Boy Meets Boy... Finale Tonight!! --- Oh My Gay Stars!!

[arwalden]

Who's gay? Who's straight?

So far, the ONLY straight contestant to fool me was Jim (on the left in the following photo)


I was disappointed to see Robb eliminated.


Sean... boy oh boy did you ever need to meet Carson and Kyan! I had you pegged from the getgo.


Pick Franklin! Pick Franklin!! If I'm wrong about Franklin, I'll eat my hat.



Here's the imposter!!



Wes... a cutie, a sweetie... but not a hottie. Seems like he's always "on". That would be difficult to live with.


So, who do you think James is going to pick? Who would you pick?

[GOPisEvil]

1. Not a prediction, but a question.

Who's the woman on the show? I'm lost about what her purpose is.

You can guess I've never watched, but I've seen ads and flipped through the show a few times. I always wonder what she's doing there. :shrug:

[arwalden]

2. His Best Friend... She's Helping James Make Decisions By

... giving him feedback of her observations and her interviews with the contenders.

-- Allen

[GOPisEvil]

3. Ahhhhhhhh...gotcha!

Now I get her dramatic outbursts from the commercials.

It all makes sense now.

[Doug Decker]

4. I agree, arwalden, the straight guy is Brian...

and we'll know tonight.

[finecraft]

5. My Gaydar is on....

and I agree with you!

[thom1102]

6. Franklin is straight.

no doubt about it. The reason after the first episode they started grouping the guys, was to ensure at least 1 straight guy would be in the final three. Look at the first picture you posted... notice that Franklin is grouped with three other guys, all of whom have been exposed as being straight. I am 14 for 15, and the only one I missed was Darrin, I thought he was straight. I was sad to see Robb eliminated. I would pick Wes. He makes me laugh! We'll see tonight though.

[arwalden]

8. I thought the group selections might be revealing also...

... but then the producers started showing "disclaimer fine print" at the end of the show that indicated the producers had already discussed with James which contestants he was planning to keep (or eliminate).

Which made me wonder... if the producers already have prior knowledge (based on discussions with James) which ones are likely to stay and which ones are likely to be eliminated, then the group selection becomes less important. (Not UN-important... but less reliable as an indicator.)

Your observations are VERY astute though.

-- Allen

[thom1102]

10. Thank you for the compliment

Of course the producers knew which ones are likely to be eliminated, they had to know to manipulate the contestants to ensure at least 1 straight guy made it to the finals. (Although I am sure they would have been very happy to have only one gay guy of it had worked out that way.)

[Malikshah]

7. Franklin--if he knows what's good for him

Wes has always irritated me--the "tease" trailer bit was a red herring, but dammit--you hit it on the head-- Wes is always "on"--he rarely speaks of his feelings for James, he only talks in terms of the competition. Seriously--go back in your memory and try and remember when Wes actually spoke in a heartfelt manner about James.

Brian--he had a thing for Dan (who was the only one that fooled me, having known that type and look) and is not enough of a personality to match up with James.

Which leaves us with Franklin--they eyes, the hair... But it's the quirky personality, the jealousy that he cannot hide, his awkwardness around James that is so damn endearing.

I'll eat my hat as well.

From the get go, my partner & I pegged Franklin as the keeper.

We miss Robb though--that would have been rough if it had come down to Robb and Franklin. Robb was just so nice

[thom1102]

9. boy, am I gonna have bragging rights tomorrow!

lol- ;)

[Malikshah]

11. Too true :)

Last week's show made us pause and think Franklin is straight. I'm just hoping beyond hope that we're wrong. It would be a shame. The family has few curly-haired members as it is...

[Malikshah]

26. Oh well...

At least James made the right choice for him.

And he got his dig in regarding infiltrating...he was a helluva lot nicer than Andra would've been. I want a reunion show!!!!

I still stand by my dislike of Wes--just not my type.

In the end--Robb would've been great!

