"Queer as Folk" and "Six Feet Under": required watching for gays?

[dline07]

No. I'm kinda over the LGBT experience being overrepresented in the media by well-off White males. And I tend to not like shows as sex-obsessed as Queer As Folk. I haven't watched one episode of Six Feet Under (know nothing about it as I hate most of TV anyway), but I'm kind of over shows that follow the gay entourage idea (see: Queer As Folk, Noah's Arc). They're just lame to me.

Some of the major story arcs over the years involving LGBT characters on both All My Children and One Life To Live are more of my style of storytelling. I don't think I'll ever be part of a gay only world, so those shows that isolate gay men don't ever seem to click to me.

IMO, the most important current social issue in the LGBT community right now (homophobic bullying) is being explored on Glee. Even still, I wouldn't say gay men have to watch it. We've already experienced it. It's more important for straight people see things like that.

I think Gay Cinema is a far better avenue to pursue as well. I'm a Gay male, but not everything I do is about being gay. Cinema tends to offer more variety, and more fleshed-out three dimensional characters than the popular gay shows. I'm that guy who would be interested in a sci-fi triller where a major character happens to be gay. It doesn't always have to be about the dating scene just because a character is gay after all. We don't limit straight characters to roles about the dating scene, do we? I think it's just as important or moreso for gay youth to see Gays in other roles (see: superhero, detective, world leader, scientist, etc.) as it is for them to see gay men in the typical gay-related roles.

I seriously couldn't have said it better myself. This is exactly where I stand on this. Hats off NaughtyArousal.

I've seen a few episodes of Queer As Folk, and there is not a single character on that show that I can say I can identify myself with other than the fact that I'm gay. I don't have any connection with the situations that those characters are in.

Like NA said, not every gay man lives in world that revolves around their sexuality. I sure as hell don't... I agree that it's just as, if not more important for gay youths (or any gay individual) to see gays in other roles outside of a dating scene.

So short answer.. Nope, should not be "required".

 

[CowboyBob]

I have both series on DVD. Six Feet Under is one of my favorite shows of all time. A while ago I decided to re-watch Queer as Folk again and am just starting season 5 tonight after watching seasons 1-4 in the past few weeks.

When I'm done with QAF I'll probably start watching all 8 seasons of Will & Grace again which I have on DVD.

The British version of QAF is better than the Showtime series. I have that also.

I didn't care of Noah's Arc, and really hated Dante's Cove.

 

[roadtripboy]

I seriously couldn't have said it better myself. This is exactly where I stand on this. Hats off NaughtyArousal.

I've seen a few episodes of Queer As Folk, and there is not a single character on that show that I can say I can identify myself with other than the fact that I'm gay. I don't have any connection with the situations that those characters are in.

Like NA said, not every gay man lives in world that revolves around their sexuality. I sure as hell don't... I agree that it's just as, if not more important for gay youths (or any gay individual) to see gays in other roles outside of a dating scene.

So short answer.. Nope, should not be "required".

That was why I said people needed to watch seasons 4 & 5. The characters move beyond their sexuality and mature.

 

[G-Lexington]

>>>I'm not sure anyone said it was a will to power. I don't understand your point Lex.

I guess I was responding to this specific question of Lube's. "Do you think it's important that gays watch these shows and think about them?" If the question was "If somebody asked for a good 'gay-themed' show, would these be good choices to steer them towards?", then sure, I could get behind that. But I don't think it's important in the slightest for gays - or anybody - to watch these programs, or any TV programs for that matter.

Lex

 

[Lube]

>>>I'm not sure anyone said it was a will to power. I don't understand your point Lex.

I guess I was responding to this specific question of Lube's. "Do you think it's important that gays watch these shows and think about them?" If the question was "If somebody asked for a good 'gay-themed' show, would these be good choices to steer them towards?", then sure, I could get behind that. But I don't think it's important in the slightest for gays - or anybody - to watch these programs, or any TV programs for that matter.

Lex

I see a lot of guys posting here that seem like they don't have a grasp of gays being portrayed in any way other than outlandish gay pride events or drag queens.

I think it's good for guys who are early in their self-acceptance to see how gays might live in the real world and react to different situations.

