Gays, straights, lesbians and "Dante's Cove"

Back when “Queer as Folk” was on the air, it was well known that the majority of the viewers were straight women.  “Queer as Folk” reps found the information surprising, but it opened up a really interesting dialogue in the media: Why were straight women so obsessed with “Queer as Folk?”

Opinions varied.  Some simplified the phenomena, saying straight women really just liked watching hot guys having sex.  Even "Queer as Folk" star Robert Gant agreed. “They relate to the stories or whatnot, but here’s the key,” he’s quoted as saying. “I found out that the truth is, women love to watch two guys getting it on! I was really surprised by this.  It’s always, guys like to watch two women... socialization-wise.”

“Queer as Folk” producer Sheila Hockin had a different take. “Women are drawn to the working out of romantic relationships,” she said.  “And how people negotiate relationships, the power-plays.”

When “Queer as Folk” star Hal Sparks was once asked what it was about his character, Michael, that might appeal to straight female viewers, he replied, “His sweetness, his vulnerability and his habit of binge eating comfort food when he gets upset.” In other words – straight women were able to see a side of the opposite sex that they rarely see in the straight world.

Ok – so what does all of this have to do with the new season of “Dante’s Cove?” 

Like “Queer as Folk,” “Dante’s Cove” is primarily a show for gay men.  But this season, they’re throwing lesbians into the mix. They’ve even added Jenny Shimizu and Jill Bennett – two hot, openly gay actresses – to the cast, and from the promotional pics, it looks like things get pretty steamy on the lesbian side of things.

It would seem natural that by adding the women, Here TV is trying to increase their lesbian viewer ship.  The question is – will this work? 

The success of “The L Word” proves that lesbians can’t get enough of lesbian love scenes.  But will they have the patience to sit through the numerous gay male sex scenes before they get their lesbian pay off?  And while we’re at it, will the gay male viewers want to sit through the lesbian sex scenes?   

The one gay man I know who watches “The L Word” tells me he fast forward’s through the sex scenes (don’t worry, Richard, I won’t tell them it’s you), and frankly, I can’t tell you how many of my lesbians friends talk about how they’d never, ever be able to even imagine having sex with a man (myself not included, I swear!).

Let’s face it -- straight women have a lot more in common with gay men than their lesbian counterparts.  They get turned on by men.  It’s going to be interesting to find out exactly who ends up being the majority audience of “Dante’s Cove.” 

Image courtesy Here TV

Comments

[sexar]

Dante's Cove is extremely stupid, but thank the producers for showing all those hunks!