TrashyD wrote:

"We know this won’t change the minds of Harold’s millions of fans. But, ladies and gentleman (and mostly ladies based on comments received) … it might be time to recognize the fact that people may have fallen for the face of Harold, not his “acting” on “Queer as Folk.”"

Touche, Dennis. Some fans are already trying to "place the blame" onto the Mark Brokaw's shoulders.

posted at November 16, 2006 03:44 PM

Just a blind follower of Gale because of his hotness... wrote:

Julia Roberts has won an Oscar but that didn't stop her from getting bad reviews for her play. I don't think it has hurt her career nor will the mixed reviews hurt Gale's. Even the great Ms. Danner has been getting some harsh criticism.

Sometimes you bat it out of the park, other times you strike out. This play seems like a strike out on many levels given the reviews it's received.

posted at November 16, 2006 04:00 PM

Kenton wrote:

Careful, this now sounds suspiciously like jealousy!
If you want to be taken seriously you neeed to include all the evidence - the fact is, the part of Dr. Sugar is rather thankless and none of the critics have gone overboard for this production. The director was very happy with his performance and you only quoted what suited you in any case.
That being said, this is a high-profile gig with good contacts and more acting experience for Mr. Harold.
I say he wins! Your sour grapes lose.

Editor's Note: "you only quoted what suited you," you write...but the truth is that I only quoted the ONLY THINGS written about Harold in the reviews. No editing. That's all he got.

posted at November 16, 2006 04:24 PM

TrashyD wrote:

"Editor's Note: "you only quoted what suited you," you write...but the truth is that I only quoted the ONLY THINGS written about Harold in the reviews. No editing. That's all he got. "

Good one, Dennis.

posted at November 16, 2006 05:44 PM

John wrote:

Wow Dennis, you're beginning to sound like an obsessed stalker. What is your problem, and apparently obsession with Gale Harold?
You keep trying to put him in a bad light, but actually you're the one coming off petty, jealous and peculiar.

posted at November 16, 2006 06:55 PM

Kenton wrote:

There have been more than 2 reviews actually.
But even if the reviews gave Mr. Harold unstinting praise I feel you'd still find something wrong with him.
Maybe it's becasue he's talented, gorgeous, popular. And you're ....?

posted at November 16, 2006 07:08 PM

tjoad wrote:

Actually, the New Times Review said this:
"Dr. Sugar has never been much more than a cue feeder for the leading ladies, which is all that can be said of Mr. Harold, best known for the American version of “Queer as Folk.” But if he is merely a prop, both Ms. Gugino and Ms. Danner know just how to use him. The most interesting counterpoint between the women is in their erotic responses to, and manipulation of, Dr. Sugar."
Quoted from here:
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/16/theater/reviews/16sudd.html?_r=1&pagewanted=2&oref=slogin
So a person could actually edit that to say that the NY Times described Mr. Harold as the "most interesting" part of the play and said that he elicited "erotic responses" from the women in the play. Of course, that would be like using only the "merely a prop" language and would misrepresent what the review actually said; therefore, no self-respecting journalist would ever do something like that, right?

posted at November 16, 2006 11:12 PM

Heather wrote:

*sigh* The reviewer said *if* Dr. Sugar was little more than a prop. It was also pointed out that "Dr. Sugar has never been much more than a cue feeder for the leading ladies" And just in case you missed it, he said *never*, meaning no matter who plays him, yet you failed to include that little snippet in your entry. (Biased much?) I think its also fair to mention that Carla Gugino is getting rave reviews for her role as Cathrine, and that the play is sold out. You know, your sniping at Gale Harold slips way off the scale as far as professionalism in reporting is concerned. So you're not as handsome or talented as he is. Get. Over. It.

posted at November 16, 2006 11:26 PM

Ted wrote:

This is of no surprise. QAF was exciting for the first season since it was fresh and sexy. I quickly became bored with the show's poor writing, stale storylines and unimpressive acting. Gale Harold was sexy, though he was just one big sneer.

posted at November 17, 2006 10:25 AM

Shannon wrote:

Your columns on Gale always seem personal instead of well articulated criticism of his work. What is your real beef with Gale? Why does he bother you so bad?

