Tell Me You Love Me: Thank God I'm Gay

In this season of thanks, I have much to be grateful for. There's all the usual stuff (health, happiness, blah blah blah). But this year, I'm adding one more blessing to the list: my homosexuality.

The motivation for this addition comes from...what else...TV. Specifically, "Tell Me You Love Me". This HBO series, which just wrapped up for the season, has become a cult hit among the breeders. I've caught a few minutes here and there, but didn't really commit until I saw Boone from "Lost" completely naked. That got my attention.

The sex on the show is the most graphic on TV, and it's the new buzz around the water cooler. But dig a little deeper and you'll find that the attraction to the show goes deeper than the sex for most of the heteros. Because the series features three or four couples in counseling, it is functioning as a sort of proxy therapy for all these fragile couples out there. And rather than pay a shrink $150/hour to talk about why they aren't having sex, they just have to pay their cable bill.

Howard Stern is a fan, and has been very open in discussing how the show gets he and his fiancee "talking". Straight friends of mine say the same thing; they love how it's "so uncomfortable, but really brings up some interesting issues". the HBO website even features clips of real couples responding to the show. UGH. Just give me the naked guys.

The whole mood of the show is very grey. There are barely any glimmers of light, let alone hope. The performances are all strong, especially Jane Alexander. And of course as a "Lost" fan, I loved seeing Penny (and Boone, as I mentioned before). But aside from the emotionally-under-developed-nympho Jaime and her masochistic ex Hugo, no one smiles, ever.

And like the straight people say, the show IS very uncomfortable. Take the series finale: David and Katie are in therapy because they don't have sex anymore, and seem to hate each other (their daughter may also be figuring out she's a lesbian, but maybe I'm reading too much into that). Anyways, following a vicious exchange of words, Katie stomps off.  David appears to make some sort of internal resolution, tracks her down at the fridge (of course) and lays one on her before trudging back to the bedroom.

Now the fun begins. Katie, played by Ally Walker (remember her from "Happy, Texas"?), musters all her strength and in a move of emotional fortitude, takes of her shirt in front of David (she's been having body issues). As brave as it was, all I could think was put the shirt back on! I'm not a particular fan of big fake boobies, but it was just too much honesty for me.  Anyways, she straddles him and starts to get into his pants, but instead of laying back and letting her, David forces her hand down her OWN pants. And I mean forces. The ensuing "sex" is so hard to watch and her body is in such an unsexy position that I was completely tense from head to toe just waiting for it to be over. But I did watch it to its conclusion, nonetheless.

The clincher? The show was directed by Melanie Mayron, Melissa from "Thirtysomething"! It's like finding out your aunt was in Hustler.  Also putting in some surprising appearances were Jeremy London  (Party of Five) and Christine Elise (Beverly Hills 90210). Such a grown-up show for our former twenty-something idols.

Anyways, my point is that if this show is speaking so powerfully to all these straight people out there, and acting as a "conversation starter", then I'm more convinced than ever that I'm they way I should be. There is no way I could make a standing therapy date every week with a significant other AND a tv show. Plus I really don't have that much to talk about. Maybe it's just me and the gay people I know, but there isn't alot of hashing out of issues. You're either into each other or your not. If being straight means having to talk about why you haven't had sex for two weeks, rather than just having sex, and what it all means, then pass the stuffing and potatoes, because this gay pilgrim is thankful.

Image courtesy HBO

Comments

[StudioTodd]

Jeez...superficial much?

[area08]

"Superficial?" I say "super!" I agree that my relationships with my friends and boyfriend are full of candid conversations. If there is anything I can't talk to my boyf' about, my pals are there to listen. And that goes for them and theirs as well! I can't count how many times we've given each other advice on how to handle situations. I guess it's easy when we're all gay men, who actually get along and respect each other's feelings. My heart goes out to the jaded and lesbian... and hetero'. (Okay, I'm kinda' joking.)

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