‘Queer as Folk’ Star: People Forget “All the F***ing Time” How Series Paved Way for TV’s Golden Age

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In wrapping up an engaging and at times emotional Q&A session with several actors and main creatives from Showtime’s Queer as Folk, moderator Frank DeCaro posed a poignant question, relevant to the series’ 25th anniversary: “Reflecting on the past quarter-century, what impact do you believe Queer As Folk has had on television and society at large?

Swiftly speaking, Peter Paige, famously known for his role as the vibrant and adored character Emmett Honeycutt, exclaimed, “Hand me that microphone, please,” a command that hinted at an impactful message to follow.

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Peter Paige, who played the cherished character Emmett Honeycutt with panache, stated without hesitation, “I need that microphone,” indicating a significant statement was imminent.

Paige, who went on to create, write, and produce hit TV shows like ‘The Fosters’ and ‘Good Trouble,’ strongly believes that ‘Queer as Folk’ deserves far more recognition for being a pioneer during the golden age of television. She asserted this without reservation. In an innovative move, our show introduced complex, sexually explicit adult characters to TV, something no one had done before us. As New York magazine put it in their initial piece about the show, ‘Queer as Folk’ makes ‘Sex and the City’ seem like a Saturday morning cartoon.’ We revolutionized how adults were portrayed on television, yet this impact is often overlooked or forgotten.

As a devoted fan, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of unity with the panelists gathered within NeueHouse Hollywood’s screening room. Among them were creators Ron Cowen and Daniel Lipman, who brought this remarkable series to American television by adapting it from Russell T. Davies’ British counterpart. They were accompanied by talented actors Sharon Gless, Hal Sparks, Robert Gant, Scott Lowell, Michelle Clunie, and Thea Gill. The Showtime series, graced by the presence of Gale Harold and Randy Harrison, spanned over five seasons and a total of 83 episodes. At its peak, it was celebrated for its unapologetic portrayal of gay relationships, community, drama, and moments of pure joy.

After watching episode 10 from season five of “I Love You,” directed by Kelly Makin, a 45-minute discussion ensued. This particular episode depicted a bombing at the fictional club Babylon in Pittsburgh during a fundraiser aimed at combating a controversial legislative measure that undermined same-sex couple rights. The event was organized by Pride LIVE! Hollywood, and during his opening remarks, DeCaro pointed out that the date of June 12 held significance as it marked the ninth anniversary of the Pulse nightclub tragedy.

Following Paige’s response, Sparks promptly delivered his own. He mentioned that they had been featured in the latest edition of Emmy magazine. His former publicist reached out to him and asked if he wanted a copy. At first, he thought, “Forget them, those people always passed us by during every season.” Tonight, you’ve seen some of the collaborations and the quality of work that we see here on stage, as well as the dedication everyone put into their roles. I was just grateful to be part of it during my time on the show. However, it is obvious that our show reached that mark multiple times and yet was often overlooked due to its unique nature. The advantage is that’s how you know it’s groundbreaking. That’s how you knew it was essential. That’s how you knew it was a brave thing in a world full of fear.

Lipman, who along with Cowen co-authored the groundbreaking gay film “An Early Frost“, stated that “Queer As Folk” came at a unique moment in time that wouldn’t be repeated. “This show couldn’t be made now, it wouldn’t be produced today,” Lipman explained. “Following Queer as Folk, we chose to cease producing series because we didn’t wish to return to networks with restrictions on what could and couldn’t be depicted, censorship, and so forth.” Lipman also recognized Showtime for its “no boundaries” philosophy at the time and for not meddling with creative choices. “Other gay series have been made since then, but I don’t believe they’ve ever surpassed Queer as Folk, and I don’t think anything will truly match it in the future.

Panelists such as Gant, who emerged from their involvement in the groundbreaking series, have consistently emphasized that the true impact of the show lies in the lives it has saved. Over the past two decades since the show concluded, numerous letters have been received from individuals across the globe, expressing gratitude for not taking their own lives due to the influence of the series or its characters. “The show saved my life,” Gant shared, adding that he was among those who came out of the closet because of the program. He described the entire experience as more than a blessing.

DeCaro made a heartfelt remark: “It would have been wonderful to receive Emmys, but what you’ve done – saving lives and changing the world – is far superior.” He also inquired about the actors’ journey into the show. The vibrant discussion concluded with Gless, famed for her role in Cagney & Lacey, getting emotional as she shared her story. At a low point in both her career and life, Gless – a television icon – was residing in Chicago to perform in a play.

Gless shared that they were going through a tough period in their life when they received the gift. They recall picking up the phone and making an unprecedented call to Showtime. They had never done something like this before. They remembered Carol, the assistant of Jerry Offsay (the president of programming), and boldly expressed their interest in the show “Queer as Folk”. They told Carol that they wanted a role in it.

Five minutes later, Offsay phoned her back, which resulted in an invitation for her to jet off to Los Angeles for a meeting with Lipman and Cowen. “These two gentlemen, if you’ll excuse the expression, have dramatically altered my life in numerous ways,” Gless stated, battling tears. The duo affirmed that no other contender was even contemplated for the part of the feisty matriarch Debbie Novotny. It was then that Paige recalled what Gless shared with the creative team about her determination to secure this role: “I sense trouble and I want to be involved in it.

The month-long Pride LIVE! Hollywood event, showcasing the creativity of LGBTQ+ individuals in media and entertainment, is being organized alongside L.A’s Infinity Festival, the Hollywood Partnership, and the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce. The Hollywood Reporter is serving as the primary media sponsor for this celebration. You can find the event schedule here.

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2025-06-13 23:26