[.ca] Queer as Folk: Season 1, Vols. 1-6 (Widescreen)

From Amazon.com:
They're here, they're queer, and they make Sex and the City look like a demure tea party. Showtime's quintessentially American Queer As Folk--based on the British miniseries--pours on copious amounts of hot and steamy sex. This slick (and slickly entertaining) series shares the same basic concept as its British counterpart--centering on a group of gay friends living in a primarily industrial city--but after that, all bets are off. Whereas the British version focused on the gritty, realistic drama of its characters, the American QAF is a glossy, fun soap opera that occasionally tackles big issues but never lets you forget that life at times can be a party, and you shouldn't be one of those poor suckers starving to death. A good part of the show's charm lies in its cast--boy-next-door Michael (Hal Sparks), ruthlessly seductive rake Brian (Gale Harold), out-and-proud Emmett (Peter Paige), wallflower Ted (Scott Lowell), and nubile teen Justin (Randy Harrison)--who grew from standard gay prototypes to intriguing characters by the first season's end. And while some subplots didn't work (such as Emmett's farfetched foray into gay-conversion therapy), others were quietly affecting, including Brian's coping with his father's death. Some may object to the show's relentless fixation on sex (and gay men--there are just two lesbian characters), but this is a series that in its own polished way is both engrossingly fun and truly groundbreaking. It's liberating to watch an American TV series in which the straight world is only peripheral. Let's hear it for the boys! --Mark Englehart

Queer As HOT!!:
This is the greatest show to ever grace the home screen. The characters are hip, sexy, fun and flawed. Everything I'd want in my nightime adult soap. I am a gay man and can honestly say I do not need my gay television to be politically correct, dumbed down, or god forbid, metrosexual like Queer Eye (gag). Nor do the characters need to be completely real, or to depict a single, narrow minded view of gay life. This is ENTERTAINMENT. Although, through the fluff and fantasy, Queer As Folk has depicted many aspects of real gay life that the majority of gay men and women can relate to. Things like love, loss, AIDS, death, bashings, bathhouses, sex, homophobia, hustlers, and the efforts of the right-wing agenda to "convert" us. Sure, things like the backroom at Babylon are not something you will likely find at your neighbourhood gay bar, it's purely fantasy. But let me tell you, it's a fantasy that many gay men have. And thats what entertainment is all about. To take you away from the mundane reality of life, death and taxes, and propel you somewhere else. I'd recommend all seasons of this series to anyone, along with the hard pumping soundtracks that are the best of any TV series.

There can be only one:
OK, with 209 reviews as of today's date, I'll be brief. The show is excellent but no season will ever come close to the intensity, heat and uniqueness of season 1. IF YOU ARE GOING TO *OWN* ANY OF THE SEASONS, THIS IS THE ONE TO OWN.

Thanks Showtime, Very Helpful:
Ok, Apart from being a fantastic programme. Well Written, Cast and hosting many great story lines. The show helped me as a gay guy. When i was younger QAF was released on tv in the uk. And at that time i was going through many difficulties with regards to my sexuallity. And the show helped me allot. It has loads of info that is very helpful to someone such as myself. So many things including sex, dating, hiv/aids and so much more. The American version is allot hotter than the uk version, but in terms of scripts its a million times better. I have seasons 1 & 2 and have just ordered 3. And when 4 is released that will be ordered too. This is more than just a series, its there for more than entertainment, it serves as a guide book for gay men and gals whether young or old. Bravo the creators, your work is masterful!

Great show, but it's not for everybody.:
I just happened to browse by and see mr. "boycorrupted" and "Daniel Sutton's" review of the show. And yes, I understand their differences, but the show isn't bad at all. They're just in a different frame of mind or a different space. I say that because, QAF, is a good show. Yeah, it's a soap opera with characters that are somewhat exaggerated and some outrageos situations, but it's TV, and it's what makes watching it fun. Now, this show isn't for everyone because I think some of the people who saw this show was looking for something that represented the gay lifestyle in a more realistic way. And yes, a lot of times it doesn't because it's a TV show. There's plenty of TV shows out there with outrageous situations and characters, but on SOME level, we can identify and relate to them and also, it's just good to look at sometimes. I think those guys and several others, just watch the first 3 episodes, and wrote it off as bad, but, with some shows it's designed to just start off with a bang and make it all flashy and then break the characters down and make them more human. But yes, this show can be superficial, but that IS the reality of it. It's not ALWAYS that way, but it can be, and the show just takes us all to that one point in life when it's fresh and everything is all about the looks and daring situations before you get to more emotionally complex situations, as this show does cleverly and quickly. & people should really quit trying to figure out which actors on the show are gay or not, they're not paying your bills or doing anything for you, but providing something great to watch on Sunday nights..so why bother?

Addicted!:
Let Me Sum Queer As Folk Up In Three Words HOT HOT HOT! It Leaves Me Hot & Bothered! But Seriously This Show Is Definitely Worth Watching!