberg. I thought it was pretty cool to see him so clean cut. I think he's a little cutie and I like him very much with Justin.



I don't have Showtime so I have no idea what's going on this season and am whole-heartedly trying to avoid spoilers so a lot of this thread has gone unread. I did see a couple of things though that I'd like to comment on.



To the very wise person who said Lindsey is annoying, I totally agree. Mel, on the other hand, is nothing shy of hot. God bless her momma.



As for the way gay life is presented, I read an interview with one of the cast members recently and they commented on that. I think it was Hal Sparks but I'm not sure. Anyway, he said they just kind of went for the extreme. They know that not all gays live their lives that way but some do and if they can gain acceptance for them then they gain acceptance for all of us. I guess that makes sense but at the same time I think sometimes it hurts us too. People see the show and think all gays live like that. I know I don't live my life anything like the people on QAF. Well, ok maybe like Mel and Lindsey. Well, ok maybe exactly like Mel and Lindsey. But nothing like the guys! Of course that might be because I'm not a guy.



gwyd

There's more than one answer to these questions pointing me in a crooked line--Indigo Girls

[maudmac]

I agree that we might be hurt by these portrayals. I feel conflicted about it, because I can see both sides.



On the one hand, that's part of our community. On the other hand, most of us aren't like that. But I do have to say that I've seen that kind of behavior in all the gay men I know personally....so....I don't know.



I was on a bus once, stuck between some flaming queens and some uptight conservative dykes. That was interesting. They fought the whole way about this very issue. And they both made some good points.



It's complicated.



I've missed the last couple QaF eps, so I don't know what's going on at the moment. But I've been disappointed to see Ethan hiding his sexuality. And disappointed to see Brian fall in with the chief of police...or whoever that guy is who wants to "clean up Liberty Ave." I guess I need to catch up, though, before I talk about any of that.

---

I had a Boddingtons and now I can see again! - The Beast

[Jennpurr]

Some spoilers for those who haven't been watching:



S

P

O

I

L

E

R

S

P

A

C

E

S

P

O

I

L

E

R

---

Ethan cheated on Justin with some guy that he met as his concert. He said he was lonely.



The last episode ended with Justin and Brian kissing and undressing each other. Justin admitted to Daphnie that he was still in love with Brian and was having dreams about him.



Melanie is pregnant!



Lindsay has a new job at an art museum. I'm not sure what she does, but I think she's like Assistant Director or something.



Justin is an intern at the company that Brian works for.



Ted hurt his back at the gym and Emmet has been fussing over him.



That's basically the high points of what's been going on. There'll be a new episode in two weeks.



Hope that helps.



Jen

||My Fan Fiction and More!|| ||My Yahoo Group||
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
"Because you would have done anything for, ME... but look what you did for a complete stranger. In greater love, hath no person, nor Angel, then to give her life for another." ~ Zack to Monica, "Touched By An Angel: I Will Walk With You, P2"

Edited by: Jennpurr at: 5/1/03 2:10:35 pm

[Jennifer]

I loved the last episode. The scene between Brian and Justin was hot. And I loved the way they filmed it. Grr for having to wait an extra week for the next episode.

[Jennpurr]

I agree, Jen. Damn them! And that scene was pretty hot!



Jen

||My Fan Fiction and More!|| ||My Yahoo Group||
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
"Because you would have done anything for, ME... but look what you did for a complete stranger. In greater love, hath no person, nor Angel, then to give her life for another." ~ Zack to Monica, "Touched By An Angel: I Will Walk With You, P2"

Edited by: Jennpurr at: 5/3/03 3:57:52 am

[sam7777]

The sad fate of the pay channel deprived. I have only just gotten around to renting season 2 on DVD and seeing the first 8 eps. I like Mel and Lindsay and am glad they got an expanded role. The baby and lesbian bed death plotlines are pretty cliche but even the lesbian series "L Word" uses the same hoary cliches despite the criticism of same on "Queer as Folk". I can forgive QAF because their focus is much more on gay men but I have to wonder why a lesbian centric show can't give us better plotlines.



