We’re six episodes into the eight-episode first season of HBO’s Looking, and still somehow in the expository stage of the storytelling relying on broad brush strokes when it comes to character development. The show’s creator, Michael Lannan, clearly had archetypes on the brain when he mapped out his San Francisco universe.
This is not unusual. Seems like gays are as easily categorized: Looking‘s serial antecedents, Queer As Folk, Tales of the City, and, especially, Will & Grace, relied heavily on archetypes, if not downright stereotypes.
We hope as the story progresses these characters will flesh out and feel more like three dimensional human beings, but that said, here are the tropes we’ve noticed so far.
Are these an accurate portrayal of gay life? What do you hope to see more (or less) of?
How about we take this to the next level?
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The Man-child – Patrick (Jonathan Groff)
The naif is on the slow track to emotional maturity, getting by on boyish charm and searching for answers that should have been resolved half a decade ago. He’s only ever had one boyfriend, and is like, totally open to dating, but always gets so flustered around guys and says, you know, the wrong thing, and acts like, totally, what’s the word, awkward. Oh, and he’s never really been fucked right, but he’s open to that, too.
Once he has some sense pounded into him, he’ll stop overthinking.
The Open Book – Richie (Raúl Castillo)
The perfect foil for the man-child is the open book. He hasn’t had an easy go at life, and his rough past has left him older than his age. He knows who he is, what he wants and has a foundation that can’t be rocked. What this guy lacks in a fancy title and a 401k, he makes up for with solid self-assurance. Nothing makes him squirm, and no subject is off limits — especially sex. If he doesn’t like how an encounter is heading, he has no problem pulling the plug, so to speak. But he has no time for bullshit, and can smell it from a mile away. He’s loyal to a T and will be your biggest advocate until you cross him.
Then you’ll be lucky if he ever returns your call.
The Art Fag – Agustín (Frankie J. Alvarez)
The art fag is on a nonstop quest for creation, and his insatiable need for discovery may be his biggest flaw in the “real” world. He follows his heart, whether that leads him to move in with his boyfriend, indulge sexual fantasies, have a bite of meat despite being a vegetarian or even make a little spending money on the side as a hustler. But always following the hart can land him in hot water, especially when he’s easily seduced by a pretty smile and a confident demeanor.
Eventually he’ll find his own creative confidence but until then he doesn’t quite know who he is or what he wants.
The Accommodator – Frank (O.T. Fagbenle)
This people pleaser is everything you think you’d want in a boyfriend — kind, sensitive, sexy and madly in love/committed. He’s so in love that he’s willing to make minor concessions to make his relationship work, and knows if he pushed for monogamy it may cause a serious rift. These compromises start out small: a hot threesome here, a hotter threesome there…what could go wrong? But he’s really only setting himself up for eventual disaster and hurt. Even getting his man to abandon the temptations of SF for the quieter life in Oakland can’t save him in the end.
One day he’ll wake up and realize he’s given up so much that he’s lost sight of his relationship’s fiery core.
The Aging Stud – Dom (Murray Bartlett)
Since college, the aging stud has been living the sweet life carving more notches on the bedpost than he could ever hope to recall. Sex is his drug of choice, though he’s tried just about every other one for kicks. But something unexpected has happened to him lately — when he walks into a room, not as many heads turn as they used to, and that six letter word he’s avoided like the plague, career, is starting to make him feel inadequate. Young guys are not immediately hopping into his bed any more, even though he still has his share of conquests.
The aging stud is grappling with mortality for the first time, and if he puts half as much thought into making his dreams come true as he does into getting laid, perhaps he will find success and fulfillment.
The Fruit Fly – Doris (Lauren Weedman)
She’s sassy; she’s real; she’s always willing to tell you uncomfortable truths. The fruit fly is someone you’re lucky to keep in your corner for as long as possible. For the time being she’s perfectly content shaking up with her GBF (gay best friend) and putting up with his steady stream of tricks. Hell, she loves the entertainment factor of things like listening to them sing in the shower. But you can’t emotionally lean on her forever.
