High Matenance giv a brilliant nstctn of the “gay bt iend” trope

Contents:

• HOW HIGH MATENANCE SUBVERTS THE STEREOTYP OF THE GAY MAN–STRAIGHT WOMAN RELATNSHIP
• HIGH MATENANCE’S ASSHOL MAX AND HELéNE ON TOXIC RELATNSHIPS, RUPL, AND THE SYNDROME OF GAY LGHTER
• THIS CASTG DIRECTOR IS CREATG A SAFE SPACE FOR QUEER WEIRDOSANDREW FEMENELLA WEL YOU TO THE DN ROOM OF HBO’S “HIGH MATENANCE.”{FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}{FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}TVBY BRANDON VOSSAPRIL 11, 2020/8:05 {HEIGHT:HER;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;POSN:RELATIVE;-WEBK-FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;-MS-FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;-WEBK-ALIGN-EMS:CENTER;-WEBK-BOX-ALIGN:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-ALIGN:CENTER;ALIGN-EMS:CENTER;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-WEBK-TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;-MS-TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;} IMG{HEIGHT:100%;WIDTH:100%;OBJECT-F:VER;}{HEIGHT:1054PX;WIDTH:1584PX;}HIGH MATENANCE/DAVID M. RSELL/HBOBY BRANDON VOSSAPRIL 11, 2020 / 8:05 AM{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"NEWSARTICLE","HEADLE":"THIS CASTG DIRECTOR IS CREATG A SAFE SPACE FOR QUEER WEIRDOS","THUMBNAILURL":","DATEPUBLISHED":"2020-04-11T12:05:42.000+0000","DATEMODIFIED":"2020-04-11T12:05:42.000+0000","IMAGE":{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","URL":","WIDTH":1920,"HEIGHT":1080},"URL":","THOR":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","NAME":"LOGO TV"},"MAENTYOFPAGE":{"@TYPE":"WEBPAGE","@ID":"},"PUBLISHER":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","@ID":","NAME":"LOGO TV","URL":","LOGO":{"@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT"}},"CREATOR":"BRANDON VOSS","ARTICLESECTN":"TV"}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IF YOU DON’T SEE YOURSELF ON HIGH MATENANCE, ANDREW FEMENELLA HASN’T DONE HIS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AS STG DIRECTOR OF THE HBO ANTHOLOGY SERI, CREATED BY KATJA BLICHFELD AND STAR BEN SCLAIR, FEMENELLA HAS A SGULAR FLAIR FOR FDG H AND UNMON TALENT TO PORTRAY DIVERSE NEW YORKERS NNECTED BY A BIKE-RIDG WEED SALMAN, LOW-KEY BLAZG A TRAIL FOR THENTIC LGBTQ {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WH SEASON 4 NOW STREAMG FULL FOR A QUARANTE BGE, NEWNOWNEXT SMOKED OUT FEMENELLA—WHOSE OTHER STG CREDS CLU GLEE, STRANGER THGS, AND RSIAN DOLL—TO LEARN HOW HIS OWN QUEER INTY HELPS HIM LIVER THE GOODS.BRENT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ANDREW {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}I BEGAN WATCHG HIGH MATENANCE BEE ’S SUCH A GREAT SHOWSE FOR NEW YORK THEATER ACTORS. YOU MT SEE A LOT OF {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}I SURE DO. I’VE WORKED A LOT OF DIFFERENT STG OFFIC, BUT I ME UP STG THROUGH THEATER, WHICH I THK GIV ME A UNIQUE PERSPECTIVE. I ALSO GREW UP AS A GOOD GAY, REALLY LOVG THEATER. SO YEAH, I SEE EVERYTHG, OM BROADWAY TO AN EXPERIMENTAL PIECE A BROOKLYN GARAGE. SOMETIM I TRY TO NVCE MYSELF, LIKE, DO I REALLY NEED TO SCHLEP OUT TO SEE THIS WEIRD THG SOME BASEMENT? AND THEN EVABLY I’LL SEE SOMEBODY AMAZG THAT THG, AND ’S LIKE, AW NUTS, I GUS I STILL HAVE TO SEE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}HIGH MATENANCE WAS ALSO ON MY RADAR BEE GAY PORN STAR COLBY KELLER AND BOB THE DRAG QUEEN WERE THE HBO {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THEY SURE WERE! THAT WAS A VERY PROUD MOMENT FOR ME. THAT WAS ACTUALLY SHOT BEFORE BOB HAD EVEN BEEN ANNOUNCED FOR DRAG RACE, BUT THE TIMG WORKED OUT WHERE THE EPISO AIRED AFTER THE FALE. I WAS A LTLE DISAPPOTED, HONTLY, BEE LOOKED OPPORTUNISTIC—LIKE, OF URSE THE WNER OF DRAG RACE IS ON THE SHOW! BUT I HAD BROUGHT BOB AFTER A IEND SAW HER DO “BE ITALIAN” AT SOME {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHAT’S YOUR MA OBJECTIVE WHEN STG THE SHOW?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE SHOW WAS BORN OM A PLACE OF WANTG TO LIFT UP OVERLOOKED AND UNTILIZED PERFORMERS. I'VE ALWAYS KEPT THAT MD, AND I OPERATE OM THE SAME PLACE AS A STG DIRECTOR. I GET TO BE A GATEKEEPER. SOME MAY SEE THAT AS A NEGATIVE, AS KEEPG PEOPLE OUT, BUT I ALSO GET TO HOLD THAT DOOR WI OPEN. AS SOMEBODY WHO LIK A LOT OF AMAZG, WEIRD PERFORMERS WHO AREN’T GIVEN OPPORTUNI TO BE ON TELEVISN, ’S A GREAT POSN TO BE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHAT KD OF WEIRDO ARE YOU LOOKG FOR?