I just don't buy that you don't like him because he "flaunts his straightness." Whatever it is, it seems very personal and petty. Or maybe this is just a case of getting in a snit over the fact that fans have turned the tables on you and challenged your statements which has bruised your ego. So like a petulant little child you try to find any negative tidbit on Gale to run back to your column to dangle the carrot in front of his fans trying to push their buttons. I guess some fans really got your goat, eh?

posted at November 17, 2006 10:37 AM

OUTzone Editor (Aaron Krach) wrote:

Hey Shannon, and others... Unfortunately, my only "beef" is with the Gale Harold fans. They crack me up with their slavish adoration. Queer as Folk (American version) was a mediocre show (at best) and the cast, universally, was less-than-mediocre. But I don't blame them completely because the writing was so cliche, trite, and simple.

I plead guilty to running an excess of stories on Gale Harold as of late because the first one inspired such defensive comments from OUTzone readers. I was shocked, actually, to be see that years later so many fans, and so many women, were in love with him and QAF. This is an incomprehensible fact to me, but then again, taste is relative. If you liked QAF, great. But don't try and argue that it was good TV, that the cast was filled with thespians. The show was critically panned. And since then, Gale Harold is the only actor to have gone on to do anything else. In that way, he deserve credit for trying to outgrow his limitations.

I guess it's good we're not talking about the rest of the cast.

Peace out to all of you. Different Strokes for Different Folks... and all that jazz.

respectfully,
Aaron

posted at November 17, 2006 10:56 AM

Polly wrote:

Good heavens! That must have been one bad break-up to be so obsessed. That's what comes of crushing on the straight boys, Babycakes! Step away and get a grip!

posted at November 17, 2006 11:35 AM

Polly wrote:

Just to add that sites like Outzone are all about fandom and being fans. "Slavish"? Isn't that what your job is all about? Feeding the fannish obsessions of your readers -- and Bravo's viewers? If it wasn't for devoted fans, than what would be the point of this site? To allow you to ramble on about your personal interests? Then get a blog for yourself. But this is a TV site -- and Gale, whether you like it or not, was a TV star. That he has fans seems to bug you. Maybe you're in the wrong line of work, Babycakes!

posted at November 17, 2006 12:51 PM

Andrew wrote:

Aaron, That's merely your opinion about QAF, I happen to be a GAY MALE and enjoyed the show and Gale Harold's spectacular performance. My problem with your blog contributor Dennis is that for some unfortunate reason he is obsessing on Gale Harold, attacking him unfairly and using this actor to get attention.

It's quite all right with me, and I think everyone else, if you all didn't like QAF...but why take it out on Gale Harold? Why behave like such nasty little queens and put yourselves in such a bad light to your readers? You don't have to believe Gale Harold is a good actor, but this has gone beyond normal, valid criticism and has become a personal attack on the man. Dennis is revelling in what he apparently perceives as Gale Harold failing as an actor, that's what is upsetting and disturbing about his comments.

Shame on you for supporting the content of his blog and the above harangue at your readers... and I pity Dennis for being so filled with bitterness and negativity. I definitely won't support or visit your site if this behavior continues.

posted at November 17, 2006 01:16 PM

Julia wrote:

Okay, I am at work with Andrew who just posted.
I want to know what the hell is wrong with the fact that women like Gale Harold, why is that considered a negative, horrible thing? Misogyny raises its ugly head, and this from a group of people who have been oppressed and harassed, very sad/depressing to read.

posted at November 17, 2006 01:27 PM

Ann wrote:

