Ever since Logo picked up MTV Canada’s 1 Girl, 5 Gays for American syndication, the gay talk show has become the subject of both obsession and controversy. If you’re me and DVR every episode, you’re obsessed. But if you only see a cast of gay men furthering stereotypes, you’re offended. Each episode features a rotating panel of five gays who discuss 20 questions about love and sex asked by host Aliya-Jasmine Sovani. Producer Garrett Wintrip responded to critics who claim the show misrepresents gay people, saying:
I think the people who think it’s exploiting stereotypes are the people who sort of glance at it and they might hear an effeminate voice or they might hear someone talking about Barbra Streisand and think that’s a stereotype. If you watch the show, and I sit and listen to these guys, they’re all unique individuals who have their own unique tastes and interests.
And opinions. In Toronto, a Canadian gay magazine, sat down with Aliya-Jasmine and two of the show’s more outspoken gays — David Robert and Michael Yerxa — to get the behind-the-scenes scoop.
I am a BIG fan of the show EXCEPT I can no longer watch any shows with Yerxa on them. He is so rude, arrogant and domineering. He bullies and challenges the other guys when they are expressing their own opinions. If you notice he is the first to answer any questions and challenges the other boys on their opinions shouting out, “explain yourself,” “what do you mean by that,” or “what are you trying to say.” The show is to get the opinions and views of 5 different and varied gay men…NOT Yerxa clones! AND contrary to how he acts he is not Aliya-Jasmine’s co-host, so he needs to sit back and shut up!! EVEN BETTER PLEASE PULL HIM FROM THE SHOW!!!!!
I love this show. ok,no i’m not gay or lesbian but i have grown to have so much respect for the guys on this show. i am however under 18 and i am a huge fan… i stay up just to watch this show and i love it!! Philp and Jake are my favorites. this show hasjust chnged by view on gay people in general,i have alot respect for the, and i honestly will stick up for anyone being tesed for their sexuallty. i love how all the guys are so honest an d they ar not afraid to share what they have to say. i have been searchin for about 2 hours to find somewhere were i cold pst a comment for this show, and it was worth it. i love all of you guys on the show, and this goes out to anybody who’s ever been told that the way they think or the way they feel is the wrong way to think of the wrong way to feel. Anybody who has ever felt betrayed by their friends or their family always be yourself no matter what.
I LOVE this show and I am so craving new episodes. I don’t think it is offensive but I would like to see more black gay men and more older gay men looped in.
I LOVE this show. It’s definitely not stereotypical, if anything it pulls gays from all walks of life. And the topics can get hilarious.
I hope it’s not just an influx of the stereotypical gay. Have a butch guy on there, have a lawyer, have someone with a regular job. I hope it’s not just filled with twinks in tight t-shirts who are hairdressers or living with a sugar daddy
I love the statement about hearing an effeminate voice and suddenly thinking a show exploits stereotypes. I’ve actually never heard about it, but the guys look like average men I’ve been surrounded by in the gay community so I’m going tO check it out.
I love this! Thanks for posting this! I may very well be the shows/David Robert’s biggest fan