Before I even sat down to watch this promotional trailer for The A-List, I was prepared to be offended. It’s tricky though – and now I’m torn. The concept of a Real Housewife-esque take on gay couples and gay relationships is interesting, but instead of going for some kind of boring, cerebral, documentary-style look at upper-middle class gay couplings, the LOGO Network (the network for gays, and people who enjoy gay-themed programming) really decided to take the Real Housewives model and just blatantly copy it. This show isn’t about being gay – much like the Bravo Real Housewives shows aren’t about being straight. The A-List is just about a–holes who just happen to be gay. Much like RHONJ is about trashy women who just happen to live in New Jersey.
Now, does The A-List seem like it’s probably-definitely going to be offensive? Yes. But I get offended by the Real Housewives shows too. I get offended as a woman and as an American, and the idea that ANY Real Housewife (other than RHOA’s NeNe) would represent American Womanity in any way, shape or form is reprehensible. And yet, there are women out there like that. Just as there are gay dudes out there in world who will totally relate to The A-List. Does it perpetuate some of the worst stereotypes about gay dudes? Yep. And my guess is that it will probably be a runaway success for LOGO too.
Some of the “A-List” who appear on the show? Reichen Lehmkuhl, who used to date power-gay Lance Bass. Mike Ruiz, a fashion photographer. Ryan Nickulas, a hair salon owner. And their assorted boyfriends, who mostly sound like dudes who used to model but are now one paycheck/boyfriend away from being professional hustlers. Gawker has more details about the dudes here.
I can also admit this, in full disclosure: if my mother got LOGO, she would be all over this show. It would become her new favorite. She would recite all of the plotlines to me over the phone the next day. I know it. I feel it in my heart.
Here’s Reichen Lehmkuhl and his trophy boyfriend:
Here’s photographer Mike Ruiz. My guess? He’s like the Kelly Bensimon of the gheys.
