Looking- New Gay TV show

Deaglain.12

Hey was looking at a trailer for the new HBO show looking about gay life in San Francisco. It's meant to be a realistic portrayal of gay men and not typical gay stereotype's . Just wondering if anyone else has seen it and think if it looks any good.

floggg

Deaglain.12 wrote: »

Hey was looking at a trailer for the new HBO show looking about gay life in San Francisco. It's meant to be a realistic portrayal of gay men and not typical gay stereotype's . Just wondering if anyone else has seen it and think if it looks any good.

It's only starting tonight in the states. Probably available tomorrow.

I've read some of the press and they are keen to stress it's a realistic portrayal of SOME gay men - not all of us. Which is good. That's a far better representation.

It's directed by the same guy who directed the film Weekend so I'm looking forward to seeing it myself.

whirlpool

The very first ever episode was shown in the U.S. last night and I have watched it. I enjoyed it. The opening scene was two guys about to engage in oral sex in the woods, so my hopes for a decent show were extremely low. Thankfully, however, all was not as it seemed and the show went on to be pretty good. I would recommend it. The closest thing I can compare it to is Sex and the City - it's almost like a gay version, just nowhere near as funny.

Barna77

It was rubbish....

So would probably watch it again. :pac:

Rick_

Please don't let this be another show where gays are portrayed as nothing more than stereotypes. We've had enough films and TV shows doing that for many years.

Barna77

^^^ A Dolly Parton tattoo and a bit of cruising on the first episode....

But no gym so far

:pac:

Lyaiera

I still remember sneaking into the kitchen to watch Queer as Folk when it first came out. What a phenomenal show. And Aiden Gillen? Hnnnng!

Butterface

I've read a few reviews comparing it to Girls, however the only comparison is that it's about a group of friends in an American city hanging out and talking ****e. The experience of watching Girls involves a lot of cringing, laughing and utter disgust at the characters - which I love! But the characters in Looking are all older and seem more self-aware.

I enjoyed the first episode. Jonathan Groff is very watchable and the rest of the cast was good too!

Peregrinus

Deaglain.12 wrote: »

It's meant to be a realistic portrayal of gay men and not typical gay stereotype's . . .

whirlpool wrote: »

The closest thing I can compare it to is Sex and the City - it's almost like a gay version, just nowhere near as funny.

So, not a realist portrayal of gay men, then?

Ten of Swords

Sky Atlantic are showing this starting next monday (27th) at 10.30

floggg

Peregrinus wrote: »

So, not a realist portrayal of gay men, then?

There's only been one episode so far. So who knows yet?

It does seem to be aiming for a realistic portrayal of three particular gay men though. Not all of us.

And I don't think it's like SATC except to the extent that it's an exploration of dating.

It looks interesting but too early to tell how it shapes up. It's very much a character driven story.

hfallada

Its is nearly impossible to make a show that is a "fair representation" of the gay community. Likewise sex and the city and girls is not a fair presentation of single women. But I Dont think they were trying to be.

What I got from cruising in the park was not just a man looking for NSA. But you hear the guy saying in the date scene I never done it before and I didn't know people still did it. Shows the gay community is no longer found underground.

Plus the two guys in the dating scene were a doctor and a software engineer. Not your typical hairdresser or designer the show could have choosen if it wanted to be stereotyping.

You can't judge a show after one episode which generally is the worst as its the pilot. HBO shows always improve with age

ongarboy

hfallada wrote: »

Its is nearly impossible to make a show that is a "fair representation" of the gay community. Likewise sex and the city and girls is not a fair presentation of single women. But I Dont think they were trying to be.

What I got from cruising in the park was not just a man looking for NSA. But you hear the guy saying in the date scene I never done it before and I didn't know people still did it. Shows the gay community is no longer found underground.

Plus the two guys in the dating scene were a doctor and a software engineer. Not your typical hairdresser or designer the show could have choosen if it wanted to be stereotyping.

