Monday, Aug. 11, 9 p.m.
Directed by Jeremy Simmons (MTV's School's Out), GAY HOLLYWOOD follows five young gay men as they pursue careers in acting, directing, writing and stand-up comedy. What makes the film stand out, however, is not that the five aspirants are all gay, but rather the manner in which the movie captures the collisions between their often seemingly self-deluded ambitions and the cold reality of feedback from entertainment industry professionals.
At first, it's easy to laugh at such statements as drag artist Micah McCain's 'I've always just wanted to be a star' and, with regard to his dreams of a house in the Hollywood Hills, 'I can't wait to have a hallway!' However, of the five people chronicled, McCain is the one who makes the most reality-based progress in his career.
Performing under his stage name Bridgett of Madison County, McCain goes from the limited venue of drag bar performing to tackling the stage at The L.A. Improv. Although he receives some hysterical if valid advice from comedy manager Bob Read ('You have great stage presence, but you might want to add some jokes'), McCain's stand-up debut is a brilliant (if unplanned) set, in which the manic Bridgett never fully gets around to completing her first joke. Taking Read's advice, McCain reluctantly takes his act to Valley clubs, adds some traditionally formatted jokes and succeeds in opening for Judy Tenuta at The Comedy Store—although Tenuta's involvement may stem in part from the opportunity to participate in the AMC film.
Less lucky are actor Robert Laughlin and writer Benjamin Morgan. In a meeting with Access Hollywood, Laughlin pitches an over-the-top food segment completely inappropriate to the show and inadvertently reveals that he doesn't even know who the show's main anchor is. When writer Morgan gets a meeting with comedy writer Bruce Vilanch—like Tenuta, perhaps involved primarily due to the AMC film—he is disappointed that Vilanch hasn't read his Will & Grace spec script and expresses his dashed expectations outside, in a manner reminiscent of one of THE BACHELOR's rejected hopefuls.
Indie film director Dustin Lance Black (The Journey of Jared Price, On the Bus) immediately expresses his discomfort with the low level of professionalism and seriousness of the other four. His major contribution is asserting himself legally to the film's producers to protect his presentation in the film.
The title GAY HOLLYWOOD doesn't really fit the film. Executive producer Randy Barbato explained that the title was left over from an earlier conception of the film as an historical doc. When the film's focus shifted, the title simply remained.
WEDNESDAY, AUG. 6
ALL MY CHILDREN (ABC, noon) Last week, Bianca told Maggie about her rape, but made her promise to keep it a secret.
RENO 911! (COM, 9 p.m., 11:30 p.m.) Funny spoof of cop reality shows, including gay Lt. Dangle (Thomas Lennon).
ISAAC MIZRAHI (Oxygen, 6:30 p.m., 9:30 p.m.)
THURSDAY, AUG. 7
AMAZING RACE 4 (CBS, 7 p.m.) Chip and Reichen are still in the race.
QUEER EYE FOR THE STRAIGHT GUY (Bravo, 9 p.m.) Repeat of Tuesday's program.
ISAAC MIZRAHI (Oxygen, 6:30 p.m., 9:30pm)
FRIDAY, AUG. 8
ISAAC MIZRAHI MARATHON (Oxygen, 6:30 p.m - 9:30 p.m.)
BOY MEETS BOY (Bravo, midnight, 5 a.m.) Repeat of Tuesday's program.
SATURDAY, AUG. 9
ISAAC MIZRAHI MARATHON (Oxygen, 11 a.m., 12-4 p.m.)
SUNDAY, AUG. 10
ISAAC MIZRAHI (Oxygen, midnight)
QUEER EYE FOR THE STRAIGHT GUY (Bravo, 1 a.m., 5 a.m.)
ISAAC MIZRAHI (Oxygen, 1 p.m. - 3 p.m.)
SEX AND THE CITY (HBO, 8 p.m.) Charlotte poses for an important picture. Miranda blanches at the idea of meeting Steve's girlfriend. Samantha takes a realistic approach to being single.
THE WIRE (HBO, 9 p.m.) Lesbian Detective Shakima Greggs (Sonja Sohn) considers motherhood.
MONDAY, AUG. 11
E! TRUE ROCK HUDSON (E!TV, 6 a.m.)
GAY HOLLYWOOD (AMC, 9 p.m.)
ISAAC MIZRAHI (Oxygen, 9:30 p.m.)
TUESDAY, AUG. 12
QUEER EYE FOR THE STRAIGHT GUY (Bravo, 7 p.m.) Repeat of last week's episode.
BOY MEETS BOY (Bravo, 8 p.m., 10 p.m.)
QUEER EYE FOR THE STRAIGHT GUY (Bravo, 9 p.m., midnight) New episode.
REAL WORLD PARIS (MTV, 9 p.m.) Gay Simon, 18, has still remained mostly in the background.
ISAAC MIZRAHI (Oxygen, 9:30 p.m.)
Gay Boy Ric is a comedian and pop singer based in L.A. To receive free GTV E-Mail Alerts: gayboyric@yahoo.com
