Take 4 TV: Queer as Folk

Yep, continuing to catch up on reviews here. As I mentioned in yesterday's e-mail, I had several that were backlogged. Just a couple more, and we'll be all caught up. Switching back to television for this one, with a controversial series that was imported to America from the UK.

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Queer as Folk: Season Four (2004)

What's Going on Here?: Queer as Folk follows the lives of a close-knit group of gay and lesbian friends in Pittsburgh. In this season, they face trials ranging from hate crimes and cancer to rehab and gay marriage.

Leading the Line-Up: The creators of Queer as Folk put together a great ensemble cast that has such engaging chemistry that you can't help but get enmeshed in the characters' lives. Hal Sparks plays the central role of MIchael, who owns a comic book store and lives with partner, Ben (an English professor) and Hunter...the young man they rescued from the streets in Season Three, who they are trying to adopt as a foster child. Ben and Hunter are played by Robert Gant and Harris Allan, respectively. Other key roles include Brian, the narcissistic advertising executive (played by Gale Harold) who has been Michael's best friend since they were in grade school; Justin (played by Randy Harrison), the former art school student who is the focus of Brian's attention; Best friends Emmett and Ted (played by Peter Paige and Scott Lowell), the former a flamboyant party planner, the latter a reserved accountant (recovering from a severe drug problem); Melanie and Lindsay (played by Michelle Clunie and Thea Gill), lesbians who are raising their son Gus together, and have another child on the way; and last (but certainly not least), Debbie, Michael's mom, played by Sharon Gless (of Cagney and Lacey fame), the mother figure for this entire crew.

Things to Look Out For: A great soundtrack, I thought...really ran the range of music styles. Also, in the special features, you get an inside look at the "Future of Babylon" tour in Los Angeles (Babylon was the club that all the characters hung out at), a glimpse at Peter Paige's movie Say Uncle, and a behind-the-scenes feature on Gale Harold and Michelle Clunie's film The Unseen. There are also the standard photo galleries, movie trailers and biographies. These are all worth checking out, especially if you liked the series. However, feel free to skip the advertisement for Atlantis Cruises.

Random Trivia: Peter Paige (Emmett) auditioned for the role of Ted. After he auditioned, he politely asked to read for the role of Emmett. The casting directors were so stunned by his performance that they asked him which role he would rather play when he came back to audition for the producers.

And I Quote: Lindsay [about Gus]: "Isn't he a little young for James Dean?" Brian: "Well you don't want him watching The Teletubbies. Might make him gay."

What Did We Learn Today, Class?: 1) Live every day as though it were a gift. 2) Friends can help you get through anything. 3) It's a long bike ride from Toronto to Pittsburgh.

Curt's Take: "Must See" - This applies more to the series in general than this particular season. As I mentioned above, the ensemble cast here is amazing and engaging, and you really begin to care about each character and what's going on with them. When I first watched the series, the more sexual scenes took some getting used to, but the episodes are so well written and put together that they quickly just become part of the ongoing story. As Season Four, it seemed a little lighter in tone than prior seasons...but you still have plenty of tension. I also like the change in the opening credits, largely because the entire cast is now featured in a montage of quick clips and upbeat music. In prior seasons I used to just fast forward to the beginning of the show, but in Season Four I actually watched the opening sequence at the start of each of the fourteen episodes.

Next Time on Next 4: Coming at you from Staines in the UK...it's another TV series, Da Ali G Show. Plus...a movie.