You can't judge a show after one episode which generally is the worst as its the pilot. HBO shows always improve with age

That's not an accurate comment about pilots. Normally, extra effort is put into a pilot so that the makers can convincingly sell it to the networks by making the premise, characters and overall theme as interesting as possible so networks and/or viewers invest or get hooked in on them almost immediately. If the first episode of a show is crap, why would one bother watching subsequent episodes?

I watched it too and enjoyed it from the start. I already am caring about what happens next to the characters which is essential for me to enjoy a show. Whether it is a realistic portrayal of gay life doesn't really matter to me as long as it's well written, entertaining escapism.

hfallada

ongarboy wrote: »

That's not an accurate comment about pilots. Normally, extra effort is put into a pilot so that the makers can convincingly sell it to the networks by making the premise, characters and overall theme as interesting as possible so networks and/or viewers invest or get hooked in on them almost immediately. If the first episode of a show is crap, why would one bother watching subsequent episodes?

.

This show was always going to end up on HBO. No other network would dream of airing it in the us. It's extremely difficult to sell a TV show in America unless it's about a family with 2 parents, 2 children and a dog living in the ssuburbs. The pilot of mad men is barely watchable.

But generally HBO shows are excellent and this one has a lot of potential. I like the fact their was no token female characters just to get viewers.

Walker77

I really like Patrick (Jonathan Groff). His character is charming and he is very handsome.

tus.maith

Any recommendations where I can watch the show in Ireland ? thanks.

floggg

tus.maith wrote: »

Any recommendations where I can watch the show in Ireland ? thanks.

See here

Ten of Swords wrote: »

Sky Atlantic are showing this starting next monday (27th) at 10.30

floggg

Walker77 wrote: »

I really like Patrick (Jonathan Groff). His character is charming and he is very handsome.

Pfft. He's a nice mommy's boy.

Give me the guy with the moustache any day!

Rick_

You can watch it now on YouTube if you install the Hola free VPN for Firefox and select the USA or Canada as your country. I just watched it myself there.

It actually wasn't as bad as I first thought, it has potential and I strangely enough (given our same names and ages!) can relate a lot to the Patrick character in terms of dating history and having some sort of set idea of an ideal guy we'd love to end up being with. A like of computer games as well I suppose!

One thing I did notice is that Patrick and Dom have some sort of history but are now just friends. So did Stuart and Vince in Queer As Folk and at the end they stopped living their unfulfilling separate lives and got together. Is this what's gonna happen here I wonder? Dom also has history with a girl who is now just a friend, same as Stuart...

Will certainly watch Ep 2 when it makes its way to YouTube.

Seamai

The fact that it's American has made me loose interest already, even when gay men don't conform to the more obvious stereotypes they tend to have that pretty boy generic look.

I find most American television pretty awful (no matter what genre), yet many can't get enough of it.

Rick_

Probably due to a lack of choice for this particular subject matter.

Where else right now can you see a TV show primarily about gay people, let alone a new TV show about gay people. Only America (that we know of) is doing this sort of stuff right now, so we have to watch an American show. I couldn't see RTÉ making this kind of show so perhaps we should be thankful someone somewhere is making it at all?

floggg

Seamai wrote: »

The fact that it's American has made me loose interest already, even when gay men don't conform to the more obvious stereotypes they tend to have that pretty boy generic look.

I find most American television pretty awful (no matter what genre), yet many can't get enough of it.

Most television is pretty awful.

Judging something based on where it's from is kinda silly. There are some great US shows and there are some stinkers. Most fall somewhere in between.

floggg

Hmm. Seems too slow and non-eventful for the half hour episode format.

30 mins isn't long enough to go into anything detailed. That length works best with something a bit more superficial and eventful like Entourage.

If they are trying the slow moving character driven route, it should be longer to actually be able to develop the characters and let you actually connect to them. Right now, it's just a little but of sex, but not enough to actually be titillating.