I actually think that Lyndsay is hot. I love curvy women who don't look like skeletons. I think that Lyndsey and Mel have chemistry with each other and the other characters. I love Sharon Gless. This show at least has a variety of body types of women on screen. While the show is not racially diverse in it's main cast, they have had some decent guest stars up to ep 8 of season 2 which I have seen. They can do better in this regard but I haven't seen enough to judge.



In any case I love the show and all the rampant sexuality. It's so nice to see gay men who aren't eunuchs in a more mainstream show. We can see two women have sex in alot of places but gay men almost nowhere outside of porn. The sex is no more than what they show with a hetero couple as far as nudity and action IMHO. And while there is alot of sex, there is also love. Brian does love Justin even if he is really self centered. In fact, I see a loving friendship between all the characters. They have all kinds of gay men too from young to old from buff to not so buff from macho to not so macho. In this regard they do better than "L Word" IMHO.



"Queer as Folk" also has alot of humor. I love shows that make me laugh with the characters alot more than soaps with melodrama trying to wring out emotion. The show does get serious but is always fun IMHO. They deal with the problems of party drug use pretty well. Alot of the characters use them for recreation but there are also folks who OD and abuse them. That is more true to life than just say no IMHO.



QAF also does have an ensemble cast. They spread the wealth more among the characters and everyone seems to get a story each season though Mel and Lyndsay get the same story. I love the characters so I find it entertaining even with the stories and plots are lacking. The fact that the show has a humorous tone allows me to forgive alot in that regard.



It's not a perfect series and does play to some cliches but it also is ground breaking in its portrayal of gay men as sexual beings for once.



ETA: Finally rented and saw the rest of the second season. One thing that strickes me is the dearth of heterosexual sex unlike "L Word" (unless you count Debbie kissing Horvath). It's cool to see gay sex in the forefront with heterosexual sex only implied. It's the opposite of all other TV. Leda is hot but they cut from that threesome too soon IMHO. I wish that plot could have gotten a smidgen more screen time because it seemed very rushed to me. OTOH I could have done with less of Ethan and Justin. Overall the second half of the season was less funny and less enjoyable to me. Still I'm looking forward to renting season 3 when it comes out on DVD.

_____________________

I see dead lesbian cliches

Edited by: sam7777  at: 2/26/04 3:55 pm

[Rally]

Ok overly chatty tonight, but I have watched the long and short trailers for Season 4 quite a few times each. I think this may be the season that does not find me cussing at the tv while watching this show. Hey, I have The L Word for that now, still, season 4 looks very good. Looking forward to the start of it just after The L Word winds up in April.

Well officially, of course, I have to say that I have no idea what you're talking about.

[Jennpurr]

Ooooh, Rally, where did you find the trailers?



Jen

||My Fan Fiction and More!|| ||My Yahoo Group||
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
"And though down here I may not understand; I won't let go of the unseen hand; For It holds the reasons why..." ~ 4 Him, "Why?"

[sam7777]

Jennpurr: You can find the promos here.

_____________________

I still see dead lesbian cliches

[Jennpurr]

Thank you, sweetie.



Jen (Runs off to go look)

||My Fan Fiction and More!|| ||My Yahoo Group||
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
"And though down here I may not understand; I won't let go of the unseen hand; For It holds the reasons why..." ~ 4 Him, "Why?"

[effrena]

hey kittens!

season four starts on sunday! finally! i can`t wait! well actually i have to, since, well austria... but still!

Can`t we not suck anymore?! Ellen DeGeneres

[Rally]

New credits finally, hopefully the show will mature beyond just the new credits...

Well officially, of course, I have to say that I have no idea what you're talking about.

[sam7777]

QAF has been picked up for another season:

New Seasons In Store for FX's 'Shield,' Showtime's 'Queer'

Quote:

---

FX and Showtime are keeping their respective signature dramas around for another year as each announced 2004-05 season pick-ups for "The Shield" and "Queer as Folk" today.



Both renewals come as little surprise as each series is seen as integral to their network's original programming efforts.