This career girl is no nonsense, and the day will come that she drops the Tales of The City act to forge out on her own or start a family.
The Young DINK – Kevin (Russell Tovey)
The young DINK (double income, no kids) holds down a job and a salary that most people twice his age haven’t reached. Add to that his partner’s equally large paychecks and you have yourself a seriously loaded duo. He works for a cool, hip tech company (duh) and from the outside has it all figured out. But delve deeper and naturally you’ll find trouble in paradise. Mo money mo problems, as it were. He may be plugged into the tech scene, the obvious home of the gay techie, but he’s very much an outsider when it comes to socializing outside the office.
If he drops the holier-than-thou routine he could have a hell of a lot of fun with the common folk.
The Institution – Lynn (Scott Bakula)
The institution has been around the block. And back. He’s accumulated wealth over the last few decades by settling down in the gay part of town and successfully owning and operating a small business. Like, oh, say a flower shop with a cutesy name like Buds. He is the evolution of the aging stud, if said stud ever manages to catch a break and get his shit together. While he’s certainly turned on by the aging stud, he also sees in him a younger version of himself and is happy to be his friend, mentor and if he sees a solid business plan, investor.
But he’s no chump. The only way to gain his respect is through hard work and elbow grease. There are no free rides, even for a pretty face.
oilburner
Its a shame OK not really that this show won’t be back after the end of this season
ED49
It’s a boring show trying to be interesting. Besides homos are always the same, looking for a big one, a porno star or victims because their parents dont’ acept them.
balehead
So much hate from the self haters….
Ron Jackson
Hmmm… six episodes of eight and not much has happened. I’m still on the fence about this show. It’s not exactly cutting edge. It’s not really that bad, but it’s not really that good either.
The show has not made me want to anxiously await each episode. If I were to watch the first six episodes in one sitting I would probably get bored and move on.
yaoming
Only 5 LOOKING posts this morning?
Cam
@yaoming:
I know, there are 3 postings on the front page right now about the show. Most likely, since GAycities which owns Queerty is based in SF, and looking and it’s creators are based there there is probably some crossover/favors.
The plotlines are still somewhat scattered, but if it actually goes for realism and the artist/douchebag loses his boyfriend I will at least give it points for realism. The other two stories seem to have finally gotten some legs, so it’s kept me watching, but it was a close call. Can the show dump the irritating artist and give his boyfriend more time on screen? That guy actually seems like a person.
ggreen
Patrick: Everything’s always been handed to me I never work for anything. It’s my birthright.
Augustin: Bitchy fag that always tells everyone but himself the “truth” when it’s convenient for him and hurts others the most.
Dom:. Once flaunted something (looks, muscles or big penis) that is no longer coin of the realm. Prognosis negative (drugs, booze, suicide or a little of all 3).
Dev.C
I’m finding myself avoiding confrontation by talking about this show with other gay men,but Looking is my guilty pleasure these days. I feel had it been released on Netflix as a whole season ready to go rather than waiting every week for a quickie, this show would be a complete success. I myself love everything about the show, it’s something different than a tv show about gay night clubers, drug obsessed man children, and sexually confused/fluid lookers trying to get over whatever superficial hang ups they have about their sexuality.
I appreciate Looking for being better than that.
Darling Nikki
Dom and Richie are the only 2 fully fleshed characters. I love Russell Tovey and they should just make him a main character. Unfortunately, this show just feels like a scratch sketch of an idea than an actual developed series.
Cam
@Darling Nikki:
You nailed it! Or in video game speak, I feel like I’m watching a beta test.
ED49
This show lost credibility when the main queen said that he doesn’t have sex until he gets to know the person. No homo stops sex unless he is rejected for being overweight, a small penis or not being attractive and his ego is too high to pay for it. NO QUEEN REJECTS DICK IN REAL LIFE.
Then , they use the boring latino guy as the Romeo of the series. It would be more interesting to see fighting for who gets more from the double headed dildo.
