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Straight Plan for the Gay Man
February 21, 2004 1:52 PM Subscribe

Is turnabout fair play?
On Monday Comedy Central will permire it's new show Straight Plan for the Gay Man, a parody of Queer Eye for the Straight Guy. The so-called "Flab Four" will:

[M]akeover a new gay friend and give him a crash course on the secrets of straight male life -- like hitting on chicks, playing basketball or working a blue-collar job.

The Advocate describes it as "inane" and "borderline offensive" as though it seems its' "sole purpose is to rag on gay men."
posted by Steve_at_Linnwood (56 comments total)

Personally, I find the original completely inane and borderline offensive. I don't see its purpose, unless it's ragging on gay men.

OK, I don't dislike it that much, but I don't see why having gay men (on Queer Eye and Will & Grace, for example) reduce gay men to blunt stereotypes is any more "OK" than having straight men do it.
posted by jpoulos at 1:57 PM on February 21, 2004

who knew you read the Advocate steve? ; >

It's fine--the original show relies on stereotypes of us being impeccably groomed and expert in interior design and culture and cooking and hair products, so why shouldn't this turn that around? (or, what jpoulos said)
posted by amberglow at 2:04 PM on February 21, 2004

Failing to be funny is stereotyping human beings, and encouraging them to live down to the stereotype.
posted by liam at 2:05 PM on February 21, 2004

i was around for a permire once, i hope this one doesn't hurt as much.
posted by quonsar at 2:12 PM on February 21, 2004

but I don't see why having gay men (on Queer Eye and Will & Grace, for example) reduce gay men to blunt stereotypes is any more "OK" than having straight men do it.

Agreed. It reeks of the similar illogic, "It's okay for black people to say a certain offensive N-word incessantly, but tragic when uttered by a white person, even kiddingly or ironically". Turning someone's lifestyle into a cartoonish parade of stereotypes isn't a great thing no matter who does it.

..and yet i still guiltily watch QEftSG because they're all very witty, except Jai...
posted by dhoyt at 2:16 PM on February 21, 2004

"The network’s lame attempt at comedy only perpetuates stereotypes that have existed for years. So gather round your television sets for another gay minstrel show."

From the Advocate article it's hard to tell whether he's talking about SPftGM or QEftSG.
posted by dhoyt at 2:20 PM on February 21, 2004

I thought of this idea months ago goddammit! A bunch of straight guys would crash into a gay guy's apartment, throw out all his Donna Karan and replace it with ice hockey jerseys, replace the boxy spindly-legged retro sixties furniture with a saggy sofa-bed, and 'redecorate' everywhere with empty pizza cartons, old beer cans, and Sports Illustrated. And throw out all the skin-care stuff in the bathroom, and not replace it with anything. Well, maybe Lifebuoy.
posted by carter at 2:24 PM on February 21, 2004

Why would they want to instruct him on how to "hit on chicks"? It's not like the Queer Eye chaps give instructions on cruising.
posted by John Shaft at 2:35 PM on February 21, 2004

I find it amusing. Although, I'm somewhat peeved that I wasn't picked as the "fashion & culture" consultant.

Truth be told, the author of the Advocate article needs to lighten up. Everybody's fair game in humor, get over yourself.

I don't see its purpose

A parody of a pop-culture phenomenon, which something that goes back deep in our cultural history. All the way to Mad magazine.
posted by jonmc at 2:36 PM on February 21, 2004

Not being funny != a crime against humanity.
posted by rushmc at 2:42 PM on February 21, 2004

The term “blue-collar” comes up rather frequently, and as Jonathan struggles to leave behind his life as a fabulous diva to become a meatpacker, the show reveals itself as being about class, not sexuality.

Amen. You know, this is one thing I hate about gay stereotypes. We're not all upper-class and rich and well-dressed. There are gay truckdrivers and gay gas station attendants and gay -- er -- meatpackers. (*koff*) There are people out there who resent gays because they think we have all these financial advantages, but it's just not true.
posted by Tin Man at 2:45 PM on February 21, 2004

Must be the crabs.
posted by lupus_yonderboy at 2:45 PM on February 21, 2004

It's not like the Queer Eye chaps give instructions on cruising.

Before the cameras, that is.
posted by WolfDaddy at 2:56 PM on February 21, 2004

I'm expecting this show to make fun of straight men (and stereotypes about them) than gay men.
posted by maciej at 3:00 PM on February 21, 2004

Queer Eye isn't about making the schlub gay, flaming or otherwise, so I don't see the point of a show which tries to make a gay guy act straight being described as the polar opposite. If it truly was, then the straight guys would go in and mess up his place, dirty up the bathroom and replace all his food with various sauces (obviously speaking from empirical evidence).

Comedy Central are just out make some laughs ("Ha! Look at the gay guy lower his standards! Hee hee!") -- quelle surprise -- without actually being very clever.
posted by John Shaft at 3:03 PM on February 21, 2004

The idea that a greater percentage of gay men tend to be, say, aesthetically precise, is true. The more politically correct (and likely more significant) reason for this is the social one (vs. the genetic one) - that is, gay men naturally put less value on maintaining the varying qualities men assume as their social role in contrast to the other gender - utility vs. appearance, goals vs. details, etc.

