Remembering Queer as Folk USA!

Originally posted on www.differentscene.co.uk

Now most people have heard of Queer as Folk whether it’s the British version or the American version. But for this I am going to concentrate on the American version of the TV show (don’t worry I haven’t forgotten about the original UK version). Unlike its British inspiration, which ran for a mere yet unforgettable 10 episodes the American version ran for an incredible five series consisting of 83 episodes which when you think about it is a remarkable feat for an American TV show, considering the majority of them rarely make it past the mid-season finale.

Queer as Folk on the other hand was a huge success across the pond becoming the number one show on its broadcast channel Showtime and earned a huge amount through advertising.

The show concentrated on the lives of a group of gay men, a lesbian couple and a radical gay rights campaigning mother of one of the lead gay men living in Pittsburgh. The significance of this show was cemented in its unashamed forthright way of dealing with homosexual lives in the 21^st century concentrating on controversial storylines involving coming out, drug addiction and gay bashing along with topical storylines surrounding same sex marriage and gay adoption, and didn’t shy away from dealing with something most American television shows were a little afraid of showing; gay sex, which was demonstrated in its explicit portrayal of homosexual sex within its first episode and throughout the remaining 82 episodes.

I recently finished a marathon run of watching Queer as Folk USA, which I must say I enjoyed thoroughly. As a huge fan of the UK series I was a little afraid of an American remake (as I am sure a number of other people were or may still be worried about), and although the show may be very similar to UK edition in the first series at times, it adds its own twist and really comes through as a TV show in its own right, separate from the original. The show really comes into its own during the second series with its combination of humour and satire of gay culture along with its more political relevance towards the end of the series, and the continuous love between key characters Justin and Brian throughout is enough to get anyone hooked.

This show is a must watch for anyone gay or straight, and in particular fans of the original show, but it doesn’t matter if you haven’t seen that version as this show has plenty for you, and its significance in gay culture across the world should be more than enough to make you want to see it. So sit back and enjoy and get ready for the long haul, as this show will have you hooked almost instantly.