The Best New Television Shows of 2014

The Best New Television Shows of 2014

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With so many great shows on TV, who’s got the time to watch them all? This year featured some incredible stories and performances on established shows, but a handful of new programming really shined. 

Take some time before the New Year to catch up on TV shows that debuted in 2014. See our favorites from this year, AFTER THE JUMP … 

 

Transparent, Amazon
Hands down my favorite new show of 2014 is Amazon’s Transparent. Jill Soloway’s exploration of identity, gender and family is sharply written, but always tenderly felt. Plus, my god, Jeffrey Tambor. His portrayal of Maura Pfefferman is so gentle, so loving and so thoughtful. Every one of the Pfeffermans is on a journey, but it’s Maura’s transition that gives the story its incredible heart. Tambor’s weary face carries the years of Maura’s struggles so well, and it makes her moments of discovery shine all the brighter. Give him all the awards, please.

 

Broad City, Comedy Central
In a year where feminism took the spotlight in popular culture, Abbi Jacobson and Ilana Glazer stepped up as two of the brightest, boldest voices in comedy. Executive-produced by Amy Poehler, their half-hour escapades around Brooklyn are filled with some of the strongest stoner jokes, most out-there absurdist humor and one of the richest relationships on television, no gender qualifier necessary.

 

How To Get Away With Murder, ABC
This fall’s buzziest new drama is worth talking about for a few reasons. First off, Viola Davis gives a powerhouse performance that will have her picking scenery out of her teeth for years to come. Secondly, the breakneck pace of the series’ unfolding mystery keeps momentum pumping through each case of the week, saving Murder from becoming a belabored procedural. But, let’s be real, the show’s steamy same-sex sex scenes are what’s really got our interest piqued. Not only because gay law student Connor Walsh (Jack Falahee) is smoking hot, but because HTGAWM isn’t afraid to depict gay sex as passionately as any scene between a man and a woman.

 

Last Week Tonight With John Oliver, HBO
Just when we thought the comedy news format had reached its peak, along comes Oliver. The Daily Show vet’s solo outing has elevated the genre in a few key ways. First, never underestimate the power of a well-placed profanity, and Oliver and his writers know just how to take advantage of their broad premium cable boundaries. Second, the weekly format frees them from the daily grind of nightly news, allowing them to dive deeper into topics like the prison system, Miss America’s finances and the predatory loan business (above).

 

The Hotwives of Orlando, Hulu
Whoever is behind this hilarious send-up of Bravo’s Real Housewives franchise certainly must be a fan of the original. The satire is spot-on and everything from the psychic medium’s electronic cigarette to the faux Andy Cohen post-show stinger shows an incredible attention to detail. Featuring funny ladies Casey Wilson, Kristen Schaal and others, any Housewives-fan (or, more likely, a victim of being sucked into an all-day marathon) can get a laugh from giving this series a stream.

 

Looking, HBO
Hey, count me among the crowd slamming this show’s early episodes for being so very boring. But, once Looking found its groove (and dropping the unrealistic, high expectations of it being the definitive gay series) it became a much stronger character showcase. The turning point was episode five, “Looking For the Future.” Focusing on a daylong adventure between Patrick (Jonathan Groff) and Richie (Raúl Castillo) played to the strengths of executive producer/writer/director Andrew Haigh, the man behind the similarly structured film, Weekend. While Agustin (Frankie J. Alvarez) never quite connected, I’m really looking forward to the return of Patrick, Richie, Kevin (Russell Tovey), Dom (Murray Bartlett) and Doris (Lauren Weedman).

What are your favorite new shows this year?


Bobby Hankinson

www.towleroad.com/2014/12/the-best-new-television-shows-of-2014.html

A Look Back At The Tastiest Morning Goods Of 2014

A Look Back At The Tastiest Morning Goods Of 2014

Bodies, butts and bulges, oh my!

If you’re a regular, then you’re probably familiar with Queerty’s long running Morning Goods, the column devoted to showcasing men from around the world who get your heart rate up faster than a venti vanilla latte from Starbucks.

We’ve shared lots of delicious goods with you this year, and have plenty more in store for 2015.

Here’s a look back at 10 of the tastiest Morning Goods from 2014. Eat up!

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Muscleman Adrian Baretto was captured during an oceanfront workout in Rio.

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Reinaldo Fuzil was looking hot, hot, hot in images captured on the beaches of Brazil. The prizefighter was smokin’ in shades and swimwear.

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In this summer photo shoot, blond model Brandon sizzled like a cat on a hot tin roof.

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Alex Rodriguez proved his packing power while vacationing in Ibiza.

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Andrew Christian’s construction workers had everyone bothered as they worked on a house in skimpy shorts and even skimpier underwear. (Queerty interview babe Murray Swanby poses on right.)

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Rafael Medenca turned up the heat.

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The demigods known as Colorado’s finest firefighters and the Colorado-based underwear brand Baskit teamed up for a calendar. Not only did it provide some fiery eye candy, but the proceeds went to the Children’s Hospital of Colorado.

