Domesticated Animals And The Gay Men Who Love Them

I’m sure many of you have pets. I don’t. In fact, I’m not really an animal person. I’m certainly capable of caring for and nurturing a domesticated animal. But, for now, I prefer to invest my time and money on one mammal—me!

I think that makes me something of an oddity among my fellow gay men and lesbians. Of course, I shouldn’t generalize, but it’s very tempting to say that gays and animals go hand in hand. Interestingly, two Bravo reality shows seem to be reinforcing this stereotype.



In the new reality show Welcome to the Parker, interior designer Jonathan Adler was shocked to learn that management was planning to ban all animals from the five-star resort. He didn’t take the news lightly and did what any dog-loving gay man would have done. He challenged Thomas, the general manager, to a game of ping pong. The winner got to decide the fate of all animals at The Parker. Adler won and the dogs got to stay! You know, I never thought I’d say this, but I found Adler somewhat attractive in this episode. He annoyed me in Top Design, but in The Parker, he’s way more likable. Interesting. Anyway, yeah, the dogs got to stay. Happy endings are always nice.

Flipping Out, my newest obsession, is about a gay real estate speculator, Jeff Lewis, who treats his pets better than his employees.



In this episode, he had Stephen, one of his assistants, take his cat Monkey to the vet for acupuncture treatment. Now, I may not be an animal person, but I have enough sense to know that animals don’t usually like to get stabbed with sharp objects.



I couldn’t stop smiling throughout the whole acupuncture scene. The cat was pissed and ended up biting poor Stephen. Not even the vet was able to calm Monkey down. After the ordeal was over, Stephen called Jeff who seemed unmoved by the story. Stephen’s reaction to Jeff’s indifference was priceless. He started crying. Ok, I don’t usually like to see people crying, but this was comedic gold for me. I swear; the producers made this show with me in mind.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, this show is surprisingly good. As most of you probably know, I love the reality show Workout. Jackie Warner is the real deal. However, the one thing I don’t like about the show is how misleading it can be. I don’t recall ever hearing anyone mention the fact that most of the trainers were actors or even former reality show contestants. Of course, that will never stop me from loving the show.

Flipping Out is quite different. It was made clear at the outset that most of the assistants and employees were struggling actors or performers. In fact, a lot of the tension and comedy on the show is caused by the employees trying to juggle both aspects of their lives. They have auditions to attend, but they can’t afford to neglect their obligations at work. Now, I acknowledge that a lot of the scenes are staged, but that’s true of most reality shows.

I should also point out that there are a number of people who don’t seem to like Flipping Out. And, you know what, I can totally understand that. Not everyone is going to like Jeff Lewis, a man who I find very fascinating. Not everyone wants to learn the ins and outs of house flipping. I, on the other hand, find this topic quite interesting. There are a number of reasons to love or loathe this new Bravo reality show, but I like this show for one simple reason: it’s essentially a show about a successful gay man.

This episode ended perfectly. Jeff’s crew celebrated Zoila’s birthday. All his friends (and animals) were there. They had cake; hit a piñata; and just had a wonderful time. This show is really off to a good start. Well done, Bravo!

D-List 2 & 3: Lesbians, Strap-Ons, and Sad News

Last week, Kathy Griffin went on a faux date with Nick Carter, the Backstreet Boy and Wigger. I apologize if my use of this word offends anyone; I'm merely repeating what came out of Kathy's mouth. Yeah, so I still don't understand why she would even consider hanging out with Nick Carter. Damselfly over at the Bravissimo Blog noted that a lot of the scenes this season are too contrived. Of course, this is reality television, and that’s to be expected. However, some of the situations she gets herself into are just awkward (and boring). I’m sure Nick’s a nice guy, but he’s old news. I’d much rather see her hanging out with Rosie or some random gay person. How about her BFF Lance Bass?



I did, however, enjoy seeing her hang out with Rachel True. I haven’t seen Rachel in ages. She played Mary Jane in the hilarious movie Half Baked, and she also played a teen witch in the surprisingly effective film The Craft. Rachel was Kathy’s dating coach, and she shared some words of wisdom with our beloved comedienne.

Have fun and be comfortable. And push those tits up!

Rachel’s right; straight men love that! I find it funny that Rachel didn’t mention the important stuff—like, I don’t know . . . personality? Ok, that doesn’t make for good TV. It’s all about tits. Got it.

So, nothing of interest happened last week. Actually, I have to admit that Tom is growing on me. The guy really seems to be doing his job. I have to give credit to Ms. Place for believing in his potential. She was right. However, I still have no clue what Jessica and Tiffany are doing there. I’ve seen them write stuff down on note pads, and they help Kathy write emails. That’s it! Are they really necessary?



This week (episode 3), Kathy Griffin didn’t pull any punches. She aimed to please her gay viewers, and she succeeded. Yep, they finally showed Kathy working out with none other than Jackie Warner at SkySport and Spa. We knew it was coming, of course. But it was nice seeing Jackie again; I kind of miss her, actually.

