Showtime bids farewell to Queer as Folk

[Kire]

Showtime bids farewell to Queer as Folk, welcomes new season of The L Word

Out Showtime president Robert Greenblatt announced Wednesday that the network was picking up a third season of The L Word but would bid farewell to Queer as Folk after the latter's fifth season. "We're saying it's going out with a bang," Greenblatt told Variety. "The executive producers feel like they've brought it to a certain place and told their stories. I'm sorry to see it go, but it also allows me to get new things on the air." But while Showtime will premiere several new shows in the coming months--including Kirstie Alley in Fat Actress and Mary-Louise Parker in the sitcom Weeds, from out Saved! director Brian Dannelly--the network remains committed to its lesbian-themed hit The L Word. In a statement, Greenblatt said, "The L Word has not only proven itself to be a signature show for Showtime but also one that has captured the imagination of a large mainstream audience with its bold, sexy storylines and talented cast." Season 2 of The L Word premieres on Showtime on Sunday, February 20; the final season of Queer as Folk is set to premiere by early summer.

More: http://www.advocate.com/new_news.asp?ID=14816&sd=01/14/05

[Quetzal]

1. Shit

Fuck.

EOM.

[LiberalVoice]

2. Hear anything about "Dead Like Me"?

Showtime was actually talking about dumping it, which would be stupid considering its one of their best shows!

[Kire]

3. it's already gone, could be picked up by WB, though

http://www.syfyportal.com/article.php?id=1662

[LiberalVoice]

4. That blows.

It was my fav show on Showtime. Idiots.

[Lithos]

14. Damn

Twas a fun show to watch.

L-

[Moloch]

5. Thank God!

They must have run out of gay plot themes.

The show ran its course after the second season.

[saltpoint]

6. At various film festivals, I saw QAF from the British original --

-- to the Pittsburgh, U.S. version. Probably the social historians will give it its due.

Does anyone know what the actors in the cast wiill do next?

[swimmernsecretsea]

7. Dammit!

That is so wrong!
2005 is turning out to be the Year of Disappointments.

[Brian_Expat]

8. Two notes

1) It was set to end this season anyway.

2) I am glad it's over. It might have been groundbreaking in 2000, but it's all tired, stilted stereotypes of people living in a fantasyland in 2005.

Maybe we can get a series that examines ALL gay lives and not just the urban stereotype drugs-n-Babylon fiction that is, ultimately, the heart of QAF.

[davidinalameda]

9. what a shame

I'll have to go back to buying those porn DVDs instead of watching QAF now

damn

[Brian_Expat]

10. lol

That's pretty much the truth!

In addition, where were the average gay men on that show? All the men were buff, sleek, smooth guys who wore designer clothes even through their personal crises. It was so unrepresentative.

[swimmernsecretsea]

11. I agree...

That disclaimer at the beginning was so silly. It was a soap opera, pure and simple, but addictive nonetheless. I found it fascinating for the fantasy world it created, despite it being so unrealistic. And their problems? Smoothed over, wrapped up quickly, never interrupting their Circuit Party mentalities. It reminded me of early Calvin Klein ads where everyone is waxed to smoothness. Even the token "average guy" actor Scott Lowell, was hardly the average unattractive joe they made him out to be.

Then again, trashy TV is so great for water-cooler conversation!

[rawtribe]

15. Do you really

want to see fat bald guys beating off to the Internets? I'll miss QAF!

[Misunderestimator]

12. Good... it's been frustrating watching a really well-made show

portray such obvious stereotypes. The L-Word is better, but it still reeks of promiscuity.

[bigwillq]

13. That's what turned me off at first about Queer

stereotype-casting.

But I ended up liking it alot. Haven't gotten a chance to see the last season (4) and I will have to wait until DVD to see the final season.

I liked the whole soap opera-ish tone it has.

[jonolover]

16. Thank God!

It was over after the first season.

[khashka]

17. I will say a sad farwell but thank God it's over

It was grounbeaking back in the day but it's become tired. I won't say it was bad or that I wasn't addicted to it.

But all good things must come to an end. And while it was amazing to see gay men's lives portrayed as subject matter for drama and humour (as though we might possibly be real people) it wasn't exactly accurate was it? It wasn't my life (or yours?) on the sceen.

Still it served it's purpose. So they bow out while we are still clapping rather than go on and on while we yawn and try figure out polite ways to leave the room. Good for them.

Six Feet Under has also been "canceled". I think I'll mourn it's passing more than QAF - what am I gonna do without Rachel Griffith?

Dead Like Me should have ended with the first season. I still watch it religiously but wonder why they didn'y quit when they knew they were ahead.

So I will take off my cap, bow my head, and feel some small grief at QAf's passing.

Khash.

[mitchtv]

18. I, for one, will miss it

Then again , I don't put unrealistic expectations on TV shows. Partner will not watch L Word,
Dead like me was a disappointment
6' under was the best show on tv, but kind of withered after a season or two.

[arwalden]

19. I'll Miss Debbie!!