He was right re: Brian-- guy just wasn't at the same level.

[vi5]

12. As a straight guy I have to ask...aren't you offended by the show?

The entire premise seems needlessly cruel to me. Why couldn't they have just done a straight (no pun intended) forward gay dating show? I mean if someone is gay and not offended by it then more power to them. But something seems not right to me about the entire proceedings.

I haven't been watching but does the guy who is picking know yet that one of them could be straight?

[Malikshah]

13. Yes--

Andra, James' best friend had the reaction down best. James, on the other hand, appeared calm and, dare I say it resigned. Welcome to the gay world of being toyed with. It's OK to be gay--but don't be too gay...what's too gay? etc. We don't want to hear about your relationships. We don't want you in the military, although countless have died defending this and other countries.

James' reaction was the saddest and most truthful to me. "Here we go again--the gay is made the fool of" By now I'm sure he's had one or two bad experiences in his life--just like others (gay and straight). In the end--we all wish to be treated the same way.



Do I like it that gay men are put on display as some sort of zoo animal to be studied in a lab? No

Do I think that it breaks down stereotypes of gay men--maybe--but only really for the straight men on the show.

On the other hand--do I mind that gay men are depicted as 3-dimensional, fully-functioning human beings. Hell, any port in a storm.

More exposure is needed of course--but it needs to be respectful. Boy meets Boy gets a C (at best) in that regard.

But, I go by the old adage. I'm not going to let perfect get in the way of good.

Just my humble opinion.

[vi5]

14. Thanks. That was very well articulated.....

Reactions I've seen have either been blindly in favor of the show by my friends who will simply flock to anything that depicts gays in any light whatsoever or pure revulsion at the whole thing.

I figured it had to be somewhere in the middle, as you had put it.

It sounds like the guy who is doing the selecting is a class act. Good for him.

[thom1102]

15. It's like Gypsy...

You gotta geta gimmick if you want to be a star. If you want your show to be successful, then it has to have a trick to it. Joe Millionare, For Love Or Money, etc. Dating in the real world is cruel, too. I mean, imagine your a gay guy, and you fall for a coworker. Unless you ask them, there is no way you can know for sure whether they are gay or straight, so you have to go through this elaborate "dance" with them to find out if they are gay or not without embarrassing them, and outing yourself. Reality TV is all about exploitation, whether it's a straight dating show, or a gay makeover show.

To answer your last question, he just found out that one of the final three is straight, and tonight he makes his choice.

[Lady President]

16. I'm so invested in this show

I decided this show was too mean spirited and I wouldn't watch, but some friends had a get-together the night of the first episode and I became engrossed in the whole debacle. I was born lacking the gaydar gene, but here are my thoughts:

Franklin: Logic tells me he's straight. I'm basing this on the pairings during elimination and because he is so young. It seems less likely that anyone past their early 20s would try to pass as gay. I figure a guy in his late 20s or 30s would either be married, have a job he couldn't leave, wouldn't bother for a $25k grand prize, or would have a little more self-respect. He did throw me by calling James "gorgeous."

Brian: I find him dull. I find James dull. I hope they end up as the couple. He could be straight, but I'm going with gay.

Wes: Definitely gay. When the fire exploded he went immediately into "clutching pearls" mode. A straight guy would have gone into "Beavis" mode and chanted fire, fire, fire... I don't think he would be a good match for James.

Robb: I read on some message board that he had been seen out with James~ yea. He was one of my favorites.

Matthew: It's a good thing he's gay because otherwise I would have had to move across the country to stalk him. He is just that perfect.

We'll find out in a few hours! :)

[jumptheshadow]

17. Gay or straight?

Did you catch the show when Jim and Franklin did the cowboy dance together? Boy, did they suck! My partner said, "One of them is straight." She was right about Jim. I wonder if she's correct about Franklin as well. He's adorable and I hope that James picks him although I'm not quite sure about his orientation.