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WE’RE MAKG A SHOW ABOUT NEW YORK, PREDOMANTLY BROOKLYN, SET THE PRENT DAY, SO WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE’RE ACCURATELY AND HONTLY REPRENTG WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE. THERE ARE SO MANY SHOWS ABOUT NEW YORK THAT LOOK NOTHG LIKE THE NEW YORK I LIVE . I GET TO LOOK AROUND AT MY NEW YORK AND SAY, “YOU’RE GREAT. WHERE N I PUT YOU ON THE SHOW?”HIGH MATENANCE/{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ASI OM S REPRENTATN OF RACIAL AND ETHNIC MORI, THE SHOW SPOTLIGHTS MANY DIFFERENT BODY TYP, SOMETIM A REHG SEXUAL {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THERE ARE SO MANY KDS OF PEOPLE WHO ARE NEVER SEEN ON TELEVISN—OR NEVER SEEN A PARTICULAR WAY. WE HAVE THIS AMAZG OPPORTUNY TO FIX THAT. THERE HAVE BEEN MANY TIM WE’VE ASKED OURSELV, “WHY N’T THIS PERSON LOOK LIKE THIS?” EMPATHY IS THE PREVAILG QUALY ON THE SHOW. EVERYBODY SERV A {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}YOU DON'T NEED TO ST HUGE STARS, WHICH MT BE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}YEAH, ’S A PRIVILEGE THAT THERE’S NO PRSURE ON THIS SHOW TO ST BIG NAM. WHENEVER A BIGGER NAME UP, WE HAVE THE DISCSN OF WHETHER MIGHT BE DISTRACTG. WHEN WE DO PUT A MORE REGNIZABLE ACTOR ON THE SHOW, A LOT OF TIM THEY PLAY THEMSELV OR AN {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}A NOTABLE EXCEPTN IS MARGARET CHO, WHO PLAYED HALF OF A KKY QUEER UPLE SEASON {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THAT WAS A BIG NVERSATN, BEE MARGARET IS WHO KATJA AND BEN HAD MD WHEN WRG THE EPISO. IT’S A CRED TO HER PERFORMANCE AND THE DIRECTN THAT WORKED BETIFULLY AND WASN’T A DISTRACTN. IT WAS FUN TO PUT TOGETHER THE QUEER GROUP OF IENDS FOR THAT EPISO. SO MANY PEOPLE DNED OM THE KK AND BDSM {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}HOW DO YOUR QUEER INTY FLUENCE YOUR STG?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WELL, I’M NOT OUT, SO PLEASE DON’T TELL ANYONE I’M GAY. [LGHS] EVERYBODY KNOWS! I THK ’S A BENEF. BEG A QUEER PERSON, JT THE CULTURE THAT I’M A PART OF AND THAT I’M TERTED , MAK ME AWARE OF MORE PERFORMERS THE ALT-EDY, DOWNTOWN BARET, EXPERIMENTAL THEATER SCEN—PREDOMANTLY QUEER SPAC THAT SOME STRAIGHT STG DIRECTOR THEIR 50S OR 60S PROBABLY ISN’T GOG TO BE TERTED .HIGH MATENANCE/{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THIS IS WHY WE DON'T SEE AMANDA DUARTE ON THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN RECENT YEARS THERE’S ALSO BEEN MORE TERT CREASG VISIBILY OF QUEER PEOPLE MEDIA. THAT’S NICE, BUT I THK OF THE QUEER PEOPLE WHO DON’T GET TO DN VERY OFTEN OR WHO HAVE NEVER DNED FOR ANYTHG. THEY HAVE TO WALK TO AN DN ROOM, WHICH IS HERENTLY A VERY VULNERABLE PLACE, AND THEN ACT, WHICH IS AN EMOTNAL EXPERIENCE. I WONR WHAT ’S LIKE FOR THEM TO DO THAT ONT OF PEOPLE WHO LOOK ABSOLUTELY NOTHG LIKE THEM OR ANYONE THEY SEE THEIR DAILY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IT SOUNDS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHEN I VE PEOPLE OM OVERLOOKED, MARGALIZED, OR TOTALLY IGNORED MUNI, I PROVI NTEXT BEFOREHAND TO LET THEM KNOW ’S A SAFE SPACE. BUT TIME AND TIME AGA I SEE WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THEY WALK TO THE ROOM AND SEE ME, AN INTIFIABLY QUEER AND EXTREMELY OPEN PERSON. THEIR EY LIGHT UP, THEIR SHOULRS DROP, AND THEY’RE LIKE, “OH, YOU’RE THE STG DIRECTOR?” YEAH, WE’RE ALLOWED TO BE CHARGE OF STUFF, TOO! I MAKE THE SPAC SAFER FOR PEOPLE, JT BY REFLECTG BACK TO THEM PARTS OF THEIR OWN {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IF A ROLE IS SPECIFIED THE SCRIPT AS QUEER, HOW IMPORTANT IS TO ST A QUEER ACTOR?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE GOAL FOR ME IS THENTIC REPRENTATN. I MEAN, ’S 2020. BUT THENTIC REPRENTATN IS A TRICKY THG, BEE YOU N’T ASK ACTORS ABOUT THEIR INTY WHOUT GETTG TO DICEY WATERS TERMS OF HIRG {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}SO A QUEER ACTOR WOULD BENEF OM BEG OPENLY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THERE’S THE ARGUMENT THAT ’S LLED ACTG, AND SURE, OKAY, BUT DO SO MUCH MORE GOOD TO LET QUEER ACTORS PLAY QUEER ROL. THE QUEER MUNY IS STILL UNSAFE—KIDS ARE STILL KICKED OUT OF THEIR HOM, KILLG THEMSELV. WHAT ARE WE TELLG THE KIDS WHEN THERE’S NOT EVEN A PLACE FOR THEM THEIR OWN STORI? WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNY AND A RPONSIBILY TO SHOW THAT ACTORS N BE TE TO THEMSELV. ACTORS ED TO HAVE TO STAY THE CLOSET IF THEY WANTED TO WORK, AND THAT’S SHIFTED, BUT WE NEED TO PH THAT FORWARD BY ALLOWG MORE ACTORS WHO ARE OPEN ABOUT THEIR INTI TO PLAY ALL KDS OF ROL.HIGH MATENANCE/{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}YOU ALSO TRY TO PUT QUEER ACTORS NON-QUEER ROL?