So I'd indeed say Queer Eye is stupid, but not for any particularly politcal reasons. Now, Straight Plan.

Maybe it'll be done tastefully, but the Comedy Central model of the wholesome ideal american man - pudgy, quick-witted but simpleminded, drinks beer, neither averse nor reverent of the fart joke - doesn't really have anything to offer. And besides that, Straight Plan isn't even in the same format - Queer Eye tries to change things, on a physical level, whereas this show just shows them stuff about "straight life." Now that, maybe, is stereotyping, but it's so stupid and wrongheaded for other reasons that it doesn't even matter.
posted by abcde at 3:10 PM on February 21, 2004

Probably to be the funniest Comedy Central offering since Reno, 911.
posted by kaibutsu at 3:54 PM on February 21, 2004

I can't see what straight men could teach gay men except how to do things like use powertools and work on cars... which they can probably learn better from lesbians anyway.

Most of the lessons that gays have learned from the heterosexual community are ones that they are already trying to unlearn anyway.
posted by insomnia_lj at 4:05 PM on February 21, 2004

Lesson/show 1: Live from north Georgia. The finer details of NASCAR racing explained. Also involves how to drink "tall boys" in one slurp. Porn, good old boy style. Yee haw! Squeal like a pig! Hygiene as a pipe dream. Damn that was a nice burp! Can't forget the Confederate flag.

Anyone else got ideas for a show? How about a show from Maine? 4 wheel drive with snow plow permanently attached, etc. Perhaps Montana with a "real" cowboy?
posted by nofundy at 4:15 PM on February 21, 2004

What's good for the goose is good for the gooser
posted by Postroad at 4:21 PM on February 21, 2004

"Fark commenting for the Metafilter guy"?
posted by srboisvert at 4:29 PM on February 21, 2004

and such borderline offensive tips as “Don’t smile--a smile means you’re happy and happy means you’re gay” make the four comedians seem as though their sole purpose is to rag on gay men.

???

Cleary this bitch isn't gay.
posted by dgaicun at 4:39 PM on February 21, 2004

Let's all keep in mind that Comedy Central is also home of The Man Show. And that lovely celebration of humanity's big claim to fame is large-breasted women jumping on a trampoline!
posted by billsaysthis at 4:46 PM on February 21, 2004

there's also Black Eye for the White Guy coming soon (Make Me Cool is the real title)
posted by amberglow at 4:55 PM on February 21, 2004

And that lovely celebration of humanity's big claim to fame is large-breasted women jumping on a trampoline!

*reverently salutes*
posted by jonmc at 4:55 PM on February 21, 2004

Maybe they'll have cross-over episodes, and someone will finally tell Carson to stop dressing himself in the dark.
posted by silusGROK at 5:01 PM on February 21, 2004

fair game.
posted by Keyser Soze at 5:02 PM on February 21, 2004

Anyone else got ideas for a show? How about a show from Maine? 4 wheel drive with snow plow permanently attached, etc.

Sounds like the Red Green Show from Canada that is also broadcast on PBS.
posted by crank at 5:10 PM on February 21, 2004

Not being funny = a crime against humanity. It's not genocide but still...

The only time I liked the Man Show was when they did a segment on The Man Show Boy. Can The Man Show Boy Get Someone To Buy Him A Six Pack Of Beer? That was comedy gold--that, and when Snoop Dogg got Adam and Jimmy stoned on his killer bud.

And throw out all the skin-care stuff in the bathroom, and not replace it with anything. Well, maybe Lifebuoy.

No, Boraxo. And you forgot remove the bathroom door entirely.
posted by y2karl at 5:49 PM on February 21, 2004

Probably to be the funniest Comedy Central offering since Reno, 911.

Radioactive anal lice would be funnier than Reno, 911
posted by Ayn Marx at 7:00 PM on February 21, 2004

All the way to Mad magazine.

It goes back much farther than Mad Magazine. To a much darker (no pun intended) place in our history.

"So gather round your television sets for another gay minstrel show."

It's interesting that they'd use that line, because that's exactly what I liken Queer Eye to: five gay Amos 'n' Andys.

"Look Boss, our shoes match our belts!" And we pat them on the head.
posted by jpoulos at 7:24 PM on February 21, 2004

Goddamn, what the hell!? Why can't we just laugh at something as funny or not and leave all the freaking baggage off.

Christ, relax people.
posted by damnitkage at 7:27 PM on February 21, 2004

Point taken, damnitkage. I was just coming back to comment that I'm probably taking it all too seriously.
posted by jpoulos at 7:28 PM on February 21, 2004

I find it very curious that white males seem to be the butt of the joke in all three shows mentioned.

However, I plan to avoid the other two just like I avoid the first.
posted by hurkle at 8:24 PM on February 21, 2004

I find it very curious that white males seem to be the butt of the joke in all three shows mentioned.