I'm not a gay man, though.

[KCDem]

18. if Franklin is straight,

can I have him? :evilgrin:

Like the rest of ya'll, I don't like Wes much either. But I really don't know which one the straight guy is. I think James should pick Franklin. Guess we'll know soon enough!

[underpants]

19. I think the whole thing is sick.

But I will be watching (just started last week).

First the money is a ridiculous $25K

but more importantly why don't we see someone with a STD on a "straight" you know to spice it up....will they pick the right one or will they catch_______ .

They could only get away with this because he is gay.

Bravo should be ashamed of themselves.

[PartyPooper]

20. My vote goes to Franklin as the straight guy.

Yesterday I watched re-runs of the series...which allowed me to look closer at the finalists. :-)

Brian and Wes have to be gay. No doubt about it. Their body language spoke to me!

On the other hand, at first I thought Franklin was gay...but, later I observed more closely his encounters with James and the other guys...and, my reading is that his act is a charade. He's playing to win as a "gay" guy. I'll admit he's good...but, not totally convincing to me. His final "date" with James at the spa confirmed it for me. He made a gesture to touch James' hand at the dinner table...but, it looked so phoney and insincere. Afterwards, he said good night and gave James a hug and a kiss on the cheek. Again, not too convincing.

Brian and Wes are glowing over the prospect of winning...and, they each hugged and kissed James following their respective final dates. As I recall, they both kissed James on the lips! A straight guy wouldn't do that!

This gay guy thinks James will pick Wes!

BTW, Brian is one of my favourites. He has the cutest and sweetest smile! :loveya:

[TrogL]

21. Where/when is it on so i can receive it in Canada?

I can't get US Bravo and Canadian Bravo doesn't appear to be running it

[thom1102]

22. 35 minutes and counting....

tick tick tick... Andra gives it to the straight boy when he tips his hand! Whack!:spank:

[thom1102]

23. Brian down...

Who's next?

[thom1102]

24. WOO HOO!!!

I called it... BRAGGING RIGHTS ARE MINE! Gentlemen, take your hats! Munch!

[Hell Hath No Fury]

25. Are you eating yet, Allen? :) (spoiler)

I had Franklin tagged because, when Andra had the three of them at the table (before the final twist) and was telling them that the only thing that would spoil it was if someone was not being honest.

Brian and Wes were looking straight at her and Franklin was looking in his lap (aka guilty) -- that was the dead giveaway for me.

Jim had me going as well, though Sean stood out from the first episode for me.

I liked the little chats they had with many of the guys talking about their appearance and what it meant to them. I kind of wanted to see ALL the guys back in one room together after finding out the straight twist -- listening in on that conversation would have been fascinating, I think.

At first I was really pissed off by the twist, but after following the series I can understand that the producers used the guise of a dating show to address some bigger things.

All in all, I enjoyed it. :)

[arwalden]

33. Sorry... I Can't Talk Now... I'm Eating My HAT Right Now...

Oh My Gay Stars!!

Yep... that photo of Franklin being grouped together with the other straight guys (who were eventually eliminated) was definitely a giveaway.

I've been married too long and my gaydar skills are definitely out of practice.

I also lost Franklin's strong features and dark eyes and sexy lips influence my decision as well. Brian was just a little too quiet for my tastes and I interpreted that as having something to hide.

Sigh.

It was a fun show, though.

I think James' anger at Franklin might have been misplaced. The anger and disappointment should have been directed at the producers of the show (or perhaps it could have been directed at HIMSELF for being naive enough to believe that there wouldn't have been some sort of twist that would make him out to be the fool.)

In any case, although Wes wasn't my original choice... I hope that they have a good time and maybe find a lasting romance. --- Now wouldn't THAT be nice?

-- Allen

[PartyPooper]

27. <<<SPOILER ALERT!>>>HAHAHA!!!

I picked both the straight guy (Franklin) and the guy who James would select (Wes)!

