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The British Queer As Folks Show
Take note: before Michael, Brian and Justin ever partied their way across Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, there were Vince (Craig Kelly), Stuart (Aidan Gillen) and Nathan (Charlie Hunnam) partying their way across Canal Street, Manchester, England. QAF: if you are going to compare, the original series was a much briefer skit than the American show it spawned, which only runs for ten episodes. And if you are going to review how it affects the society in general, was arguably much greater, since it shows on one of UK’s four main TV stations, rather than on a pay-cable channel compared in the US. As expectedly, those overreacting conservatives had pave its way on protest by gay activists who worried about its lack of role models, the show nevertheless has high ratings. It also highlighted a breakout success for one of the best and out gay screenwriter Russell T. Davies, who would go on to helm the current BBC revival of Doctor Who, as well as creating the bisexual-heavy sci-fi spinoff Torchwood. Davies is known in his field and in the industry has since won several awards for his work in television, and when I first saw the British QAF, it was really the quality of the script writing, above and beyond the gay themes, that made an impression on me. Watching for the second time around, In deed it is obvious that I was more aware of the cheeziness in certain scenes — he tends to shoehorn in homophobic comments from his straight characters in circumstances where they don’t feel totally convincing, for example — but it’s still almost impossible not to be drawn into the drama. Though if you will see it, the actors might seem too ordinary-looking, the overall feel too rough-around-the-edges for those used to the glossy (and often melodramatic, voyeuristic) American series. Personally, an online reviewer was correct when he wrote: “As sexy, glitzy and prettily-cast as the American version is, it doesn’t have the heart or depth of the British original.” The most amazing and very interesting things about re-watching the series in 2007 is that many of the plot-points now make it a period piece in the UK. Vince’s father matter-of-factly tells him that “You’re never going to marry” - a claim that seems happily outdated in the age of civil partnerships. One time, it has been an issue on the most controversial aspect of the series remains troubling, and illegal, however: the seduction of the 15-year-old Nathan by the 29-year-old Stuart. (When the program first aired, the age of consent was unequal in the UK — 16 for heterosexuals, 18 for gay men — although it has since been equalized at 16). Compared to the American adaptors of the show notably raised Nathan/Justin’s age to 17, thereby reducing Stuart/Brian’s skeeve factor. QAF: the original series has never been shown in the US television, but with the presence of DVDs, are available online. For US viewers ready to take the regional British accents, the quality of the writing and the performances make it worth a look. Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com If you missed the QAF Season 4 show, there is still something to look forward to. The QAF 5 will soon hit the tv screens and expect it to be a big hit! Visit: www.obnoxiousqueer.com/2010/05/qaf-season-4/ for details. |
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