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Playing It Straight

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Playing It Straight
A title card for the American television series Playing It Straight, featuring brown and red letters overlaying a wooden heart that is floating on the ocean shore.
GenreReality television
Presented byDaphne Brogdon
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No.of seasons1
No.of episodes8
Production
Executive producers
  • Jeremy Mills
  • Ciara Byrne
Production locationElko, Nevada
Running time41–42 minutes
Production companyLion Television
Original release
NetworkFox
ReleaseMarch 12(2004-03-12)–
March 26, 2004(2004-03-26)

Playing It Straightis an Americanreality televisionseries broadcast by theFox Broadcasting Company(Fox). The series premiered on March 12, 2004, although it was prematurely cancelled by the network following the broadcast of its third episode on March 26, 2004. Set at the Sizzling Saddle Ranch inElko, Nevada,the series depicted fourteen men who attempted to pursue a romantic relationship with college student Jackie Thomas. However, this group of suitors was split between men who identified as straight and gay. Through a series of group activities and one-on-on dates, Thomas was required to eliminate men from the competition whoshe believed identified as gay.If the final suitor was a straight man, he and Thomas split a reward of $1 million. Conversely, if the final suitor was a gay man, he alone won the reward. The series was hosted by American television presenter Daphne Brogdon.

Playing It Straightwas a part of Fox's intent to capitalize on a rising interest inLGBT-themed reality television shows. The series' format was inspired byThe Bachelor,with the addition of an LGBT-related twist.Playing It Straightwas met with criticism from many television critics, who claimed that it reinforcedstereotypesand promoted a negativeportrayal of gay men.The series premiered to modest ratings, which declined with the broadcast of subsequent episodes. Following its mid-season cancellation, Fox released the full series on their website on apay-per-viewbasis. The cancellation ofPlaying It Straightcaused some network executives to reevaluate their own LGBT-related television shows. The series spawned adaptations in Australia, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom.

Format

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Refer to caption.
Bachelorette Jackie Thomas (center) surrounded by her straight and gay suitors

Set inElko, Nevada,at the Sizzling Saddle Ranch, the series followed Jackie Thomas, a 21-year-old college student fromWisconsin,as she was pursued by a group of fourteen men.[1]Upon arrival to the ranch, Thomas learned that the group was composed of both straight and gay men; all of the gay men attempted topassas straight throughout the course of the competition.[2]Thomas was required to discern which of the men identified as gay; she made her determinations based on observations from a series of individual and group dates.[3]These dates included activities such asshopping tripsandswimsuit competitions.At the end of each week, Jackie was required to eliminate two men from the competition who she believed to be gay. Following their elimination, each man had the opportunity to disclose their sexual orientation and explain their reason for participating in the series. If Thomas ultimately selected a straight man at the end of the competition, then the two split a reward of $1,000,000. Conversely, if Thomas selected a gay man at the end of the competition, then he alone won the reward. The series was hosted by American television presenter Daphne Brogdon.[4]

Production

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Concept and development

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In February 2003,Kim MacQuarrieand Ciara Byrne were asked by Lion Television to come up with five proposals for a reality television series for theFox Broadcasting Company(Fox). MacQuarrie and Byrne had five days to submit their proposals, with the pair "rack[ing] our brains for reality series ideas that might be fun, rather than the dramatic series that were currently on television." After ten days of deliberation, Fox selected the pair's fourth proposal, a dating series that revolved around one woman and fourteen men, some of whom were gay.

Production forPlaying It Straightbegan in mid-2003 under theworking titleWho Will She Choose?[5]The series took approximately ten months to design, cast, film, and produce. All crew, staff, and contestants were required to signnon-disclosure agreementsin the amount of $5 million.