Speaking as an extremely white, incurably male American, I think I speak for all of my brethren when I say, I think we'll survive.
posted by jonmc at 8:27 PM on February 21, 2004

Amen, brother jon, amen!
posted by tommasz at 9:06 PM on February 21, 2004

On the money, jonmc.
posted by subgenius at 9:10 PM on February 21, 2004

And just to be fair, although I'd never presume to speak for gay people, but most that I've met can take a good-natured joke at their expense.

I'm just ultimately saying that I refuse to treat anyone with kid gloves and I don't expect it in return,a t least humor-wise. I don't think we should pick and choose which groups get to be ribbed and which don't and I don't think we should cross the line into mere cruelty and name calling, but I think evrybody just needs to relax a bit.
posted by jonmc at 9:15 PM on February 21, 2004

I find it very curious that white males seem to be the butt of the joke in all three shows mentioned.

Ahh! I get it! These shows are satire. I've been thinking lowbrow all along.
posted by pedantic at 9:16 PM on February 21, 2004

LOL
posted by hurkle at 9:42 PM on February 21, 2004

[M]akeover a new gay friend and give him a crash course on the secrets of straight male life

Didn't Robin Williams already do this with Nathan Lane in The Birdcage?
posted by kirkaracha at 3:32 AM on February 22, 2004

Meat packing plant, haha, ass fucking is funny.
posted by the fire you left me at 11:38 AM on February 22, 2004

Radioactive anal lice would be funnier than Reno, 911

Thing is, that actually is funny.
posted by abcde at 12:32 PM on February 22, 2004

How's this turnaround is fair play? QEftSG mocks straight men for being unstylish boors. SEftGG mocks straight men for being unrefined boors. TMS mocks (presumably straight) men for being sex-obsessed, beer-drinking boors.

Hell, most television these days focusing on mocking men.
posted by five fresh fish at 1:22 PM on February 22, 2004

Hell, most television these days focusing on mocking men.
Well, considering how mockable we are, this is not surprising. Besides, in the PC-ridden world we now endure, white heterosexual males are the only group left that it is legal to mock, it seems.

...I refuse to treat anyone with kid gloves and I don't expect it in return,a t least humor-wise. I don't think we should pick and choose which groups get to be ribbed and which don't...
My thoughts exactly. Regardless of which pigeon-hole society has placed you in, there is plenty to laugh at you for and this is the healthiest way to bridge the differences that divide everyone, in my opinion.
posted by dg at 7:08 PM on February 22, 2004

white heterosexual males are the only group left that it is legal to mock, it seems.

That's because we're inherently fallible and funny, unlike everyone else.
posted by pedantic at 7:39 PM on February 22, 2004

dg--

Richard Pryor's rule: You can always mock your own kind.

So there's no shortage of minority-mocking, it just can't come from outside.
posted by effugas at 7:59 PM on February 22, 2004

Besides, in the PC-ridden world we now endure, white heterosexual males are the only group left that it is legal to mock, it seems.

In your world, does The Simple Life not exist? Because I would be interested in emmigrating to such a world.
posted by Ptrin at 8:21 PM on February 22, 2004

In your world, does The Simple Life not exist?
Well, in my world, it doesn't exist. Unfortunately, it does exist in the world around me so, unless you want to emulate "Being John Malkovitch", you are out of luck.
posted by dg at 10:21 PM on February 22, 2004

dg: Dude, I've been having so much synchronicity lately. When I was just downstairs getting a pre-bed snack, about 5 minutes ago I thought of Being John Malkovich randomly and I can't remember any line of thought that brought it up. (spooky theremin sounds)
posted by abcde at 12:31 AM on February 23, 2004

Does it mean I'm straight if I find all of Carson's clothing recommendations to be tacky and dated?
posted by VulcanMike at 10:11 AM on February 23, 2004

Carson is tacky and dated.

The show is cute so far, but what a horror the guy is--botoxed, and an old lady apartment.
posted by amberglow at 7:15 PM on February 23, 2004

So there's no shortage of minority-mocking, it just can't come from outside.

Well, it can, just not and be PC or necessarily funny, though I don't know how you can poke fun at "your own kind" without drawing unfair generalizations and stereotypes.
posted by Ogre Lawless at 10:19 AM on February 24, 2004

Well, hell. Dontcha hate it when straight people start clamoring for all those new constitutional rights, like hitting on chicks and playing basketball?

Sorry. I really don't have the energy to explain what I mean...

~wink~

But as others have pointed out, it's pretty offensive and low and weasel-like and all for majorities to mock minorities. Some seem to get off on it, however.
posted by fold_and_mutilate at 2:28 AM on February 25, 2004

Why is it any more offensive for majorities to mock minorities than the reverse? Surely the same principle applies - if it is wrong to mock people based on an arbitrary "group" they belong to, it is wrong regardless of the size of the group.
posted by dg at 3:01 PM on February 25, 2004

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Straight Plan for the Gay Man February 21, 2004 1:52 PM Subscribe

Straight Plan for the Gay Man
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