We knew from a previous episode that Kathy was scheduled to perform on one of Rosie O’Donnell’s famous cruises. Yeah, I know what you’re thinking: LESBIANS! A lot of lesbians (and their children). And Kathy was determined to be a hit on that cruise. So, the main reason Kathy stopped by SkySport and Spa was to ask her new lesbian friend, Jackie, for some advice. Here’s what Jackie said about cracking a Lesbian audience,

Lesbians don’t like sexual references, but they love to talk about sex toys. I recommend you talk about every type of strap-on and vibrator.

Ok, so . . . if you want to be a hit with a Lesbian audience, then you should not make any sexual references. However, it’s ok to talk about sex toys. Hm, that makes no sense to me. Both topics have to do with sex. Whatever. We’ll just have to take Jackie’s word for it. Then, just when we thought things couldn’t get any gayer, Jackie introduced Kathy to Gage, a gay porn star. He should look familiar; he’s the guy who made Jesse sweat on the 7th episode of Workout. Yeah, Gage is a hunk, and Kathy was all over him.

One thing I love about Life on the D-List is that they show the business side of comedy. Kathy is such a hard worker. She rarely turns down a gig. We’ve seen her give flawless performances, but we’ve also seen her flop from time to time. That’s just the nature of the business. I have more to say about Kathy as a comedian, but I’ll save that for another post.



Ok, now let’s get to the sad stuff. I’m sure most of you noticed that my previous (Top Chef) post was a tad on the negative side. Well, I’m convinced that Bravo is just messing with my head. The last few episodes of Workout Season 2 were heartbreaking. Clay, the charming Southern boy on Top Chef 3, was eliminated last week. Well, this is the D-List episode we’ve all been dreading; yeah, Kathy was forced to deal with her father’s death. It just broke my heart that she wasn’t with him when he passed away. You know, the one thing I really enjoy about the D-List is watching Kathy discuss various things with her parents (Sean Hannity?). Hilarious! And it was great to see how supportive they were of her career choices. Well, it’s sad that Mr. Griffin is no longer with us. But, as they say, the show must go on.

Workout Reunion Special: Cause for Pause

First, I have to acknowledge that I’ve been neglecting to write about the Workout reunion special. Charlus over at Amuse Biatch would liken this type of behavior to child neglect. However, this child—the world of Jackie’s Sky Sport and Spa—is far from vulnerable and defenseless. Jackie Warner and her trainers have chiseled bodies and (very) healthy egos. Let’s just say these kiddies don’t need, nor do they want, any type of parental figure watching over them. Anyway, at the beginning of the reunion special, Andy Cohen asked Jackie an interesting question,

“When you watched your relationship with Mimi on the show last season, did it give you cause for pause?”

"Jackie responded, “Yes . . . the camera is a mirror."

So much happened on the show this season; seriously, we paused more times than I can remember. This season had it all—the good and the bad.



Reunions are usually supposed to be . . . warm and fuzzy. Of course, you’ll always have some obnoxious person who tries his or her best to spoil a lovely evening, but, for the most part, people are just happy to see old friends and acquaintances. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen here. As others have pointed out, Jackie appeared very distant and a bit stand-offish. She seemed somewhat indifferent to the fact that her trainers (friends?) were in the studio. Very interesting!



The one thing that really caught my attention was Jackie’s response to the “Jackie Gone Wild” clip. Andy mentioned that some straight women seem to be attracted to Jackie, and he asked her how she felt about that. Jesse offered the word powerful. And, without hesitation, Jackie agreed and added, “extremely powerful.” Is the addition of that adverb really necessary? We get the picture—making out and having sex with women left and right makes you feel POWERFUL (and adding the adverb extremely is just asking for trouble)! What exactly did she mean? Are women prizes to be won? A type of currency? Another notch on the proverbial belt? Who knows! To be honest, I shouldn’t really judge; I’m guilty of posting pictures of hot men and gorgeous women. Let’s face it; attractive people are fun to look at. I just find it interesting that Jackie would use that phrase to describe her feelings about women. Maybe that explains her odd behavior during the reunion special? Her brain must be masculinized to the point where forming strong relationships with others is close to impossible. I feel bad for Rebecca.





Clearly, I’m a huge fan of this show for various reasons. Although I don’t always agree with Jackie, I admire her strong work ethic and success. She is a smart business woman who knows what she wants and works hard to get it. She’s a great role model for gay men and women everywhere. Doug was also one of my favorites. Yeah, at first, I was seduced by his looks, but it became clear that he was more than just a pretty face with big muscles—he was a kind, gentle soul who reached out to others. While Jackie was busy adding more notches to her belt, Doug was offering hugs and advice to friends and clients in need. Allison over at Reality at Bravo thinks that focusing on Doug’s death was not respectful. I understand where she’s coming from. Using a tragedy like this for ratings is deplorable. However, I think the producers handled the whole situation very well. In fact, I was very pleased they shared glimpses of his life with us. He was a great human being. I’m not going to lie; Jesse ruffled my feathers from time to time. But, there’s a little place in my heart for Jesse Brune. He’s such a cutie. Sure, he’s often judgmental, at times immature and impulsive; but I think he’s a good person. Remember, no one’s perfect. At least Jesse is cognizant of his behavior, and that earns him extra points in my book.



