A group of gay friends (men & women) lives out their day-to-day lives in Pittsburgh, PA. A groundbreaking series set in a work-a-day blue-collar world. Queer as Folk is the first TV drama that treats gay people simply as real people. This TV series continues to be hailed by critics around the country as astonishingly frank, refreshing, wonderful, bitterly witty, and “Must-See TV.” Season 3 includes over 170 minutes of specially produced bonus features. Go inside the Babylon tour and see exclusive footage with Grammy Award Winning DJ Peter Rauhofer! It also contains PARTY IN THE BOX NATIONAL SWEEPSTAKES – a chance to win your very own Queer As Folk Party at a hot New York or Los Angeles Nightclub!Drama ruled in a big way on the third season of Queer as Folk, as the gay men and women of Pittsburgh rode a roller coaster of emotional and personal upheavals that would make a regular soap-opera cast blanch. Budding comic book artist Justin (Randy Harrison) finally left longtime lover Brian for a chance at ecstasy–and not a bit of agony-–with a charming violin player. Emmett (Peter Paige) finally came face-to-face with his affection for friend Ted (Scott Lowell), only to have Ted’s growing drug habit get in the way of their happiness. Lesbians Melanie (Michelle Clunie) and Lindsay (Thea Gill) decided to have another baby, whose father would be… Michael (Hal Sparks), whose nesting with hunky Ben (Robert Gant) is rudely interrupted by runaway Hunter (Harris Allan). And as for Brian (Gale Harold), the man everybody wants but can’t ever have? Just when it seems he’s gone to work for the enemy–a homophobic mayoral candidate-–it turns out he might be the savior the Pittsburgh gay community never knew it needed.
Snaps to the makers of QAF for trying to bring their characters into the grown-up world – Michael, Emmett, and Ted started their own businesses; Justin finally cut loose from Brian-–but too many melodramatic plot twists and turns impeded a lot of the character development this show worked hard at during its first two seasons. Still, most of the cast was topnotch, including Harrison, whose Justin finally came into his own, and the always dependable Harold, who made Brian a fascinating creature through all his steamy travails and over-the-top encounters. –Mark Englehart
Buy “Queer as Folk – The Complete Third Season “ For Only $22.49
February 8, 2006
#1
Why is this show still on TV? This show was never good. It’s nothing but a gay themed Ally McBeal / Boston Public. How could anyone actually think that this is some kind of icon for gay “culture”.
I could really rant about this so-called “fascinating drama” for hours but I’ll cut it short. Queer As Folk is just another cliché piece of overrated soft-core Show Time porn. There is absolutely no creativity what so ever. I mean, wow, gay men who club, have lots of sex, and soap opera relationships, how did they ever think that up?
It just proves that if you put enough sex in a TV show, a lot of people will watch it and think that it’s artwork.
February 8, 2006
#2
Ok, Season one of QAF was good. Season 2 of QAF was ok. As for season 3 ? As a gay man myself, I found it to be revolting and offensive. I think the way gays are depicted in this show, moreso, Season 3, is RIDICULOUS. According to THIS show gay men have 2 goals in life: SEX & DRUGS. Soooooooooo not true. This season of QAF was so awful, that I will NOT be tuning in to season 4. What I found most offensive about the 3rd season, was the LONG played out storyline that focused on Brian & Justin fighting to have the “sex rooms” in the rear of that club, to not be closed down. How disgusting is that???? Ok- Justin & Brian werent happy about the mayor doing this- we get the point. But did this need to be a major storyline point for Season 3?
For a show that had a promising start, QAF went downhill pretty fast. I thought “Queer eye for the straight guy” was a horrible depiction of how gays are viewed. Well, QAF is an even more horrible depiction. Save your money, and do not purchase Season 3. Otherwise you’ll only regret it. Thanks.
February 8, 2006
#3
Upon watching my first episode of Queer As Folk Season 1, I was immediately hooked. By the time I saw the first episode, Season 2 was already underway. I immediately bought the Season 1 DVDs and proceeded to watch all five DVDs in the space of 2 days. It was just that addictive. I was impressed by the show’s bold and astonishingly frank portrayal of a gay group of friends. The relationship between Brian and Michael was really engaging. I mean, here are “best friends” who loved each other as friends, but had an underlying attraction for each other. I couldn’t turn away. I eagerly awaited more episodes. I was glued to the TV on Sunday nights. My friends and family called me “Queer as Folk” addicted. I was.
Season 2, was not as good. Like most of the other reviewers, I did not care for Michael and Ben as a couple. Michael and David were so much more realistic. Plus, the season was shorter. It was in this season that I started noticing how much smaller Babylon was becoming. It was not the hip & hopping club it used to be. Heck, in this Season, Queer as Folk wasn’t what it used to be. However, it was still worth staying up late on Sundays to catch. Which is more than I can say for Season 3.
