#FIRSTLOOK: HBO’S “LOOKING” STARRING JONATHAN GROFF

I am absolutely unafraid to admit that HBO‘s LOOKING is my newest Guilty Pleasure. As its first Season reached a half-way point this weekend, I look forward with a bit of sadness that there are only a few more weeks till it concludes.  And then comes an excruciating wait for another Season. Hopefully.

The Premise is simple, but there are so many, many rich unafraid-to-go-there layers in this Series from Creator Michael Lannan. Set in San Francisco, we get an honest look at the lives of three Gay Men: Patrick (Jonathan Groff), Agustín (Frankie J. Alvarez) and Dom (Murray Bartlett). If this were Sex and the City, Patrick – a Video Game Developer looking for love – certainly would be our Carrie. Agustín – a coupled Artist amidst a bit of a creative Dry Spell – and Dom – a Waiter aspiring to embark once again as a Restauranteur after a big disappointment – don’t so clearly fit the archetypes of Samantha, Miranda nor Charlotte, but as the Series gets rolling, we get the feeling big changes are about to take place for both of them. We can’t wait to see what happens next and we have a feeling there might be a bit of trouble. The knowing glances we get from our three Leading Men capture so subtly that unique dynamic among Gay Men of perhaps once being potential Lovers before deciding ultimately to be Friends.

Fans of GLEE and FROZEN will feel a sense of familiarity with Groff who has starred in both, the latter still freezing its position near the top of the Box Office, and he is just really, really good here.  He owns it as a picky, fumbling Patrick, constantly reminding us the importance of using a filter when we speak, but we are with him every step of the way watching him redeem himself each time.

In one super-awkward moment in the Series’ third Episode he hits-on  Kevin (Russell Tovey), whom we later learn actually is his soon-to-be Boss. Raúl Castillo plays Richie, whom Patrick meets on the Subway and we become enamoured  at first glance.  Did I mention, the Cast is heartbreakingly-handsome?

If that weren’t enough, the amazing Scott Bakula also stars in the Series as a Floral Shop Owner, Lynn. We meet him in a towel only in a Steam Room with Dom. Yes, I just said Scott Bakula and Steam Room in one sentence.

LOOKING looks and feels like San Francisco, taking us away for 30 minutes to another place every time.  The eclectic Electronic-Pop selections also are just pitch-perfect.  While most eyes are on HBO‘s Runaway Hit TRUE DETECTIVE right now, this new Comedy Series certainly isn’t to be ignored.

Anyhow, I’ll let you Wongsters discover LOOKING on your own. It airs Sunday nights on HBO Canada at 10:30 PM EST.

Learn more here.

Some of the more memorable moments thus far:

Patrick (Jonathan Groff) hitting-on eventual Boss Kevin (Russell Tovey)

Dom (Murray Bartlett) meets Lynn (Scott Bakula) in a Steam Room

Agustín‘s curiosity piqued by a Male Sex Worker who makes $220/hr

Patrick (Jonathan Groff) meets Richie (Raúl Castillo)

Official Artwork:

(Photo credit: HBO)

#FIRSTLOOK: ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY SNEAK PEEK AT “BEHIND THE CANDELABRA”

After several delays, it would appear that the release of Behind the Candelabra (formerly known as Liberace) is finally before us. Based on the Memoir by legendary Vocalist/Pianist Wladziu Valentino Liberace‘s much younger Lover, Scott Thorson, the HBO Movie dishes on the scandal and extravagance behind their relationship.

Starring Michael Douglas in the titular role, the Actor originally signed-on in 2008 to star in the Film, although delays ensued due to his battle with Cancer. Matt Damon plays Thorson, in addition to a strong Supporting Cast which includes Scott Bakula, Paul Reiser and Rob Lowe. If that weren’t enough, Steven Soderbergh helms what looks to be this year’s Game Change – and we know many Primetime EMMYsand Golden  Globes that won.

With the help of Prosthetics, Michael Douglas goes through the most amazing transformation of all and it is reported that Damon had a special Tanning Technician visit his home regularly to gear-up for his role.

Although we’re still waiting on the Trailer, Entertainment Weekly gets a Sneak Peek for the Movie with both Damon and Douglas on the cover of their current Issue.

 

Click here for more on that.

HBO airs Behind the Candelabra on May 26, 2013.

(Photo credit: Entertainment Weekly)