This is an article I wrote about QAF. I'm extremely proud of this article. Please keep in mind that it was written three years ago, so it only covers Seasons 1 and 2.
CONFESSIONS OF A "QAFFIE"
That great philosopher Mae West once described how I feel about Showtime's QUEER AS FOLK when she said, "Too much of a good thing can be wonderful!" I admit I'm hopelessly addicted to QUEER AS FOLK — and I'm certainly not alone. But there are very good reasons for the show's addictiveness. Neither its originality nor its popularity show any sign of waning. Excellently written, photographed and acted, QUEER AS FOLK has earned the loyalty of its fans, both gay and straight. I have a name for fans of QAF: "Qaffies." Let me explain. STAR TREK fans are called "Trekkies," TWIN PEAKS followers are "Peakies," so why shouldn't QUEER AS FOLK queens like me have a nickname too? Therefore, I've now introduced a new word into pop culture...QAFFIES! Like it or not, if you watch QUEER AS FOLK, you're a Qaffie!
The show has received a measure of criticism from certain gay columnists (including TV GUIDE's resident b***h, Matt Roush) calling it "increasingly crude and self-righteous" and making references to "an ever-increasing nudity quotient." This type of criticism most likely comes from people who saw the first few episodes of Season 1 and haven't watched since. Regular QAF viewers know full well that there was far less sex depicted in the show's second season. This could be because viewers have become acclimated to the sex, and the show's creators no longer feel the need to push the envelope. In any case, QUEER AS FOLK has never been all about the sex. It's a character-driven, relationship-oriented series, and the sex is depicted not gratuitously or for shock value, but as a natural part of the lives of its characters.
For me, one of the most impressive aspects of the show (and one which most critics seem to have missed) is its attention to detail. For instance, how many critics (or even Qaffies) have noticed that every episode has its own theme? Some are more obvious than others, but each episode has some underlying thread that connects all of the storylines. Season 1 had themes such as mothers and sons, fathers and sons, dangerous liaisons, fighting your nature. Season 2 included themes such as fallen heroes, following your dream, parent-child conflict, and gay pride. This is certainly not a necessity to the show, but for those of us who notice, the details augment our enjoyment. I also love the subtle jokes the writers insert from time to time. For example, during Season 1, Episode 10 (yes, it's true — I actually know the episodes by number!) Dr. Dave has asked Michael to move in with him. Michael: "It's a big step." David: "Watch out for the dog poop." Season 1, Episode 13: Emmett tries to go straight by joining "See the Light" and his recruiter, Matt, is giving him a pep talk. Emmett: Thank you, Matt, for your support." Matt: "That's why I'm here—to make sure you don't slip." Season 2, Episode 8: Michael has just had sex with a "perfect" blind date. Mr. Perfect: "You might want to consider a penile extension." Michael: "Thanks for the tip." Season 2, Episode 15: Michael and Justin are collaborating on a comic book, and Michael phones Justin at 4 a.m. Michael: "I just had a brilliant idea. Maybe we could have a chiropractor as the villain!" Could I be the only one who notices stuff like this?
QUEER AS FOLK has also benefitted me on a personal level: it's gotten me out of the house. Whenever any QAF cast members make an in-person appearance, I'm there! I've also become a semi-regular at The Revolver in West Hollywood, which in itself is something of a miracle since I've never been a clubber or a socialite in any shape or form. But going to The Revolver to see QUEER AS FOLK is quite a different experience from watching it in the privacy of one's own home, I've discovered. Every Sunday night, a large yet amazingly well-behaved crowd of Qaffies shows up to watch QAF, and the feeling of camaraderie inherent to this is something I don't experience very often. Now I haven't made any new friends or gotten laid, but at least I've become a little less of a hermit, which is definitely a step in the right direction! So in this respect QUEER AS FOLK has changed my life for the better.
I'm amazed at the shallow, superficial, short-sighted nature of some of the criticism leveled at the show, particularly at its lead character, the enigmatic Brian Kinney. I've heard Brian referred to as a sex addict, empty, shallow, and "just a walking dick." I know I'll be scoffed at for saying this, but Brian is not a sex addict! Brian is a very wounded guy who has always viewed falling in love as a giving-up of control. He would feel threatened by the notion of relinquishing control of his life or his body (which is partly why he's a total top) and uses sex as a way of maintaining that control. But far from being shallow, Brian is deeply human, and does care a great deal about his friends. Not only is Brian Kinney one of the most complex, multi-layered characters ever created for television, but QAF creators Ron Cowen and Dan Lipman were exceedingly lucky to find Gale Harold to play him. Capable of conveying enormous emotion with the most subtle of gestures—a blink of his eyes, a turn of his head—Harold at times recalls the finest work of Olivier and Garbo. He's an actor of remarkable intelligence and depth.