Brian Peeler had me at hello. This southern hunk may suffer from occasional delusions of grandeur, but he has a beautiful heart. His love for Doug was truly touching. I guess there’s hope for straight men after all.

Workout #8: Season Finale

I find this image of Cheo and Brian Peeler very comforting. Brian had just told Cheo about a hummingbird that had landed on his hand a few days before Doug's memorial. That little bird represented the memory of Doug. “I’ll probably never find somebody like him in my entire life,” said Brian as he tried to fight the tears. Cheo couldn’t help it and started to cry. He instinctively approached Brian and both men embraced each other.



Brian has a strong personality, and he rubs people the wrong way. But from the very beginning, it was clear he had a lot of heart. Throughout this season, we saw him grow as a human being. I was moved by everything he had to say about Doug.



Jackie Warner and her trainers decided to have a memorial bike ride for Doug, who was passionate about cycling. They made their way to the beach and talked about their beloved friend, Doug Blasdell.



They all had stories tell. Doug was a great friend, a good listener, a gentle soul, and so much more. Even Jesse contributed some wonderful words, which was a pleasant surprise.



Listening to the trainers share their stories and watching the various clips of Doug reminds one of how fleeting life can be. But it also reminds one that life is a gift that should be enjoyed. Happiness is an emotional state that should never be taken for granted. Life doesn’t always make sense, but that shouldn’t stop us from enjoying every minute of it. Although I don’t think Jackie should date an employee, I can understand her desire to be with Rebecca. She seemed happy with Rebecca.



Helping a friend and others in need is another beautiful thing that can bring immense satisfaction to everyone involved. Jesse made every effort to help a friend, and that kind of emotional support is worth so much.



The episode ended on a high note. The Skylab participants had their final weigh-ins, and Jackie proudly announced that the group had done a phenomenal job. Sure, they lost weight, but I think the best reward was showing everyone how hard they were willing to work to achieve a goal. And that’s really what matters the most.



So, life is a journey that has ups and downs. We often complain about the bad and fail to appreciate the good. I think Doug was someone who tried to see the best in everyone and everything. I was very pleased that the producers decided to save the best for last. Doug’s compassion is truly inspirational.



The fine folks at Bravissimo have posted some wonderful pictures of Doug, as well as some very kind words. Click here to read their post.

Workout #7: Walking on Egg Shells

Well, the season finale of Bravo’s Workout is just around the corner. Before that time comes, I’d like to scrutinize last week’s episode of this cool reality show. As mentioned in a previous post, Jackie Warner decided to take a few days off to visit her mom, Karen, in Fairborn Ohio, and she left Brian in charge of the gym. Her goal was to reconnect with her mother. She also decided to accept an invitation to visit her old high school. Her good friend Erin traveled with her and provided much needed emotional support.



Jackie compared her relationship with her mother to walking on egg shells. She also discussed how uncomfortable she felt being back home. She described how hard it was being a gay teenager in a small town. As soon as Jackie arrived at her mother’s house, the mood of the show changed dramatically. There were a few scenes that focused on Karen. Unlike some of the trainers, she didn’t appear to crave attention. She discussed her relationship with her daughter, and those moments of candor were quite refreshing. It felt more like an unscripted documentary—just great!



Jackie, Erin, and Karen had an interesting conversation on their way to Jackie’s old high school. Karen mentioned that she had lived in California for a while, and Jackie said that she would have preferred growing up in that area (in Santa Monica, specifically). Erin made a great point, but “you’d be completely different!” Jackie agreed, “what formed me was my absolute drive to get out of this region.”



Jackie talked to a large group of students about growing up in Fairborn; she said that life was about reinvention. Her biggest point was that life is filled with second chances—great opportunities to start over. After Jackie’s talk, students approached her and asked for her autograph. And Karen watched with amazement as students lined up for a chance to meet Jackie. She later told Jackie how proud she was to see her (grown) child receiving this kind of attention; Jackie hugged her. It was such a special moment. The healing process had begun.



Jackie’s next challenge was to come to terms with her father’s death. She described how difficult it was to have a father who was mentally ill. She also said that she essentially tried to pretend that he didn’t exist. She made a bold move and went to her father’s gravesite. Her mother was by her side.



At the cemetery, Jackie and Karen talked about Jackie’s father. “He was a casualty of the Vietnam War”, said Karen. She described the funeral. Jackie realized that she had a lot in common with her mother. Sadly, we often fail to realize how similar we are to our parents, so it was nice to watch her acknowledge that.

