Tyra's Next Top Gay Cowboys

The Brokeback talk show avalanche gains momentum as Tyra Banks brings "The Real Brokeback Mountain" to daytime television, interviewing two different cowboy couples on the difficulties of the closet, their faux hetero relationships, and the reactions of their families.

Surprisingly, the cowboys are the blandest part of the show. They inarticulately relate the slow realization of their sexuality and how it has affected their lives in fairly uninteresting sound bites that have been said a thousand times before, and by others more eloquently than them.

Far more compelling is the first guest's former fiance as she explains how she was affected by the lie of her relationship with a gay man. Concentrating more on the Alma aspect of Brokeback, the fiance makes a powerful case for honesty, and how men forced to keep their sexuality and loves a secret are more damaging to a family than any open relationship could ever be.

We're just going to ignore the last segment of the following clip, where the fiance discusses her new husband. It's a pure WTF moment, and we probably don't want to know.

[Watch video – 11:16, WMV format, high bandwidth]

[Watch video – 11:16, WMV format, low bandwidth]

Comments

[Rob]

Hey the guy that the chick married was once on MTVs "True Life: I'm getting plastic Surgery" He is completely different on that clip.

[Kenneth]

Wow. They even look exactly like Heath and Jake, give or take 75 lbs.

[John]

I about slipped off the couch when I saw this promo. Can we all stop the Brokeback madness?

I love going in the local gay country bar here with my fro-hawk. Anytime someone in a cowboy hat makes a comment about how I'm not appropriately dressed, I just respond "Well, I can calf a cow, rope a calf and wrestle down a steer. So, I don't feel the need to compensate for a suburban upbringing by wearing a costume."

Sometimes I think that the attention on gay cowboys is a bit too much. Its the realization that who you are (okay, I don't work a ranch anymore - but I still go home for roundups) is sudddenly the "it" thing - and the value of your life will soon be put it the discard bin along with all the other fads.

Plus...Tyra and gay cowboys is just too gay. ;-)

[Shirley]

WTF!?!?

Not only was that "formerly bisexual" guy at the end of the clip on MTV's True Life: I'm Getting Plastic Surgery (for calf implants) -- but he also does tons of GAY PORN! And now he's claiming to be straight?!?! That poor foolish woman he's married to... oy.

[Zack]

I don't get the wife. She leaves one gay guy and marries another. One would think after being burned once she would be a bit reluctant to jump back into that particular fire, but whatever. Of course he claims he has lost all attraction to men. Sure he has. Because we all know how you can just turn it on and off like that.

Time for serious couple's therapy.

[Lorentexas]

That girl is stupid she left one gay man for another. The husband said that he and his ex-boyfriend were still "close friends" I'll bet they are.

[Zeke]

That show was offensive on SOOOOOOO many levels. First off the man and his lover sit with a major gap between them like they're just buds and their story goes on for about 30 seconds. Then the ex-fiancee comes out and the guy is all over her, holding her very intimately and consumed with her while his boyfriend is completely shut out as if he doesn’t exist. If I were he, I would have been pissed. Then you have Tyra ask him if he feels that men who do this are selfish and deceitful. He like a deer in the headlights says yes, not for a second considering the fact that a person who isn't being honest with himself can hardly be expected to be honest with someone else. More of the tired old, “poor female victim and selfish evil male bastard” myth. Then we go to the new husband who could be the spokes model for Focus on the Family or Exodus claiming that he has turned straight. Every time he says he’s turned straight or that he’s no longer into men the audience bursts out into ecstatic applause and hoots of approval. And the dumb ass cowboy bitch, still wrapped around the woman, shakes his head with approval the whole time. Jesus, could the American Family Association have produced a better show. With dumb assed fags like this, who needs to worry about the wing nuts or religious bigots?

[torrentprime]

I don't know if I would phrase it quite like Zeke did.... but I'm close.
It's amazing how vocabulary makes all the difference. If the "former" gay husband was asked if he missed sex with men, he should have said, "no, just like I don't miss sex with other women either! I love my wife." Instead of phrasing it as "teh gay" turning on and off, it should have been about monogamy.
And it's shame about the cowboy (when asked if he was being selfish) that he didn't have the worldview to answer, "The entire country wants to kill me for bring gay; it's kind of hard to face that," or something similar. I actually don't believe that gay men who marry are not entirely blameless, they know or have some idea that something is wrong, but Tyra's question was phrased completely in a perfect, 100% tolerance world, and it wasn't an accurate viewpoint.

[torrentprime]

arrg. Tried to edit myself and messed up. I meant to say: "I actually don't believe that gay men who marry are entirely blameless."

