Not many things in the last year have stirred up as much dialogue in the black and latino SGL/fag-hag/clued-in metrosexual's life as much as the first season of the controversially groundbreaking series "Noah's Arc".Deemed by some as "Sex and the City meets Soul Food" by others as the best thing to happen to gay TV since "Will and Grace", the show has also seen its share of setbacks, criticisms and controversy. Even though Patrick Ian Polk, who is black, is the (HNIC?) Creator, Executive Producer, Writer, Director and-we suspect- stylist, word is that protests took place by some in the black community because of the lack of people of color behind the scenes. Even within the black GAY community, some in the 'gayblackblogosphere' attacked it as an unrealistic portrayal of black gays and accused the show of being "watered down" to appease a more, shall we say, 'general' audience. Yet and still the show powered on, winning the allegiance of countless fans black and white, gay and straight and in-between. With its sharp wit and sometimes surprising casting (and the fashion! don't forget the fashion!), it has spawned a number of online fan clubs and yahoo groups.
Controversy aside, many without the LOGO channel included in their cable package (you know, the underprivileged!) as well as those who live and die by the show scrambled for DVD copies of the series' first season when it was offered online at logoonline.com; so much so that it resulted in backorders of up to a month in some cases. But, be rest assured, young campers! That has been resolved as 'Noah's Arc' has gone into general release! Now, for a few ducats you can pick up the hotboy runaway hit at Best Buy, Circuit City, Target, et. al, starting last Tuesday August 8th...
Not since seminal offerings like the late Marlon Riggs' "Tongues Untied" and Polk's first onscreen offering, "Punks", has there been anything out there that addresses what it is like to be unapologetically black, gay, and trying to make it in this world. Up until now, black gay men on the big and small screen have tended to be relegated to minor somewhat one-dimensional roles (think Lamar on the Revenge of the Nerds franchise), or as ONLY vogueing trophy-chasers (in the classic Jennie Livingston documentary "Paris Is Burning"). Although some still argue that the story of the black gay diaspora is not a monolith and can't be told through one lens, 'Noah's Arc' addressed issues of gay/transgender/masculine identity, the black church, HIV/AIDS, adultery, gay parenting, commitment-and all in THE FIRST SEASON!
Wednesday, August 9th at 10 EST beckoned the second season of this sure-to-be-cult hit. Patrick Ian Polk, Daryl Stephens, and Jensen Atwood were gracious enough to hold court on the eve of the series premiere at Splash here in NYC for a promotional stop in conjunction with Ballroom Rockstar magazine. You KNOW The Real RE-edit went, right?
And now, the REAL RE-edit...
"Noah" and Patrick vaseline their teeth and smile for the flashbulbs...Some of the gay zeitgeist were also in attendance. The ever-ubiquitous Keith Boykin was shouted out by Noah's Arc star Daryl Stephens. Event promoters Nathan Scott and Nathan Williams were making their rounds. Pioneering designer b. michael joined the gayborhood on stage. Oprah show producer Patrick Riley clinked glasses with his clique at the bar. The most versatile turntablist I know, DJ Bladerunner, came through. Also on hand were cute-boy-next-door-slash-filmmaker Maurice Jamal and transgender diva Tyra Allure.
Damn-near-naked blatino go-go boys, the premiere of the first episode of the second season of Noah's Arc a full 24 hours before it aired on cable, hot boys left and right, hot girls right and left. What more could you want?
2 comments:
YES it was a fabulous night! glad you could make it!
At least you got some cast pics ... all my drunk horny ass got were the strippers.
Oh well, I get weak (and stupid) around stripper boys.
Post a Comment