"my only "beef" is with the Gale Harold fans. They crack me up with their slavish adoration."
WTF?! Krac & Co. want to tell us who we should adore, the actor has to be on your approval list to warrant your respect? Leave the actor alone, he doesn't deserved to be attacked by you little _itches, no you guys are pass the "B" word, I would classify ya'll as the "C" word _unts. Gale Harold is an actor who doesn't try to be a celebrity! The actor admits in his playbill interview he was fortunate to get the part of Brian Kinney “I was very fortunate, as a starving actor, to get a great job that offered me a lot of opportunity." and when asked does he have a lock on his current role (Dr. Sugar)? He responded
“Not completely."
This actor clearly has not said or done anything to warrant your attacks. Is it because mostly "ladies" adore him? What is wrong with us "ladies" being a fan of this actor?Are we less than because it's the "ladies" who adore him? So, your real issue appears to be with his fans, because Gale Harold fans dispute your implied wisdom. Well, quite often a critically acclaimed series goes unnoticed by viewers because it was only praised by you the critics. The viewers didn't see it the same way. So, Krac & Co. we the viewers say QAF was GOOD TV and Gale Harold is a good actor. Besides it was not only Good TV but PAY tv--the viewers paid-Showtime and then bought the DVD's, yes it was soooo good we PAID FOR IT!
So if you gonna spread anything please be a good columnist & spread this to HBO & Showtime-- WE the viewers "mostly ladies" will pay to see this fine actor and all he brings in a DAMN good drama/dramedy.

posted at November 17, 2006 08:36 PM

ann wrote:

Dear Krach & Co.
I owe you & your team an apology for the name calling, for that I was wrong...bad "DAY" those words were probably what I wanted to say @ work, but didn't. However, I truly don't understand why not only your article but also in other articles columunist must put out his fan base is mostly women. How is that so significant? and if a series completes it's five year contract/run and maintain viewership(ratings) why can't it be considered "good tv" by the viewers? Recently, there have been emmy award winning shows which have been cancelled, because the ratings/viewers weren't there, critically acclaimed by critics--not by those who really count viewers (ratings)...and finally, why continue to attack this actor? Now, that's wrong on your part.

posted at November 19, 2006 11:06 AM

Christian wrote:

I just wanted to point out 1 thing. You said that Gale is the only actor to have gone on to do anything else.

That is completely false. Since QAF has ended Randy has been in 4 plays. And I've seen 2 of them. He's extremely talented.

Also, Peter Paige directed a movie and more recently he directed a play here in NYC.

Scott Lowell was in a play over the summer.

Granted they haven't been doing TV work, but they've still been working, not sitting around doing nothing. Just wanted to clear that up.

posted at November 20, 2006 12:37 AM

OUTzone editor wrote:

Very interesting point regarding female fans. Yes, I agree that it sounds suspect to point that out. Sounds downright sexist, actually. And we should clarify the point being made. It's "interesting" to see that women appreciate Gale Harolds acting more often than gay men do. It's like saying that cops/detectives really like Jesse Martin on Law & Order vs. schoolteachers who love him. It seems a bigger compliment if cops liked his performance, if they saw themselves in him. If schoolteachers like Jesse Martin, great. But do they have the same perspective? And because they don't, what does that mean?

posted at November 20, 2006 11:31 AM

tjoad wrote:

In addition to what Christian stated above, Peter Paige (who I thought was one of the best actors on QAF) has had a recurring role on Related last year and has done a guest appearance on Grey's Anatomy this season. It is disingenuous, at best, to state that none of the QAF actors other than Gale Harold have gone on to do anything else. Thea Gill has been in a series called Dante's Cove. Chris Potter has worked steadily as an actor both before and after his stint on QAF. I saw him in some movie on Lifetime in the last few months. Matt Battaglia was recently on CSI: Miami. Hal Sparks was a finalist on Celebrity Duets, which certainly qualifies as something else. I know all of this from just sort of keeping up with TV news. Imagine what you could discover if you did a little research before you made sweeping statements such as "...Gale Harold is the only actor to have gone on to do anything else." Or don't even do research, just go to some site like IMDb and search Sharon Gless, for example. I imagine she has continued to work also. Further, I don't get your Jesse L. Martin analogy. I think he is very solid actor, I enjoy Law and Order and have seen many episodes. But as someone who was a criminal defense attorney for a few years, as well as working my way through law school as a parole officer, I can tell you that the depiction of the legal system and the criminal mentality in the various Law and Order versions is frequently way out of touch with reality. But that doesn't mean it's bad TV. It just means it's fiction.
This leads me to the fundamental problem I am having with this discussion. Is outzonetv.com supposed to be fact, fiction, or opinion? It seems to be opinions stated as facts. If so, then in my opinion outzonetv is dishonest.