Varietyinitially reported that the series was a potential cover for a new season of the reality dating showJoe Millionaire.[6]

In 2005, nearly one year later after the show was recorded, Fox issued a press release stating that Jackie and Banks were still together. After the show, Jackie and Banks dated for about two years. For the first eight months, they had to keep their relationship quiet until the show aired. Banks went so far as to tell friends that he had to leave the show because he broke his arm, rather than reveal he won.

Filming

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Playing It Straightwas filmed at Red's Ranch inElko, Nevada;however, it was renamed Sizzling Saddles Ranch for the series. According to MacQuarrie, he intentionally chose to film the series at Red's Ranch. He stated: "It was filmed on Red's Ranch... because I grew up in Nevada, but also so that we could have fun taking 14 greenhorns—gay and straight—to a place where they would all be 'fish out of water.'"

Contestants

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Name Occupation Sexual orientation Episodes
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Banks Software Consultant Straight SAFE SAFE SAFE SAFE SAFE SAFE WINNER
Sharif Musician Straight SAFE SAFE SAFE SAFE SAFE SAFE RUNNER-UP
Chris Retired Entrepreneur Gay SAFE SAFE SAFE SAFE SAFE SAFE RUNNER-UP
Bill Event Promoter Gay SAFE SAFE SAFE SAFE SAFE OUT
Luciano Personal Trainer Gay SAFE SAFE SAFE SAFE OUT
Bradley Bartender Gay SAFE SAFE SAFE SAFE OUT
Lee Financial Consultant Gay SAFE SAFE SAFE OUT
John Bartender Gay SAFE SAFE SAFE OUT
Chad Corporate Communications Gay SAFE SAFE OUT
Eddie School Teacher Gay SAFE SAFE QUIT
Ryan Waiter Straight SAFE OUT
Alex Law Student Gay SAFE OUT
Louis Brokerage Firm Manager Straight OUT
Gust Real Estate Agent Straight OUT
The contestant was safe from elimination.
The contestant was eliminated from the competition.
The contestant quit the competition.
The contestant was not up for elimination.

Episodes

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No.TitleOriginal air dateUS viewers
(millions)
1"Episode 1"March 12, 2004(2004-03-12)5.3[7]
Jackie arrives at the Sizzling Saddle Ranch and meets her 14 suitors.
2"Episode 2"March 18, 2004(2004-03-18)3.8[8]
Jackie and her suitors gosquare dancing.
3"Episode 3"March 26, 2004(2004-03-26)3.1
Jackie and her suitors go on an overnight camping trip. Tensions begin to rise among several of the men.
4"Episode 4"UnairedN/A
Jackie and her suitors go on a trip toLas Vegas.
5"Episode 5"UnairedN/A
The suitors partake in an arm-wrestling competition, resulting in an injury.
6"Episode 6"UnairedN/A
As tensions continue to rise, several suitors attempt toouttheir competition.
7"Episode 7"UnairedN/A
Jackie goes on separate dates with the remaining suitors in an effort to determine who is gay.
8"Episode 8"UnairedN/A
With three suitors remaining, Jackie makes her final decision.

Reception

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Television viewership and ratings

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Playing It Straightpremiered to modest ratings, in which it received 5.3 million viewers. It was the highest-rated program of the night among several demographics, including adults 18–34, persons 12–34, teens and men 18–34.[9]The series averaged 3.9 million viewers and a 1.7 rating/6 share among adults 18-49 over the course of its three-week run.[10]

Critical response

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Playing It Straightreceived generally unfavorable reviews from television critics. Dana Stevens ofSlatecriticized the series for portraying gay men as "romantic pariahs." She further commented: "[N]ot only isPlaying It Straightideologically offensive, it’s also colossally boring. "[11]

Cancellation

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On March 29, 2004, following the broadcast of its third episode,Playing It Straightwas removed from the Fox schedule due to lackluster ratings.[12]The series was replaced on the network's schedule withrerunsofTotally Outrageous BehaviorandWorld's Craziest Videos.[12]Fox claimed that it intended to air the series' five remaining episodes at some point during the summer season.[13]However, on May 21, 2004, Fox's entertainment presidentGail Bermanannounced that the series was cancelled; she claimed that the network would provide "any viewer that needs the information with the information of the conclusion."[14]Two months later, Fox posted synopses of the unaired episodes on its website, in which it was revealed that the final suitor selected by Jackie was a straight man and thus they both split the $1 million reward.[15]

