GAY REALITY: THE TEAM GUIDO STORY [Paperback]

John Chaffetz (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 22, 2003

Here's a white, gay couple who are older, who are hysterically funny . I gotta say, I love them!-Rosie O'Donnell, The Rosie Show"They're Team Guido, named in honor of their dog and, arguably, the most entertaining couple of the bunch."-Tom Shales, The Washington Post"Team Guido showed mainstream America that gay couples are not only charismatic, but also that they can be stable, loyal and devoted, with longevity."-Genre Magazine"You can't force someone to accept you, but you can drive away potential allies. Just keep your sex lives to yourselves."-Bill O'Reilly, The O'Reilly Factor"A welcome down-to-earth couple, between the buffed up boys of Queer as Folk and the campy histrionics of Will and Grace. Their long term relationship should be of value to any young gay man in search of level headed role models and a sense of their community's history."-Christopher Rice, Bestselling Novelist"Team Guido, I love them!"-Diane Sawyer, on The Rosie Show

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Gay Reality is the result of extended time spent by the author with Team Guido and those who are close to them. The author, John Chaffetz, is currently at work on his next book, at his home in southern California.

Product Details

• Paperback: 72 pages
• Publisher: iUniverse, Inc. (April 22, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0595275036
• ISBN-13: 978-0595275038
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,468,532 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gay Reality in a time of gay reality, July 1, 2003

By 

RUdy S - See all my reviews

This review is from: GAY REALITY: THE TEAM GUIDO STORY (Paperback)

In light of the recent Supreme Court reversal of anti sodomy laws across this country, and the reaction of conservative America comes a story of love, a story of what it means to be a gay couple, a story that America is ready to embrace. It is far beyond the story of simply the Amazing Race's "Team Guido"... it is the story of Bill Bartek and Joe Baldassare, two anything but ordinary men who are in love. The book is called "Gay Reality" and it is a milepost of achievement in gay publications that should have far reaching effects beyond fans of the show and the gay community.

The book only uses the backdrop of being the first gay couple in prime time television as a launch pad to tell the full story of what it means to be gay, in love and committed. From background stories by those who know them best, to their own words, Bill and Joe come to life beyond the nasty evil characters they portrayed in reality television land. Their story is set to a backdrop of the struggle for gay rights from the gates of Stonewall, to the current controversies arising from the recent Supreme Court decision in a way that vindicates 35 years of a struggle for all gay men to find acceptance.

Joe and Bill are from a generation where gay was not a fashion statement, but a struggle both externally and internally. Both men talk candidly about their own coming to terms with who they are now with stories ranging from Bill never being comfortable with the ladies, to Joe's very frank talk about being a gay man in a straight world. Complemented by stories from Joe's ex fiancée and best friend Chet, the book answers many questions that today's gay youth society may not understand.

We also come to know that Bill and Joe were raised by Edina and Patsy from "Ab Fab". Not really, but their mothers are the real stars of this book, two wonderful ladies, who are very entertaining in offering advice and details of the live of their children. Mrs. Baldassare telling Joe that if he is going to sleep around, and gets a girl pregnant he better do right by her, to Mrs. Bartek's comments found on page 41 about the winners of the race. Biting their tongues, like the sons they reared is obviously not the strong point of these women.

The two most candid moments in the book come when Bill talks about religion, (he is still a practicing Catholic), and the story that affects every gay person in America, the rise of the AIDS crisis, and how it affected them personally. You might be surprised by the openness of the discussion.

The book concludes with thoughts on gay rights, and the gay struggle, which might be surprising to those who don't know Joe and Bill. It's about acceptance and, at the heart of it, love; plain and simple. Plus, you know you want to see Joe alone with Senator Rick Santorum for just 5 minutes!

Oh and Guido also get his moments in the sun as well. What would Team Guido be without the observations of the real star of the family?

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars I Hate this couple, November 24, 2010

By 

Lawrence Justin Patterson - See all my reviews

This review is from: GAY REALITY: THE TEAM GUIDO STORY (Paperback)

I went back to watch the first season of The Amazing Race and how dare anyone praise this couple as being heroes of the gay community. Before I continue I would like to say I myself am gay and was very disguised with the actions of these men. Did no one notice that their actions were down right nasty towards the other team. Which I feel just gave the gay community more of a bad name. In the most simple of terms. F@%k them.