Karen also made some other interesting comments about homosexuality. Karen mentioned that stressful pregnancies could contribute to homosexuality (that hasn’t been proven, of course). “So it is your fault,” joked Jackie; she was pleased that her mother had actually given thought to the potential causes of homosexuality. Karen went on to describe Jackie’s father. “He was crazy about you,” she said. Jackie started to cry. She hugged her mother and one gets the sense that mother and daughter were reconnecting. Mission accomplished!



Jackie’s trip to Fairborn was very emotional. I’m sure most viewers would agree. A major theme of this particular episode was the importance of family. We often take our parents and siblings for granted, and it’s easy to criticize or avoid our loved ones if they disagree with us. However, it takes real strength to communicate with family members and try to find some common ground; compromise isn’t a bad thing. Jackie’s experience also raises the issue of growing up gay in small town America. It is difficult; there’s not question about that. But as Jackie herself acknowledged, it made her who she is today. Life isn’t always easy. For many gay men and women, there are different obstacles and challenges that seem to stand in the way of success and happiness. This world can be cruel. However, these experiences serve an important purpose: they make us stronger.

Workout #7: Boys Will Be Boys

My goodness, there’s so much to blog about. A lot of stuff happened. I guess I’ll start by writing about the boys. Yes, in this episode of Workout, the producers did everything in their power to appeal to their gay male viewers. I love Bravo!

I’ll start by discussing Brian Peeler. I’m not going to lie; I like Southern men, and this hottie from North Carolina gets me all worked up. Of course, no one’s perfect. Peeler’s arrogance seems to rub people the wrong way.



In this episode, Jackie decided to take a few days off to visit her mom (more on that later!) and she left Brian in charge of the gym. I know what you’re thinking. Is this woman crazy? Maybe she is. Anyway, Brian appeared happier than Anderson Cooper at a Scissor Sister’s concert. It was cute and annoying, all at the same time.



Brian immediately changed his behavior—as do most men who are given some degree of power; he spent most of his time walking around the gym trying to look important (or sleeping in Jackie’s office). The women were a little taken aback by Jackie’s decision to leave him in charge. I loved Erika’s reaction to Peeler’s sudden change in behavior:

“Are you bored? And why are you lurking all over the gym?”

Good one, Erika! Good one! Surprisingly, Rebecca also delivered a few great lines. She said,

“if I had a bad child, I’d put them in charge a lot because something about being in charge makes you rise to the occasion. And you’re not as acting out . . . it’s like reverse psychology.”

Rebecca gets extra points for using her noggin, which is always a good thing.



Now, on to Jesse. He’s becoming one of my favorite trainers, and he never disappoints. In this episode, he was introduced to a client who happened to be a male “model.” Jesse was more than happy to take on this client, and he added a new title to his growing list of titles and accolades. In addition to being the Lesbian Whisperer, he is now the Cardio King. This guy kills me!



So, his client eventually showed up wearing a tight black muscle shirt with the word COLT printed across the chest area. I couldn’t stop laughing when Jesse asked him what that meant. Oh, Jesse, you’re not fooling anyone. You know good and well what that stands for.



His new client explained that COLT was a studio that specializes in erotic entertainment (for gay men). And a few minutes after explaining this, he decided to take off his shirt. Jesse looked a little flustered, and his client noticed. That whole segment looked like something straight out of a COLT “film.” I loved when Jesse asked him for some photos.

After their hot workout, the guys had coffee at a nearby coffee shop. The “model” switched from porn stud mode to serious (gay man on a mission) mode. He talked about the difficulties gay men and lesbians face in the military. Jesse admitted that he had no clue what it was like to be in that kind of situation. And I think it’s great that this guy used his 15 minutes to talk about an issue that’s affecting many people in our community. I think it’s safe to assume he’s not a Republican, and thank goodness because I was starting to worry that all gay porn stars support the Republican Party. Thanks a lot Matt Sanchez.



The last few minutes of the show were really emotional. The group reacted to the sad news that one of their own, Doug, was not recovering from his illness; he was actually getting worse. All hope seemed lost; and we all know that there's no happy ending. I was really touched by Brian’s reaction. You could tell that he cherished his relationship with Doug. And I think it shows great character when a (straight) man let’s his guard down like that. He cried. Some may say that crying is a sign of weakness. My grandfather used to say that men don’t cry. Well, I think he and others who believe that are wrong. Sometimes we need to cry. It’s an often misunderstood part of our emotional repertoire. Extreme sadness and helplessness can be detrimental to our well being, but crying serves an important function. It’s a normal reaction to sad news. It’s part of our coping strategy. And it’s a beautiful thing. As I watched the trainers react to the sad news, their tears made one thing very clear: Doug Blasdell was a great human being, and he we will be missed.

