I'm straight now...thank you, Logo- Page 2

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 9/1/10 at 6:50pm

They offend me as gay men AND as human beings.

I don't watch the REAL HOUSEWIVES franchise either or any of these other "reality" shows. It's laughable what passes and what the public accepts as entertainment nowadays. Television has become a cesspool.

[Q]

Posted: 9/1/10 at 6:55pm

I'm just curious why it offends as a gay man - are we supposed to be held to a higher standard? I believe in equal rights - which includes the right to be self-obsessed, manipulative, elitist and shallow.

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 9/1/10 at 7:00pm

They have the right to be self-obsessed, manipulative, elitist and shallow. No we are not supposed to be held to a higher standard but it is becoming the "norm" as far as how we as gay men are being portrayed in the media. I'm just a little sick and tired of it.
Updated On: 9/1/10 at 07:00 PM

[Almira]

Posted: 9/1/10 at 7:07pm

I don't think anyone is arguing that LOGO doesn't have the "right" to produce and broadcast this show. I, also, don't think anyone is arguing that the participates have no right to be... as you say.. self-obessed, manipulative, elitist and shallow.

I think the personal obejection many of us have is that with so few (relatively speaking) positive gay images in the media.. the one channel dedicated to presenting gay images chooses to go for the lowest common denominator: gay stereotypes of shallowness etc.

Of course you may not be the least bit offended.. and I don't actually think I'm "offended" per se, but I do think the show is cringe worthy and doesn't help the cause of making the most of what little media time we have.

I imagine this is what the blacks working, struggling and sacrificing for the cause of all blacks in America would feel like if it was discovered that some thoughtless black people in power had produced, broadcast and starred in the original AMOS N' ANDY shows.

Updated On: 9/1/10 at 07:07 PM

[Q]

Posted: 9/1/10 at 7:45pm

Almira - I get that point of view, I'm just not sure when and where you draw the line. I believe in being equal, so I just act that way, period. So, I tend to project that philosophy onto other things, as well.

I think LOGO looked at the success of the housewife franchise, perceived that at least some gay men are a part of the audience (again, look no further than here,) and decided to try and ride the wave. Having made that decision, the use of gay men was the natural choice for their network.

Personally, I don't get wanting to watch any of them, but obviously, many people don't feel that way. So, as long as they're out there, I'm not bothered by the inclusion of gay men in the mix - because I prefer that we just take an equal and active role NOW, not when we decide that we've been compensated for our past inequality. I say put any and all of us out there - the good, the bad, and the ugly.

I keep remembering Harvey's CELULOID CLOSET comments about the sissies in older movies.

[Almira]

Posted: 9/1/10 at 8:02pm

I don't know where you draw the line either. I'm sure there are things I enjoy watching that are equally degrading and exploitative.

I don't watch the Bravo HOUSEWIVES shows, they look like c*ck or dog fights (pardon the expression) but with Human Beings.

But I do see your point.. but take note: bad and ugly are 2:1 against the "good."

We should strive for more balance. Especially when we are calling the shots.

Updated On: 9/1/10 at 08:02 PM

[singtopher]

Posted: 9/1/10 at 9:52pm

This is why I hate going out to gay bars.

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 9/1/10 at 10:07pm

"I think the personal obejection many of us have is that with so few (relatively speaking) positive gay images in the media.. the one channel dedicated to presenting gay images chooses to go for the lowest common denominator: gay stereotypes of shallowness etc."

Exactly.

It bothers me that there is finally a television channel being run by, and catering to the GLBT (sorry if I forgot anyone) community and THIS is the type of show they want to put on the air?!

I would think that we had more taste.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 9/1/10 at 10:29pm

I think Logo made a major miscalculation. They thought this would be their equivalent of the Real Housewives franchise and we would all flock to it.

They may yet be right. You don't need that many viewers for something to be a "success" on cable television.

Think "Queer as Folk."

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 9/1/10 at 10:54pm

"I would think that we had more taste."


This always reminds me of Sarah Schulman's line after Stonewall 25 in NYC. After gazing at booth upon booth selling rainbow shotglasses, rainbow sunglasses, rainbow teddy bears, rainbow sun visors, rainbow baseball caps, rainbow pocket protectors, rainbow everything, she said, "And so goes the myth of the gay taste gene."

So, if nothing else, Logo does upend THAT stereotype.

[uncageg]

Posted: 9/2/10 at 12:31am

sing, then we will go to a straight bar while you are here!

