Before I even sat down to watch this promotional trailer for The A-List, I was prepared to be offended. It’s tricky though – and now I’m torn. The concept of a Real Housewife-esque take on gay couples and gay relationships is interesting, but instead of going for some kind of boring, cerebral, documentary-style look at upper-middle class gay couplings, the LOGO Network (the network for gays, and people who enjoy gay-themed programming) really decided to take the Real Housewives model and just blatantly copy it. This show isn’t about being gay – much like the Bravo Real Housewives shows aren’t about being straight. The A-List is just about a–holes who just happen to be gay. Much like RHONJ is about trashy women who just happen to live in New Jersey.
Now, does The A-List seem like it’s probably-definitely going to be offensive? Yes. But I get offended by the Real Housewives shows too. I get offended as a woman and as an American, and the idea that ANY Real Housewife (other than RHOA’s NeNe) would represent American Womanity in any way, shape or form is reprehensible. And yet, there are women out there like that. Just as there are gay dudes out there in world who will totally relate to The A-List. Does it perpetuate some of the worst stereotypes about gay dudes? Yep. And my guess is that it will probably be a runaway success for LOGO too.
Some of the “A-List” who appear on the show? Reichen Lehmkuhl, who used to date power-gay Lance Bass. Mike Ruiz, a fashion photographer. Ryan Nickulas, a hair salon owner. And their assorted boyfriends, who mostly sound like dudes who used to model but are now one paycheck/boyfriend away from being professional hustlers. Gawker has more details about the dudes here.
I can also admit this, in full disclosure: if my mother got LOGO, she would be all over this show. It would become her new favorite. She would recite all of the plotlines to me over the phone the next day. I know it. I feel it in my heart.
Here’s Reichen Lehmkuhl and his trophy boyfriend:
Here’s photographer Mike Ruiz. My guess? He’s like the Kelly Bensimon of the gheys.
Of course it will be offensive!! That’s the point. But I think gays will love it and that’s what LOGO is for, gays.
I have to admit that I love their gay travel shows where a very cute host goes to various cities and interviews members of the local gay population while touring the city. I like travel shows and these are interesting. Haven’t seen any new shows lately so I’m thinking they aren’t being filmed anymore. Other than that, I haven’t watched LOGO much. I think I might tune in to “The A List” but if it’s anything like those awful “Housewives” shows, I’ll only watch the first one.
Yeeeesh. If this dosen’t take gay rights back 25 years, nothing will. That being said, I can not wait to watch it (hangs head in shame).
@Snarf: If this dosen’t take gay rights back 25 years, nothing will.
see, i actually think it’s a step forward. at first, you’re vilified, then you’re deified, then you get to be an ass at the same rate as everyone else.
Hey something new to gossip about. Will look forward to the fab fashion and bitchfights. I loved Queer Eye and miss it. Kaiser, your mom sounds awesome. I got my mom into Mad Men and Modern Family so now we can trade bitchy opinions about something new, lol.
I’m so excited about this. Nothing makes me happier than a bunch of b*tchy queens!
LOGO is my fave! Of course, I’m a fruit fly 😛
Bitchy queens! It will be fabulous! Offensive, no.
Maybe I’m in the minority on this one, but this show is painfully offensive. Being allowed to make an ass out of yourself in some gay minstrel show isn’t progressive entertainment or a step towards equal rights. It’s just sad.
Yes this will be offensive, and a step in the wrong direction. But because the gay community is the one to do it to themselves, I think they just lost every right they have to criticize other shows/networks for their portrayal of gays.
I don’t think it’s going to be a “gay minstrel show”…Over the top? Stereotypical? Yes, probably. I think shows like this are making more of a statement of main-stream acceptance than making a mockery of gay men. The GLBT community is strong enough to support a show that appeals to the sterotype humor that permeates “reality” shows. I for one think it will probably be frontrum humor (just like RHONJ), it will appeal to LOGOs target demographic, and also probably pull in a decent cross section of younger viewers. You will have your beer-swilling, belt buckle rabid right-wing rednecks who may hate it, but the nice thing about TV-it goes away when you press the power button.
The Gays have just as much right to make plumb fools of themselves as any other group. We have the dumbass Housewives on Bravo. The young kids on VH1 and MTV. And equivalent jackassery on BET.
Gays: They’re just like us!
@Benjamin: So gay people shouldn’t be allowed to make asses of themselves on a gay network?
I don’t find any of this type of programming offensive. I don’t watch it, to be frank. I’ve never seen a full episode of any of these real housewives shows but those people exist. It’s not like they created a stereotype and put that on tv. Those people are real people who REALLY do behave that way.
There are such people are bitchy queens. There are power gays. There are trophy boyfriends/husbands. They do exist. And Logo is just doing what any network would do: taking what’s popular on tv now and making it appeal to their demographic.
well, I want to check it out–any level of fabulousness, is of interest to my lil humble boring life.
let the fuckery begin!!!
It will be wonderful. Being gay is the new black.. totally chic.. The show will be an absolute hit.. such a step forward for the movement… so mainstream
I’m gay and I definitely won’t watch it. Reality shows are just never… real. The characters are always so loathsome and idiotic. And, that Mike Ruiz is one ugly man. Just ugly.
Watched it last night.. The show was LAME! The salon owner his ASSistant, and the one that spray tans are horrible.. They’re like the wicked out of step sisters.. PS NOT CUTE AT ALL they are MONSTERS LOL! I hate this show.. I really hope that NYC gay life isn’t the way they make it out to be. PUKE!
These BITCHES! Are major drama queens But I guess there would be no show if otherwise. I can’t understand how someone can stand so firm on not having their personal business discussed amongst a few….BUT will allow it to be aired for the world…Hmmmm! I hope after this show Rodiney moved on from the lines of bullshit. He seems to be the most sincere of all anyway.
Reichen is a total bastard i just finished watching an airing of it and Reichen is playin both side of the fence. Which one is it you sick bitch. You love Rodney or your gonna run those little chopped bitches you call friends Ryan, T.J. The skinny no boy friend one and the loser ass, if i ever see him in any gay club i will smash his head in Austin. Thank god my life is not like that and i live a pretty fab life if i do say so. I love this show but hate them four queens
Just watched three episodes for the first time last night. It turned my stomach. Reichen, who is so darn handsome and accomplished, is boring and so insecure. He’s putting his BF through the ringer…doesn’t he know he’s on TV? Hello! We can see you! Stop being so selfish and stupid. Who cares if you support your BF — straight people do it all the time. The one thing you have plenty of is money, why is it so hard to share it with the person you love?
Derrick is so boring! Who cares what that spray-tan priss has to say? He’s taking people off “his list”? All of us should be so lucky.
This show is anything but “A List” except for Mike — the only real man on the show. He’s generous, kind, fun and the hottest guy on the show — by far.
Nope, this is anything but A list and the things they do are so not A list. They should talk to Kathy Griffith and see if they can use her “D List” now that she’s not using it.