They get it!

[mandragora]

Channel 4 (UK) is showing a programme called 100 Greatest Sexy Moments and to start there have been various brief clips shown of forthcoming attractions, complete with commentary. One of the women has just said, "And of course women like to see two men getting it on," followed by a quick exerpt of Queer as Folk (original version, naturally). Needless to say this was then followed by several shots of woman on woman action. No surprise there.

But, this is a national channel using a programme that was originally aimed at gay men to illustrate that some women rather enjoy watching two gorgeous men having sex. *g*

Slash is in the closet? I don't think so. Looks like Channel 4 paid close attention to exactly who was watching Queer as Folk...

ETA: At number 40 there's that scene between Buffy and Spike. You know the one, the full-blown no-holds barred up against the wall and crashing through the floor in mid-thrust. That one. The one that we lucky Brits got to see in all its glory, but was, tragically, edited for American TV.

Oh yeah. I remember watching that scene, and as soon as the episode finished rewinding the tape so I could watch it again and again. And whilst I did so I got an email from alsoa asking whether I'd seen the ep and saying that she was just rewinding her tape so she could watch it again... *g*

Comments

[sapphiresmuse.livejournal.com]

Slash is in the closet? I don't think so. Looks like Channel 4 paid close attention to exactly who was watching Queer as Folk...

All these gay-themed shows suddenly being the flavor of the year has had more repercussions than simply making gay be the 'in' thing. I won't get into how lovely it is to be seeing more gay-themed shows in the mainstream but what with the internet age and TPTB getting instant audience feedback via the 'net should they choose, many a PTB has discovered that their audiences aren't necessarily gay folks or that certain male demographic. Even worse, they've discovered that female demographic that you and I fall in has spending power. Still have a ways to go for some of them to recognize us as a valid audience though.

But it is interesting, isn't it? I remember when the American QAF folks discovered the straight female audience phenomenon and were totally taken aback by it. And it's become rather obvious over the years to the HL and SG folks (not to mention all the others) who are active online that a large percentage of the fan base is female and that many of them are as likely to spend money as their favored young male demographic. I think they just fear the females will be too sensible in their spending habits so they still pander to the males. ;)

The one that we lucky Brits got to see in all its glory, but was, tragically, edited for American TV.

What??? What's this? Never heard about this. Tell me, in detailed detail ;) exactly what I'm missing (as if my imagination isn't capable of coming up with the details all on its own).

Have you folks seen Spike on Angel yet or are you behind us in those eps? I have to admit I don't pay a lot of attention online to the Buffy and Angel fandoms except to keep current with the eps with a couple of friends.

[mandragora1.livejournal.com]

All these gay-themed shows suddenly being the flavor of the year

I think it's fair to say that gay-themed shows have been around for rather longer in the UK than the US. The original Queer as Folk was quite some time ago, after we'd had both m/m and f/f kisses and in some cases love scenes shown on national TV at peak time in the most popular programmes on TV (the national soaps). The UK as a whole tends to be more gay-friendly than the US, though, so that's not a surprise.

We had the most popular TV listings magazine (equivalent of TV Guide) run a feature on best TV couples, and include Bodie & Doyle and Starsky & Hutch in those. And that was a few years ago now.

I think the UK advertising industry is aware of women's spending power, as well. But it's easier for them to pick up on trends. The UK is a much more homogenous market than the US, with less differential between the regions.

I remember when the American QAF folks discovered the straight female audience phenomenon and were totally taken aback by it.

And yet I wonder why they were. Because Channel 4, who sold them the series (both UK version and the premise for the US version) were fully aware of who their audience was, not to mention the healthy viewing figures ;) Looks like the US QAF people hadn't done their homework properly.

As for cult shows being of interest to women, I think the one that gets the prize is Sentinel. It was the women who got that series back on the air and the producers know that. Even though it was designed to appear to young men. As for their fear of women's spending habits... Just call them stupid.

Ah yes, the Spuffy sex scene... *breaks off for private moment* I only recently found out that you guys got the censored version. Both Buffy and Angel episodes are routinely cut for peak time viewing in the UK (and are then usually shown uncut late at night as well), but they're cut for violence, not sex.

Of course, this was violent sex, but luckily no cuts. Phew.

What happened it that Buffy and Spike are fighting and then she kisses him (which I'm sure you saw). There's a lot of groping and then they end up against the wall and Buffy is (conveniently) wearing a long leather skirt. That is shown being hitched up, and then Buffy is lifted up, at which point Spike clearly enters her. Cue lots of writhing againt the wall, as they have sex, with Buffy reaching up against her head as she bites her lip in ecstacy and then she smashes her hand against the wall in pleasure, causing the wall to crumble.

The two of them, still joined, fall forward and through the floor, to the floor below, where they land with Spike flat on his back and Buffy on top. And they're still continuing to have sex, as Spike is clearly continuing to thrust within Buffy. The building comes down around them while congress takes place and then the scene fades out into the credits.

Apparently there is a way to see the full scene in the US, maybe on commercial release?

We've seen all of Buffy, but are behind on the latest season of Angel, which hasn't started yet. The reason for that, though, is that we usually show each season all the way through in the UK, with no breaking off for repeats, or breaks where there's no episodes shown at all. It's therefore necessary to start later to have an unbroken run through. But it has been known for us to end up only a couple of days behind the US by the time the US reaches the last episode of the season.

And in the case of SG1 of course, the last half of the season ends up being shown first in the UK, because of the deal struck between the TV company and the production company over here.