[Downtown Lad]

Talk about making the same mistakes twice....

[North Dallas Thirty]

I would agree with John. Most of the cowboys I know -- myself included -- who actually know what they're doing wouldn't be caught dead in those kind of outfits. Wrangler 20X and Cinch have done a fine job of getting us past the Brooks and Dunn "Brand New Man" shirts that look like paint jobs on a lowrider; unfortunately, those are exactly the kind of clothes that are most likely to draw the eye of those wanting to look "western" and "fabulous".

[Robbie]

Like I said, that last part was especially WTF. I was watching while recording and had to backtrack. "Did she and he really just say . . . wait lemme rewind . . . no they really did say . . . wait . . . are they really saying . . . oh fuck it, I don't want to know."

[Zeke]

One more question I have about this subject. Why is it that we never hear these discussions of selfishness, deceit, family wrecking, abandonment, irresponsibility etc. when a lesbian marries a man, has kids and then leaves her family to live her true orientation as a lesbian. Come to think of it no one seems to talk about lesbians who marry at all. It's like only gay men are threatening to the fabric of our society. When a gay man marries and has kids and then comes out he more often than not loses everything. He loses his house, custody of his kids, at least half of his assets and gets to pay alimony and child support and most of the families common debt. When a lesbian does the same thing she almost always walks away with her kids, a house, and a monthly check from her ex-husband, no matter what the circumstances of the divorce are. But somehow the singular focus is on the selfish gay men.

It's also interesting that the very people who brainwash us from the moment we take our first breaths telling us that we will grow up, fall in love with a girl, get married and have babies, the same people who tell us that being gay is a selfish, irresponsible, immoral, destructive and hedonistic lifestyle choice that can be overcome through prayer and the love of a good woman, the very people who encourage us to deny and suppress our true sexual orientation and any expression thereof, the very people who push us to marry a woman, and then have children with her, telling us that this will fulfill us, make us happy and make us good, valuable straight men who will finally be accepted by society and loved by God are the same ones who will condemn us when we do all of this and feel empty, unfulfilled, lost, desparate, guilty, suicidal and shameful because we failed not only ourselves, our community and our God, but now have failed a family that we have created and is dependent on us. These are the same people who will then tell us how selfish and irresponsible and dispicable we are to have done such a thing to this poor innocent woman. These are the same people who will then use our children to guilt us into continuing the charade until the day we die. I think it is unbelievable that we are still having this level of ignorance in 2006.

One thing that I found most offensive in this show was the way the audience errupted with applause and hoots and hollers everytime the "ex-gay" man said he was now straight or that he was no longer attracted to men. It was as if he had announced that he had kicked a crack habit or had stopped abusing his kids. I can remember how things like this affected me when I was a kid. I so hate to think that some gay kid out there watched this show and got the message that being gay is such a terrible thing but all you have to do is get married and decide to not be gay anymore and people will applaud you like you're a hero.

I just wonder if Tyra will do a follow up show when this guy wakes up and realizes that he is in love with the IDEA of being straight and that isn't enough to satisfy him and maintain a marriage. I wonder if she's going to be there to pick up the pieces for that clueless woman.

I don't know if that was Tyra's idea of a gay positive program or not. If it was then I for one would beg her to not do us any more favors.

I'm sorry but this crap really pisses me off. I guess I'm just a queer redneck who has very little patience for the kind of ignorance, misinformation and general bunk shown on that show. Frankly I'm surprised that there aren't more gay men on here who were offended by the pointedly sexist and homophobic load of crap delivered. I don't know what pissed me off more, the sexism, the misinformation about sexual orientation, the audience's "ex-gay" pep rally or the inarticulate cowboy fag who totally disrespected himself and his boyfriend. The show started out with a lot of potential and could have shown that no one wins when people are pushed into denying their nature. That, after all, was the point of the Brokeback Mountain. By half way through the show they had completely lost the point of the movie and were actually endorsing the very things that the movie was exposing as detrimental. Forgive me if I'm unable to turn off my intelligence and sensibilities in order to be entertained by a "supermodel" (hate that term) turned talk show host.

Tyra, go back to modeling and your other silly "Top Model" show. Leave the talk show business to Oprah.

[Robbie]

Zeke - flatly put, American society sees the male as the bread-winner in the family. So, a man taking a wife, having kids, then leaving them for another man is seen as one of the greatest crimes a man commit. It's almost like he's leaving them homeless on the streets to fend for themselves. While that's not necessarily the reality, that's often the picture that enters people's minds.

