Actor Jonathan Torrens fulfills the role of the ‘gotta-be-gay-guy’ Gerald
on Spike TV’s ‘Joe Schmo 2.’
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Bryan Anderton
Friday, July 16, 2004
ANY SERIOUS FAN OF reality television knows there are a few overused formulas
in the genre.
The host is generally an arrogant celebrity wannabe. The elimination ceremonies
are completely convoluted. And the participants inevitably fall into various
stereotypical roles: the naïve virgin, the raging bitch, the token person
of color and, of course, the flamboyant gay guy.
Spike TV has taken those concepts and turned them on their head with “Joe
Schmo 2,” a reality TV show within a show that isn’t real at all.
“Joe Schmo 2” (the original installment aired last summer) takes
two ordinary people — this time, one man and one woman — who think
they’re on a new reality dating show, this time titled “Last Chance
for Love.” And they respectively try to win the heart of a bachelorette
and a bachelor.
But the joke’s really on them: Everyone else on the show is a paid actor
working from a script. So “Last Chance for Love” is entirely fake.
Viewers learn on the screen that among the other contestants who Tim and Ingrid — the “Joe” and “Jane
Schmo” of the series — are competing against are: Ambrosia (“the
bitch”), TJ (“the playah”), Cammy (“the moron”),
and Bryce (“the stalker”).
Then there’s Gerald, “the gotta-be-gay guy.” Portrayed by
Canadian actor Jonathan Torrens, Gerald is, thankfully, not an over-the-top
stereotype of what it means to be a gay man. In fact, for the first few episodes,
Tim had few clues that Gerald might be anything other than heterosexual, and
considered him perhaps the most normal guy out of the bunch.
But the clues are slowly starting to emerge. During a lie detector test (the
results were all rigged, except for Tim’s), Gerald was asked if he found
Piper (the bachelorette) the most desirable woman in the house. After a long
pause, he replied, “Of the women? Yes.” He also admitted that he
did not want to sleep with her, which now has Tim wondering about his pal.
The real reason to watch this show, though, is Ingrid, who apparently was
too smart for the concept. For the first few weeks, viewers enjoyed watching
her as she quickly figured out that something wasn’t quite on the up-and-up.
Not wanting to lose her charisma, the producers let her in on the joke. Now,
it’s her charge to convince the new “Jane Schmo,” Amanda,
that everything is real.
If you’re a fan of traditional reality shows but recognize the obvious
cheese factor that comes along with them, then you should love this hilarious
parody.
SPEAKING OF TRADITIONAL reality shows, MTV is now in its 13th season of “Road
Rules.” The program follows six “roadies” of various backgrounds
as they perform missions and try to live together in a cramped R.V.
The show is definitely starting to show its age — not only has every
mission been done before (a bungee jumping challenge, again?), but the kids
are all starting to look the same.
Like its sister show, “The Real World,” “Road Rules” frequently
features gay cast members, and this season is no different. This year, viewers
met Danny, a 20-year-old gay guy from New Jersey who was actually voted off
the show this past week for choking (figuratively) during a gross food challenge.
As usual, though, Danny had to confront at least one other cast member who
was homophobic before his trip was over. That role this season was played by
Derrick, who said on day one that he hoped there were no gay people on the
show. Within one episode, however, Derrick had learned the error of his ways
and he and Danny were best friends.
While Danny may be gone, gay viewers need not fret. Out magazine reported
last month that a second gay cast member, Nick, will be joining the show later
this season.
It’s a sad state of affairs when a fake reality show is more original
and interesting than a real one.
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