"reality shows" were fun for a minute but they have been around for too long and none of it seems real. I will admit, I do watch "The Rachel Zoe Project" and the only reality show that doesn't seem "staged", to me, is "The Amazing Race". I watched the Atlanta Houswives but I am over them. And those Jersey Housewives and Jersey Shore kids just need to go away. They are just a disgrace in my opinion.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 9/2/10 at 12:47am

I'll watch My Life on the D-List as long as it's on.

[Lavieboheme3090]

Posted: 9/2/10 at 1:01am

I'll take Flipping Out over this any day.

[JerseyGirl2]

Posted: 9/2/10 at 4:46am

*I* am a real gay housewife, not these morons. I won't watch this hot mess.

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 9/2/10 at 8:01am

Most reality programming is centered on straight women and do you think women are happy about that...NO. The Real Housewives franchise has set the women's movement back. It's an awful depiction of women.

However, at the end of the day people like watching train wrecks and thats what these shows are populated with. These men think they are going to be marketing themselves, but the creators I am sure willframe it so they all end up looking insane.

Riken (I refuse to spell his pretentious name right) shows up to the opening of an envelope and will sign onto anything that keeps his mug on TV. He's the worst of what gay has to offer.

Oh, and you can bet your hiney this show is HEAVILY scripted. I am sure they will all date, have slept with, or hate each other.

[StockardFan]

Posted: 9/2/10 at 8:26am

I can't speak for anyone else, but I watch the Real Housewives shows because I find them so ridiculous that it's funny. And I feel better about my own boring life. Sad, but true.

[Tom1071]

Posted: 9/2/10 at 8:56am

I have no doubt that this is going to be LOGO's most watched program in its history. Other than RuPaul's Drag Race there has been precious little original programing worth watching on there since its inception.

[sondheimboy2]

Posted: 9/2/10 at 9:21am

Yes it looks breath-takingly brainless and most of the people involved desperately need a close-death encounter, but it doesn't make me want to turn straight.

Though, after watching the trailer, I feel the need to watch a four hour documentary about Amish ditch-diggers.

[doodlenyc]

Posted: 9/2/10 at 9:42am

I'm still with Q on this one. Do I wish there was something of more taste to balance it out? Sure! I loved the logo shows about coming out (which made me cry more than once) and the dating show where gay men and women were helped with getting a date, showing that it's not any easier for us to find love sometimes. I have no idea why they arent produced anymore, but I guess noone watched. Perhaps noone will watch this knockoff either...but I know guys like them, so I dont see a problem with this being tried out.

It's still the Jack McFarlane argument to me. I hope that we can get to a place where all gay men are not judged on this stereotype or any other. I'm also a Jersey Housewife so to speak, and we joke that we'd be a better group to film than the ones in Franklin Lakes...but the truth is, noone would watch. I dont think most people actually think all NJ housewives are like Theresa and the rest.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 9/2/10 at 11:51am

If this is A-List, I'll stick with B, C and D:

[Tom1071]

Posted: 9/2/10 at 11:56am

I think that one is the trust fund baby. I doubt he has one genuine friend.

EDIT

Turns out that he actually owns a hair salon downtown with celebrity clients. Updated On: 9/2/10 at 11:56 AM

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 9/2/10 at 11:58am

It's about time the Billy doll got an overhaul!

[Borstalboy]

Posted: 9/2/10 at 12:15pm

"..And for whatever reason, a lot of people like to watch the negative stuff."

Oh, its only because it makes us feel better about having to witness the American Empire dying. This is our version of throwing Christians to the lions.

[tazber]

Posted: 9/2/10 at 12:39pm

It doesn't bother me b/c I think most people realize that they are saying things (or being edited to make it sound like) for shock value.

Personally I can't stand these shows whether gay, straight, or Jersey. I find the cast members repugnant. But I'm not judging what others find entertaining. It doesn't hurt me if they watch it. I just choose to eschew this trend.

One line struck me from the preview though:

It was (paraphrased):
"The A List is very fickle, one day you're on and one day you're off".

So right there, Logo is signaling that there will be some episode where everything that these people stake their lives on will desert them.
We all know how people love to see celebutards knocked down a peg or six. It's a very savvy way of letting us know that these spoiled "housewives" will get theirs on some level.

Tom1071 got right to the heart of it though when he wrote: "I doubt he has one genuine friend".

That is probably true. And if you think about what that really means in a person's life, it is devastatingly sad.

Updated On: 9/2/10 at 12:39 PM

[StageManager2]

Posted: 9/2/10 at 1:03pm

He looks like a Kewpie Doll.