posted at November 20, 2006 12:58 PM

ricky wrote:

gale is great! great! great! great! i'm tired of jealous people and haters. tired of poeple talking smack about his acting talking about how he gets angry at fans who want 2 take his pic.gale is great and doesn't owe any of you biotches nothing. outzone is a bunch of jealous haters. leave gale alone!!!!!

posted at November 20, 2006 03:12 PM

Henry Tinkler wrote:

Gale's talent is the greatest thing to hit American television since Scott Baio starred in Joanie loves Chachi!

posted at November 20, 2006 03:33 PM

Christian wrote:

Thank you for pointing out all of the other things that the cast members have done since QAF ended, tjoad.

I completely forgot some of the things you mentioned. lol Especially Hal on Celebrity Duets. So far though, I think Randy has been working the most steadily. Again, not on TV, but 4 plays since QAF is quite a bit and there's a rumor going around he'll be in another play sometime over the winter.

And yes, I agree. It would be nice if people did their homework before stating such things.

posted at November 20, 2006 04:53 PM

Scotty wrote:

Holy crap... does Gale Harold share fans with Clay Aiken? How ironic... straight guy playing it gay, gay guy playing it straight, same obsessive fans. Is there a particular reason that all you people feel the need to justify your appreciation of Gale? So one guy doesn't have glowing things to say about him, who the hell cares? So you attack him and start calling him names? Is this grade school? Grow the hell up and go listen to your "Measure of Man" CD.

posted at November 21, 2006 06:09 PM

Morgan wrote:

Very creative... May be you make new design for my sites?

posted at November 22, 2006 03:57 AM

Angela wrote:

Good site - you're a pretty good writer..... Very creative...

posted at November 22, 2006 07:42 PM

Ambermay wrote:

Gale Harold is a wonderful actor. He has depth and his facial expressions sometimes say more than any words could.

He is beautiful inside and out and I will forever be one of his greatest fans!

posted at November 26, 2006 02:32 PM

Thomas wrote:

Lieber grumble!!! hoffe dir gehts gut da in der fremden weite... wenn man dich schon nicht pers�nlich besuchen kann...

posted at November 28, 2006 01:24 PM

Nathalie wrote:

Wann machma denn die n�chste party??? lebe lang und erfolgreich!!! :)

posted at November 29, 2006 01:36 PM

Margaret wrote:

I just wanted to say WOW!!! goose bumps and e-motions, the design of your web page really got me!!! Check my sites ;)

posted at December 4, 2006 09:27 AM

Doug wrote:

Personally, I thought Harold did a great job on his recent starring role in Vanished. I was pretty shocked that they killed off his character. I also believe that he did a great job, and really made character as Brian on QAF. It's amazing that "critics" that are just people like us, think they have the right to trash someone because they didn't like them.

Well, as American as Apple Pie is, not everyone likes it either,(although I do), and that doesn't make it bad, it just means that everyone has different tastes.

posted at December 6, 2006 12:55 AM

farah wrote:

I find Gale Harold to be a great actor. I didn't even know he was straight when I watched QAF. Vanish was just a horrible show that was a waste of Gale's acting ability. I can't believe how mean you've been to this man. There are actors who don't perform well on stage, i.e. Julia Roberts, who perform wonderfully in other aspects of the acting world.

posted at December 6, 2006 03:44 PM

Shelby wrote:

Personally i think hes not just a pretty face, he in fact is a good actor. any true fan (not just QAF fans) would have watched his other stuff and been blown away from his acting. i think its unfair to judge his acting by one show, and keep that opinion of his acting. i think your acting like a child, posting every little thing about him to just make him sound like a bad actor. you sir, are being a bully.

posted at December 15, 2006 02:11 PM

ducdebrabant wrote:

It's interesting that you appeal to the "objective" evidence of printed reviews to prove that Gale Harold gave a bad performance in "Suddenly Last Summer," but your only evidence that he gave a bad performance in "Queer as Folk" is your own opinion. You do say that the show was critically panned, but that's not entirely true. The show was both panned and praised, and Gale Harold's personal reviews tended to be rather good. Here's what the Los Angeles Times said:

"The performances are uneven. That interesting actor Harold, though, is faultless in hinting that deep within the dangerously seething, volatile Brian is a tenderness that unites him with the rest of the human race. If he lives long enough for it to surface."