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}YEAH, FOR SURE, AND I FELY WANT TO ST QUEER PEOPLE ROL WHERE SEXUAL ORIENTATN OR GENR INTY AREN’T ADDRSED. I WANT TO SEE MORE TRANS ACTORS PLAYG ROL THAT ARE NOT EXCLIVELY FED BY THEIR INTY AS TRANS PEOPLE—CHARACTERS WHO EXIST BEE THE PEOPLE EXIST THE WORLD. THERE ARE SO MANY TIM WE’VE ST TRANS ACTORS ROL THAT HAVE NOTHG TO DO WH BEG TRANS, BEE OUR CHARACTERS ARE OFTEN JT CHARACTERS, WHERE SEXUAL ORIENTATN AND GENR INTY DON’T FACTOR {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BEC BLACKWELL ANCHORS A SEASON 4 EPISO ABOUT A GROUP OF TRANS AND NONBARY PEOPLE, BUT 'S NEVER SPELLED OUT THAT THE CHARACTERS ARE TRANS OR {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THAT WAS SO MUCH FUN TO ST. IT WAS A SUATN WHERE ANY ROLE ULD BE PLAYED BY ANYBODY, SO WE HAD PEOPLE DNG FOR THE SAME ROL WHO WERE ABSOLUTELY NOTHG ALIKE, WHICH ULD HAVE BEEN CHALLENGG. BEC, WHO IS SUCH A UNIQUE AND OPEN-SPIRED PERSON, FELL TO PLACE VERY EARLY, SO THAT GAVE A TOUCHSTONE. THE OTHER ROL ARE FORMER OR POTENTIAL LOVERS FOR THIS ONE PERSON, SO WAS LIKE PUTTG TOGETHER A PUZZLE: DO WE BELIEVE THEM AS A FORMER OR POTENTIAL LOVER FOR BEC?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE EPISO FELT SUBVERSIVE AND GROUNDBREAKG, EVEN FOR HIGH {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}YEAH, DIDN’T REALLY H ME UNTIL AIRED ON HBO—I ULDN’T BELIEVE WE WERE ALLOWED TO MAKE THAT EPISO. NOT THAT HBO HASN’T BEEN SUPPORTIVE EVERY STEP OF THE WAY, BUT I JT DON’T THK I’VE EVER SEEN ANYTHG LIKE THAT ON TV BEFORE. IT WAS SO EXCG TO SEE ALL THE GENRQUEER PEOPLE EXIST A SEXUAL, MOSTLY JOYO {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ANOTHER SEASON 4 HIGHLIGHT IS THE STORYLE STARRG QUEER EDIAN JAY JURN AS A GAY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}I KNEW JAY OM THE EDY SCENE. I WASN’T SURE WHO WAS GOG TO PLAY THAT ROLE, BUT THEN JAY DNED, AND HE WAS HILAR. HE’S JT SO SMART, WEIRD, AND AWKWARD ALL THE RIGHT WAYS FOR THAT CHARACTER.HIGH MATENANCE/{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THAT SAME EPISO FEATUR A SAME-SEX UPLE AN TIMACY ORDATN MONTAGE. EVEN A LTLE CLN LIKE THAT N GO A LONG {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}YEAH, AND THAT’S A BENEF OF TWO OF OUR THREE EPS BEG QUEER PEOPLE. IT WOULD BE SO EASY FOR A MONTAGE LIKE THAT TO OVERLOOK QUEER PEOPLE, BUT WE’LL ALWAYS HAVE A SPRKLG OF {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHY HAVEN'T YOU QUEERED A ROLE ON HIGH MATENANCE?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THEY’VE TRIED TO GET ME ON MORE THAN ONCE. I’VE ALWAYS PASSED, BEE GAVE ME A LOT OF ANXIETY. BUT IF YOU DIG EP ENOUGH, I DO MAKE A MEO ONE EPISO WAY BACK {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHEN YOU WATCH A TV SHOW, ARE YOU ALWAYS RESTG YOUR HEAD?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THAT N HAPPEN. IT’S AN OCCUPATNAL HAZARD. BUT OVER THE YEARS, SO I DON’T GO TOTALLY CRAZY, I’VE LEARNED HOW TO TURN THAT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHOM WOULD YOU ST TO PLAY YOU A SHOW ABOUT YOUR LIFE?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHAT A TERRIFYG QUTN. WELL, TWO GAY EDIANS E TO MD: COLE ESLA AND JOHN EARLY. I LIKE THEM A LOT BEE THEY’RE BOTH SO WEIRD. BUT I SHOULD PROBABLY BE PLAYED BY DIFFERENT ACTORS DIFFERENT SCEN—MAYBE SANDRA OH, LRIE METLF, AND AUDRA MCDONALD. AND I’D MAKE A STAN LEE-STYLE MEO A RANDOM SCENE AS A WARS OR {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}HIGH MATENANCE SEASON 4 IS NOW STREAMG ON {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;POSN:RELATIVE;PADDG-BOTTOM:56.49999999999999%;} .TWTER-TWEET-RENRED, {M-WIDTH:65%;WIDTH:TO !IMPORTANT;} {WIDTH:100%;} {MARG-LEFT:TO !IMPORTANT;MARG-RIGHT:TO !IMPORTANT;} IMG{MAX-WIDTH:100%;WIDTH:100%;} > IAME{BORR:NONE;MAX-WIDTH:100%;} > *{MAX-WIDTH:NONE !IMPORTANT;POSN:ABSOLUTE;HEIGHT:100% !IMPORTANT;WIDTH:100% !IMPORTANT;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;CLEAR:BOTH;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;MARG:0 TO;WIDTH:90%;M-WIDTH:288PX;MAX-WIDTH:1440PX;M-HEIGHT:194PX;}LATT NEWS
• HIGH MATENANCE GIV US A BRILLIANT DENSTCTN OF THE “GAY BT FRIEND” TROPE