On January 17, 2005, Fox published the entire series on their website, in which users could download the individual episodes on apay-per-viewbasis.[16]Despite the network's claimed reason, Jackie disputed the reason for the series' cancellation. She stated: "I can’t say it was cancelled due to ratings. It aired on Fridays, and no shows have been successful on Fridays... [Fox] blamed it on the ratings, but I think it may have been something deeper."[17]

The mid-season cancellation ofPlaying It Straighthad an impact on other LGBT-related programming.Seriously, Dude, I'm Gay,another Fox produced LGBT-related reality television special, was set to air on June 7, 2004, although it was abruptly removed from the Fox schedule only eleven days before its airdate.[18]An "insider" at Fox claimed that the underperformance ofPlaying It Straightwas a significant factor in the special's cancellation, as it caused the network to "believe the gay reality phenomenon was on the wane."[18]The producers of theTBSseriesHe's a LadyviewedPlaying It Straight—in addition toBoy Meets BoyandSeriously, Dude, I'm Gay—as an example of the "potential pitfalls" to avoid when producing an LGBT-themed show.[19]The underperformance and cancellations of these series resulted in executive producers Douglas Ross and Tommy Campbell consultingGLAADfor review ofHe's a Lady.[19]

Adaptations

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Adaptations of the series premiered in Australia, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands. In the Netherlands, an adaptation titledHerken de Homo(Dutch; the English title isRecognize the Gay) premiered on January 4, 2005, onRTL 5.The series, which was hosted by Dutch television presenter Fiona Hering, was broadcast for a single season. Filmed in Mexico, the series followed Nathalie Biermanns, a 23-year-old actor, as she competed for a €50,000 (US$55,229). She had to choose between 14 men. At the end, only Marcel remained who turned out to be straight. Both Biermanns and Marcel won €50,000 (US$55,229) each.

AnAustralianversion of the show aired on theSeven Networkstarting October 2004 hosted byNatalie Garonzi.Despite much of the hype surrounding it the shows ratings dwindled and it was moved to a later timeslot. After Rebecca eliminated Campbell (who was gay) Chad, Dane and Evan were left for one non-elimination round before appearing in the final episode. Rebecca chose Chad and he was revealed to be straight.

TheAustralianshow has also aired in the US onFOX Reality.

The series was adapted for the United Kingdom, in which it aired for two seasons. The first season premiered on April 8, 2005, as part of the network'sTwisted Dating Season.The series was set on aMexicanranch andZoe Hardmanis spending time with 12 men. Ten men started the show and two more, Lee and Marco, were added in week 3 - it was revealed when they arrived that one was gay and one was straight. The prize money was £100,000 and the show was hosted byJune Sarpong.The series has been repeated on Channel 4's sister channel,4Music.

Early reporting revealed Ben Harris to beMr Gay UKand also said: "Ben Harris, a builder, looks to be one of the favourites to win the show after the first episode in which he played to the builder stereotype."[20]

In October 2011, it was announced that Channel 4 had ordered a full second series. This time the location was set in Spain and the new series was hosted by T4 presenter,Jameela Jamiland comedianAlan Carrprovided the narration. The prize fund was decreased 50% to £50,000 (£25,000 each).[21][22]The second series made its debut on 9 January 2012 at 9pm onE4.[23]The series was set at aSpanishhacienda- Hacienda de los Hombres. The series was also aired on Channel 4's teen-strand,T4on Saturdays.