The real life of a porno star would be more interesting and educational to watch than this stupid homo show
viveutvivas
@ggreen, a “little” suicide?
viveutvivas
@ED49, “NO QUEEN REJECTS DICK IN REAL LIFE.”
Right on, sister!
Cam
@ED49:
So you are saying that Zachary Quinto is going to sleep with every hideous person who hits on him? Maybe the desperate folks will, but just like a straight guy will turn down a woman he isn’t interested in, so will gay guys. And also F-You for making me have to defend Looking! lol
Niall
@ED49: One would hope you were being tongue in cheek, but if you were not, please speak for yourself. Yes, I will have a random hook up from time to time, but there are actually some gay guys(good looking ones at that and probably better looking than you) who are not interested in such things and will wait to have an emotional connection. Not everyone wants to hop on a dick without thought.
SteveDenver
Stereotypes exist for a reason and LOOKING varies them slightly and keeps the interactions fresh and honest with a touch of faultiness.
For instance, Patrick the Naif is beginning to realize that part of his weakness is his motormouth. Being paired with Open Book Richie is a great tango: Richie calls him out and luckily does not seem to hold a grudge.
Our aging stud is a restaurant waiter who is beginning to feel ashamed of where he is in life, but has not yet achieved the maturity or savvy to realize when you’re asking investors for money, don’t ridicule their interests.
I’m glad that the female archetype in the group is strong, honest and likeable. I think the missing female character is the party girl — perhaps a powerhouse junior publicist — who is cute as a button, also smart, and brokenhearted over not converting the affections of her queer.
Augustin’s odd supply of money without visible means of support is bothersome. How does he pay for the hustler’s time with no job? That storyline evades me. The threesome thing will make sense if it breaks them up and both end up with nothing (because the third is a hustler).
Then there’s the institution: I know only two men who are the age group represented by Bakula’s character who look that good. He needs some junior fans: boys who love the silver fox, perhaps a couple who are hanging around because of the money, and Bakula not being the celibate saint.
As for those who want to claw away at the show: why are you here, bitches?
redcarpet
All you queens saying its boring and nothing “happens”, what is it you are wanting to happen?
The action happens in the interactions between each character and deciphering what they are thinking and what their motivations are. I find it quite compelling to wonder why Patrick is so bumbling and I suspect there is a whole mess of trauma in his background that he’s not letting on about. The relationship between him and Richie seems to be on the edge of a knife and when he said the B word my reaction was “NOOO”.
If you need QAF level soap antics and plot twists I can understand your boredom, but treated as a role-play or fly-on-the wall show that it is, it is quite compelling.
iMort
Bored now.But when i was young, I always liked the older hot guys. Bakula still makes me wet. If I want reality I’ll just go hang out in the Castro. ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
CCTR
These archetypes are pretty spot on but as the series progresses and episodes get better and better they have loosened a bit.
-Patrick seems more socially immature than emotional immature
-Richie wouldn’t have given Patrick a second chance if he “didn’t have time for BS”.
-Augustin is too uptight and angry to simply be a heart follower
-Frank spot on
-Dom was the accommodator in his past relationship, but is clearly now the aging stud taking inventory of his career
-Doris is more Dom’s Grace in that she still may have some feelings for her once boyfriend Will/Dom
-DINK is new to me, but it fits Kevin
-The Institution is new to me also, a bit complex but it fits Lynn
SteveDenver
@Dev.C: Isn’t it also refreshing to have a gay-themed show where we haven’t seen ONE Barcelona chair? And where characters don’t look like a fashion show? LOOKING is a public-transportation version of San Francisco.
When ‘Queer As Folk’ aired, a reporter estimated the cost of the wardrobe and abodes of each main character based on what was seen during the first year, and what they would need to earn. Even for Pittsburgh those boys were living high. It was pretty hilarious.