Season 3, was by far the worst I have ever seen. It was just plain awful. I found myself taping the shows to watch later, which I’ve always done, but retaping over the episodes, which I never did. They were just that bad. The storylines were boring and just plain uninteresting. However, the absolute worst was what they did to Brian and Michael. Season 3, they barely had a friendship, much less any type relationship. Am I the only one who sees that these two guys belong together?????????
Take my advice, get Season 1 and forget about Seasons 2 & 3.
February 8, 2006
#4
Everything that made QAF unique and special during the first 2 seasons was ruined in Season 3. For me QAF gave us a no holds barred look at (Gen-X) life, was true to life and was politically in-correct. But that all changed this season. It was all over the place, it lacked pacing, a coherent plot, the stories were forced, contrived and it was politically correct.
First of all it was boring, For some of the episodes I found myself forward fasting through scenes of characters I didn’t care for. I never did this in Season 1& 2 (with the exception of the graphic sex scenes).
I wasn’t certain how the Stockwell story was going to play out at first. I found it really neat that Brian was bonding with this politician who was on the other end of the political spectrum on him. I wasn’t quite certain whether Brian was falling for Stockwell or maybe just saw in him the father he never had. Whatever it was I just thought that it was neat that for once Brian was bonding with a guy on his level without the usual wall of arrogance he hides behind. Then the writers got what I call “politically correct” by having Brian and the rest of the gang turn on Stockwell. Yes the guy was a conservative. But the term “fascist” was a bit extreme and un called for. The characters in the story wanted tolerance however they had absolutely none for anyone who did not think the way that they did. I found the whole thing rather hypocritical. It also added to the inconsistency of the whole plot. First of all Brian is the one who approached Stockwell to work for him, despite knowing that Stockwell was a conservative politician. He even went back to Stockwell to try to help his campaign after, Stockwell fired him. Something I never thought that a proud and arrogant man like Brian would do. THEN he tries to bring down tries to bring Stockwell down. Going so far as to torpedo his career (which he went to great lengths to salvage last season) and why does Brian do all this? Because he can’t have sex in a public place. How lame is that? It looked as if the creators thought that it was a pretty lame excuse as well. Which is why they seemed to turn to bringing down Stockwell on the basis of his covering up a murder. Which again adds to the inconsistency from last season since I distinctly remember Brian’s reaction last year at seeing “Dumpster Boy’s” dead body. He smirks and flippantly says “Let’s go eat” (or something to that effect). He obviously didn’t care about the dead boy before, he does now?
I also hated the abrupt ending of the relationship between Justin and Ethan. It was as if the creators simply wanted Ethan out of the picture, so they had him cheat on Justin. Which I found strange considering the amount of love and affection he showed Justin in the first place. I guess I am probably the only person who doesn’t like Brian and Justin together. As much as I respect Randy Harrisson as an actor. He is not exactly the most virile man around. I would have really preferred for Brian to be with a guy more on his level (like David from season 1). Randy and Fabio (Ethan) had way much more chemistry.
Surprisingly what saved me this season were my least favorite characters. Ben and Ted.
I never liked Robert Gant. I found his performances wooden and unispiring. He looks as if he should be acting on a day time soap. However I really enjoyed him reaching out to Hunter and trying to help him. It was done in a very realistic and non-sappy way. The same for Ted’s issue with drugs. This was probably the best anti-drug storyline I’ve ever seen. Since it actually showed us why Ted turned to them-to hide from the loathing he feels for himself. Ted is not my favorite character on this show, but if I had to say who had the best and most realistic storyline this season it had to be him.
And it was too bad that Lindsey and Melanie weren’t used much more.
If the creators can’t think of anything more original to come up with then perhaps it is time to just cancel the show after season 4. I don’t know if QAF is back for a 4th season but I truly hope they clear up the mess from this year.
February 8, 2006
#5
Showtime has claimed this show is groundbreaking. Season 1 was. Season 2 it became predictable. Season 3? Gilligan’s Island had more value.
The writing and directing became pedestrian. I can’t fault the actors for appearing bored. What they were given was laughable and embarrassing.
The show has a “cult” following comprised of mostly women. Not the audience that Showtime and the producers had expected. Unfortunately the show has turned into a bad nighttime soap opera with male nudity as it’s claim to fame. It pretends to be tackling serious issues which are pertinent to the gay community, but ultimately does it in such a hackneyed way that these important issues become simply bad plot devices with little substance.
Often compared to “Sex and the City” it never rises to that level (no pun intended). The humor tends to be juvenile in nature and the friendships with little depth.
The actors have gained a certain amount of notoriety amongst the “fans” yet are, on the whole, unknown outside this show. Not a good sign for their future career moves.
If you can borrow this from someone you’d be better off than buying it. Unless you’re a rabid fan you’ll see the enormous holes and find yourself wishing you’d spent your money more wisely. Better yet, give your cash to a charity of your choice. You’ll feel a lot better about yourself.