Customer Reviews

Boy Meets Boy - Complete Season One

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I never actually watched this show when it aired because in the initial round of advertising, we, the viewers, were actually told what James was not: that of the 15 guys fighting for James' attention, 8 were straight. However, I admit that in a moment of weakness, the absolutely adorable star of the show was enough to get me to fork over the cash to see what the heck it was actually about.

When watching 'reality' TV one has to realize that 'reality' TV has nothing to do with reality at all; rather, it's an opportunity to take the non-famous and put them in dangerous/ridiculous/humiliating circumstances and see how they deal with it. This show was no exception - and while I'm glad that Bravo has been delving into gay-themed television, shame on them.

There's a catch, here, though. If you actually get the DVD's, a few key points shine through. Number one, James and Andra truly ARE quality people. On the third disc, there is a 30+ minute segment just showing their discussion about their manipulation by the producers of the show and how disappointed they were that they had become pawns in a stupid gay-for-pay game. For those fans of 'reality' TV - take a good hard look at this segment and maybe you'll learn a bit more about what the networks DON'T show - people getting hurt and not wanting to be used for entertainment purposes.

The rest of the set with the shows themselves are fairly forgettable simply because the premise itself was deceptive not only to the participants but to the audience. It's almost excruciating to watch James develop feelings for people who are simply there for the cash 'n grab. While James is beautiful and sweet and charming (there's hope after all, kids) it's a shame that he and his friend (and most of the 'contestants') were used for the sake of a television show. I hope they found happiness elsewhere.

If you paid attention to the critical media you would think this show was an affront to gay people everywhere, but that is "B.S." (to paraphrase James' pal Andra). I watched this show on Bravo, taped it and watched it a number of times. I find it to be fun and original. And the Twist (that some of the guys were straight) that was so reviled by the gay thought police was the very hook that reeled in the masses and made it a ratings success (at least by Bravo's expectations). I would have been happy with my grainy video but when I read that there were over 3 hours of extra interviews and deleted footage I couldn't resist, and boy am I glad I bought the DVD. The 3rd disc with extras is worth the price of the set...in fact it may actually be better than the show. There is an hour of cast auditions and an hour of parting thoughts from the ejected suitors as well as James, Andra, and the winner; and a near 40 minute meltdown by the sincere, loving Andra when the "Twist" is revealed. With this disc you will get insight into the character of each participant, including James, that may surprise even those that have seen the show. And you will delve much deeper into the thought process behind each elimination. Yes, there were those that complained that the gay/straight twist was mean. As a gay man I understand. But this set reveals that even the straight guys on the show were chosen with care. They all had gay relatives or friends that they loved and/or admired. I'm glad I own it.

My cable system doesn't carry Bravo in my area so I wasn't able to see this when it originally aired. I was hoping it would come to dvd and I got my wish! It's definitely worth watching! If you enjoy reality shows like the bachelor or any of those dating shows, and you want to see gay men, here it is. Obviously this isn't premium cable, so you're not going to see much eye candy (except for one nude scene of a straight guy in a shower on the dvd), but you will see plenty of bare chests. I thought the leading man, James seemed like a nice guy along with his friend, Andra. Speaking of her, if you've ever seen Mad TV make fun of her, you'll see why when you watch this set! That tantrum she threw was classic (not that I blame her) and they even have the entire unedited version of that segment as a special feature on the bonus disc. Its pretty lengthy too (about 30 to 35 minutes!) There also other special features on the bonus disc like unaired interview spots with the gay and straight men, deleted scenes, a "where are they now" letter update from each of them (unfortunately the star, James, didn't send his update in nor did a few others), and some other features. It's worth checking out...

I loved the show and love watching it - in part or in whole. What I'm writing here is to urge you to purchase the DVD set, if you are like me. The set is impeccable - the brightness and clarity of the images are outstanding and the set is flawless. The three hours, 24 minutes of extras are full of illuminating bits and pieces and the 46 minutes of each actual show (mercifully minus the commercials) is an easier take than the original airings were with all the commercial distraction. One of the best produced and packaged DVD sets I've ever come across.

(...) Ahh those immortal words will be forever etched into my brain by James's formidable hag. This show is actually pretty funny & very psychological though it will leave you with burning questions. Such as: Why would James choose such a smarmy queen as Wes over Brian? And why did Danny Bear just disappear half way through the show?

I already commented on the content, so here is a breakdown of the extras:

The show itself is contained on 2 discs, and the 3rd disc contains extras. You get a lot of deleted and/or extended sequences. One really impressive clip is a 30 MINUTE unedited view of Andra and James reaction to "the twist". They were not told that there were straight men in the house until 3 contestants were left. They got really angry and almost quit, but I ask you ... You're on a reality show and you're surprised by a salacious twist!?!?!? PEOPLE CAN WIN MONEY!??! Oh heavens no! You also get an extended cut of the infamous (?) shower scene with Dan teasing Rob and Brian with his behind pressed against a shower door. Oh my! You saw most of it on Bravo. But for eye candy Dan qualifies. Another really funny cut scene is Coco Peru offering the contests advice on karoke.

Then you have all the casting reels, and final interviews of the contestants. Very good stuff and unedited. And you get a WHERE ARE THEY NOW. But get this - James and many KEY contestants (Sean, Franklin, Dan) did not participate in this section. And oddly there is no casting reel for Dan either. So maybe they all refused to give their blessing to this dvd release. I think they felt exploited.