ED49
@Niall: Baby, probably you are not that attractive ( and it’s ok nothing wrong with that) because if you were living in a gay city…there is no way you would keep your legs closed. A gay guy doesn’t do you when you are not that attractive UNLESS you have a big D .98% of gay world is superficial so just stop playing hard to get and go to a bookstore and put the butt in the hole
SteveDenver
@redcarpet: I really like your assessment. The complaints I hear about the show almost sound like they’re from failed filmmakers — if we can give the commenters that much credit.
Wondering if you’ve seen the British version of QAF? It had a limited number of episodes with a prescribed arc for each character. The nightclubs don’t look like the hottest circuit party on earth, and there is no “gay street.” The American QAF made me chuckle derisively at its depiction of PITTSBURGH as the gay epicenter of the United States. That and the fact all of its characters looked like they “just stepped out of a salon.”
SteveDenver
@ED49: We get it: You measure your self worth in inches. You see the world through a gloryhole. You are the target market for every bar, sex shop, hook-up forum and men’s underwear ad featuring shirtless bodybuilders. And to a lot of us you simply GLOW with the possibility of skid marks and STDs.
Cam
@redcarpet: said…
“All you queens saying its boring and nothing “happens”, what is it you are wanting to happen?
The action happens in the interactions between each character and deciphering what they are thinking and what their motivations are.”
__________________________________
Two quick things RedCarpet. You seem to think that people don’t like the show because they don’t understand what it is supposed to be about. No, actually everybody knows what it is supposed to be about. It just doesn’t do it well. Many of the characters are two dimensional and the at least one of the storylines is idiotic. But nice try.
Secondly, I always think it’s interesting when somebody supposedly defending something gay attack others with anti-gay language. Sorry that not everybody likes a simplistic plot with unbelievable characters. But before you come on to a gay blog to defend it, you might want to stand in front of a mirror and learn to do normal gay a bit better.
CCTR
@Cam: Curious to know what storyline you find idiotic and what makes many of the characters two dimensional? Do you think that the show is supposed to be about a simplistic plot involving ordinary men and their navigation through their present day lives?
Stache1
OMG this is a great show and it’s picking up steam fast. The characters are so multi dimensional. Just like you see in real life.
Dev.C
I think gay men who are not familiar with gay city life in places like San Francisco find Looking hard to relate to. Being that I live in SF I find the show to be an accurate depiction of gay men in the city. The majority of us are not over the top or superficially flamboyant. gay men in San Francisco are laid back and we only judge each other for being assholes, we don’t have time for melodrama. As for people not finding the show diverse enough, all it’s really missing is a gay asian, otherwise it’s on the nose.
If Looking doesn’t resinate with you then fine, but stop ruining it for those of us who want to see a show about real people.
lesnesman
You guys are commenting on an advertisement.
Cam
@CCTR: said…
“@Cam: Curious to know what storyline you find idiotic and what makes many of the characters two dimensional? Do you think that the show is supposed to be about a simplistic plot involving ordinary men and their navigation through their present day lives?”
_________________________
I think the storyline with the one couple and the hustler is idiotic. The pseudo artist pretending to hire the hustler as a project. It’s eye rollingly idiotic in my opinion.
As for 2 dimensional. I think that Jonathan Groff’s character is continually played as ridiculously naive and inexperienced. I get that they wanted a character like that, but then they shouldn’t have made him not only have been out and living in SF for a decade but being friends with a group of fairly wild and jaded friends. the chracter was played at the beginning as if Groff was a 19 year old who just moved to SF, not as a 30 year old who had been dating and hanging out with his jaded friends for a decade.
Also, the “Artists” boyfriend is so far just a smile, there to say “Ok honey” and not much else.
And lastly, the Artist and Groff’s character. We are not shown any reason that they are friends, we are not really shown much affection between them, or anything that they engage in together. When they do the artist fellow is a bit snotty, or as in the last episode plain nasty.
The flaws aren’t insurmountable, but I think many of the relationships in the show seem to have been put in place without trying to make us see the backstory or why they exist.
Cam
@Dev.C: said…
“Being that I live in SF I find the show to be an accurate depiction of gay men in the city. The majority of us are not over the top or superficially flamboyant. gay men in San Francisco are laid back and we only judge each other for being assholes, we don’t have time for melodrama.
