If there is one show that every gay is going to watch this January, it’s definitely Looking.
The show promises a frank and honest depiction of adult gay life that hasn’t been seen on television since The A-List: New York Queer As Folk ended, and the fact that it comes from the creator of the brilliant gay indie Weekend only enhances the pedigree.
Yet with the buzz comes comparisons to to that other HBO series about young people looking for love in a big city, but Looking creators Michael Lannan and Andrew Haigh want to set the record, er, straight.
In an extensive interview with SFGate, the creators stress that Looking isn’t the gay Girls or Sex and the City, but its own distinctly unique animal they hope can be universally relatable. When asked about the comparisons, the two replied:
How about we take this to the next level?
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Haigh: Whenever before a show goes on air, people want to define it. The easiest way to define it is to say it’s a gay “Sex and the City, or a gay “Girls.” But I think the show is different from both of those shows. Different people, different ages. It’s out of our control, and I’m not embarrassed to be compared to those two shows. They’re both great shows. But I think ours is distinct in its tone and feeling. Our characters are in their 30s, coming up on 40. It’s a different age group.
Lannan: “Girls” before it was “Girls” was “Sex and the City” with twenty-somethings.
We definitely understand why the guys are frustrated, but a quick look at the Looking trailer definitely reveals some visual similarities with Girls, plus the fact that HBO has scheduled it to air directly after Girls on Sundays isn’t exactly the surest way to avoid comparisons.
What will be interesting to see is if the sexual situations on Looking are as squirmy/awkward as they can be on Girls, but anyone who has seen Weekend (available on Netflix streaming and highly recommended, by the way) knows that Haigh doesn’t shy away from awkwardness. Or fluids.
Jake357
Now that I know it is by the guy that did Weekend, I will definitely be missing this. Lord what a piece of self-indulgent crap that film was.
jimbryant
Why would anyone want to compare a new show to a proven ratings flop like Girls? I’d stay away from any Girls comparisons.
In any case, these shows aren’t really that popular, not even with gay men. Why would gay men want to watch other gay men on TV? Gay men live it, they don’t need to see it.
Charlie in Charge
@jimbryant: Could it be for the same reason that straight women seemed to rather enjoy Sex and the City?
redcarpet
So it’s like Sex and the City and Girls put together.
Just kidding. I’m sure it’s going to be a wonderful show in it’s own right. I’m certainly looking forward to Jonathon Groff naked.
jimbryant
Straight women watched Sex and the City to see slutty women and how they sell themselves to men. This is how women get cues as to how to sell themselves to men.
Sex and the City was basically trash.
dougmc92
a gay Sex and The City…..isn’t that redundant????
viveutvivas
@Charlie, actually it was gay men who enjoyed Sex and the City.
jimstoic
@jimbryant: Ratings shmatings. The Wire had poor ratings, but is considered one of the best television shows of all time. And with 4.6 million viewers per episode, Girls ratings don’t support the “flop” allegations.
http://articles.latimes.com/2013/mar/18/entertainment/la-et-ct-hbo-girls-ratings-20130318
QuintoLover
@jimbryant:
Yeah, like Jimstoic said, 4.6 million for a cable subscription show? I don’t think that’s exactly a flop. Especially when there’s a lot of competition on Sundays.
QuintoLover
As for this show, Idk how I feel about it. For obvious reasons (my screenname) I hate Jonathan Groff (before he was Quinto’s ex though, I still felt kinda off about him and don’t think I’d like to see a show with him as the star) and being only 21, I can’t exactly relate to what gay middle aged men go through. I kinda wish the spectrum was a little more open with gays of different generations. 20 something gays aren’t really well represented on TV either. Just a ‘SPECIAL’ episode with an emotional gay subplot once every other season on random shows to keep GLAAD off their backs.
Daniel-Reader
It should be interesting to check out. Weekend was an interesting take on a specific relationship. Hopefully they don’t make it as though gay guys have to do drugs or booze it up to have a life.
Aaron
I’m trying to see how straight men? and women would find this appealing to watch being that they make up the majority of HBO subscriptions. Based on this preview alone, it doesn’t look enticing from a narrative perspective.
BrandoPolo
“If there is one show that every gay is going to watch this January, it’s definitely Looking.”
I can personally debunk this declaration.
damienbasile
“Looking” aka “Gays” X_X
KDub
It won’t be anything like Sex in the City because SITC lasted for 6 seasons. =)
BrandoPolo
@KDub: ftw
viveutvivas
‘Weekend’ bored me to death. I don’t understand its cult following.