Judging by just the first two episodes, Bravo's "Great Things About Being ..." series is pretty great itself.
And, as promised, I come bearing video clips from the second ("Queer") installment, first aired last night and repeating multiple times this week.
"Great Things" is a list show like many others, with a run-down of the top-20 perks of queerness. But unlike the other shows, it has Mario Cantone using the word "fisting." In reference to Ernie and Bert.
The first clip is the one-minute intro that sets up the rest of the show:
[Watch video – 4.9mb, 1:00, WMV format]
Here is the list of 20, in case you're wondering. If you want to be surprised, stop reading and turn on Bravo. It's probably playing right now:
20. Kids' shows make you gay
19. So many ways to be gay
18. You're hilarious
17. Showtunes
16. Fag hags
15. Lesbians look great on TV
14. Scaring straight people
13. Parades
12. Mommie Dearest
11. You have the best names
10. Acting gay pays off
9. L.U.G.s
8. Gaydar has a real estate function
7. Oscar loves gay characters
6. Disco
5. You get to see everybody naked
4. Cowboys
3. No divorce
2. You invented everything
And the #1 great thing about being queer ...
[Watch video – 7.0mb, 2:46, WMV format]
I can't decide whether to be ashamed, proud, sickened or some mix of the three.
The best two hours of solid laughter I have had in a VERY long time.
Posted by: Robert | October 05, 2005 at 10:57 AM
And Mommie Dearest should have been closer to #1 IMHO.
Posted by: Robert | October 05, 2005 at 10:59 AM
Once again, count on you to get a good clip! But Cher... Come on! And I thought one of the greatest things is that we get to be the target audience for Abercrombie & Fitch.
Posted by: Senhor Made In Brazil | October 05, 2005 at 11:49 AM
I did find moments of the show very funny, but they could have at least included a few perspectives from "people of color"
Posted by: bucknips | October 05, 2005 at 12:12 PM
Yeah, I kind of noticed that, actually. Not bad for this white boy.
Posted by: The Malcontent | October 05, 2005 at 12:23 PM
Who was the narrator? It sounded like an overenthused Anderson Cooper.
Posted by: bucknips | October 05, 2005 at 12:48 PM
Could this list be more depressingly stereotypical?
Posted by: Pedro | October 05, 2005 at 01:18 PM
He wasn't quite as adenoidal as Anderson. He does sound like he has done a lot of work on E! or VH1 or something, though. Naggingly familiar. And I loved his delivery.
Posted by: The Malcontent | October 05, 2005 at 01:19 PM
Pedro, did you watch it, or do you just base that on the list itself? I thought it was very good-humored. Each segment went way beyond just the headline, and I could tell they knew they were trafficking in some stereotypes for effect.
For instance, the thing about "scaring straight people" had tongue so far in cheek that it was creating a new dimple.
Posted by: The Malcontent | October 05, 2005 at 01:22 PM
I actually watched this show....well, I kept turning to some special on Howard Huhes and them turned back, so I actually missed the #1 and I must say, that is the most ridiculous notion. Who cares? I would think Madonna actually...I did like, though I question some of the items in the We invented everything. Also, with the exception of Mario Cantone, NONE of these people were funny, or particularly interesting...The Mommier Dearest imitations made that clear.
Posted by: Hollywood | October 05, 2005 at 02:32 PM
I'm so happy I got to see Reichen from Amazing Race 4 again. He was part of the "married" gay couple on the show. I use scare quotes only because he dumped his partner's ass the minute fame came a-callin'. He's a dick, but he's a painfully cute dick.
I've never seen Mommie Dearest (I know, kick me out now). Think I'll need to pick it up this weekend. The minute long recap was hilarious.
Posted by: Robbie | October 06, 2005 at 06:22 AM