This is certainly true for Six Feet Under, but even Queer as Folk--when you remove the sex and drama veneer--talks about a lot of issues relevant to modern gay life: how to deal with coworkers, fellow students, politicians, drugs, etc.

It seems odd that you have such strong opinions on something you've never seen. They were both groundbreaking shows.

I'm not a big fan of TV myself (and didn't see them in their original run because I've never had cable TV, by choice), and don't recommend TV shows lightly.

 

[Centexfarmer]

That's it. I'm gay. Fucking guys means nothing unless you love the GG's.

I'm just saying!

 

[Adrock-JD]

Both. Along with Absolutely Fabulous.

queer as folk was about learning to love yourself and finding your place
six feet under was about the dangers of repression
AbFab was just fucking funny

 

[Centexfarmer]

I see a lot of guys posting here that seem like they don't have a grasp of gays being portrayed in any way other than outlandish gay pride events or drag queens.

Really?

REALLY?

Are you sure it's not because they don't necessarily agree with your choice of two HBO $12 a month "upgrades" to their standard "cable/satellite" choices?



Really?

REALLY?

I think it's good for guys who are early in their self-acceptance to see how gays might live in the real world and react to different situations.

Me too!

Personally I'm still waiting around for "commercial television" here in the "States" to represent us as Americans.

Fuck Cable!

Glee...to give you an example of HOW FAR WE STILL HAVEN'T COME is what most of those who are still relying upon analogue to share with us what's "really" going on here in America.

Your premise (IMHO)...LUBE, has no prefix, suffix, or apology.

This is certainly true for Six Feet Under, but even Queer as Folk--when you remove the sex and drama veneer--talks about a lot of issues relevant to modern gay life: how to deal with coworkers, fellow students, politicians, drugs, etc.

I agree.

But, unless you've watched Glee over the past couple of weeks you've been missing something there too.

Like how Kurt has dealt with being the only "openly Gay student at his school."

It seems odd that you have such strong opinions on something you've never seen. They were both groundbreaking shows.

It seems odd that you're willing to pass judgement upon individuals that don't share your perspective.

I'm not a big fan of TV myself (and didn't see them in their original run because I've never had cable TV, by choice), and don't recommend TV shows lightly.

But YET!

Here we are...

 

[roadtripboy]

My solution to (in my case) $14 per month premium channels.

I had Showtime, I recorded QAF. My sister had HBO and I recorded 6 feet under at her house.

 

[Centexfarmer]

My solution to (in my case) $14 per month premium channels.

I had Showtime, I recorded QAF. My sister had HBO and I recorded 6 feet under at her house.

AND there's still family unity and bonding!

My Mom and Dad come down from Dallas each weekend to "visit."

Mom traditionally likes "NCIS," "Ghost Whisperer," & "Brother's and Sisters."

Now...I've gotten her "hooked" on Glee.

~

We all experience being "Gay" from different perspectives.

How can an American cable "Network" spew Republican/Right-Wing propaganda, while at the same time exploring social avenues that most of the "Big Three" won't touch?

While the rest of us are left with "cable?"

 

[JasunStrikesBack]

The American Queer As Folk was so insipid it would have scared me back into the closet.

Talk about fake and phony and NOTHING like actual gay people. It's like saying Jersey Shore should be required watching for European Teenagers.

 

[Lube]

Are you sure it's not because they don't necessarily agree with your choice of two HBO $12 a month "upgrades" to their standard "cable/satellite

Fuck Cable!

Glee...to give you an example of HOW FAR WE STILL HAVEN'T COME is what most of those who are still relying upon analogue to share with us what's "really" going on here in America.

Those shows are old. Almost a decade old. Hard to believe, huh? So there are plenty of used copies on eBay and amazon, or friends might have them, or if you already subscribe to Netflix, or they could be on sale. The occasional GLBT library might even have a copy (that's how I first saw QAF).

Like I said, I don't have cable, so I'm not encouraging others to buy it.

This is certainly true for Six Feet Under, but even Queer as Folk--when you remove the sex and drama veneer--talks about a lot of issues relevant to modern gay life: how to deal with coworkers, fellow students, politicians, drugs, etc.

I agree.