HOW HIGH MATENANCE SUBVERTS THE STEREOTYP OF THE GAY MAN–STRAIGHT WOMAN RELATNSHIP

We’ve seen untls straight women wh their gay bt iends on TV but never like this. High Matenance’s Max and Laey are a faiar pair of misanthrop: a gay male and straight female duo where each enurag the other’s rottenns a game of one-upmanship.

HIGH MATENANCE’S ASSHOL MAX AND HELéNE ON TOXIC RELATNSHIPS, RUPL, AND THE SYNDROME OF GAY LGHTER

We’ve seen untls straight women wh their gay bt iends, but never que like this. The episo begs at a bachelorette party, wh Max as the token gay male among a gaggle of blons.

“Back off bch, get your own gay hband, ” Laey terjects.

In pop culture, gay men have often figured as accsori to straight women (or straight men), and High Matenance, Max willgly plays that role. He’s an embodiment of a televisn trope: the helpful gay man. There was a leral show built on the ncept of the helpful gay man—Queer Eye for the Straight Guy—but he exists a plethora of TV shows om The Real Hoewiv of Atlanta to, most signifintly, Sex and the Cy.

THIS CASTG DIRECTOR IS CREATG A SAFE SPACE FOR QUEER WEIRDOSANDREW FEMENELLA WEL YOU TO THE DN ROOM OF HBO’S “HIGH MATENANCE.”{FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}{FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}TVBY BRANDON VOSSAPRIL 11, 2020/8:05 {HEIGHT:HER;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;POSN:RELATIVE;-WEBK-FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;-MS-FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;-WEBK-ALIGN-EMS:CENTER;-WEBK-BOX-ALIGN:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-ALIGN:CENTER;ALIGN-EMS:CENTER;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-WEBK-TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;-MS-TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;} IMG{HEIGHT:100%;WIDTH:100%;OBJECT-F:VER;}{HEIGHT:1054PX;WIDTH:1584PX;}HIGH MATENANCE/DAVID M. RSELL/HBOBY BRANDON VOSSAPRIL 11, 2020 / 8:05 AM{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"NEWSARTICLE","HEADLE":"THIS CASTG DIRECTOR IS CREATG A SAFE SPACE FOR QUEER WEIRDOS","THUMBNAILURL":","DATEPUBLISHED":"2020-04-11T12:05:42.000+0000","DATEMODIFIED":"2020-04-11T12:05:42.000+0000","IMAGE":{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","URL":","WIDTH":1920,"HEIGHT":1080},"URL":","THOR":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","NAME":"LOGO TV"},"MAENTYOFPAGE":{"@TYPE":"WEBPAGE","@ID":"},"PUBLISHER":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","@ID":","NAME":"LOGO TV","URL":","LOGO":{"@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT"}},"CREATOR":"BRANDON VOSS","ARTICLESECTN":"TV"}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IF YOU DON’T SEE YOURSELF ON HIGH MATENANCE, ANDREW FEMENELLA HASN’T DONE HIS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AS STG DIRECTOR OF THE HBO ANTHOLOGY SERI, CREATED BY KATJA BLICHFELD AND STAR BEN SCLAIR, FEMENELLA HAS A SGULAR FLAIR FOR FDG H AND UNMON TALENT TO PORTRAY DIVERSE NEW YORKERS NNECTED BY A BIKE-RIDG WEED SALMAN, LOW-KEY BLAZG A TRAIL FOR THENTIC LGBTQ {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WH SEASON 4 NOW STREAMG FULL FOR A QUARANTE BGE, NEWNOWNEXT SMOKED OUT FEMENELLA—WHOSE OTHER STG CREDS CLU GLEE, STRANGER THGS, AND RSIAN DOLL—TO LEARN HOW HIS OWN QUEER INTY HELPS HIM LIVER THE GOODS.BRENT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ANDREW {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}I BEGAN WATCHG HIGH MATENANCE BEE ’S SUCH A GREAT SHOWSE FOR NEW YORK THEATER