Queer as Folk 

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

Creators:

Ron Cowen, Daniel Lipman

Stars:

Gale Harold, Hal Sparks, Randy Harrison

8 wins & 34 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
Diane Higgins	...	Passerby 37 episodes, 2000-2005

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 | gay love | friend | pittsburgh pennsylvania | pennsylvania | 

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Taglines:

It's here. It's queer. Coming out December 2000.

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

TV-MA

Details

Official Sites:

Showcase [Canada] 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 (83 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Dolby (as Dolby Surround) (2.0) (Season 1) Dolby Digital (5.1 surround) (Seasons 2-5)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Peter Paige (Emmet) auditioned for the role of Ted. After he auditioned he politely asked to read for the role of Emmet. The casting directors were so stunned by his performance that they asked him which role he would rather play when he came back to audition for the producers.

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Goofs

When filming outdoor daytime street scenes, the observant view will notice the cars driving around with headlights. As of 1989 in Ontario all cars manufactured after this time must have automatic daytime running lights.

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Quotes

[Ted and Emmett are at a ski lodge, with Ted just about to blow out his birthday candles]
Ted: Every year I always wish for the same thing - a boyfriend. Someone to love who'll love me. This year I think I'm gonna wish for something else. The wisdom and maturity to realize that I won't find what I want by looking for it. Not expect someone else to give me what I never gave myself. That I'm not a half waiting to be made a whole. And even if that special person never comes along... I'll be just fine.
[...]

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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

Featured in Class Dismissed: How TV Frames the Working Class (2005)

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Soundtracks

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

User Reviews

Always A Surprise

As an older man (55), I'm amazed at the level of graphic nudity, the frankness of the sexual couplings whether gay or lesbian sex is involved, and it struck me as astonishing that the reason I would sometimes be uncomfortable viewing these scenes, is that there are virtually no images for gay people on TV that are comparable to those in QAF. I'm no prude, and thank goodness I've stopped squirming. My normal reaction is that if a series is good in its original British guise, the Americanization will be awful. Not so here. QAF started for me as a superficial soap about gay life. But once the first season was half over, I was hooked. I found I cared deeply about these characters. Their insular gay world in Pittsburgh was refreshing. The relationships work beautifully and you see a fairly representative slice of gay life on this series. Sure everyone always seems to be showing up at the big gay club with its go-go dancers and steamy back room. But how wonderful to have a show all about gay people where nobody gets killed for being gay, or commits suicide or is in some sort of depression or any other negative situations that have been such a feature of films showing gay characters as life's losers.

Gale Harold's Brian took me totally by surprise. His no gamesmanship attitude towards sex and relationships makes total sense. What I responded to is his character's absolute refusal to be liked, unlike the very likable Michael (Hal Sparks) whose insecurity demands that he be liked. Brian's a stunning bad boy, confident of his looks, his talent, his ability to spot bullshit a mile away. He wants to be appreciated for his worth. Nothing wrong with that. He's unapologetic about his sexuality and is not obsessed with settling down into domestic bliss the way Michael is. Michael is a child, but a sweet one with his love of comic books, and his unresolved longing for Brian. His character's worry about everything has finally become endearing. Peter Paige's Emmett is adorable and heartbreaking. I love that he's always picking himself up after every romantic disaster, dusting himself off and heading towards the next with high hopes. Scott Lowell has a natural affinity for Ted Schmidt's insecure and manipulative accountant. I'd like him to settle down for awhile. I sometimes weary of his travails.

At first I thought Randy Harrison's sweetly beautiful Justin was going to be a fluffy love toy for Brian, but Justin's own problems have shown Brian's caring side, and you get to see that Justin is no dummy. He goes after what he wants. Nothing wrong with that. Sharon Gless's working Mom waitress can be abrasively grating at times, but she presents a loving mother to a gay son, and that's a good thing. Michelle Clunie as Melanie and Thea Gill as Lindsay strike me as an appealing, smart, and caring lesbian couple Their stability as a couple shows what is possible without proselytizing.

Now in its fifth season, I've come to appreciate the show in big gulps since I rent each season from Netflix. It's a real wallow, and I'm always sorry that it's over. Right now I'm deep into season four and I can't wait to find out what happens next. QAF is excellent series TV, vastly entertaining. Best of all it won't make you feel dumb.