They're back, and unfortunately, no better. C and I did watch it all the way through (even though Project Runway also was on, and Michael Knight from Atlanta was designing a stunning Pam Grier-inspired number that won that episode's challenge). As with the first season, Noah's Arc has enough cute outfits and 'dos, some witty repartee, and enough eye candy to fill a small house party, but the problem is, it's the same preposterous storylines, goofy acting, and...oh well, see it for yourself. I just wish that someone would teach lead actor Darryl Stephens (Noah, at right, from Logo Online) a few more facial expressions; he always seems on the verge of giggling when he should be looking serious, and the trembling lip and rocking should have gone out with Sybil. He's like Carrie Bradshaw crossed with Joan Clayton, with a bit too much Gidget Lawrence tossed into the mix. I'm willing to believe cartoon-like versions of Black gbt men like this are out there, but please, try a bit harder to convince your viewers--acting is an art! Anyways, they're back, and all sorts of celebrity hotties, among them Season One veteran and talented actor Wilson Cruz, will be making guest appearances. At this point, that's the only reason I can find for continuing to watch this show.Random photo
Artist at work, Doma, West Village
The writing on first episode seems more of a piece with the middle episodes last year (the final episode I thought went all over the place trying to wrap things up for the season). Better than the beginning episodes, but...M blurted out in the middle of the show "*I* could have written these lines!" and as you know he doens't consider himself a writer at all! I support them and we'll hang in there, cause we continue to believe that this may lead to other shows by/about men of color in the future.
ReplyDeleteBTW: Logo is showing 'The Reception' later this week
Living in the DR I have never seen the show, but have read countless reviews. Tape a couple for me and bring them with you when you come down next.
ReplyDeletePlease!
Reggie, The Reception was on last night, so C got to see it. I liked it even more the second time around. As for Noah's Arc, well, outside of the acting (which isn't uniformally bad, but also not consistent, with Darryl Stephens and Doug Spearman really vying for the absolute worst title), the writing is the weakest aspect. I support them too, but....
ReplyDeleteAnthony, we'll definitely bring down some so you can see it.
I like the idea of Noah's Arc more than anything. And I guess I have been living way down below the Mason Dixon line and in damn Sauerkrautland for close to 6 years and in so many places the concept of Black Men being complex people never crosses anyone's mind.
ReplyDeleteWhen Das Experiment and I were in it heavy, trying to sort out emotions in a small German college town, he told his brother about me and my sexuality. His brother's first response was: "First Colin Powell is Secretary of State and your Black American friend is bisexaul, I guess blacks are movingin up in the world."
For many people there is not even a stereotype of a coloured person having a professional life, a same sex partner and emotions. Black folk are that flat and one dimensional.
I like the show. Do I think it is Emmy award winning? No, it is not. But I think it is a dry run in a desert and it needs sometime to figure itself out.
Plus, I all am for any eye candy that can make me forget a terrible script. And am willing to tolerate mediocraty for a little while if there was nothing standing in its place before.
Bill, I really don't have any comment about your German friends' gross ignorance about Black people, but my own perspective vis-a-vis Noah's Arc is that while I enjoy seeing these Black and Latino actors (some of them gay) onscreen and while I agree that it fills a niche that wasn't being addressed, I also wish that it were better or that there were more options out there. I often ask, WHO are these people? I know some people like some of them (especially Rodney Chester's character), but in general they are just too fantastical to be taken except as quasi-farcical, and the acting and writing don't help. But I still watch it, and hope that it spurs others to come up with TV shows or films (like The Reception or Ski Trip or ´E Minha Cara which delve much more truthfully and powerfully with the world I and millions of other LGBT folks of color experience on a daily basis.
ReplyDelete