We are also very fortunate to have Randy Harrison and Peter Paige playing, respectively, Justin Taylor and Emmett Honeycutt. As openly gay actors, they connect with us Qaffies in a way the other actors sometimes don't. Since we know they're gay in real life, the characters they play tend to take on an added emotional reality for us, even if it's only in our minds. If Brian is the centerpiece of QUEER AS FOLK, Justin is its most important, influential character. From the very beginning Justin has affected and changed the lives of the other characters. It was Justin who named Brian and Lindsay's baby "Gus," Justin who got Brian and Michael to reconcile after the birthday party fiasco, Justin who blackmailed Kip into dropping his sexual-harassment lawsuit against Brian, Justin who helped Brian get Lindsay and Melanie (the enchanting Thea Gill and Michelle Clunie) back together. Justin also encouraged Debbie to investigate the background of the murdered kid she found in the dumpster, which led to Detective Horvath asking her on a date, her first in ten years! Most importantly though, Justin has affected enormous changes in Brian. He is clearly very much in love with Justin, to the point of agreeing to his first committed live-in relationship (in his fashion) and displaying far more vulnerability than ever before. And if Harrison and Harold both do great work on their own, their scenes together are positively electric! These two guys have a chemistry with each other that is palpable. Each brings out the best in the other: they're a great screen couple—a gay Bogie and Bacall!
My father never really came to terms with my sexual orientation — or with my own acceptance of it. He preferred to tell himself that I was "confused," "searching," etc. Shortly before he died, he told me he still didn't think I knew what-the-hell I was. I wish I could tell my dad now that watching Brian and Justin together (in or out of bed), I am very aware, and very proud, that I am indeed gay.
The contributions made by Peter Paige (and Emmett) to QAF can't be taken for granted, either. That the show's most flamboyantly gay character is played by a gay man is significant in that it thrusts Paige into a political spotlight he might not be in were he playing, say, Ted. Paige has admitted that playing Emmett has forced him to confront his own issues of internalized homophobia. Ours, as well. Emmett's effeminate mannerisms are those most associated with gays by homophobic straights. And since over half of the QAF audience is straight, they too must be confronted by this effeminate man who is also multi-dimensional, humane, relentlessly honest and immensely lovable. This helps straights—and gays—to see Emmett not as a caricature or a stereotype but as a living, breathing gay man with whom they can identify. This is especially beneficial for straight people with relatives or co-workers who behave as Emmett does, and for those of us with unresolved issues regarding our own behavior.
The show's other strongest asset is Debbie Novotny (the sublime Sharon Gless). The kind of gay-supportive mom most of us can only wish for, QAF's den mother and everyone's favorite fag hag (besides Liza) has had much more of an impact than she would probably guess. Membership in PFLAG chapters across America has grown substantially since the show debuted in December of 2000. And thanks to Debbie — and QAF — my relationship with my mother has greatly improved. At my request, my mom started watching my tapes of the show with me. It was important to me that she see QUEER AS FOLK because I felt it would be a window for her into who I am as a gay man. Reluctantly at first, she started watching with me. It took a few episodes, as I knew it would, for her to become accustomed to the tone of the show. Her initial discomfort had mostly to do with the sex scenes, which she still looks away from. But she has grown to love the characters (interestingly, Emmett is one of her favorites) and she gets just as involved with the storylines as any other Qaffie. And seeing such a loving and accepting mother as Debbie week after week has raised her own tolerance level more than I'd thought possible.
Sometimes we underestimate the importance of each of our voices in creating positive change in the world. At the time QAF debuted, Showtime ran a short titled "Is America Ready For QUEER AS FOLK?" Judging by the show's tremendous success, the answer is a resounding YES! The voice of QUEER AS FOLK is being heard loud and clear by Qaffies of all genders and persuasions. And since Showtime has renewed the show for two more years, this voice will not be stilled anytime soon. How fabulously fortunate we are to have it!
Big Gay Andy
19 Nov 2005, 6:12 pm
). but what a fabulous review - immaculately written, and utterly compelling to read.