Workout #6: The Cyclic Nature of Jesse Brune

Oh, Jesse, I just don’t know where to begin with this man. He really pissed me off last week. Actually, he didn’t. I’m kind of like Matt Lorenz. I’ll say that I’m emotionally aroused, but my autonomic nervous system is totally chill. So, I guess I was bothered by his actions last week. Yes, that’s more like it.

Anyway, last week he called Rebecca a whore. Now, I’m not Rebecca’s biggest fan. She annoys me at times. What bothers me is that Jesse should know better; most gay men should know better. I’ll give him credit for calling her a whore to her face, but the guy needs to calm down and think before speaking. How would he feel if someone called him a fag? I think it’s the same exact thing. It’s just not cool.



In this episode, Jesse approached Rebecca and apologized for his actions. The two little devils hugged and had a Kodak moment, and we’re left to wonder whether this interaction was really genuine. This is reality TV land after all. Anyway, I’m glad they at least talked about it and appear to be moving on.



It’s also interesting that Jesse is becoming very predictable. His behavior follows a cycle that seems to occur every few episodes.

1. The Event: the cycle starts with some event. For example, Doug made some comment about Jesse in an interview with Afterellen.com. Jesse was furious. He ignored poor Doug for weeks. More recently, Jackie started messing around with Rebecca, and that really got to Jesse.

2. Drama: this is Jesse’s forte. The boy loves to stir up trouble. And he lets people know what’s on his mind.

3. Resolution stage: Jesse usually cools down and eventually resolves any interpersonal problems. He did it with Doug. And how cute was Doug when he said to Jesse—you wanna go home with me? Oh, that was just a golden moment. Nothing says I forgive you like a good shag. And, more recently, Jesse made amends with Rebecca. And so ended another cycle. Now, I know most things in life follow this same kind of pattern, but no one does it like Jesse. The boy knows how to work it for the camera.

The end of one cycle can only mean one thing: another is just waiting to spring into action. It almost seems too perfect, almost contrived. I wonder who’s next. I’m not good at making predictions. Maybe Jesse will butt heads with Brian. Who knows? I guess we’ll have to stay tuned to find out.

Workout #6: A Day in the Life of Erika Jacobson

In this episode, Jackie received a phone call from some agency that was interested in Erika, one of the Sky Sport trainers. They heard that she looked a lot like Angelina Jolie, and they wanted to schedule a photo session with Erika to see if she lived up to all the hype. I assume she did.



Let me just say, Erika is hot. There’s no question about that. The Brad Pitt look-alike they hired didn’t look anything like the real Brad. So that was interesting.



Here are some pictures of Erika and Angelina. Sure, they look very similar. They’re both very attractive women. And those lips—wow! But I’m not sure if I’d say that Erika is an Angelina Jolie look-alike. There is, however, a very strong resemblance.






And I'll conclude this post with a picture of Angelina, just because. Beautiful!

Workout #5: Steak vs. French Fries

I’ve said before that I don’t approve of Jackie’s relationship with Rebecca. I just don’t think it’s ethical. Of course, this is reality TV, and this kind of stuff entertains us and gives us something to talk (and blog) about. In this episode, Jackie and Rebecca had dinner at a nice restaurant and discussed various things like Jackie’s relationship with Tiffany. “Do you love her,” asked Rebecca at one point. Jackie replied that she cared for Tiffany. Rebecca claimed that she wasn't a possessive person and simply enjoyed spending time with Jackie. However, if Rebecca is developing feelings for Jackie, shouldn’t it bug her that Jackie is dating other people? The women flirted with each other for a while; Jackie called her a tree monkey; and they eventually rushed to Jackie’s place to have dessert.



At Jackie’s place, the women tried their very best to make fondue. Let’s just say things didn’t work out. Anyway, Rebecca’s a girl who doesn’t beat around the bush. “We should get in bed and watch a movie,” she said to Jackie. It’s not even her house, but she clearly felt comfortable enough to make such a bold suggestion. Jackie smiled like a school girl and agreed. The girls retired to Jackie’s room where, one assumes, they played slap and tickle. Rebecca says the cutest things.



I was quite amused by Rebecca’s comments about her interest in Jackie. She tried to explain her (sexual) feelings for Jackie by comparing them to her feelings for men. She said that being with a man is like eating steak, while being with Jackie is like eating french fries. I love this woman’s use of similes. Now, I’m not sure exactly what she meant. Steak, of course, is made up of proteins. French fried potatoes are made up of carbohydrates. Our bodies need both proteins and carbs; it's not like people only depend on one or the other (not usually). Most normal people eat both. Maybe she was referring to the fact that they taste different, but how does that relate to sexual attraction? Who knows. Anyway, let's just play along with Rebecca. She clearly prefers protein, but I wonder why she’s all of sudden interested in carbohydrates. I, as well as other bloggers, have suggested that she just wants attention. We’ll have to wait and see where this relationship goes.