Then there are odds and ends like a NEVER-USED opening sequence which is basically silly retro animated intertitle cards. If you liked the show then have at this set. It certainly has some good supplements. But I still think it wasn't that riveting to own on DVD. Once you know the outcome will you watch it again? There's a reason Survivor and American Idol seasons are not on DVD. If you know who wins is it worth rewatching?

This show was a riot. It's especially over the top when the reveal that some of the contestants are NOT gay, sends Andra into a tailspin. Wow! I laughed my head off. It's like a terrific accident that you just can't stop watching. Part social studies project and part queer culture microcosim, it's fascinating for some of the right reasons and some of the wrong reasons, in equal measure. If you think your gaydar is spot on, think again. This show is like a self-test for those of us who think, "Well, I'm gay therefore I can spot the real queers from the imposters,"--NOT! You will be surprised at who is and is not gay in this show and you will surprise yourself with your lousy score on calling the queers from the straights. Start a betting pool and see who loses the most money.
Funny/hilarious/bizarre/cheezy/ and so much more. I rented this the first time I saw it, and then just had to buy it for my own personal copy. I will be getting a chuckle out of watching this with people, gay and straight alike, for years to come.

My cable package never includes BRAVO...So obviously I never got to watch this show when it aired. But when I saw the dvd release online,I gotta admit that I hesitated a lot in purchasing it cause I'm not a reality show viewer...until I decided to purchase the show on dvd after getting more info online.
I needed to be sure that my money invested on this show was gonna be worth it,so after reading reviews after reviews of this show I changed my mind & gave it a fair chance.
Honestly,when I started watching it,there was no stopping...The humor, the situations, the plot was fantastic...until the real plot was revealed...JAMES nor ANDRA knew there were straight guys among the contestants which caused ANDRA to throw her history making tantrum. I understood them both cause even if it was a reality game dating show,feelings are something not to play with,& friendships & love was truly developing among each other. Crucial moment to reveal the real plot of the show. Plus the purpose of the show too was to let the viewers open their minds more to the gay community & see us as equal cause we truly are with the exception of our sexual preferences.
All in all this show is very good & very entertaining,you'll get to see the similarity & the difference between gay & straight people which is not that much of a big deal cause we're all human beings.

Before Danni Behr hosted THE LITTLEST GROOM on Fox she could be seen mincing around hosting this gay version of THE BACHELOR which had a secret twist in that "Some of the eligible (?) gay men have been replaced with straight ones!" The viewers were in on it from the beginning and as the elimination ceremonies unfold (the keepers get a glass of champagne) the outed potential mates would reveal if he was straight. Some are very obvious, and some are not. But in the end do you care was the real question?

SURVIVOR, TOP MODEL ... some reality shows are fraught with competition and feats of skill (okay TOP MODEL has catwalks - but it is a skill damn it!). Here we get group dates and suspicions. Entertaining yes. Edifying? um ... no! James the potenital bachelor is cute beyond belief and the idea he would have trouble getting dates is beyond me. Oh, but then there is his annoying fag hag friend who literally goes ballistic when she learns of the UNFAIR twist. She screams and cries like a banshee! Yeesh! So THAT'S WHY HE CAN'T GET A DATE! Ditch the straight girl and all will be well. The guys are all cute to some degree, and it's not a bad watch ... but I felt like I needed a shower by the end of its short run on Bravo.

I'm all for the idea that gay or straight we're all human! But give me the FAB 5 cleaning up any straight slob any day over "Um... I'm going to kiss you to see if you squirm!" It's not fair to do this to anybody! I don't care what the equation is. And FOX found that out with it's short-lived PLAYING IT STRAIGHT.

I think between 2003 and now we have seen enough contrived "reality" shows bordering on cruelty (starving people, people thrown against stationary objects, people eating bugs, etc.) that we can rest our righteous indignation about the "twist" on this show for long enough to enjoy it for what it is.

A very handsome and VERY well-composed "leading man," James is looking for love, or something like it, in a sea of 15 very eligible (read: cute) bachelors. We get to watch him, and his gal pal Andra, negotiate the contrived speed dates and "mingle dinners" in their ongoing efforts to determine which bachelor is the right one for James. The "twist" is both the silver bullet that ups the ante enough to make the stress palpable (and leads to a LOT of drama) and the Achilles heel that makes the show feel less like reality and more like a bad game show at points.

This one-shot series is full of humor, suspense, tears, hellos and goodbyes, and has some real astonishing moments. If it's true that men are unwilling or unable to express their emotions, then James is the proof (well, sometimes) and the other guys are the proof otherwise as they movingly grieve the loss of their friends after eliminations. Andra, too, is the embodiment of all the emotions James cannot express, and her inclusion in the show helps to tell the whole story.

If it's true that editing makes the difference between a good show and a boring one, then the editors need some extra credit for this one. There is hardly a moment that doesn't have significance. The great houses and landscapes fill out the scenario nicely.

Being the eternal optimist, I choose to believe that most of the people on the show and behind the scenes had good intentions. There are a number of lessons to be learned, including the human capacities for deceit as well as compassion, the differences (or lack thereof) between straight and gay men, and certainly studies in how to conduct yourself with grace (or not, Andra) under fire. I think most people can look through the "bad" to see the good; it's certainly there.

Highly recommended. Enjoy.