With lesbians, it's a touch different. And, I can speak on this, because I've had two female neighbors pull this with their kids. They decide they're lesbian. Which, I have no problem with. They run out on their family. I have a big problem with that. However, the thing is, the dad's working, still providing, the kids are ok. That's your stereotypical American family unit. The mom can leave to "find herself," (which is the euphamism often employed when explaining mom realized she was a lesbian and got herself a girlfriend), but the father, the stabilizing presence, the bread-winner, the rock is still there to provide for the children.

Now, is this a fair stereotype? No. Each individual situation is unique to the family involved. But that's the way your average American views things. There are familial roles, familial dynamics that no amount of feminism or equality of the sexes will totally erase. There are biases people bring to the table.

In agree with you on the last segment. It was absolutely bizarre. That's why, in my post, I left it up to the reader. I was saying, "I really have no idea what this was about," and it struck me as totally strange. Here was an audience of mainly late teens to early twenties females clapping along to gay cowboys being true to themselves, then applauding a man for kicking his big ole gay habit. What were they applauding? Giving up being gay, or staying true to his wife? Would either scenario matter when it comes to societal prejudice? Aren't both things fundamentally dishonest in their own ways?

That's why I left no comment. I was kinda curious to see what other people would say about it. And people have echoed pretty much what was going through my head. It was just an effing bizarre way to end the show. Very confusing, very conflicted with the previous fifty minutes, very indicative that you can have a lil daytime talkshow about these issues, but that even your studio audience won't necessarily get it just because you've thrown people on stage. Understanding, getting these ideas and lessons to sink in takes a hell of a lot more work than a tidy and pat lil TV format.

So, there you are.

[North Dallas Thirty]

I just wonder if Tyra will do a follow up show when this guy wakes up and realizes that he is in love with the IDEA of being straight and that isn't enough to satisfy him and maintain a marriage. I wonder if she's going to be there to pick up the pieces for that clueless woman.

So in other words, you want this guy to fail to validate your ideas about homosexuality.

I personally could care less.

I am attracted to men, and I choose to a) accept it and b) act on it. He doesn't have to do either, and more power to him if he chooses to do so. It's a free country and it's his personal life.

What were they applauding? Giving up being gay, or staying true to his wife? Would either scenario matter when it comes to societal prejudice? Aren't both things fundamentally dishonest in their own ways?

They were applauding people who were taking steps to live their lives as they chose.

Really, I think the "gay community" needs drastic steps to kick this nasty habit of screaming "Not a choice! Not a choice!" at every second. My suggestion is that Tyra get together a group of ex-gays and some of our most militant members (I can gladly offer suggestions, Tyra honey); I will personally coach the ex-gays on how to ask the right questions to drive the militants into insisting that gays are biologically incapable of controlling our bodies or sex drives.

Maybe that will teach the militants to shut up.

[Zeke]

Dear North Dallas Thirty,

Let me make something perfectly clear to you bubba. I have read many of your posts on various websites and threads and I have seen you, on countless occasions, put words in other people's mouths that they neither posted nor intended. YOU WILL NOT DO THAT WITH ME. Do not quote me and then presume to editorialize on my behalf. If someone is unclear as to what I meant they can ask me for clarification. Your insulting, disrespectful and trolling attempts to misstate and misinterpret on behalf of the author of a post might work with people who don't have the intelligence to think their way out of a wet paper bag, but it won't fly with this intelligent and educated Mississippi redneck. Not only do you arrogantly speak on behalf of posters to this and other threads but you even speak on behalf of Tyra Banks' audience. Frankly I think your interpretation of their applause is as off base as most of the things that I've seen you post. I certainly don't presume to explain to others what you intended to say in your countless diatribes on "what's wrong with gay people, gay culture, gay politics, gay organizations and all things gay". I would appreciate the same courtesy from you.

Robbie, I understand your point about America's beliefs and biases concerning gender roles. I frankly find a lot of those gender categorizations and limitations to be outdated, biased and often detrimental rather than beneficial to individuals and families. They presume many bogus absolutes that are based in tradition and the relevance that they had in other times and places. However, times have changed and we all know that just because something is traditional doesn't make it good or right. Just in case anyone assumes that my disagreement comes from a liberal feminists viewpoint, they couldn't be more wrong. My issue with gender roles and biases, which by the way, I feel adversely affects men even more than women (how’s that for anti-feminist), comes from my Libertarian and individualists ideologies. I believe, if I'm not mistaken, that Conservatives champion the idea of judging people as individuals and not by preconceived notions and associations with a larger group. If that is the case then it would be hypocritical to support blanket gender roles and biases across society without regard to the individual, his/her talents, education, abilities and circumstances. There is nothing beneficial to an individual, a family or society to assume that women SHOULD always be this and men MUST always be that. Of course I find very little Conservatism in 90% of those who claim to be Conservative these days, including many of the posters on this site.