__________________________
So the show is accurate for SF, because you are laid back and only judge assholes? And yet the show has had people judge others by their race, age, and job. So which is it? Is the show accurate and you area ll judging everybody on age, race, and job status, or is the show false and you are all just laid back and non-judgemental?
viveutvivas
@ED49, ROFL.
viveutvivas
I just can’t believe people still complain about shows because “nothing happens.” I mean, there have been very good plot-free shows, starting with Thirtysomething back in the day, Seinfeld, The Office, Parks and Recreation, etc.
If you don’t think it is good then you should at least come up with a better reason than that “nothing happens.”
Darling Nikki
The show is not working because it is clearly focussed on the character of Patrick, a milque-toast with nothing to offer the canvas. He is written and protrayed without any believable depth. He’s cardboard. No one cares to learn his story.
Thus the problem with the show.
Dom is fine (in more ways than one).
The Augustin character makes NO sense. He hasn’t any money in the first episode to now being able to rent a guy?
Seriously?
Ritchie is actually a lovely change of pace as a character. He is interesting. Which baffles viewers with his interest in Patrick.
I really tried to love this show, but it seems to be a rough sketch of something that should’ve been developed further.
If this show was meant to be this pastiche of what modern friendship is amongst gay men, it is downright depressing.
No one really listening to each other. No one really knowing each other.
Does “Looking” mean just being able to look outside that character’s myoptic self as an accomplishment?
Show lacks cohesion, context and depth. And it isn’t entertaining.
Thus it’s boring and shallow which is hard to do.
I only watch now for the few glimpses of Dom’s character.
Darling Nikki
The show doesn’t have to be salacious, overtly sexual or even have a continuous plot line like a soap opera but it HAS TO BE CONSISTENT and INTERESTING.
Just because characters are gay doesn’t end the character development.
Like @Cam said, the backstory and relationships context make no sense. How in the world were college friends, roommates and friends of 10 years Agustin and Patrick so ignorant of each other, so lacking of the others tics and habits?
It is poor writing and character development.
As gay consumers, we’re no longer just happy to see gay people in shows. We want more. Especially since this show was supposed to be about friendship. I see no evidence of friendship. They all feel like random acquaintances. And I don’t want to hear that it has to do with the show being new. Then write the premise that these guys just met and not know each other for about a decade. If the premise was these are gay men in San Francisco who met within the past six months then the show would seem more plausible by leaps and bounds. It’s the underlying structure that is bare bones.
And to top it all off and have the show revolve around a man-child that is so boring, I just can’t.
I critique out of disappointment.
It’s like the old joke. No body watches gay cinema because it’s any good, it’s because we have nothing better.
Cam
@viveutvivas: said…
I just can’t believe people still complain about shows because “nothing happens.” I mean, there have been very good plot-free shows, starting with Thirtysomething back in the day, Seinfeld, The Office, Parks and Recreation, etc.
________________________
Those shows had plots, but even so, the complaint about looking wasn’t that story lines didn’t exist, it was that they were stupid.
CCTR
@Cam: Thanks for your response! What you describe as flaws of the show I would describe as (and others that are not enjoying the show very much )you simply would like to see a different story being told.
I once felt the same way about Patrick but as others have pointed out the obvious that not everyone out and living in SF acts a particular way. The fact that he acts in a manner that doesn’t seem as consistent with the expectations we might have for someone out and living in SF for a decade makes him all the more interesting as we are left to figure out and piece together reasons for his inexperience and behavior.
His friends do not appear very wild and only Augustin seems to be somewhat jaded at this point.
The artist’s boyfriend is not one of the three lead characters therefore he and Doris and Lynn get less screen time but they play important parts in the story. For Patrick and Augustin we learned that they were in college together and moved to the city together and have been roommates since (I think). Haven’t Augustin and Patrick been together in all but one episode?
