Queer as Folk : The Scripts from the British TV Series [Paperback]

Russell T. Davies (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 21, 1999

"Queer as Folk" is the story of three gay guys, their families and friends. The exploits of Stuart, Vince and Nathan covered many of the thornier problems in life, such as cleaning up your loft apartment after a wild party, how you should react when your mum wants to come clubbing with you, and the perils of being the ultimate social outcast - a Doctor Who fan. This title contains the complete unexpurgated scripts from the first series, and includes scenes that were never transmitted.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Channel 4 Book (November 21, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0752218581
• ISBN-13: 978-0752218588
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,007,049 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Russell T. Davies is one of the UK's foremost writers of television drama, creating groundbreaking shows such as Queer As Folk, Bob & Rose, and The Second Coming. He has been Head Writer and Executive Producer of Doctor Who since it returned to the BBC in 2005 and has written many of the new series' most memorable episodes. He was awarded an OBE in 2008 for services to drama. He divides his time between Cardiff and Manchester. Benjamin Cook is a journalist and regular contributor to Radio Times and Doctor Who Magazine. He has also been published in TV Zone, Cult Times and The Stage and is the author of Doctor Who: The New Audio Adventures - The Inside Story. He lives in London.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book is a "must have" if you like QAF!, November 29, 2001

By 

Joe C. Mazzini (Montgomery Creek, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Queer as Folk : The Scripts from the British TV Series (Paperback)

The British series of QAF is available for purchase on VHS or
DVD. It is worth every hard-earned dollar ([and it] includes the "Making of QAF". If you are financially-
challenged at the moment, then at least purchase this book.
Do keep one thing in mind: the book is not the *exact* script
for the British TV series; actually, that makes it more
interesting because it contains all of the lines that were
removed for one reason or another. As an aside, do a Yahoo
search for the American series on VHS: it is available in a
wonderful, high-quality pirated version that has not been
cut because of time and censorship reasons. I'm much more
partial to the British version; and these scripts make it
even more rewarding.

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Useful for the American Ear, June 29, 2001

By 

interested_observer "interested_observer" (San Francisco, CA USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Queer as Folk : The Scripts from the British TV Series (Paperback)

The original, U.K. version of "Queer as Folk" broke through many barriers. When I first watched the DVDs for Series 1, Parts 1-4, I had difficulty understanding the Manchester accent and some of the vocabulary. I kept replaying Vince's introductory speech until I could figure it out. The accents got easier with practice, although some characters, especially Donna, Nathan's friendly classmate, were still hard to understand. One gets the gist of it on the first pass-through, but it took more for my American ear to catch all the words. When I got the Series 2 DVD, the same issue arose. So, I checked Amazon to see if there were a QAF script available. There was; so I ordered it.

The good points: The script contains detailed staging and motivation directions. I can understand some conversations better now than before. The script contains Davies's original thoughts. There are some good color photographs inside (although none of them is risque).

The not so good points: The DVD uses a script somewhat different from what appears in the book. For example, Vince's prologue is not in the book. It would have been nice to have had additional, bracketed material to help the viewer parse out what was said on screen if it was not in the original script. The book is only for Series 1; I had been hoping for Series 1 and 2, combined. Finally, the quality of the paper in the book seems low.

Since the series has widespread popular support and since the accent issue is what kept the series off the air in the U.S., I am a bit surprised scripts were not distributed more generally in the U.S. to help potential enthusiasts feel more comfortable in knowing what was happening. Overall the book supplies extra clarity and insight into QAF.

3 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Good Companion to the Video, April 22, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Queer as Folk : The Scripts from the British TV Series (Paperback)

When the television series Queer as Folk appeared on England's Channel 4 in 199 it caused quite an upheaval. QAF tackles the complex story of three Manchester gay men and their conflicts and relationships. It deals with sex and does not shy away from controversial subject matter. Fortunately, because of its beautiful handling, layered storylines, and complicated characters, it was a huge success. QAF, which follows the characters of Vince (Craig Kelly,) the overly kind and unintentionally celibate grocer, Stuart (Aiden Gillen), a wildly promiscuous executive, and Nathan (Charlie Hunnam), a 15-year old who falls in love with Stuart, is a highly important step for TV. This script is a good addition to the tape or DVD. It makes it easier for Americans to understand some of the British slang.