Rick_

Yeah, I was surprised it was 30 mins long, especially for a HBO drama as they are usually an hour (or 45 odd mins minus ads). 30 minutes doesn't seem long enough.

ongarboy

I found the second ep much inferior too. It better improve if it wants to keep viewers. Apparently, Scott Bakula (Quantum Leap) appears next week and critics have praised his character so sounds promising!

Ten of Swords

I thought it was half an hour of complete ѕhite rather disappointing and I will likely not watch it again.

Rick_

They aren't putting episode 2 on YouTube so I have to find somewhere else to watch it now. Grrr!

playedalive

Paddy C wrote: »

They aren't putting episode 2 on YouTube so I have to find somewhere else to watch it now. Grrr!

I managed to watch the second episode on Project Free TV. So far I've watched up to the second. So far I like. I had thoughts it would be the gay man's equivalent to something akin to Bridget Jones Diary. But I think Patrick is a good character and definitely highlights the lonely, low confident side to being gay at times.

Edit: Just watched the third episode and it's lost on me.

Rick_

I've caught up as far as episode 4. It's an alright show, but not spectacular. It's doing awful in the ratings in the US so I wouldn't expect this to get a second series though.

ixoy

It's decent but I find the bearded fella an annoying, arrogant selfish little ****. I can't wait for each of his scenes to be over...

Rick_

I find the older guy with the moustache annoying. He's just a number of annoying gay stereotypes and clichés rolled into one character.

playedalive

Yeah I don't like Patrick's friend. I guess Patrick is still keeping me engrossed in the show

floggg

playedalive wrote: »

Yeah I don't like Patrick's friend. I guess Patrick is still keeping me engrossed in the show

I think the last episode was a marked improvement. It definitely reminded me of weekend - a very honest, realistic portrayal of gay sex and sexuality as well as the "getting to know you" stage of relationships.

Maybe it will improve now that it appears to be settling into a story.

playedalive

floggg wrote: »

Maybe it will improve now that it appears to be settling into a story.

I think Patrick's relationship is making the show more interesting and 'settled' as you said.

playedalive

I just watched Episode 6. After mixed reviews at the start, the last two episodes have got me hooked. I think the development of Patrick and Richie's relationship is lovely. I find Patrick (

and his insecurities calling Ritchie his boyfriend, hang ups about anal sex

) a very relevant portrayal of sexuality and does definitely resonate with me.

floggg

playedalive wrote: »

I just watched Episode 6. After mixed reviews at the start, the last two episodes have got me hooked. I think the development of Patrick and Richie's relationship is lovely. I find Patrick (

and his insecurities calling Ritchie his boyfriend, hang ups about anal sex

) a very relevant portrayal of sexuality and does definitely resonate with me.

Yes. I think this type of thing - the relatively banal aspects of a relationship - seem to be Andrew Haigh's strength.

The Cubano guy just seems like a **** person though.

Loving how Richie calls him Pato - very warm and authentic.

Rick_

playedalive wrote: »

I just watched Episode 6. After mixed reviews at the start, the last two episodes have got me hooked. I think the development of Patrick and Richie's relationship is lovely. I find Patrick (

and his insecurities calling Ritchie his boyfriend, hang ups about anal sex

) a very relevant portrayal of sexuality and does definitely resonate with me.

This.

I too am now more into the show than at the start.

It has also been renewed for a 2nd season, the ratings are starting to improve and Russell Tovey is a series regular for Season 2, so the show is starting to pick up momentum. I'm now a fan.

playedalive

Just finished Episode 7 there. I was like 'Noooo!, don't finish!!'. I am personally still finding Patrick's insecurities with being a gay man and finding the perfect partner very relevant and interesting. It really does resonate with me.

