Shout Out Health

'LOOKING' Recap: Boy, Oh Boy, Oh Boy

Doesn't it seem like an eternity since there was a network TV show totally dedicated to LGBT characters? I mean Queer as Folk blazed new territory on Showtime way back in 2000-2005, and The L Word ended in 2009. So when HBO's Looking made it's debut Jan. 19, the question lurked in the air: How far have gay TV characters evolved? Will this be a shoddy, scripted version of Logo's The A List, honing in on the most inane stereotypes, or will it be (as many have predicted) the gay Girls? The first look seems promising...

Episode one started (cringingly so) with a horrifically stereotypical sex in the woods (hey, we all do that, don't we?) scene, which introduced us to sweet-faced Patrick (Jonathan Groff), the emotional center of the show.

Agustin, Patrick, and Dom

Soon we meet his friends, 30-somethings Agustin (Frankie J. Alvarez), an aspiring artist, and Dom (Murray Bartlett), a waiter who's hung up on an ex. They smoke joints, snark and banter, go to work, bars and parties (just like normal people!) and seem likable and interesting enough to give Looking a few more looks on Sunday nights (after Sherlock, of course).

Have You Seen This Film Yet?

"How To Survive a Plague" is a must-see film for every generation, and an incredible reminder that together, we really can change the world. Watching this generation stand up amidst unspeakable fear, tragedy and loss and find the courage to fight for visibility, equality and dignity is awe inspiring. Have you seen it yet? It's playing in theatres and on In Demand in selected cities, so check your local listings!

Go here for more information or showtimes.

Bruno: Hazardous to Your (Mental) Health?

Joy Behar likes him. Barbara Walters, not so much. The Ukraine has banned him. And GLAAD thinks he’s downright mean.

I’m talking of course about Bruno (in all his glory below), the Austrian gay stereotype gone stark raving mad, concocted by the very talented Sacha Baron Cohen (of Borat fame). Bruno hit theaters with a splash on July 10, raking in $14 million Friday before business actually started dropping off over the weekend (some are blaming bad buzz on Twitter). Since then, the film has been dropping off fast, which is no surprise considering some of the reviews.

In a statement, GLAAD says parts of the film “reinforce some damaging, hurtful stereotypes” and  “decreases the public's comfort with gay people."

Newsweek called it “the most depressing movie of the year” before concluding, “A generation of straight teen guys will hit the summer multiplex to hoot at Brüno, and they'll probably think of the lecherous sexual predator the next time they meet a gay person.”

Walters said this on The View: “I think if you're not homophobic, it could make you. I don't need to know how you are doing anal intercourse."

Behar countered: "I was howling ... It's so audacious and so funny.”

Admittedly, I was hoping Bruno would successfully make homophobes look as foolish as Borat did his unwitting cast of racists, but after reading all this I opted for a more benign option, The Proposal, instead (embarrassing, I know). I WILL go see it soon, and will chime back in then.

In the meantime, what do you think? Is Bruno taking gay rights a giant giant step backwards, or should everyone lighten the hell up and just laugh? Click on the 'comments' tab below to chime in...

-- Mitch Rustad