Camille Paglia said in Salon: "I enjoyed the two-hour debut last weekend of Showtime's gay soap opera, "Queer as Folk," principally because of the glamorous performance by Gale Harold of cruel-as-ice Brian, who looks like Donatello's David all grown up. He reminded me of Harry Hamlin's smolderingly on-the-prowl gay stud in Arthur Hiller's groundbreaking "Making Love" (1982), starring Kate Jackson and Michael Ontkean."

Warren Curry, reviewing the film "Particles of Truth" for Cinemaspeak, says: "Gale Harold (who can be seen on the Showtime series Queer as Folk) is the standout amongst the cast, lending the shut-in Morrison a sympathetic charm."

And although he received some negative reviews for the series "Vanished," some of Gale Harold's notices were quite positive:

Headlined by Gale Harold, who's stripped of his glossy "Queer as Folk" studliness for the role of an intense FBI investigator, the series smacks of 24 by way of CSI. Harold, a fine actor who seems to have a knack for playing brooding men drowning their own volatile emotions, is teamed up with Ming-Na.
Gilroy Dispatch

Harold, as Kelton, acquits himself just fine here, as do the other actors.
Washington Post

The appealing Harold makes a successful jump from a much different leading role in Showtime's "Queer as Folk."
The Washington Times

Mr. Harold played Wyatt Earp on "Deadwood" and Brian Kinney on "Queer as Folk." He's a solid anchor for the large cast as the troubled but determined investigator
Washington Times

The show teeters at times on incomprehensibility but is brought back each time by its two stars, Gale Harold and Ming-Na, who play determined, heroic FBI agents.
Kansas City Star

Kelton is smug and snide, and he's ridiculously resourceful when it comes to science and technology; but Harold makes him likable, much in the same way he made his vain cynic in ``Queer as Folk" into more than just a tall order of bad attitude.
Boston Globe

I don't know why anybody would condemn an actor's entire work (almost all of it on film) on the basis of his reviews for one stage performance in an underwritten part. Cukrowicz has never been much more than a device. Besides, I saw Harold both early and late in the run, and his performance was very effective towards the end (as it always was in his scenes with Gugino). This happened to coincide with a huge improvement in Blythe Danner's performance, which also received some pans. Can Danner not act?

posted at February 19, 2007 08:08 PM

Victoria wrote:

Look my take is this - GALE HAROLD is talented and a fantastic actor - why because he gets out there and does the role to perfection (ie he is straight and if he has to kiss a man he does it like a gay man would and he manages to look HOTTER than most gay men who kiss gay men look)(YES THAT IS RIGHT - HE BRINGS THE CHEMISTRY TO THE FLOOR - now that's talent)-(ie: if you don't believe me check out the difference between Gale and Randy on QAF compared to Jenifer Aniston and Courtney Cox kiss in whatever they were doing) (and as for him being "stoned or wasted" - where is the proof????? Even more ridiculous is that I read somewhere that someone wrote that women or men are ONLY his fans because of his looks - how can he be faulted for that- ITS JUST A BONUS FOR THE FANS (and in no way impacts on his acting talent) The fans are extra lucky to see his gorgeous face, body, look, build, expressions, features, eyes, sex appeal, HOTTNESS (you name it - the man is a dream)- (its even debatable that he may possibly be hotter than even BRAD, JOHNNY, JAKE, SAKIS, COLIN, RINALDO,BECKHAM because he is more mysterious than these other guys and GALE is certainly in their category if not way above it) - the only difference is his fans love him for his acting ability - not because he is on the cover of some magazine every week or playing the Hollywood fame game, he doesn't need the red carpet because his fans don't need to find him on it, HIS FANS KNOW where to find him through his amazing acting talent -(and his fans will go to all the trouble of looking for his movies or getting a copy of whatever he's been in because of this talent)- GO GALE HAROLD, You are one in a million!p.s Vanished - their loss really! HA HA!

posted at August 10, 2007 10:14 AM