Spoiler alert:

I am not surprised that Patrick and Kevin kissed, but I wasn't expecting Kevin to initiate it. I really want to see them together. I really feel sorry for Richie as he seems like a decent guy but Patrick does treat him like s**t. I think we can all blame society and our parents for the way we act, but he is an adult at the end of the day, living his life. Having said that, I am really warming to Patrick's insecurities as I think many gay men in particular can have them (being dominated in anal sex when conversation came up with Richie, being called 'camp' when his friends were listening to his voice message, trying to show face...)

Wow I really do like this show:o

Rick_

I know what I'll be watching tonight...!

Rick_

Just watched it. Really liked that episode, and I knew that 'scene' was coming as per your spoiler. Loved the fathers line at the end and Patrick's face!

playedalive

Paddy C wrote: »

Just watched it. Really liked that episode, and I knew that 'scene' was coming as per your spoiler. Loved the fathers line at the end and Patrick's face!

Aw I hope I didn't ruin it for you Paddy . It's just the internet is the only place where I can talk about this show

Rick_

No, I didn't read the spoiler until after I had seen the episode! Why would I want to spoil it for myself?!

The only thing that really bugs me about the show currently is that it is only 30 minutes. It should be longer, around 45 mins would be perfect.

ongarboy

Paddy C wrote: »

No, I didn't read the spoiler until after I had seen the episode! Why would I want to spoil it for myself?!

The only thing that really bugs me about the show currently is that it is only 30 minutes. It should be longer, around 45 mins would be perfect.

I've just finished episode 6 and it is improving but nowhere near as absorbing as Queer as Folk USA (which I only watched in entirety last year - fantastic show although the latter seasons did dip a little in quality).

I do think the length of Looking is one of it's main problems. There is only about 24 minutes of an actual show and the ending credits always seem to abruptly appear just as you are starting to settle into the episode. I enjoy Patrick and Dom but Augustin is a waste of a character and any scenes about him are just plain boring.

Rick_

His boyfriend is quite hot though! Still not fully liking Dom. I can also see him and Quantum Leap's storyline coming a mile off and it's just another cliché. As enjoyable as this show is, there's absolutely nothing ground-breaking about it. It's just mostly pretty actors in gay stories we've practically all seen before.

ixoy

I'm enjoying the show except for any scene with Beardy Art Face where I just want to see his self-absorbed existence wiped out. Would love if he wasn't back next season or, if he must be, a completely changed person.

floggg

Paddy C wrote: »

His boyfriend is quite hot though! Still not fully liking Dom. I can also see him and Quantum Leap's storyline coming a mile off and it's just another cliché. As enjoyable as this show is, there's absolutely nothing ground-breaking about it. It's just mostly pretty actors in gay stories we've practically all seen before.

Who cares. Dom's hot. Any excuse for him to get his kit off i say, no matter how predictable.

Rick_

Well, I've just watched the final episode of the season.

Everything I thought was going to happen happened. Not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing.

Overall I did enjoy watching the show so roll on Season 2.

playedalive

Paddy C wrote: »

Everything I thought was going to happen happened. Not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing.

Yeah I felt that way too.

Read at your own risk:

I knew Kevin and Patrick were going to get it on, as well as Dom and Len. I kinda wasn't expecting Richie to dump Patrick in the way he did (by saying his love was strong for Patrick and that he wasn't ready blah blah) but his reservations were always there.

I really liked the show as it was refreshing to see all sorts of 'gay characters'. It was kinda normalising for me in a fair way, considering that it was fictitious. Since I'm only out recently, it kinda shows for me a somewhat realistic portrayal of gay men and issues, despite the soap opera storylines at times.

Barna77

Got the end spoiled. Ok, you knew what was going to happen, but want to find out myself.

Rick_

I think you mis-typed his name playedalive, it's Len, not Lynn.

Perhaps him really being Lynn is a storyline for the 2nd season!

playedalive

Paddy C wrote: »

I think you mis-typed his name playedalive, it's Len, not Lynn.

Perhaps him really being Lynn is a storyline for the 2nd season!

I think I read Lynn on wikipedia ..Len makes more sense.

Sure him being Lynn would make a great turn to the story