ACTORS. YOU MT SEE A LOT OF {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}I SURE DO. I’VE WORKED A LOT OF DIFFERENT STG OFFIC, BUT I ME UP STG THROUGH THEATER, WHICH I THK GIV ME A UNIQUE PERSPECTIVE. I ALSO GREW UP AS A GOOD GAY, REALLY LOVG THEATER. SO YEAH, I SEE EVERYTHG, OM BROADWAY TO AN EXPERIMENTAL PIECE A BROOKLYN GARAGE. SOMETIM I TRY TO NVCE MYSELF, LIKE, DO I REALLY NEED TO SCHLEP OUT TO SEE THIS WEIRD THG SOME BASEMENT? AND THEN EVABLY I’LL SEE SOMEBODY AMAZG THAT THG, AND ’S LIKE, AW NUTS, I GUS I STILL HAVE TO SEE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}HIGH MATENANCE WAS ALSO ON MY RADAR BEE GAY PORN STAR COLBY KELLER AND BOB THE DRAG QUEEN WERE THE HBO {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THEY SURE WERE! THAT WAS A VERY PROUD MOMENT FOR ME. THAT WAS ACTUALLY SHOT BEFORE BOB HAD EVEN BEEN ANNOUNCED FOR DRAG RACE, BUT THE TIMG WORKED OUT WHERE THE EPISO AIRED AFTER THE FALE. I WAS A LTLE DISAPPOTED, HONTLY, BEE LOOKED OPPORTUNISTIC—LIKE, OF URSE THE WNER OF DRAG RACE IS ON THE SHOW! BUT I HAD BROUGHT BOB AFTER A IEND SAW HER DO “BE ITALIAN” AT SOME {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHAT’S YOUR MA OBJECTIVE WHEN STG THE SHOW?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE SHOW WAS BORN OM A PLACE OF WANTG TO LIFT UP OVERLOOKED AND UNTILIZED PERFORMERS. I'VE ALWAYS KEPT THAT MD, AND I OPERATE OM THE SAME PLACE AS A STG DIRECTOR. I GET TO BE A GATEKEEPER. SOME MAY SEE THAT AS A NEGATIVE, AS KEEPG PEOPLE OUT, BUT I ALSO GET TO HOLD THAT DOOR WI OPEN. AS SOMEBODY WHO LIK A LOT OF AMAZG, WEIRD PERFORMERS WHO AREN’T GIVEN OPPORTUNI TO BE ON TELEVISN, ’S A GREAT POSN TO BE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHAT KD OF WEIRDO ARE YOU LOOKG FOR?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WE’RE MAKG A SHOW ABOUT NEW YORK, PREDOMANTLY BROOKLYN, SET THE PRENT DAY, SO WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE’RE ACCURATELY AND HONTLY REPRENTG WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE. THERE ARE SO MANY SHOWS ABOUT NEW YORK THAT LOOK NOTHG LIKE THE NEW YORK I LIVE . I GET TO LOOK AROUND AT MY NEW YORK AND SAY, “YOU’RE GREAT. WHERE N I PUT YOU ON THE SHOW?”HIGH MATENANCE/{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ASI OM S REPRENTATN OF RACIAL AND ETHNIC MORI, THE SHOW SPOTLIGHTS MANY DIFFERENT BODY TYP, SOMETIM A REHG SEXUAL {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THERE ARE SO MANY KDS OF PEOPLE WHO ARE NEVER SEEN ON TELEVISN—OR NEVER SEEN A PARTICULAR WAY. WE HAVE THIS AMAZG OPPORTUNY TO FIX THAT. THERE HAVE BEEN MANY TIM WE’VE ASKED OURSELV, “WHY N’T THIS PERSON LOOK LIKE THIS?” EMPATHY IS THE PREVAILG QUALY ON THE SHOW. EVERYBODY SERV A {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}YOU DON'T NEED TO ST HUGE STARS, WHICH MT BE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}YEAH, ’S A PRIVILEGE THAT THERE’S NO PRSURE ON THIS SHOW TO ST BIG NAM. WHENEVER A BIGGER NAME UP, WE HAVE THE DISCSN OF WHETHER MIGHT BE DISTRACTG. WHEN WE DO PUT A MORE REGNIZABLE ACTOR ON THE SHOW, A LOT OF TIM THEY PLAY THEMSELV OR AN {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}A NOTABLE EXCEPTN IS MARGARET CHO, WHO PLAYED HALF OF A KKY QUEER UPLE SEASON {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THAT WAS A BIG NVERSATN, BEE MARGARET IS WHO KATJA AND BEN HAD MD WHEN WRG THE EPISO. IT’S A CRED TO HER PERFORMANCE AND THE DIRECTN THAT WORKED BETIFULLY AND WASN’T A DISTRACTN. IT WAS FUN TO PUT TOGETHER THE QUEER GROUP OF IENDS FOR THAT EPISO. SO MANY PEOPLE DNED OM THE KK AND BDSM {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}HOW DO YOUR QUEER INTY FLUENCE YOUR STG?