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This fine male specimen channelled his inner carnal beast in a new collection.

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Model Austin Butler explored an overpass in his underwear with photographer Marco Ovando.

 

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Photographer Andrew Werner shot this collection against a greek key black and white printed wall.

 

H/t: The Underwear Expert

Graham Gremore

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Newspaper Makes Then Deletes Dick Joke About Greenbay Packers Quarterback Aaron Rodgers

Newspaper Makes Then Deletes Dick Joke About Greenbay Packers Quarterback Aaron Rodgers

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Pioneer Press has deleted a tweet it sent out linking to an article on Greenbay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodger’s good luck charm — the red beard of a fan he encountered and now tugs on at every home game. The tweet sent out by Pioneer Press, however, was somewhat more vague about what exactly Rodgers’ lucky charm might be. As Deadspin reports, the tweet read, “It’s red and 9 inches long, and #Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers tugs it for good luck.”

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Apparently, the joke was too much for some to handle. In Pioneer Press’ piece on the beard in question, owned by a communications technician named Jeremy Wilcox, Wilcox describes his and Rodgers’ pre-game ritual as “just guys having fun.”

@romenesko turns out, this would have worked better with a picture of the beard

— Pioneer Press (@PioneerPress) December 30, 2014

You’ll recall that last year Rodgers chose to address rumors that he is gay. Speaking with 540 ESPN Milwaukee, Rogers commented, “I’m just going to say I’m not gay. I really, really like women. That’s all I can really say about that.”


Sean Mandell

www.towleroad.com/2014/12/newspaper-makes-then-deletes-dick-joke-about-greenbay-packers-quarterback-aaron-rodgers.html

Nine Ways To Avoid Sex For The Next Year So You Can Donate A Pint Of Blood

Nine Ways To Avoid Sex For The Next Year So You Can Donate A Pint Of Blood

US_Navy_080814-N-0486G-006_Bags_and_vials_of_blood_await_processing_during_the_Armed_Services_Blood_Program_(ASBP)_Blood_drive_at_Naval_Station_MayportThe FDA has decided that the blood coursing through your veins isn’t a lifetime threat to the American public — just a year-long threat. So sometime next year, you can start donating blood.

Or more accurately, you can start the clock running on when you can donate blood in 2016. Because to do so, you have to avoid “sexual contact” with another man for at least a year. For your ordinary homo, never lacking in opportunity or desire, that’s an extreme challenge.

And don’t forget that sexual contact means everything because the FDA thinks everything you do is equally risky, even though it’s not.

So to donate blood, you need to get ready now, which means giving up sex for a year.

To help you meet this noble goal, here are ten tips guaranteed to strangle your libido…

1. Watch a Pat Robertson marathon.

Every night, you can spend time among the wreckage of the televangelist’s psyche by watching the hundreds of hours he’s spent on CBN. Let Pat remind you that gay sex isn’t very pretty, that you can catch AIDS from towels, and that being gay is like demonic possession. You’ll be so turned off sex or laugh so hard that the effect will be the same.

2. Take a walking tour of the deep, deep South.

You know, places like Tupelo, MS, the headquarters of the American Family Association and Bryan Fischer. Or Alabama, where you can count the number of antigay license plates you see. Or Louisiana, which refuses to remove an unconstitutional sodomy law from its books.  Just be sure to stay clear of New Orleans, or you won’t be able to donate blood until 2017.

3. Visit Russia.

Yes, the land of Vladimir Putin, which has been proven to cure homosexuality (at least in the case of Gerard Depardieu). Alternately, Putin’s fellow homophobes can beat you to a pulp if they suspect you’re gay, in which case you may need blood before you can ever donate it.

4. Join the Catholic celibacy movement.

Yes, it’s officially a trend, because the mainstream media has reported on it. You can be a perfectly good Catholic by denying one of God’s greatest gifts and at the same time satisfy neither your puzzled LGBT siblings or the conservatives who would just assume purge you from the Church. But you will be able to give blood. (Obviously, celibacy doesn’t apply to priests.)

5. Become a Salvation Army officer.

Catholicism isn’t military enough for you? There’s always the Salvation Army. It’s every bit as repressive, but it comes with a uniform.

6. Borrow an Ebola quarantine tent from Chris Christie.

Want to cut yourself off from any human contact? Chris Christie has a bunch of tents left over from his disastrous (and unscientific) decision to throw a nurse who helped Ebola patients into quarantine. The downside? No cable.

7. Start swilling soy sauce.

Soy reduces testosterone levels and with it sex drive. Put soy sauce on your corn flakes in the morning, have an edamame shake for lunch, have a soy burger for dinner. After a while, you’ll probably feel nauseated as well, which will help you reach your overall goal.

8. Take up a really boring hobby.

How about collecting old phone books? Or sculpting butter? Or photographing roundabouts? (It helps if you’re British for that last one.)  Plus as a bonus, you can shop at Hobby Lobby and contribute to the erosion of LGBT rights at the same time!

 9. Become a Republican. 

Never mind. No one’s that desperate to donate blood.

JohnGallagher

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