---

_____________________

I still see dead lesbian cliches

[Jennpurr]

Another season on QAF???















YAY!!!!



Sorry... I got a little too excited!



Jen

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Phoebe: I hate cemetery's at day. (They hear a noise.) What was that?
Prue: Ah, probably a zombie or vampire.
Phoebe: Great, where's Buffy when you need her?

[sam7777]

I'm so far behind. I still need to see season 3.

_____________________

I still see dead lesbian cliches

Edited by: sam7777  at: 5/5/04 10:37 pm

[BytrSuite]

Looks like season 5 is going to be the final season. Eh. I stopped watching consistently quite a while ago. I did manage to see the one where Lindsay cheated on Mel with some artist guy. That just annoyed me to no end and I don't think I've watched a full episode since then.

________
Bender: Y'know, I was God once.
God: Yes I saw. You were doing well until everyone died.

[Patches]

Season 5 definitely is the end of the road for QAF -- production is holding a props and wardrobe sale for the show in Toronto April 3rd and 4th. They wrapped principal photography a few weeks ago.



I'm not sure what the release schedule is, as Showtime does not allow access to it's site from outside the USA. The Canadian carrier Showcase, to date hasn't updated when they will air the last season. Like the previous two seasons, there are only 14 episodes Though, I would expect some time in the next month.



One thing I've found interesting on both QAF and The L Word is we now consider lesbian couples having a child/children as cliche. I have to wonder at the change in such a brief period of time. Imagine 15 or even 10 years ago, considering queers having kids together (as opposed to a 'created' family where children were conceived outside the relationship), wow this was breakthrough stuff. Just something to think about.



But, back to season 5 and stuff. While details are kept tightly under wraps, the little bit of information I've garnered is, unlike last season, which seemed to drag, there will be a fair bit more substance to the new episodes. The writers kept season 4 intentionally character focused, perhaps *too* character focused; it did get dull at times. And that whole Lindsay thing....



Next paragraph contains specific season 4 info (rant)



Not one person I've met who watches the show bought the whole Lindsay and whatshisname story line. Whether we're comfortable with it or not, it is true that some lesbians do/have/are sleeping with guys and still maintain their 'lesbian' identity - they don't consider themselves bi or pansexual. The same is true for the guys. This whole 'sexual freedom' movement within the community is totally irrelevant, however, when it comes to QAF story line with Lindsay. Neither character seemed comfortable on screen. The scenes were awkward and stilted and I don't think the actors bought the line. They had all the chemistry of rocks.



QAF, from the get-go intended to push boundaries and pursuing the 'lesbians-who-sleep-with-men" motif didn't surprise me. What did surprise me, for a normally savvy show, was failing to realize the story line they were developing didn't work. If Lindsay were going to sleep with a guy, about the only person I'd believe this would happen with is Brian. IMHO - that would have worked. Throughout the preceding seasons, there was chemistry between the character. If the show wanted to take this road, they should have considered things a little more carefully. Lindsay and whatshisname alienated a lot of viewers.



Like most, I've mixed emotions about the show's content and portrayal of the queer community. No, we're not all like Brian, but on the other hand some, perhaps many are (guys and women, btw). I do think they balanced some of the archetypes quite well. No, it wasn't *perfect* but it was the first. Perhaps in 10 or 15 years we will look back at QAF and think it 'quaint.'



I'm still looking forward to season 5, warts and all.



Cheers!!

Patches

Our wedding vows: Life Love Everlasting, Always Intertwining. - Sunday June 27, 2004 :)

Edited by: Warduke at: 3/26/05 8:42 am

[aceivan]

I just got the Season 4 DVDs and can't wait to see them. Although I mainly watch for the guys I'm really not looking forward to seeing Lindsay with that guy. It sounds as bad as The L Word. Don't get me wrong, I'm bi and would like to see bi characters and characters exploring their sexuality but not in QAF or The L Word, at least not yet. Is it really too much to expect the first gay and lesbian shows to actually be about gay and lesbian characters? I've stopped watching The L Word but really don't want to do that with QAF. Hopefully the Lindsay and guy thing is only temporary.

Len