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WELL, I’M NOT OUT, SO PLEASE DON’T TELL ANYONE I’M GAY. [LGHS] EVERYBODY KNOWS! I THK ’S A BENEF. BEG A QUEER PERSON, JT THE CULTURE THAT I’M A PART OF AND THAT I’M TERTED , MAK ME AWARE OF MORE PERFORMERS THE ALT-EDY, DOWNTOWN BARET, EXPERIMENTAL THEATER SCEN—PREDOMANTLY QUEER SPAC THAT SOME STRAIGHT STG DIRECTOR THEIR 50S OR 60S PROBABLY ISN’T GOG TO BE TERTED .HIGH MATENANCE/{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THIS IS WHY WE DON'T SEE AMANDA DUARTE ON THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN RECENT YEARS THERE’S ALSO BEEN MORE TERT CREASG VISIBILY OF QUEER PEOPLE MEDIA. THAT’S NICE, BUT I THK OF THE QUEER PEOPLE WHO DON’T GET TO DN VERY OFTEN OR WHO HAVE NEVER DNED FOR ANYTHG. THEY HAVE TO WALK TO AN DN ROOM, WHICH IS HERENTLY A VERY VULNERABLE PLACE, AND THEN ACT, WHICH IS AN EMOTNAL EXPERIENCE. I WONR WHAT ’S LIKE FOR THEM TO DO THAT ONT OF PEOPLE WHO LOOK ABSOLUTELY NOTHG LIKE THEM OR ANYONE THEY SEE THEIR DAILY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IT SOUNDS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHEN I VE PEOPLE OM OVERLOOKED, MARGALIZED, OR TOTALLY IGNORED MUNI, I PROVI NTEXT BEFOREHAND TO LET THEM KNOW ’S A SAFE SPACE. BUT TIME AND TIME AGA I SEE WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THEY WALK TO THE ROOM AND SEE ME, AN INTIFIABLY QUEER AND EXTREMELY OPEN PERSON. THEIR EY LIGHT UP, THEIR SHOULRS DROP, AND THEY’RE LIKE, “OH, YOU’RE THE STG DIRECTOR?” YEAH, WE’RE ALLOWED TO BE CHARGE OF STUFF, TOO! I MAKE THE SPAC SAFER FOR PEOPLE, JT BY REFLECTG BACK TO THEM PARTS OF THEIR OWN {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IF A ROLE IS SPECIFIED THE SCRIPT AS QUEER, HOW IMPORTANT IS TO ST A QUEER ACTOR?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE GOAL FOR ME IS THENTIC REPRENTATN. I MEAN, ’S 2020. BUT THENTIC REPRENTATN IS A TRICKY THG, BEE YOU N’T ASK ACTORS ABOUT THEIR INTY WHOUT GETTG TO DICEY WATERS TERMS OF HIRG {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}SO A QUEER ACTOR WOULD BENEF OM BEG OPENLY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THERE’S THE ARGUMENT THAT ’S LLED ACTG, AND SURE, OKAY, BUT DO SO MUCH MORE GOOD TO LET QUEER ACTORS PLAY QUEER ROL. THE QUEER MUNY IS STILL UNSAFE—KIDS ARE STILL KICKED OUT OF THEIR HOM, KILLG THEMSELV. WHAT ARE WE TELLG THE KIDS WHEN THERE’S NOT EVEN A PLACE FOR THEM THEIR OWN STORI? WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNY AND A RPONSIBILY TO SHOW THAT ACTORS N BE TE TO THEMSELV. ACTORS ED TO HAVE TO STAY THE CLOSET IF THEY WANTED TO WORK, AND THAT’S SHIFTED, BUT WE NEED TO PH THAT FORWARD BY ALLOWG MORE ACTORS WHO ARE OPEN ABOUT THEIR INTI TO PLAY ALL KDS OF ROL.HIGH MATENANCE/{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}YOU ALSO TRY TO PUT QUEER ACTORS NON-QUEER ROL?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}YEAH, FOR SURE, AND I FELY WANT TO ST QUEER PEOPLE ROL WHERE SEXUAL ORIENTATN OR GENR INTY AREN’T ADDRSED. I WANT TO SEE MORE TRANS ACTORS PLAYG ROL THAT ARE NOT EXCLIVELY FED BY THEIR INTY AS TRANS PEOPLE—CHARACTERS WHO EXIST BEE THE PEOPLE EXIST THE WORLD. THERE ARE SO MANY TIM WE’VE ST TRANS ACTORS ROL THAT HAVE NOTHG TO DO WH BEG TRANS, BEE OUR CHARACTERS ARE OFTEN JT CHARACTERS, WHERE SEXUAL ORIENTATN AND GENR INTY DON’T FACTOR {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BEC BLACKWELL ANCHORS A SEASON 4 