Workout #4: The Lesbian Whisperer

Cesar Milan, The Dog Whisperer, is quite adept at understanding what makes a dog tick. He’s not merely a dog trainer—he’s a dog psychologist, so to speak. In the recent episode of Workout, Jesse gave himself a new title. He is now the Lesbian Whisperer. I’m not sure exactly what that means; I assume he considers himself an authority on all things Lesbian.



Last week, Jesse was visibly upset at that sight of Jackie and Rebecca swapping fluids. The group was gathered at some restaurant and he kind of made a scene; he ended up leaving early. Andre and Brian were also taken aback by Jackie’s behavior.




Things got interesting when Jackie’s other woman, Tiffany, showed up. Rebecca seemed uncomfortable about the whole situation, and one has to wonder what was going through Jackie’s mind. I love Jackie, but I think she could have been more considerate. She didn’t seem at all concerned.



Jesse, Brian, Andre and Gregg continued talking about Jackie the next day at work. I’d like to point out that Brian, Andre, and Gregg are straight. Who said straight men don’t like to gossip? These guys are worse than most women.



Jesse finally decided to confront Jackie about her behavior at the restaurant. “You can’t go around making out with girls in the bathroom; you’re not a drunk 16-year-old girl,” he told her. Jackie explained that she just wanted to have a little fun, which makes sense. She had been in a (bad) relationship for five years. Jesse then told her that lesbians cannot just casually date. He is the lesbian whisperer, so I guess he knows what he’s talking about. Jackie, of course, disagreed.

Jesse also mentioned that it’s not professional to date a coworker. Brian actually used the word unethical to describe the whole situation. Jackie argued that dating among coworkers is common place in their industry. She assured Jesse that she and Rebecca were going to be professional about the whole thing. I assume she meant that she was going to keep her personal life and professional life separate. Hm, something tells me that’s easier said than done. Honestly, I don’t think she should mess around with Rebecca. Jackie is Rebecca’s boss, and it’s just never a good idea to date a subordinate.

Andre was particularly upset at the fact that Jackie was courting two women at the same time. I think Rebecca is straight; she just seems to crave attention, and boy does she know how to get that attention. Tiffany appears to be bisexual, although she had never been with a woman before Jackie. It’s not clear what her intentions are. Andre’s response is really puzzling. Is it jealousy, as Jackie seemed to think? Yeah, it could be. I just find it really strange that he would react that way. Aren’t there other women in L.A.?



There’s tension between Rebecca and Jesse. It’s always been there, but things are going to get worse next week. After the whole Rebecca/Jackie thing died down, the gang meets to celebrate Erika’s (and Doug’s) birthday.





Before the birthday party, Doug shares more about his life with Cheo (and the viewers). We learn that both his parents died young; they didn’t make it to 43 years of age. Doug made a comment that was very disturbing, “this is the last time I’m having a birthday party.”





Moments later, Jackie received a phone call from Cheo informing her that Doug was very ill. He was in a drug-induced comma and, as we all know, he didn’t make it. Doug seemed like a really nice guy and a great representative of the LGBT community. Allison at Reality on Bravo believes that the producers treated the whole situation with total disrespect. I can understand her point. The whole time I kept imaging some heartless producer trying to put together various clips of Doug without really caring about Doug as a human being. There’s really no evidence to suggest that, but it is television and their goal is to entertain (and make money). I guess that’s just the way it is. Also, for more information about the Doug Blasdell Outreach Program, please click here. The link takes you to a new blog called Bravissimo, which covers Shear Genius and other reality TV shows. Anyway, it’s a sad day in reality TV land. Doug will be missed.

Workout: Episode #3 (Rubbing the Hooha)

Last week, things ended on a sour note. Jackie offended Brian, and he left her party very upset. Oh, Brian, you need to chill out.



In last night’s episode, he told Doug about his troubled childhood. Apparently, he has anger issues and he’s very emotional. Not a good combination. He has a great relationship with Doug, who he sees as a father figure. I love to see straight men bonding with gay men. That type of behavior should be encouraged! Anyway, Brian opens up to Jackie and she apologizes. They agree to move on. Good!





Jackie and Rebecca seem to be hanging out quite a bit. Their relationship is turning into more than just a great friendship. It’ll be interesting to see where they end up. I think Rebecca just likes the attention. And Jackie isn’t stupid. She’s probably just taking advantage of Rebecca’s need for attention.



Oh, the producers are bastards, and I love it. I get the sense that they haven’t told Gregg that Zen is no longer interested in him. And it doesn’t help that he can’t take a hint. Actually, I’ll bet you 5 dollars (maybe 10) that the producers are egging him on, “yeah, dude, she’s just playing hard to get. Chin up; she’ll be yours soon.” So, he told her that he had to go to court and could potentially go to jail for hitting some guy. He asked her to be there for emotional support. She offered him some good advice but didn’t seem that concerned. He wasn’t too pleased with her lack of support. Gregg, she’s not interested!



