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DVD
Paramount
Publisher: Showtime Networks
Format: Anamorphic, Box set, Closed-captioned, Collector's Edition, Color, DVD, NTSC
Actors: Gale Harold, Hal Sparks, Randy Harrison, Michelle Clunie, Thea Gill
Studio: Paramount Home Video Release Date: 08/23/2005 Run time: 1320 minutes
They're here, they're queer, and they make Sex and the City look like a demure tea party. Showtime's quintessentially American Queer As Folk--based on the British miniseries--pours on copious amounts of hot and steamy sex. This slick (and slickly entertaining) series shares the same basic concept as its British counterpart--centering on a group of gay friends living in a primarily industrial city--but after that, all bets are off. Whereas the British version focused on the gritty, realistic drama of its characters, the American QAF is a glossy, fun soap opera that occasionally tackles big issues but never lets you forget that life at times can be a party, and you shouldn't be one of those poor suckers starving to death. A good part of the show's charm lies in its cast--boy-next-door Michael (Hal Sparks), ruthlessly seductive rake Brian (Gale Harold), out-and-proud Emmett (Peter Paige), wallflower Ted (Scott Lowell), and nubile teen Justin (Randy Harrison)--who grew from standard gay prototypes to intriguing characters by the first season's end. And while some subplots didn't work (such as Emmett's farfetched foray into gay-conversion therapy), others were quietly affecting, including Brian's coping with his father's death. Some may object to the show's relentless fixation on sex (and gay men--there are just two lesbian characters), but this is a series that in its own polished way is both engrossingly fun and truly groundbreaking. It's liberating to watch an American TV series in which the straight world is only peripheral. Let's hear it for the boys! --Mark Englehart
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| QAF Season One (Some Season 3 spoiler) |
| Customer Rating: 5 out of 5 |
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I had started watching cut up versions of QAF on Logo. Had to buy the DVD's. Season one came from a used book store in my city. Being a Heterosexual female, I was a bit embarassed by the purchase, my husband was not at all happy with me and will not watch with me. I was very touched by the stories, almost to the point of tears in every episode. I did cry along with Brian in the season finale, while he was sitting in the hospital and Michael came to sit with him. The sex scenes are so graphic, as I have never seen anything like this. I have just started watching my Season two DVD's and am awaiting receipt of Season 3. I am still watching on Logo, which is now showing Season 3. I have to say about that season, I know I was supposed to be touched (which I was) by what I have read called the 'Needle Scene', where Michael threatens to infect himself with Ben's used syringe, but, in the same episode, but, I am most drawn to Ted and Emmitt's relationship where Ted has lost everything.
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| Best show ever!! |
| Customer Rating: 5 out of 5 |
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The characters are engaging,interesting and fun. Acting, especially by Gale Harold is exceptional. I'd suggest seeing it, gay or straight.
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| Great Show |
| Customer Rating: 5 out of 5 |
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I really enjoyed this show! I had to buy it for a class but now I'm hooked. The characters are so appealing! I will have to get the rest of the seasons.
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| Great service Lack of inforation |
| Customer Rating: 5 out of 5 |
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Dear all,
QAF season 1 is a true experience. All our favourite characters as they were back then. You should byu it from amazon.com. They told me that it will be at my place only in 3 days and it was!!!
The only problem I had to face was that in Greece (region 2) there is no device that supports American dvds (region 1) due to copyright laws or sth like that. However, I bought an iMac too so the problem was solved..!
Do not hesitate. Trust amazon.com
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| Prudes, BEWARE! |
| Customer Rating: 5 out of 5 |
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I knew of the series, but wasn't particularly interested; I don't have HBO or Showtime. The depiction of gay people has seemed to go in one of two directions: outrageous or subtle. "Queer as Folk" is outrageous, and may have some stereotypical characters, but each one has a special distinction. A colleague loaned me season One, and I watched it over a period of about 3 weeks. Not sure what to expect, I was almost immediately absorbed into the lives of these people. I enjoyed every episode completely. There's a lot of truth being conveyed, and it becomes a battle of which character you like the most. I liked Ted. Michael was endearing; Brian was reprehensible; Elliott was amusing (and wise); Justin is typically head-strong and adorable. The Lesbian sub-plot involves a wonderful scenario which is inter-weaved with all the other characters. I liked Ted the best; after years of disappointment, he is suspicious of affection, and has a deep alterior side that accepts life perhaps more objectively than the rest. The realist of the bunch, but as a human, he makes the most dumb choices. Acting is uniformly excellent. The only "big name" in the cast is Sharon Gless, as Michael's pro-gay mother; also her brother is HIV positive and lives with her. I guess I don't need to say this stuff cuz if you're reading this, you already know. I was absorbed and intrigued by every episode; the sweetness as well as the seediness is explored. Hatred and homophobia are also well examined. Wonderful characters and writing make me look forward to watching Season 2. Let's give some time to the Queer community. The Hetero condition has already been explored ad nauseum.
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