MTV: The Real Friends of WeHo

[Faulkner]

In the words of Gia Gunn: Um, ladies?

 

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[j swift]

Oy, I just saw this.  At least it has slightly higher production value than Men of West Hollywood on Crackle. However, Brad and Todrick live in the valley, and Jaymes lives in Newport.  So, not only have they expanded the territory of Weho, but once again an outside production has tried to define a city without involving the actual population. 

Weho has one of the largest elderly and Russian immigrant populations in LA, but of course we'll only focus on the four block area of Santa Monica Blvd where the bars are located, as if that is the cultural center of town, and ignore the influence of women, poverty, and immigration on the growth of the Weho society.  I doubt that they'll take the time to discuss how real estate development is pricing locals out of their long term homes, or the expansion of non-gay owned clubs, or the controversy around the largest land owner on Santa Monica Blvd who is forcing small gay bars out of business by increasing rents.  Because we need more time to discuss how difficult it is to manage a social media presence while trying to maintain a private life (snore...)

I get that MTV wants to program an evening around RuPaul, but this reeks of pandering without diverse representation.  I, for one, would prefer an expanded discussion of how younger people are redefining the gender and sexuality binary which was the center of last season's Drag Race story.

Edited January 5, 2023 by j swift

[Faulkner]

I’m all for some messy gays for entertainment purposes (à la the best of Drag Race and Untucked), but few of the gay-focused reality series have really worked, partially because the group dynamics felt forced and inauthentic. The A-List and Fire Island shows were snoozes (although A-List Dallas had potential). Prince Charming was unbelievably sanitized for respectability politics.

Yes, we know reality TV is fake, but this group feels particularly manufactured. 

[Liberty City]

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[Taoboi]

But the A-List was fun!!! lol.

 

Though I agree the Dallas branch had so much potential. Though for all of them to be so focused on ONE guy? Really? 

[Faulkner]

And a guy who isn’t that appealing, even on a superficial level. But the Dallas cast were more willing to share their flaws, which I appreciated. The likes of Reichen and Mike Ruiz on the original A-List were too prissy and vain to share the darker parts of their lives, and what they did show (mostly their “professional” lives—the quotes are for Reichen as MR is a legit photographer) wasn’t compelling enough. 

I don’t know if a Housewives-style all-gay-male reality series would ever be embraced. There has to be a greater concept behind the show for it to work, à la Drag Race. Otherwise, these series are DOA. Having Todrick involved is especially a no-no unless he’s getting dragged left and right.

[Taoboi]

Oh, I love me sum Mike Ruiz let me tell you. lol. I agree about Dallas...they were so willing to show EVERYTHING. 

 

IDK about that. Ironically assuming that one person who allegedly might have filmed one week but was iced out by 3 gay coworkers due to his OF page is about THIS show, what about that show that is all(or mostly) gay and gay PORN STARS at that? Do we know if that aired yet or even if it did well? 

[Faulkner]

The gay porn one seems to have done OK. OUTTV has renewed it. It’s sad that it’s on such a niche outlet. Most people are signed up to too many streaming services already. ($3.99 a month isn’t bad, though. It’s just hard for these programs to find audiences.)

Drag Race fans are LIVID about RPDR being cut to an hour and WeHo getting sandwiched between it and Untucked.

[Soapsuds]

I like Brad Goreski and he has a hot bod but I'll pass.

Edited January 6, 2023 by Soapsuds

[DRW50]

This looks and feels about ten years out of date, and stars people who have already flopped on other reality shows and in the public eye, like Todrick. So many interesting programs are never let on the air, or are canceled quickly, while we're left with these drags that look like Soapnet productions.

[Faulkner]

Looks like something Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos would produce…

[Gray Bunny]

Anytime something like this comes out, I am reminded why I prefer to watch mostly-heterosexual women catfighting instead. This looks DOA. 

[Faulkner]

@j swift @Liberty City @Taoboi @Gray Bunny @DRW50

Just leaving this here. Another new gay reality series:

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[soapfan770]

LMAO I watched the first 15 minutes of it last night out of pure curiosity and was taken aback how awful it was. Side note was I didn’t realize how old and how washed up Todrick has become lol. I remember he performed at a Pride event here in my neck of the wood years ago. 

[Taoboi]

I saw that the other day. More intriguing in a TEMPTATION ISLAND kinda way but will probably pass.