"Desperate" for Gay Help

Just last week I mentioned how much I love ABC's Sunday night show "Brothers & Sisters." One of the many reasons was that it features realistic characters--a few of whom just happen to be gay. But if you have an itching to see a cardboard version of Hollywood "gay," be sure to tune into "Desperate Housewives" just an hour earlier Sunday evening on the same network.

We all know that "Desperate Housewives" has its ups and downs. When it sings, it sings...and when it stinks, it really stinks. Lately it's on an upswing with more "hands-on" attention from show creator Marc Cherry. There are a few new characters who are intriguing, some really snappy dialogue, and surprising plot developments. But when it comes to the new gay couple on Wisteria Lane, Marc Cherry's characters are real lemons.

The gay couple of Bob and Lee is played by Tuc Watkins and Kevin Rahm. Bob is the butch, hunky big guy and Lee is his skinny nellie boyfriend. Yeah, yeah, whatever--I don't even mind that. But if you thought that Marc Cherry would use his own gay sensibility to make Bob and Lee people you care about...think again. Sadly the couple seems to be heading the way of poor Betty Applewhite. Remember her? Alfre Woodard's sad character was never fleshed out and was relegated to nothing more than a season-long plot point for the other characters.

As for Bob and Lee not being believable, you can argue that "Desperate Housewives" never really aims for realism and that all the characters are exaggerations. But even when over-the-top, most of the characters on Wisteria Lane have a life about them, a deeper level. Case in point, although Dana Delaney's new character is part of an overarching mystery, you still get a sense of who she is outside of that one story arc. You actually think of her as a person.

But poor Bob and Lee aren't people--they're just gay. The G-A-Y-S on the block. And these gays are as one-dimensional and flat as they come. So far their contribution to the storyline is that they put a fountain in their front yard. Oh and what we know about them: they moved from the city and they don't mind playing hardball with neighborhood politics.

But beyond that, they aren't even likeable. I mean, if Lee was crazy smart and bitchy as hell and let the zingers fly, I could respect that. But all he's really done so far is bark insults at Terri Hatcher's hapless character Susan. I don't even like Susan, but every time Lee snaps at her I think to myself, "What a dick." Between the way Lee's dialogue is written and Rahm's sourpuss delivery, I'm hoping Bob finds a new husband.

In any case, I'm giving Marc Cherry and the other writers some leeway for the time being. We're only a few episodes into the new season and maybe they have a real plan for the characters of Bob and Lee. That's what I'm hoping. As it stands now, I don't like Wisteria Lane's first gay couple. They may be cute, but they're not all that funny, and they're certainly not likeable.

Image courtesy ABC

Comments

[Niel]

It's too early to be commenting about these two: we're only a month into the season...I have a feeling they will be front and center of a storyline gradually...give it some time before you pass judgment!

[Tommy Marx]

I think it's hilarious that Lee can't stand Susan, although I agree that he comes across as a major dick. Personally, I wouldn't want to date either one of them. But I think it's way too early to dismiss them as cardboard characters. The fact that they are willing to play dirty intrigues me - I think Dana Delaney's character is the best addition since the show began, and I like that they are willing to battle with her.

[kjy]

I agree. The guys barely had an episode and you already want to judge. It's way too soon. Give them time to develop. By the way...one dimensional is linear not "flat".

[Michael]

They are the best Gay-characters ever on television. Neither character is Butch nor Nellie, Bob is conservative and Lee more of a free spirt. Bob and Lee are 10 times more interesting then the self loathing homosexual that is scare of commitment like the one on Brothers and Sisters (yawn)that story has played before (think Will)
Bob and Lee don't fit in the neighbor and they don’t really care. . They aren't role playing a straight marriage. Lee and Bob aren't begging for anyone approval. They stand up for themselves. They take their happiness and life seriously. They are 10 time richer and more fully developed gay characters then we have ever seen of televison before.
The best thing to happen to Wisteria Lane in long time

[Mead]

I think it's sort of important to differentiate between main characters and supporting characters. A character is normally introduced to an existing show as a supporting character and may or may develop into a main character. I'd challenge the writer of this review to name a whole lot of characters -- gay or straight -- who are fleshed out within their first couple of episodes. Give it some time... I mean how much did you even know about your best friend only 3 weeks after first meeting him?

[Brendan Tait]

Wow. This article is complete garbage. It's pretty horrible that the author of this piece comes out swinging so hard. The author writes that one of the reasons the characters are crap is because one is bitchy. NEWS FLASH--There are bitchy people out there, both gay and straight. We have yet to be given a chance to really get to "know" these characters, give them time! Also, lest we forget that DH is about the WOMEN on the show. Any new neighbor is one for a little bit, then cast off due to the plot lines. Just like Applewhite, they are probably destined to leave Wisteria Lane sooner rather than later. He goes on to say that the characters are neither likeable nor funny--why have you not given thought to the fact that maybe this is what the writers had in mind? Why is it every time a gay character is introduced on TV or in a movie, some gay writers are so quick to critique and nit-pick. Are there straight women out there going through every line that Susan, Lynette, Gabby, Edie, and Bree says and saying "this is wrong, that is wrong" or calling them mean? Bree is mean--that is what makes her who she is! My God, I've seriously had enough of this disecting of gay characters.

[Frank Leon]

yes, I agreed with your comments. The GAY couple really sucks!!!

[Chris]

Let's not forget that they were introduced into the series precisely in this light. One of their first witty lines was "Hope we live up to your stereotype." Let's face it...we're all still very desperate and the series is getting hotter every week!