EPISO ABOUT A GROUP OF TRANS AND NONBARY PEOPLE, BUT 'S NEVER SPELLED OUT THAT THE CHARACTERS ARE TRANS OR {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THAT WAS SO MUCH FUN TO ST. IT WAS A SUATN WHERE ANY ROLE ULD BE PLAYED BY ANYBODY, SO WE HAD PEOPLE DNG FOR THE SAME ROL WHO WERE ABSOLUTELY NOTHG ALIKE, WHICH ULD HAVE BEEN CHALLENGG. BEC, WHO IS SUCH A UNIQUE AND OPEN-SPIRED PERSON, FELL TO PLACE VERY EARLY, SO THAT GAVE A TOUCHSTONE. THE OTHER ROL ARE FORMER OR POTENTIAL LOVERS FOR THIS ONE PERSON, SO WAS LIKE PUTTG TOGETHER A PUZZLE: DO WE BELIEVE THEM AS A FORMER OR POTENTIAL LOVER FOR BEC?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE EPISO FELT SUBVERSIVE AND GROUNDBREAKG, EVEN FOR HIGH {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}YEAH, DIDN’T REALLY H ME UNTIL AIRED ON HBO—I ULDN’T BELIEVE WE WERE ALLOWED TO MAKE THAT EPISO. NOT THAT HBO HASN’T BEEN SUPPORTIVE EVERY STEP OF THE WAY, BUT I JT DON’T THK I’VE EVER SEEN ANYTHG LIKE THAT ON TV BEFORE. IT WAS SO EXCG TO SEE ALL THE GENRQUEER PEOPLE EXIST A SEXUAL, MOSTLY JOYO {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ANOTHER SEASON 4 HIGHLIGHT IS THE STORYLE STARRG QUEER EDIAN JAY JURN AS A GAY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}I KNEW JAY OM THE EDY SCENE. I WASN’T SURE WHO WAS GOG TO PLAY THAT ROLE, BUT THEN JAY DNED, AND HE WAS HILAR. HE’S JT SO SMART, WEIRD, AND AWKWARD ALL THE RIGHT WAYS FOR THAT CHARACTER.HIGH MATENANCE/{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THAT SAME EPISO FEATUR A SAME-SEX UPLE AN TIMACY ORDATN MONTAGE. EVEN A LTLE CLN LIKE THAT N GO A LONG {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}YEAH, AND THAT’S A BENEF OF TWO OF OUR THREE EPS BEG QUEER PEOPLE. IT WOULD BE SO EASY FOR A MONTAGE LIKE THAT TO OVERLOOK QUEER PEOPLE, BUT WE’LL ALWAYS HAVE A SPRKLG OF {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHY HAVEN'T YOU QUEERED A ROLE ON HIGH MATENANCE?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THEY’VE TRIED TO GET ME ON MORE THAN ONCE. I’VE ALWAYS PASSED, BEE GAVE ME A LOT OF ANXIETY. BUT IF YOU DIG EP ENOUGH, I DO MAKE A MEO ONE EPISO WAY BACK {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHEN YOU WATCH A TV SHOW, ARE YOU ALWAYS RESTG YOUR HEAD?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THAT N HAPPEN. IT’S AN OCCUPATNAL HAZARD. BUT OVER THE YEARS, SO I DON’T GO TOTALLY CRAZY, I’VE LEARNED HOW TO TURN THAT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHOM WOULD YOU ST TO PLAY YOU A SHOW ABOUT YOUR LIFE?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHAT A TERRIFYG QUTN. WELL, TWO GAY EDIANS E TO MD: COLE ESLA AND JOHN EARLY. I LIKE THEM A LOT BEE THEY’RE BOTH SO WEIRD. BUT I SHOULD PROBABLY BE PLAYED BY DIFFERENT ACTORS DIFFERENT SCEN—MAYBE SANDRA OH, LRIE METLF, AND AUDRA MCDONALD. AND I’D MAKE A STAN LEE-STYLE MEO A RANDOM SCENE AS A WARS OR {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}HIGH MATENANCE SEASON 4 IS NOW STREAMG ON {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;POSN:RELATIVE;PADDG-BOTTOM:56.49999999999999%;} .TWTER-TWEET-RENRED, {M-WIDTH:65%;WIDTH:TO !IMPORTANT;} {WIDTH:100%;} {MARG-LEFT:TO !IMPORTANT;MARG-RIGHT:TO !IMPORTANT;} IMG{MAX-WIDTH:100%;WIDTH:100%;} > IAME{BORR:NONE;MAX-WIDTH:100%;} > *{MAX-WIDTH:NONE !IMPORTANT;POSN:ABSOLUTE;HEIGHT:100% !IMPORTANT;WIDTH:100% !IMPORTANT;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;CLEAR:BOTH;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;MARG:0 TO;WIDTH:90%;M-WIDTH:288PX;MAX-WIDTH:1440PX;M-HEIGHT:194PX;}LATT NEWS