The show is new and each episode is less than 30 minutes but I think they drop hints as to the backstory for all the friendships. The show so far has been mainly about the present hence the question I posed to you “Do you think that the show is supposed to be about a simplistic plot involving ordinary men and their navigation through their present day lives?”
Again thanks for responding, it’s just that I enjoy the show so much I was curious as to some specific things that people were not liking about it. You seem to find some redeeming appeals of the show which is great! I want to see a season 2 🙂
roddyboy4848
I like the show so far because scott bakula is in this show as a gayman if he was gay in real life I would love to have sex with him he is to die for as a gay man
robho3
All This bickering on here is moot. The show is just not good and won’t be picked up for a second season.
B Damion
I was really hoping the show would get better. And to make matters worst, their are only 8 total 30min eps for the season? lol! this was a joke. I hope it doesn’t come back. What a tease.
shame on you Michael Lannan…this show should have been on logo. It’s not HBO worthy. Thank god for Game of Thrones. Hopefully that show will makeup for the lackluster TV season thus far
CCTR
“Like @Cam said, the backstory and relationships context make no sense. How in the world were college friends, roommates and friends of 10 years Agustin and Patrick so ignorant of each other, so lacking of the others tics and habits?”
The premise of the story is that they are growing and trying to settle into a new period of their lives, people can be friends since childhood and can develop different tics and habits that they did not have before. Some of the experiences they are having now are new for them. There is no evidence that they are ignorant of each other.
Anyhows I have defended the show enough. I give up! 🙂 Some of us love it and some hate it. Entertainment
ChuckGG
I could not get through the first episode. Until the cellphone rang, I thought it was a period piece from the 1970’s. There are still people out there like that? I guess I’m getting too old.
Curtispsf
The writers lost me when they made that comment that “everyone supports the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus but NOBODY wants to hear them sing”
That may have been the case 10 years ago, but in 2010 they hired the BEST Choral Artistic Director in the country, Dr. Tim Seelig, and since then their ranks have swelled to over 300 singers and they have had to turn down singers who audition.
All of their shows have been sold out and they have embarked on some incredibly creative and artistic ventures such as recording Testimony, a song written for them by Steven Schwartz based on words from the “It Get’s Better Project, and they performed soldout shows with Schwartz.
In 2012 they performed and recorded “I Am Harvey Milk” which was written by Andrew Lippa who sang the role of Harvey Milk and Laura Benanti sang the part of Harvey’s mother. Their 2013 Christmas show at the SF Opera House was delayed by 25 minutes as staff added extra seats to accommodate an overflow crowd. In March they perform Songs From the American Handbook AND “Tyler’s Suite”, songs inspired by the life of Tyler Clementi. Steven Schwartz took the lead in gathering together well known composers and lyricists who each composed a song for the suite.
I could go on, but the point is times have changed. And so have perceptions. The writers for this show may think they know the San Francisco LGBT Community, but they clearly know NOTHING about today’s SF Gay Men’s Chorus.
And oh yeah, the characters are a little thin, too. Give them a life and some accurate lines.
ED49
@SteveDenver: Baby love Steve, I might be the only homo who care less about all the items you have described. For what you are saying you’d rather go to a library and read Martha Stewart’s latest baking book ( i dont blame you) than having a big one going down and out your throat. I’m sure you watch PBS and who knows maybe Pat Robertson too;]. It’s all fine Steve, you know why? because we live in the greatest country of the world! our beautiful America! where you can go to 8th ave in NY City and sniff a sweaty crotch and if you want to take a chance to get an STD you put it… somewhere in your body; after all it’s your choice and decision.
mick4reg
I don’t Know if My Age, or my Gayness is what I feel for this show,
But whom-ever wrote it tried to catch something a lot of Older gays hope some-one would,,
But-At-Last they did Not,
How many times can you put Ultra Pretty white boys together and then claim this is gay Life,???
Will in Will & Grace was not Gay,
he was a Young, Rich, White Lawyer who was confused,,,,
Jack was gay,, and god knows every gay man on tv since has been JACK!!!
The Characters are just that Hollywood Characters,,,
viveutvivas
@ED49, ROFL again.
