"Stick a fork in it ... it's done."
That was one of the many disparaging comments Bernard Bradshaw, host of the steamy blog and podcast ... Sex & the Second City ... had to say about Noah's Arc.
I first heard the grumbling in the fan club earlier in the week, but I never had time to actually hear the podcast for myself. Until today. I listened twice.
The friends of SGL café know how much I love this show, and its creator Patrik-Ian Polk. So naturally, I got a little pissed when, on this podcast with Pink Mafia Radio where they discussed the much debated season finale, Bernard Bradshaw chose to show his support for black gay programming by maliciously sledgehammering the originator of this desperately needed genre to pieces.
"It was more like a series finale to me, than a season finale." He goes on to speak of Patrik-Ian, "He's not a great writer, not even a mediocre one."
Now I had to sit back and ponder that. Was I just having a visceral reaction to an attack on a man I admire and respect, one of the leaders in this ... the new black gay renaissance? But then the podcast continued, and he said he wouldn't care if it was canceled "if he [Patrik-Ian] was gonna continue writing it."
Once I digested that foul statement from a fellow SGL brother making moves of his own, I realized it was not about his dislike of the writing of the show. Hell ... to each his own, right? But this over-the-edge negativity toward Patrik smacked of something else entirely, something so many out there wrestle with--even me--that I don't need to mention it by name.
My mother always said ... if you don't have anything nice to say, then shut-up (then she'd proceed to gossip about somebody, but that's neither here nor there). Bernard Bradshaw certainly has a right to dislike the show. And he did back-pedal and say he "didn't" want the show to be canceled and expressed concerns for the future of black gay programming ... but as Jasmyne Cannick said regarding Tookie's good works, it was just "too little too late."
With it all due respect, 'cause I truly love Sex & the Second City ... but for your short-sighted and malicious attack on the bedrock of all future black gay/SGL/lgbt TV programming and an SGL brother who's worked tirelessly for years knocking down doors and their attached homophobias to bring us Noah's Arc ... fuck you, Bernard Bradshaw ... and Merry Xmas.
Keep doing what you do well, talking about the more ho-ish aspects of black gay life, which titillate us so. I'm still a fan of your blog and associated podcast, and will continue to support it. But I just can't live with myself ... when I don't call a spade a spade.
~~~
On a lighter note ... wanna get warm?
Fly Life Wednesdays' re-opening kick-off this past week was packed despite the cold!
That was one of the many disparaging comments Bernard Bradshaw, host of the steamy blog and podcast ... Sex & the Second City ... had to say about Noah's Arc.
I first heard the grumbling in the fan club earlier in the week, but I never had time to actually hear the podcast for myself. Until today. I listened twice.
The friends of SGL café know how much I love this show, and its creator Patrik-Ian Polk. So naturally, I got a little pissed when, on this podcast with Pink Mafia Radio where they discussed the much debated season finale, Bernard Bradshaw chose to show his support for black gay programming by maliciously sledgehammering the originator of this desperately needed genre to pieces.
"It was more like a series finale to me, than a season finale." He goes on to speak of Patrik-Ian, "He's not a great writer, not even a mediocre one."
Now I had to sit back and ponder that. Was I just having a visceral reaction to an attack on a man I admire and respect, one of the leaders in this ... the new black gay renaissance? But then the podcast continued, and he said he wouldn't care if it was canceled "if he [Patrik-Ian] was gonna continue writing it."
Once I digested that foul statement from a fellow SGL brother making moves of his own, I realized it was not about his dislike of the writing of the show. Hell ... to each his own, right? But this over-the-edge negativity toward Patrik smacked of something else entirely, something so many out there wrestle with--even me--that I don't need to mention it by name.
My mother always said ... if you don't have anything nice to say, then shut-up (then she'd proceed to gossip about somebody, but that's neither here nor there). Bernard Bradshaw certainly has a right to dislike the show. And he did back-pedal and say he "didn't" want the show to be canceled and expressed concerns for the future of black gay programming ... but as Jasmyne Cannick said regarding Tookie's good works, it was just "too little too late."
With it all due respect, 'cause I truly love Sex & the Second City ... but for your short-sighted and malicious attack on the bedrock of all future black gay/SGL/lgbt TV programming and an SGL brother who's worked tirelessly for years knocking down doors and their attached homophobias to bring us Noah's Arc ... fuck you, Bernard Bradshaw ... and Merry Xmas.
Keep doing what you do well, talking about the more ho-ish aspects of black gay life, which titillate us so. I'm still a fan of your blog and associated podcast, and will continue to support it. But I just can't live with myself ... when I don't call a spade a spade.
~~~
On a lighter note ... wanna get warm?
Fly Life Wednesdays' re-opening kick-off this past week was packed despite the cold! The rustic, tri-level spot is over the top cozy and cute ... with a roaring fireplace to warm you while you get your dance on ... and cushy sofa's where you can lounge while you get your drink on, or just ogle all the eyecandy that showed up to party.
But I didn't sit much, not with the thumping sounds spun Fred Pierce and Mark James. The Queen of Comedy, Harmonica Sunbeam, practically had to throw us out at the end of the evening because no one wanted to leave.
Check it out this Wednesday.
Jersey City is warming up ... again.
4 comments:
Merry Xmas T. hope you had a good one.
i'se gonna be there!
Bernard has made a good point, and everyone has a right to an opinion, whether it's negative or positive. It is just as malicious and immoral to negate an opinion because we have the right to exercise free speech.
While it was nice to finally have a show that is about gay, black men, it doesn't mean that the program is good quality just because of whom it came from. Therefore, I agree with Bernard. The show was nice to have, but there can be a much more well-written and casted show.
My question to you is are you a fan of Noah's Arc because of your admiration for Patrick or you actually love the quality of the program?
professor ...
in my opinion, the jury will always be out as to the writing of the show. as a writer, i always feel i could have written a scene better ... when in actuality, all i could do is give it my own swerve.
in this case, Patrik's swerve isn't to everyone's liking. Noah's Arc is always gonna have controversy. Yes, there are better blackk male actors in the world ... but good luck getting any of them to make out with a man on camera.
that's probably why i feel so protective of this show. it's already breaking down the stigma. having John Salley appear was a major statement, I believe, toward bridging the gap between gay black men and Black hetero men. A major statement, which seems to have gotten lost in the babble over other less important things.
the show is the fragile embryo (hell, the zygote) of all the black gay TV programming to come. i think we should all be protective until it's born, while at the same time being real about the show ... without the malicious barbs that are never productive.
am i just being protective of Patrik-Ian? Possibly. But at this point, he and the show are inseparable in my mind. calling for cast changes or better actors is suicidal, everyone would stop watching. so why even complain is the acting is sub-par?
what benefits come out of tearing down the show?
bernard certainly has a right to voice his opinion ... i was just extrememly put off by the catty tone.
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