(Realy has, turn, mimicked pop culture, wh straight women lookg for “their gays” and gay men performg as a way to be validated. High Matenance ends the episo by phg the trope of the fag hag and her gay hband until malfunctns. Stng out on crystal meth, Max be a “dancg gay clown” his unrwear.

He’s a dgged-out shell of a gay man who spews a stream of rapid-fire jok and nothg else. Max’s relatnship wh other gay men is the foc here, somethg that’s rare to see even on shows where the gay male and the straight female had equal billg. In fact, the first kiss between gay men on the show was a meta-joke: Jack was prottg how a TV show cut a gay kiss, so Will kiss him on The Today Show.

“Meth(od)” also acts as a utnary tale—a parable for young, secure gay men who don’t know how to f the world. It might be bt scribed as what the actor Max Jenks lled “gay nervo lghter.

HIGH MATENANCE GIV US A BRILLIANT DENSTCTN OF THE “GAY BT FRIEND” TROPE

” “It’s part of my experience of beg a gay man the midst of searchg for validatn, ” Jenks told me. “Heléne’s character feeds that gay lghter bee he wants to be validated by her, and then he meets someone who lms that gay lghter. ” He adds, “I ll gay, but I thk ’s really jt the human experience of searchg for validatn your reer and your personal relatnships.

See also: High Matenance’s Asshol Max and Heléne on Toxic Relatnships, RuPl, and the Syndrome of Gay Lghter. The episo begs at a bachelorette party, wh Max as the token gay male among a gaggle of blons. In pop culture, gay men have often figured as accsori to straight women (or straight men), and  High Matenance, Max willgly plays that role.

There was a leral show built on the ncept of the helpful gay man—Queer Eye for the Straight Guy—but he exists a plethora of TV shows om The Real Hoewiv of Atlanta to, most signifintly, Sex and the Cy.