We also see another side of Zen. In addition to being a trainer, she’s a comedian. She invited the gang to watch her perform at the Laugh Factory. I loved Gregg’s comment about her performance; he said “everybody was expecting the worst; it was pretty funny.” Gregg sure knows how to woo a lady. I mean, what woman wouldn’t want a boyfriend who has no faith in her abilities. Actually, Zen shouldn’t quit her day job. She’s no comedian, but bless her little heart for trying.



Jackie decides to invite the gals over to her place for a “slumber party,” which is kind of strange. Jackie, your therapist recommended that you do something social with your friends, but I don’t think she meant to throw a slumber party with your coworkers. Actually, they are her employees. Right? Shouldn’t she draw the line somewhere? Anyway, it makes for great TV. Who cares about ethics in the workplace! What’s that anyway? This is reality TV land.





Jackie also invited some saleswoman to her house, but instead of selling Tupperware, she was selling lotions, lingerie, and sex toys. The woman introduced the girls to a product called Sensual Explosion. It’s some sort of lotion. Rebecca asked to try it, and she also asked Jackie to help her apply it on her, um, hooha (their word, not mine). Jackie didn’t hesitate. The gals went to the bathroom and rubbed this lotion on each others’ hoohas. The lovely Erika didn’t know what to make of the very sexual interaction between Jackie and Rebecca.





Things actually got hotter after Zen’s performance at the Laugh Factory. Jackie and Rebecca were all over each other, and everyone noticed.



No one was as shocked as Jesse. He confronted Jackie and asked her to explain why she and Rebecca were all of a sudden “doing it.” Jackie said that their relationship had been building up to this. Jesse was clearly bothered, and Jackie seemed surprised at his reaction. His biggest concern was that Jackie never told him about her relationship with Rebecca. I kind of understand why he was hurt, but Jackie doesn’t have to tell him about every aspect of her life. Jesse, you need to take a chill pill. Things will get interesting when Rebecca meets Tiffany. Stay tuned.

Workout: Kiss and Tell

Here are a few pictures of Jesse and Brian messing around in front of the camera. These boys sure know how to attract attention, but they are no match for Rebecca. Seriously, she asks her clients inappropriate questions while on the clock and flirts with her boss. That kind of behavior usually gets one fired in the real world. In reality TV land, the rules are quite different. Rebecca’s behavior is encouraged. Enjoy the show!

Workout Episode #2

After numerous attempts at saving her relationship with Mimi, Jackie sees the light and decides to end it. Finally!



Jackie’s new program, Sky Lab, starts to take form. She chooses a select group of clients to participate in a trial run. They’re essentially guinea pigs. Jackie talks to each client individually. It’s very clear that she really wants to help these people. And, of course, make some money in the process.



The tension between Doug and Jesse hasn’t abated. Doug wants to make amends but Jesse seems determined to avoid dealing with the issue. At one point, Jackie steps in and asks Jesse to resolve the issue. “The biggest priority for us right now is Sky Lab,” she reminds him.



The suits at Bravo sure know what they’re doing. They are courting the gay consumer (hardcore)—Project Runway, Six Feet Under, Top Design, and the list goes on. So, I shouldn’t have been surprised when I saw Jackie working with Kathy Griffin. A good friend of mine hates her, but I and many gay men are devoted fans. Hmm, I wonder who’s next. Ellen? Margaret Cho? I hope it’s Rupert Everett. Yes, that would make me very happy.





Like a female dog in heat, Rebecca rushes to Jackie’s house to talk about Jackie’s recent breakup. She tells Jackie that she has hooked up with a girl before but feels really uncomfortable with the female body. She describes herself as a dude with no game when it comes to women. The conversation gets even better when she says, “give me a penis and I could do that all day.” Oh, Rebecca, I think you have a bright future in the world of reality TV.



Jesse is the show’s self-proclaimed “fat kid.” I’ve been really hard on Jesse for not being as fit as possible, but now I kind of feel bad for him. The look on his face when Jackie announced that he had 21.3% body fat was heartbreaking. I hope he gets with the program. I’m rooting for you, Jesse.



Jackie decides to throw a party at her new house in the Hollywood Hills. All the trainers are there and seem to be having a blast. Rebecca feels the need to tell everyone that she’s wearing a bra. She’s quite a character. After a few drinks, Jackie starts getting all touchy feely with some Russian woman. Look out L.A., Jackie’s single and ready to have some fun.



Now, I have to mention the conversation between Jesse and Doug. Yes! So, Jesse asks Doug to step outside for a bit and the two have a much needed heart to heart discussion. And Jesse finally decides to forgive Doug. Who wouldn’t forgive Doug with those puppy dog eyes? He’s such a cutie. Good job, Jesse.