References

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  1. ^Abernethy, Michael (March 22, 2004)."Playing It Straight".PopMatters.Archivedfrom the original on April 11, 2022.RetrievedJune 25,2022.
  2. ^Wagner, Curt; Rodriguez, Victoria (July 28, 2004)."Fox outs 'Playing it Straight' results".Chicago Tribune.RetrievedJune 25,2022.
  3. ^Charlesworth 2015,p. 55.
  4. ^Sullivan, Brian Ford (February 2, 2004)."FOX Schedules Two More Reality Series".The Futon Critic.RetrievedJune 25,2022.
  5. ^"New dating show on Fox to feature gay twist".The Advocate.August 21, 2003.Archivedfrom the original on June 25, 2022.RetrievedJune 25,2022.
  6. ^Adalian, Josef (August 19, 2003)."Fox date shooting straight?".Variety.RetrievedJune 25,2022.
  7. ^Kissell, Rick (March 14, 2004)."Critics 'Wonder,' auds don't".Variety.Archivedfrom the original on December 20, 2022.RetrievedFebruary 20,2024.
  8. ^Kissell, Rick (March 21, 2004)."CBS courts big ratings with hoops tourney".Variety.Archivedfrom the original on February 20, 2024.RetrievedFebruary 20,2024.
  9. ^Kissell, Rick (March 14, 2004)."Critics 'Wonder,' auds don't".Variety.Archivedfrom the original on September 25, 2015.RetrievedDecember 20,2022.
  10. ^Adalian, Josef (March 29, 2004)."'Straight' down the drain ".Variety.Archivedfrom the original on February 4, 2023.RetrievedAugust 6,2023.
  11. ^Stevens, Dana (March 24, 2004)."The Bachelors".Slate.Archivedfrom the original on December 20, 2022.RetrievedDecember 20,2022.
  12. ^abAdalian, Josef (March 29, 2004)."'Straight' down the drain ".Variety.Archivedfrom the original on December 16, 2022.RetrievedDecember 16,2022.
  13. ^Dehnart, Andy(March 31, 2004)."FOX pulls Playing it Straight".Reality Blurred.Archivedfrom the original on April 7, 2022.RetrievedDecember 16,2022.
  14. ^Dehnart, Andy(July 28, 2004)."Fox releases details of 'Playing It Straight's unaired conclusion".Reality Blurred.Archivedfrom the original on June 3, 2007.RetrievedDecember 16,2022.
  15. ^"Fox outs 'Playing it Straight' results".Chicago Tribune.July 28, 2004.Archivedfrom the original on June 25, 2022.RetrievedDecember 16,2022.
  16. ^Fritz, Ben; Adalian, Josef (January 13, 2005)."Fox puts busts online".Variety.Archivedfrom the original on December 16, 2022.RetrievedDecember 16,2022.
  17. ^"Homecoming queen wins reality show".The Spectator.September 19, 2004.Archivedfrom the original on December 20, 2022.RetrievedDecember 20,2022.
  18. ^abGoodridge, Mike (12 October 2004)."Seriously, dude, it was a joke".The Advocate.Vol. 924. Here Publishing (published October 12, 2004). p. 87.ISSN0001-8996.RetrievedJune 25,2022.
  19. ^abGoodridge, Mike (October 26, 2004)."Dude looks like a lady".The Advocate.Vol. 925. Here Publishing. p. 60.ISSN0001-8996.RetrievedJune 25,2022.
  20. ^"theVoiceofReason.co.uk, Ben Harris Was Mr Gay UK 1998".Archived fromthe originalon 2005-12-16.Retrieved2010-08-07.
  21. ^"'Playing It Straight' to return to E4 - TV News ".Digital Spy. 2011-10-06.Retrieved2014-01-11.
  22. ^"E4 brings back 'Playing It Straight' - Channel 4 - Info - Press".Channel 4. 2011-10-06.Retrieved2014-01-11.
  23. ^"Playing It Straight - Playing It Straight".Channel 4.Retrieved2014-01-11.

Sources

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