Queer as Folk USA (2000–2005)
"Queer as Folk" (original title)

The lives and loves of a group of gay friends living in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Stars:

Michelle Clunie, Gale Harold, Randy Harrison

8 wins & 26 nominations.

Cast

Series cast summary:
Michelle Clunie	...	Melanie Marcus (83 episodes, 2000-2005)
Thea Gill	...	Lindsay Peterson (83 episodes, 2000-2005)
Gale Harold	...	Brian Kinney (83 episodes, 2000-2005)
Randy Harrison	...	Justin Taylor (83 episodes, 2000-2005)
Scott Lowell	...	Ted Schmidt (83 episodes, 2000-2005)
Peter Paige	...	Emmett Honeycutt (83 episodes, 2000-2005)
Hal Sparks	...	Michael Novotny (83 episodes, 2000-2005)
Sharon Gless	...	Debbie Novotny (79 episodes, 2000-2005)
Robert Gant	...	Professor Ben Bruckner (55 episodes, 2002-2005)
Jack Wetherall	...	Vic Grassi (48 episodes, 2000-2004)

Storyline

Based on the British series of the same name, Showtime's 'Queer as Folk' presents the American version. Following the lives of five gay men in Pittsburgh, 'Queer as Folk' is a riveting drama full of sex, drugs, adventure, friendship and love. Although the creators of 'Queer as Folk' wanted to present an honest depiction of gay life, it is by no means a comprehensive depiction. In addition to the usual sexual escapades and relationships of the five friends, the show explores critical gay political and health issues.

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Plot Keywords:

gay | friend | love | gay friend | sex | 

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Taglines:

Quench your insatiable desire for queer TV.

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

TV-MA

Details

Official Sites:

Showcase [ca] Showtime Networks

Country:

USA Canada

Language:

English

Release Date:

3 December 2000 (USA)

Also Known As:

Q.A.F.

Filming Locations:

6 Church Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Company Credits

Production Co:

Cowlip Productions, Tony Jonas Productions, Showtime Networks

Technical Specs

Runtime:

47 min 47 min (83 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Several times throughout the show, Emmett Honeycutt is identified as originally being from Hazlehurst, Mississippi, a real town of about 4500 on the outskirts of Jackson. This may have been the writers' tribute to one of the most famous people to come from Hazlehurst: John Epperson, an actor and singer arguably best-known for his drag persona Lypsinka.

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Goofs

The Judge when reading the caption on the Indecent exposure case against Vic: She referred to "The People vs. Victor Grassi". In Pennsylvania the plaintiff in a criminal case is referred to as "The Commonwealth".

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Quotes

Brian: Good evening, twats.
Emmett: Would you kindly refrain from using derogatory references to women, since they represent half my fan base.
Brian: Have any hermaphrodites?
Emmett: I don't think so.
Brian: Good. Go fuck yourself.

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Crazy Credits

"Queer As Folk is a celebration of the lives and passions of a group of gay friends. It is not meant to reflect all of gay society."

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Connections

Referenced in Notorious C.H.O. (2002)

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Soundtracks

"Spunk"
(Main Title Theme)
Written by Don Pyle & Andrew Zealley
Performed by Greek Buck

User Reviews

TV Masterpiece

What can I say about the show? It has incredible characterisation (capable of drawing even a straight man into the lives of the characters), beautiful cinematography, great acting and compelling writing. I have seen the first two seasons and I am currently watching the third on VHS because I lost showtime in the process. I have 3 episodes left of season 3 and, barring a few rather flagrant showings of male nudity (which although arguably contextually appropriate did seem a bit over the top), the shows have continued the quality of the first two seasons. What is great about the show is the fact that you really do care what happens to the characters, you can see an element of yourself in them (well maybe not all of them but you can find something in at least one of the characters that you relate to--I really relate to Ted myself, particularly in the middle of the first season and most of the third season). The show has tackled a lot of touchy topics (HIV, gay marriages, homophobic politicians) and, barring Emmett's brief fling with quack therapy in an attempt to be straight, they have been dealt with in a thoughtful, intelligent and sensitive manner (although how can you deal with reparative therapy seriously?), and, in a real stretch, showing that the gay community has its own flaws, which i think is what really sets the show apart, it says that the gay community isn't perfect and the gay characters aren't perfect.

And even though all my straight friends who have never seen the show may laugh and ask me if I have started to play for the other team, I will continue to watch as long as the quality is kept up like this. Besides Six Feet Under, Monk and MI-5, this is one of the few shows I would go out of my way to see. Bring on season 4 and let Ben die already (the second part is only a personal opinion, I just never cared for his character although I think Robert Gant does an excellent job of portraying him, I would rather have seen Michael with David).

And I have seen the second series of the British version and, loath as I am as an anglophile and a purist to say it, the American version has gone further then the British series (although in all fairness they have had a lot more episodes to explore the characters). My only beef is that Gale Harold may seem cold and rather like a jerk (since a stronger term may be censored but one is definately implied), Aidan Gillen was creepy. Gale was the kid in high school that was popular although he never really liked anyone while Aidan was that guy who you would see somewhere and he would just creep you out yet you couldn't take your eyes off him. Two totally different characters and I think one works better for a miniseries and the other works better for a regular series.