[David]

I agree with both assessments. On one hand it is too soon to tell if these guys will end up being likeable BUT based on the episodes they have been on I don't like them. They moved into a neighborhood hoping to be accepted as part of the community which is well and good but all the writers do is throw the fact that they are gay in our faces. AS a gay man I don't wanna hear about how gay the gay characters are. They should be characters whom happen to be gay not GAY characters. I do like that the writers and actors haven't stereotyped them but these characters aren't bitchy. Edie Brit is bitchy. These characters found out a neighbor's past and used it against her to keep a noisy ugly fountain on their property. I'm kinda thinking the GAY writer should either stick with writing about women or take a page from the writers of UGLY BETTY. Heck even the movie THE STEPFORD WIVES had a better gay couple!!!

[biboarder7c]

I couldn't agree more. They suck and probably don't use their lips, tongues, or swallow. WTF! Marc Cherry is the biggest queen and yet the dames he brought to Wisteria lack wit, style, and glamour. How about a hot past-his-prime party boy a-la Gabby? Or a neo-puritanical papi a-la Lynette? Or a str8-laced mili-mo who appreciates Bree's attention to detail? Or at least an adorable fag-bafoon whom only Susan could relate? Guess again. We get two vindictive cunts that don't even have chemistry amongst themselves. Suck it, Marc. Andrew was less offensive!

[Ikando]

Like the characters on the show, I wish that many could stop working so hard at being "Gay" and just be people. Does it always have to be be glitter and witty comments every single second?

[Jerry]

Obviously you are entitled to your own opinions, but I dont see how you using them in your blogs is supposed to help people who don't feel the same feel the urge to read anything else you write. I happen to enjoy DH this season and am glad they are showing the gay characters as something other than funny, witty, flaming one dimensional characters. We finally get to see a snotty, bitter gay guy (and we all know them in real life) paired up with a seemingly nice, guy next door. (who just happens to be hot as hell)

And seeing as the season has only had them in two or three episodes maybe you should give the show more of a chance before dishing out the insults, much like I am doing with your blog.

And by the way, my opinion of Brothers and Sisters is that if it had not followed DH it would be canceled by now! The show is boring, witless, and has no plot other than a dysfunctional family coming together. And last I checked, Dynasty had been there and done that.

[carlo]

I enjoy watching a "deseparate housewives" is because it's funny however, i think that gay couple acting kinda dull and i'm so disappointed. that story should be something exciting and mystery for the gay couple. one character that i did not like is susan (teri hatcher, she doesn't look pretty to me anymore) because she does offended something about other country and make it look bad for them, i think it's the writer .

[xxxfish]

They're not horrible, as it is too early to tell. But they are rather dull and boring, I find myself just waiting for the next scene.

[Ellen]

I agree they are a bit bland. But I like that the are just "Gay" and not extreme stereotypes. There are some of us out here who are Gay and just that - two people in love...(no visable stereotypes.) I am sure that there is more to come with them. They did throw the Halloween party for the community...I think the writers are just holding back and will let it out a little at a time.

[don]

2 episodes in, and you already have summed up their characters...wow..nothing like giving them a chance settle in.

[john]

I don't care for either of the characters. Lee is Bitchy! and very unlikeable

[matt]

If Andrew is any indication of how he writes gay characters -- I don't think it's any surprise how this couple turned out.

[Burak Ozan]

Although, we cannot possibly take Andrew as an indication, 'Cuz then, I'd say all of the housewives should be a little bit less smart than the average, taking Suzan Mayer as an indication, and that would be something that a smart creator like Marc Cherry wouldn't do, it'd be boring then.

ps: Andrew was such a dick just cuz of his anger that he had for his mom, which doesn't make "dick" necessarily an adjective of Andrew. But for this Lee guy, I think "dick" is his quality, adjective.

[ejbonk]

I think ,your asking to much from a show that is a dark yet light comic drama of the burbs.Beside,I prefer the wait and see approach to Lee and Bob's development on the show. Let's face it,they did have a killer Halloween Party last sunday.

[Jason Graefen]

I believe that bringing a gay couple to wisteria lane is a big step in the progress of the show. The basis of the show is about desperate wives not husbands or gay couples, however these wives have people factored in to make thier lives and personalities more interesting and appealing to the public eye otherwise there would be no rating. Bob and Lee I believe are part of the story in there relationship that developes with the wives and a liberal and concervative community views on having a gay couple share the neighborhood. I agree with several of the comments made that the characters should be given a chance to develop and grow with the show. The true natures of Bob and Lee I believe will come out as the story line continues.

[Babyboisac]

Yeah Lee is sucha bitch, and i feel sorry for their neighbors specially Suzan and Katherine(which i seriously think is also a effing bitch and for that i love her) for having a seemingly titanium hard gay couple who seem to know any specific button to press or to manipulate anyone. I'm sure this couple have their own skeletons in their closet just like everyone else in the block and I can't wait to know what it is! LOL!

[John]

I'm really disappointed by the new gay couple on the block. They are just so rude it pisses me off any time that Lee opens his mouth, glad I don't roll over in bed to see him with me. My other and I have a house in almost the same type setting and we never act like that, though have stood against the home owners association on some issues. Had to laugh, we decorate for Halloween as they do which is funny. The writers need to meet some real gay couples in the same setting because the characters they created need toned down and be more gay.

[RW]

You are right on. They are nothing but G-A-Y.

And--why give them "more time"? We didn't need more time with Andrew's boyfriend, who was a much more interesting gay character on the same show.

As far as the comment by someone that these were the best gay characters on TV ever. OY. You musta fell hard out of THAT turnip truck, mister.

[Ikando]

Lee is very bitchy and makes me remember why I dropped completely out of the gay scene for so many years. Not that I wasn't gay or have issues with being gay, but because snotty, catty queens like that are very tiring to be around for any period of time. They are not impressed with anyone or anything, and and always have to one up somebody every second with that mean mouth of theirs. They think they are being funny and popular when actually they are quite boring.