[Zeke]

Robbie, just wanted to clarify that I understand that you were simply stating a fact about how Americans perceive familial gender roles and were not stating that you necessarily agreed with these assumptions. My post didn't make it clear that I realized the distinction between your observation and your personal belief. Far be it for me to put words in another poster’s mouth. I thought it was important to acknowledge that I realize there was a difference. Your point about the average American's understanding of familial roles is very valid. I personally don't subscribe to these limiting gender roles and biases. The fact that I am a single father probably has a lot to do with my personal aversion to them. When you are the gay, single father of an adolescent son you find yourself to be very aware of these biases and how society tries to force them on you. Thankfully I have the strength, resilience and stubbornness to do what is best for my kid regardless of how my neighbor may judge the gender appropriateness of my actions.

[North Dallas Thirty]

Frankly I think your interpretation of their applause is as off base as most of the things that I've seen you post. I certainly don't presume to explain to others what you intended to say in your countless diatribes on "what's wrong with gay people, gay culture, gay politics, gay organizations and all things gay". I would appreciate the same courtesy from you.

Only you are missing the irony in that statement. :) But I'll give you a hint -- you ARE explaining to others what I intended to say.

And would we like to see more of that in action?

Not only do you arrogantly speak on behalf of posters to this and other threads but you even speak on behalf of Tyra Banks' audience.

Of course, that is after this (emphasis mine):

I don't know what pissed me off more, the sexism, the misinformation about sexual orientation, the audience's "ex-gay" pep rally or the inarticulate cowboy fag who totally disrespected himself and his boyfriend.

Seems like you don't have a problem with speaking on behalf of Tyra Banks's audience or "editorializing" on posts yourself; you have a problem with me doing it.

Why is that?

[North Dallas Thirty]

And Zeke, by the way, I am loath to get into a pissing match with you, not out of an aversion to them, but because I do greatly admire and respect what you are doing with your son.

[Zeke]

You're reaching again NDT. "the audience's 'ex-gay' pep rally" makes absolutely no interpretation of what was meant by their applause. It simply points out that they broke into applause when the man claimed he was ex-gay. There actually is a difference in pointing out a action and interpreting an action.

I'll leave you to dicuss this further with yourself. It seems pretty clear that you are your biggest fan and the person least likely to disagree with you. This will be my last comment on the topic. I don't engage in or with trolling. Peace, Later............

[Zeke]

OK, so I lied, one more post.

Thanks for the kind words North Dallas. Much appreciated. They say the Army is the toughest job you'll ever love. WRONG! I was in the Marine Corp. for 12 years and served in Desert Storm but the toughest job I've ever done or that I'll ever do is raising my kid. He pushes my buttons, makes me crazy, pisses me off and makes me want to pull my hair out by the roots almost daily but NOBODY completes me more, loves me more or makes me happier than the little shit. He is my world. Fatherhood, especially single fatherhood, is THE toughest job you'll ever love.

No hard feelings here bubba. We're cool.

[North Dallas Thirty]

You're reaching again NDT. "the audience's 'ex-gay' pep rally" makes absolutely no interpretation of what was meant by their applause. It simply points out that they broke into applause when the man claimed he was ex-gay. There actually is a difference in pointing out a action and interpreting an action.

Yes. You interpreted the action, blasted me for doing it, and then tried to change the definition when I pointed out the fact that you had.

By the way, nice projection statement to end with as well. :)

[North Dallas Thirty]

OK, this is one of those situations where "realtime" vs. "blogtime" bites one in the ass. And if Mal or Robbie is willing, I respectfully pray to them and sacrifice burnt offerings to use their godlike powers to zap this comment.

And Zeke....same back. Pax.

[Steve]

If the guy at the end of the clip is really the MTV calf-implant guy turned gay porn star, why in the world wouldn't the host of the show mention it?

[RP]

I dunno Steve, but it's definitely him. I would assume he didn't mention his gay porn past to the producers of Tyra's show.
If I remember correctly either on the True Life: I'm Getting Plastic Surgery or maybe on a recap show, that guy said he had started stripping in gay bars after his surgery while still claiming to be straight.
He's definitely done gay porn though. His porn star name is Tony Cage (btw, wasn't that a character from Mortal Kombat? Lame.), and his real name is Luke Pisacano. http://www.guytvblog.com/ has more on him.