After the boys have a wonderful bonding experience, things get interesting. Doug switches to horn dog mode. “You want to go home with me,” he asks Jesse a few minutes later. Jesse hesitates a bit and finally replies, “No!” Doug’s response to that was hilarious. First, he says that he is trying to flirt with Jesse. Then, he claims that he’s just joking. I almost fell off my chair when he asked one last time, “are you sure?” The scene ends with Doug asking Jesse whether he’s a top or a bottom. Jesse, we’re still waiting for an awer.



Meanwhile, back in the house, there’s a clash between Brian and Jackie. Man, those two really don’t like each other. Brian decides to leave the party early, and you better believe he has something up his sleeve. Things are going to get ugly.



Rebecca finds her way into Jackie’s arms. What’s the deal? I guess she’s just looking for attention. Jackie insists that she’s a good girl and would never pursue anything with Rebecca. Oh, Jackie, please be careful. You don’t need more drama in your life. Have your fun with a straight girl, if you must, but don’t let your guard down.

Workout 2 Premiere: 100% Drama

The Season 2 premiere of Workout did not disappoint. As expected, there was a lot of drama. Within the first few minutes, Jackie Warner mentions that she has a new house in the Hollywood Hills. She also talks about Sky Lab, a new branch of Sky Sport and Spa. Her mission is to create a program that will help people lose weight. Jackie loves helping people, and that’s why the world loves her. Then, she mentions her (sick) relationship with Mimi. Oh, I can’t believe my ears. What is she still doing with that crazy woman? I think Laz may be right; Bravo is probably paying Jackie to keep Mimi around. This woman needs to just disappear!



Then it’s off to the beach. Jackie forces her trainers to participate in a “mini” boot camp. “Shirts off,” she yells at her less than enthusiastic staff. Jesse looks at her with contempt and slowly takes off his shirt. Why the hesitation? Well, his body reminds me of the Pillsbury Doe Boy. I can see why he would feel uncomfortable running around the beach alongside Brian and Doug, who are both HOT. Fortunately, Jesse claims to be “gay chubby.” It’s no big deal. Right? Earth to Jesse, you work for Jackie Warner; we expect you to have the body of a Greek God. Rebecca adds more negativity by bitching the whole time. Jackie was disappointed. I love when she snapped at Rebecca, “you’re bored the moment you get out of bed and the moment you go to sleep.” “I need constant stimulation,” Rebecca complains. Jackie responds with “life isn’t about constant stimulation.” You go, Jackie!

Gregg makes it clear that he is still interested in Zenn, but she’s not feeling the love. She’s 12 years his senior. Zenn knows better; younger men are fickle and horny—that’s a dangerous combination. Ellen K., Jesse’s new best friend, tells Jackie that Jesse loves to eat cookies and junk food. No one is surprised. Again, Earth to Jesse, you’re going to get fired if you don’t get with the program. Actually, Jackie is too sweet; she would never do that. I suggest she demote him to receptionist, or, better yet, have him clean toilets. Maybe that will teach him a lesson.



We see a touching scene between Doug and his ex-boyfriend, Cheo Useche, who suffers from Kidney failure. The goal is to get Cheo into tip top shape; hopefully, the kidney transplant will go well. It was quite moving watching Doug and Cheo sparring for a few minutes. They end the scene with a hug and a few tears.



There’s friction between Doug and Jesse. Apparently, it all started when Doug referred to Jesse as “Jack on Will and Grace” in an interview. Brian agrees. By the way, I think Brian is HOT. He just needs to stop saying “these are the hands of Michelangelo.” Brian, please shut up!



Things heat up at a silent auction for the L.A. Gay and Lesbian Center. Jesse confronts Doug, and Doug insists that his comment was misconstrued. Ok, I like Doug, and I think he’s a hunk, but, come on, it’s clear that he was taking a shot at Jesse. However, Jesse is no angel; maybe he got a taste of his own medicine. Jackie isn’t pleased and wishes the guys would just grow up and get over this. The group moves on to the dinner, and Jackie is recognized for being a great gay role model. L.A. loves you, Jackie!




Then it’s off to couple’s therapy. Ok, this is getting really old. Mimi is so defensive and doesn’t seem to think that her behavior is problematic. Wow, this woman has issues.



Jackie and Mimi argue for a few minutes, and Jackie has a little breakdown. Mimi shows signs of empathy when she see’s her partner in tears, but that's short lived and the women continue to bicker. It proves too much for Mimi, and she just walks out. Jackie turns to the therapist and says, “I’m so sick of it.” The therapist responds, “why are you in it?” Good question.



The problem between Doug and Jesse is a good example of how gay culture (and the gay community) is going through so many changes. On the surface, it seems to be an issue of butch vs. fem. I think the problem is more complex. Finally, there’s a glimmer of hope for Jackie. It appears that she may be moving on. Mimi may be replaced by Rebecca. I’m not sure if that’s a good thing, but, at least Jackie is trying.