Dixie Rect
Agreed – this show is just boring.
muscl954
How ’bout a character that is middle-age, long term HIV+ (this IS SF, after all!), who has lived thru the death of a couple lovers/partners (but still hopes there might be another love in his life), financially stable(but not wealthy), still good-looking (but losing his hair, so he’s self-conscious), has occasional ED due to his meds and lack of self-esteem (See: hair loss and ED)but still keeps an upbeat attitude and is supportive of his friends? Oh, sorry, that’s a real person – not a stereotype.
Dev.C
@Cam you are nit picking my statement in order to defend your biases. The show’s depiction of race, age, job’s and individuals personal judgment of such is something most Americans or people in a urban environment share. My point in my earlier statement was that gay men from a curtain sec. of the country would appreciate/ identify with Looking more so than others. My only objective was to give some perspective on the polarizing reception of the show, which you obviously seem to be at an end of.
ED49
@muscl954: Maybe you are too young of a queen to have seen” love Story” in the seventies with Ryan O. or maybe “the way we were” with Barbara S? let me get my handkerchief and dry my tears .
These days HIV is not a secret if you have it, take the pill and your chances to survive are great; and actually HIV- guys are discriminated against. Anyone with cancer has a story, lung cancer from not smoking or from smoking, brain tumors from all the crystal meth that went to the brain . so what you suggest does not sound appealing. Sounds like a Spanish soap opera with the same old theme – and thats stereotype.
babybabybaby
This show is about as exciting as watching paint dry at least Queer as Folk and Noahs Ark had some bite in there storylines…
babybabybaby
@roddyboy4848:Even Scott could not help this crappy show…
Professor Fate
Why is this show so gawdawful boring??
With more acceptance and familiarity of the LGBT community in the US, and much less Gay angst because of this, it really makes stories about us less compelling than they used to be.
ronniebs
I know the show divides people, even between my friends. However, I’ve loved it since the beginning. In particular, that 5th episode was so beautifully done. I like the half-hour format. Each episode reveals a little something about the characters, both good & bad. I understand why people find it boring. For one thing, it is character-driven. It’s just not enough action for many. I find the characters relatable in a way that Queer As Folk (US) never could. I know the audience is small, but it’s been growing steadily each episode. I hope HBO keeps it.
pierrot
People find this show boring because it lacks the drama! The screaming queens! The cheating and the scandals!
Look this isn’t Gossip Girl.
I actually really like the show. The characters are very real and believable, and every episode feels like I’m learning more and more about them. The development is so subtle yet elegant. Nothing feels rushed, although perhaps that may be a problem to others with a shorter attention span.
Cam
@pierrot:
I don’t think that is the case. I think that we have reached a point in gay acceptance that simply having a show with gay characters isn’t enough anymore. It has to be well done.
davincibarnette
@lesnesman: I thought I was the only one who realized it. LOL !!
davincibarnette
@muscl954: Wow! What you described is better than anything I’ve seen on the show so far. That should have been the Dom character. Certainly would have been more interesting.
davincibarnette
@ED49: Please! In what World are HIV- individuals discriminated against ?! There’s no need to lie to attempt to make a point.
darkorient
We get it, you hate Looking. Now can you NOT stand in front of your computer eagerly waiting to comment on every post on this show?
Niall
@ED49: Lol, should have realized I wasn’t talking to someone looking to make a sensible point right from the start, but I know that now. Thanks.
saywhat
Gay people make me sick, and I am gay. I am so tired of hearing people bash this show for what they call “the gay stereotype” when going out to clubs and chasing dick is what 95% of you do. Get over yourselves. Most of you are reading this article in-between checking Grindr and Sruff for new messages.
saywhat
Gay people make me sick, and I am gay. I am so tired of hearing people bash this show for what they call “the gay stereotype” when going out to clubs and chasing dick is what 95% of you do. Get over yourselves. Most of you are reading this article in-between checking Grindr and Scruff for new messages.
davincibarnette
@oilburner: Did you hear it was renewed?!