When the cast of CBS’s ‘Big Brother 5’ is sequestered in a
house for the season, the audience won’t know who’s gay, unless it
comes out on the show.
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Brian Moylan
Friday, July 09, 2004
FINALLY HEEDING THE call of countless gay fans, “Queer Eye for the Straight
Guy” aired an episode two weeks ago in which the Fab Five helped a style-challenged
gay man.
That hour, during which New York City gay man Wayne revamped his image, was
one of the best and most touching since the show’s debut. The Fab Five
seemed totally in their element and at ease with the advice they had to offer,
and Wayne, no stranger to the wonders of the gay aesthetic, was especially
receptive to their ideas.
When the appeal of a show involves the supposed culture clash between straight
and gay men, it was liberating to watch the Fab Five in action without this
dynamic.
In the world of makeover madness, does it even matter anymore whether we know
the orientation of individuals who come to the rescue with paint chips, fabric
swatches and designer duds? For every Nate Berkus, Oprah’s darling gay
designer, there’s a Steven Cojocaru, the seriously flamboyant “Today” show
style guy who appears each Thursday and won’t publicly say whether he’s
gay. (Not that he really has to.)
Now, there’s ABC’s “The Great Domestic Showdown,” which
airs Sunday, July 11, at 9 p.m. The show has six design and event planning
pros duking it out for a book deal and national exposure. If you calibrate
your gaydar while watching the promos airing on the network, there is one male
contestant who should find some gay fans in the audience.
THE UNITED STATES HAS become so inured to getting decorating and dressing
tips from gay men, whether we know it or not, that the “gay question” almost
doesn’t matter anymore. Brini Maxwell (Ben Sander in drag) gives home
advice with ’50s kitsch, “What Not To Wear’s” Clinton
Kelly dresses up guys and dolls alike on TLC, and then there’s “While
You Were Out.”
It’s TLC policy not to discuss the personal lives of its on-air personalities
(including sexual orientation), but shows like “Trading Spaces” and “Out,” which
features gay decorators John Bruce and Mark Montano, often involve going inside
gay couples’ homes. On both shows, we’re introduced to the couple
in a very matter-of-fact manner.
“Here’s Joe and his partner Jack,” they say. End of conversation.
“Queer Eye” should take notice: Focusing less on “gayness” and
more on good design always makes for the best shows.
BUT ON COMPETITIVE reality shows, like CBS’s “Survivor” and “Big
Brother,” a contestant’s sexual orientation is handled much differently.
The fifth season of “Big Brother,” which airs Tuesdays and Saturdays
at 9 p.m., and Thursdays at 8 p.m., debuted last week, but the network won’t
give any details about the players’ lives, including their sexual orientation,
unless it comes out on the show.
“Brother” shows13 people living in a house together. Each week
someone is voted off, and the last one standing wins a cash prize.
“We respect the privacy of the people in the house and if they choose
to reveal [their orientation] that’s their decision,” a spokesperson
for “Big Brother” said.
After a visit to the CBS Web site, without having seen an episode of the show,
it’s clear who the gay audience should be rooting for: Will Wikle, a
26-year-old nurse from Tupelo, Miss.
He lists San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, who made it possible for same-sex
couples to obtain marriage licenses earlier this year, as his personal hero.
His favorite movies are “Fight Club,” a homoerotic film starring
Brad Pitt, and “Bring It On,” a movie about competitive cheerleading.
Will’s favorite TV show is “America’s Next Top Model.” His
favorite actors: Heath Ledger and Johnny Depp. When asked what sports he plays,
he replies, “Uh, does women’s gymnastics count?”
Even in a TV world where being gay is slowly becoming irrelevant, when there’s
more at stake than a great new room, sometimes it’s nice to know anyway.
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