"2 Atlantans Taking a Chance on 'Queer'' from The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
by Drew Jubera; courtesy of Teri Vogel; [published December 8th, 2000]
read moreTwo Atlantans are at the center of Showtime's "Queer as Folk," this year's pay-cable breakthrough that explores the sexual lives of five gay friends in working-class Pittsburgh.
Gale Harold and Randy Harrison were virtual unknowns before being cast in "Queer." Harold, who went to Southwest DeKalb High School (he won't give his age), plays Brian Kinney, a seductive, brazenly promiscuous ad executive and the show's sexual centerpiece. Harrison, 23 and a 1996 graduate of Pace Academy in Buckhead, plays Justin Taylor, an alluring 17-year-old who experiences his sexual awakening with Brian --- an explicitly erotic scene in the first episode that set the show's anything-goes tone.
Sunday's debut of "Queer as Folk," an American version of a 1999 British series, was Showtime's highest-rated series premiere in three years, more than doubling the network's prime-time average. Its 4.5 rating compared favorably with the 5.1 rating for the Nov. 26 episode of "Sex and the City," the popular sex-centric HBO series that "Queer" is often compared to.
Harold and Harrison --- who with Peter Paige (Emmett) is one of only two openly gay actors in the cast --- passed a cellphone around on the show's Toronto set this week to talk with us before taping a scene for an episode.
Q: How'd you get involved in the project?
A: Harrison: I had just graduated from theater school (University of Cincinnati Conservatory of Music) and moved to New York when I auditioned. I had no TV or film experience. I got the sсript for the first three episodes and read them on the plane when I had to fly out to L.A. It was thrilling --- I knew it was something that would elicit a strong response. I thought, "It's about time."
Harold: I was living in L.A., working for a theater company and working on a small, independent film when I auditioned. I was totally unknown to everyone. It's a dream situation. One day I'm running out of gas trying to make auditions, the next I'm in a new city, acting, trying to maintain the moment in the most extreme conditions.Q: You mean that first sex scene with Randy?
A: Harold: I'll never forget that. It's unfathomable how important that experience was. I was pushed to the limit. We both read the sсript, knew what it was about and both decided to do it. Once we committed, there was no time to be nervous. It was just, "Go." It was exhausting.
Harrison: The big sex scene was on the second day of shooting. We had no choice --- it was all or nothing. So we just went for it. It was great. It broke down all the walls.
Q: Do have a sense the show is breaking down walls of gay sexuality on TV?
A: Harrison: We're all aware we're part of something special. There's an amazing feeling on the set. With the type of intimate scenes we have to do, it's a real family here. You feel you can do anything. There's no hesitancy; you never have to be afraid of doing something.
read moreHarold: It's sustaining to be able to know the job you're doing is bigger than just temporary entertainment. We're taking a chance and stepping out, and we may burn out and fade away, but the whole nature of this project is risky. It's like being in a school for deviant expression.
Q: These gay characters are not politically correct.
A: Harold: I could care less about political correctness. It's a lie. It's not how life is. For me to even have those thoughts in my head wouldn't be in character. Brian's philosophy doesn't incorporate political correctness on any level. I know people like (Brian). But it's never been presented to mainstream America. We're breaking down all the assumptions --- assumptions are what keep people in the dark. It allows them to have ideas that are flawed, to not see the whole story. If you don't want to see this, don't watch it.
Harrison: It's refreshing as actors to have characters not tiptoeing around being a complete human being.
Q: Is your character at all like you?
A: Harrison: Not directly. I relate to being 17 and not belonging, being the baby of a group. But when I was 17, I was not doing anything (sexually).
Harold: I use some things, but (Brian) is very particular to himself.
Q: Have your families here in Atlanta seen it? What's their reaction?
A: Harrison: My folks loved it. My mother thought it was hilarious. She's totally hooked on the characters and can't wait to see what happens next.
Harold: I think my dad's seen it. My sister loved it. My mom doesn't have Showtime.
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01.03.2011 в 20:36