Allen, where is my prize? :-)

BTW, I liked the show very, very much. But, I DID NOT like the confrontation that James had with Franklin at the very end. Franklin was obviously very sweet and sincere...and, James viciously lit into him! I didn't like that at all! It was uncalled for.
Besides, this was a game. And, Franklin played it very well. He even acknowledged eloquently at the end (as had several other straight guys) that this was a tough gig...that he had difficulty with it...being honest with himself and others...and, he understood how difficult it must be like as a gay man trying to stay in the closet. He was truly an honest and sweet man playing this game. He even said that he would never be the same person after he left! I'm sorry that James was so mean to him. I would like Franklin as a friend, gay or straight! He's a real gem.

P.S. I still LOVE Brian! :loveya:

[ibegurpard]

29. I thought James was pretty easy on him.

If I was him and that "twist" was pulled on me, I would've walked off the show.

[PartyPooper]

32. But, it wasn't Franklin's fault! He didn't set the ground rules!

They planted several other straight guys on the show, too. James shouldn't have gotten so pissed at this twist. All of the straight guys played the game so well. I applaud them!


:toast: :grouphug:

[thom1102]

35. Yeah, but he put himself in that position...

:nopity: He deceived James, and the rest of the housemates, and led James on. Yes, it was a game, but he could have chosen not to play.

[arwalden]

36. Did America Learn Anything? Or Just The Straight Housemates?

Watching the exit interviews, the straight guys all expressed a common theme of how difficult it must be for gays and lesbians to project an image of themselves that's a complete lie.

Yes... that's true. But did anyone else "get it"? Or just the straights on the show.

Even though I enjoyed the show... I don't think it will raise the social consciousness of fundamentalist and paranoid middle-America. I doubt the Bush American-Heartland even bothered to tune it.

Oh well. It's a start. Not perfect, but a beginning.

-- Allen

[thom1102]

37. I did get it...

but I think that there were better ways to make the point than to manipulate peoples emotions. Yes, all the straight guys said nice things about acceptance and how they were so fundamentally changed, but they went into this whole thing under the pretext of deceiving some guy, who was just there to find a potential life partner, into falling for him. There were no altruistic motives on the part of the straight guys going into this. They said a lot of nice things in the end to redeem themselves, but they were in this for the chance to get on national television and potentially win $25,000.

Maybe I am just cynical, but I have no pity for Franklin, "Viva la Revoluccion" Sean, "Look how pretty and gay I can act" Dan, or any of the other straight guys.

[arwalden]

39. Dan Was Just Too Arrogant...

... but Jim had me fooled because he was almost an identical twin to someone I once dated. I think I was seeing my ex in him rather than being as objective as I should have been.

Someone confirm my math... but were there MORE straight men than gay men in the pool of contenders? Or was it 50/50?

[ibegurpard]

28. Mmmmm....tasty hat eh?

:P
I suspected it was Franklin, although I didn't want it to be. I'm just SO glad he didn't pick the straight guy and all that crap about "I'm just here to challenge stereotypes"...PLEASE! They were there for the chance to get face time on TV and possibly win 25,000.

[arwalden]

34. The Brim Is A Little Tough

But everything else is quite tasty.

More salt please.

-- Allen

[alphafemale]

30. Springing the "One of them is straight" at the end - was wrong.

He had a right to be angry.

He did not come close to the "scratch eyes out angry" of his friend though.

He could have choose wrong and be forever the fool on National TV.

It was great television perhaps, but it was potentionally very, very, cruel.

Maybe fairer would have been to tell him that some of the guys were straight from the beginning. It still could have been a good show.

Maybe even a better show.

I really hate cruelty.

[ibegurpard]

31. I agree

I watched it but I had a problem with the whole premise that was unknown to the principal player. I think it was mean.

[Born_a_Democrat]

38. You may want to read this article

http://archive.salon.com/ent/feature/2003/09/02/boy_meets_boy/