But, unless you've watched Glee over the past couple of weeks you've been missing something there too.

Like how Kurt has dealt with being the only "openly Gay student at his school."

Hey, I'm on Facebook and I have gay friends--believe me, I've heard about Glee. I have seen parts of 2 or 3 episodes, so I can't say as much about it. I was just pointing out 2 older shows that young people today might not know about. You'd have to live under a rock to never have even heard of Glee.

Until recently, I did have one beef about Glee. It was even more stereotyped than QAF in terms of gay people. It made it seem like you had to be as obvious as Kurt to be gay. But it sounds like the last few episodes have really turned that on it's head. And that's a very good thing.

It seems odd that you have such strong opinions on something you've never seen. They were both groundbreaking shows.

It seems odd that you're willing to pass judgement upon individuals that don't share your perspective.

I don't see how my quote could be construed as passing judgment on anyone. All I said was that a strong opinion on something you know nothing about is odd. I didn't say anyone was evil or fucked up or a loser. I didn't even imply it. Even if a good friend held an uninformed opinion, I would say that it's odd that they can hold a strong opinion about something they admitted they had never seen. I don't think that's judgmental at all.

 

[Lube]

The American Queer As Folk was so insipid it would have scared me back into the closet.

Talk about fake and phony and NOTHING like actual gay people. It's like saying Jersey Shore should be required watching for European Teenagers.

In some ways you're correct. None of my gay friends really remind me of anyone on QAF. Well maybe one.

But they did encounter situations in real life that were reflected in the show--things like trying to fit in at a straight bar, coming out (or not coming out) at work, ageism in the gay community, dealing with closeted boyfriends, dealing with boyfriends who have kids from a marriage to a woman, etc.

As I said in my first post, it's totally fake and unbelievable that 5 gay friends would have such a dramatic and fabulous life--especially in Pittsburgh! LOL

But if you peel back the glitz and absurdities, it really did address (and hopefully make you think about) many issues facing gay men.

Did you not see any of that?

 

[Lube]

But to suggest that they set some standard that gay men should view and then live by, is a bit thick.

What? I never said that, did I?

Something to learn from, yes. Something to emulate? Never.

The point is that sometimes the characters in those shows did something mean or stupid. The idea is to get you to think.

Not emulate them.

 

[Lube]

I've watched both series(on DVD). I am not a week to week person.

Personally, I loved "Six feet under " better than QAF.

Six feet under was more about people than gay. I loved the final of "Six feet Under" episode. That episode told what it all meant to me. It was about people.

I agree. That's what I loved about Six Feet Under: it had a continuing gay theme (one among many) but it put it in perspective among the ordinary (or not so ordinary!) lives of a family.

 

[Centexfarmer]

<snip>

I don't see how my quote could be construed as passing judgment on anyone.

Then perhaps you might want to reconsider the "Golden Girls."

All I said was that a strong opinion on something you know nothing about is odd. I didn't say anyone was evil or fucked up or a loser. I didn't even imply it. Even if a good friend held an uninformed opinion, I would say that it's odd that they can hold a strong opinion about something they admitted they had never seen. I don't think that's judgmental at all.

 

[Lube]

How can an American cable "Network" spew Republican/Right-Wing propaganda, while at the same time exploring social avenues that most of the "Big Three" won't touch?

I've wondered that myself.

And they'll take the advertising revenue generated from right-wing crazies and the revenue generated from all the gays who watch Glee. Genius or evil? I'm not sure.

 

[asu1117]

Maybe you should watch them if you like the premise of the show? But really, it's just television.

I liked Six Feet Under, but it didn't show me anything groundbreaking about being gay.

They're just drama. I don't feel that they teach much of anything to anyone. But they are a good distraction or way to pass the time.


And i thought QAF was terrible.

 

[Lube]

Maybe you should watch them if you like the premise of the show? But really, it's just television.

I liked Six Feet Under, but it didn't show me anything groundbreaking about being gay.

They're just drama. I don't feel that they teach much of anything to anyone. But they are a good distraction or way to pass the time.

Really? Many episodes gave me something to chew on afterwards.

 

[SLOPPYSECONDS]

world media do a no a one nos favours but their own piss ans public got love piss cause no differece figure