The Big Gay Sketch Show

"The Big Gay Sketch Show" is an LGBT-themed sketch comedy program that debuted on Logo on April 24, 2007. The series is produced by Rosie O'Donnell and directed by Amanda Bearse. The program was originally titled "The Big Gay Show" but was renamed during production. As the name indicates, the show features comedy sketches with gay themes or a gay twist. Sketch topics include parodies of old sitcoms like "The Honeymooners" and "The Facts of Life" under the Nick at Nite-parodying heading "Logo at Nite," a lesbian speed dating session and an extended send-up of Broadway legend Elaine Stritch working as a Wal-Mart greeter, among other decidedly un-glamorous jobs.

Logo has produced a second season of the series. [cite web
last =Juergens
first =Brian
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coauthors =
title =Gay television news: Logo picks up Lance and Gant, renews Sketch
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url =http://www.afterelton.com/blog/brianjuergens/gay-television-news-logo-picks-up-lance-and-gant
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accessdate = ] Season two's guest appearances from celebrities include O'Donnell, Elaine Stritch and Kate Clinton. Season 2 premiered on February 5, 2008. [cite podcast
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title =Gay Pimpin' with Jonny McGovern
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Cast

* Erica Ash (Season 1 - )
* Dion Flynn (Season 1)
* Julie Goldman (Season 1 - )
* Stephen Guarino (Season 1 - )
* Jonny McGovern (Season 1 - )
* Kate McKinnon (Season 1 - )
* Nicol Paone (Season 1 - )
* Michael Serrato (Season 1)
* Paolo Andino (Season 2)
* Colman Domingo (Season 2)

Recurring characters and sketches

Recurring original BGSS characters include:
* a man who turns into "Gay Werewolf" (McGovern), the hirsute variety of a gay stereotype
* ex-KGB secret agent and chorus dancer Svetlana (Guarino), a hormonally-challenged woman who practices her Soviet brand of martial arts
* a transgender boy Fitzwilliam (McKinnon) and his father (McGovern)
* a morbidly obese Steven, also known as "Waffles" (McGovern) - this character originated on McGovern's podcast, "Gay Pimpin' with Jonny McGovern
* a frustratingly flamboyant gay male receptionist (Guarino) who gives customers / patients a difficult time
* LaTanya, an uncouth, loudmouth fitness instructor (Ash) who teaches fitness classes with a "Chicago Style" twist (i.e. Chicago style yoga, Chicago style pilates)
* Naldo, a latin worker (Andino) who unknowingly moves packages using hip thrusts and sexual comments.
* Grandma Bell, an old lesbian (Ash) who mixes talks on the fight for civil rights with her past sexual exploits.

Beginning with the second season, Rosie O’Donnell and Chastity Bono appear in comedic bumper skits sitting in a theater balcony a la the old-men hecklers Statler and Waldorf from "The Muppet Show".

Critical reception

* Variety: " [G] ay or straight, the audience has too many options to rely on mediocrity, which is why this exercise would seem a whole lot bigger and gayer if it was just a bit funnier." [cite web
last =Lowry
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title =Review
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publisher =Variety
date =2007-04-16
url =http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117933363.html?categoryid=32&cs=1
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* AfterEllen.com (owned by Logo): "BGSS" faces inevitable comparisons to mainstream sketch shows like NBC's long-running "Saturday Night Live" and Fox's "Mad TV" and "In Living Color". The success of SNL has hinged on the ability of its most talented cast members to develop memorable recurring characters. Similarly, the strength of both Mad TV and In Living Color is in the willingness of each to "go there" with the sort of sociopolitical humor that the modern incarnation of SNL (save for its brief and brilliant Tina Fey era) usually avoids.
"With its cast of mostly queer performers and its residence on a gay network," BGSS" has a unique opportunity to do both of those things well. If the first two episodes are any indication, it looks promising." [cite web
last =Kregloe
first =Karman
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title =Review
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publisher =AfterEllen.com
date =2007-04-24
url =http://www.afterellen.com/TV/2007/4/bgss | format =
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* The Soup: Host Joel McHale commented unfavorably during the April 24, 2007 episode about BGSG's opening sketch, "Pocket Gay Friend," citing its similarity to The Soup's "Little Gay" recurring character that had debuted a year earlier and jokingly threatening a lawsuit.

* AfterElton.com (owned by Logo): "I was pleasantly surprised to find that The Big Gay Sketch Show demonstrates definite promise....this is pretty standard sketch comedy, save a few more gay characters peppered in and some humor based around gay relationships. And to be honest, the skits that had little to do with gayness were often much funnier than the ones that lampooned gay life....if Big Gay focuses on developing great characters and skits that don't get bogged down in the concept, the show could become a solid hit." [cite web
last =Juergens
first =Brian
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title =Review
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publisher =AfterElton.com
date =2007-04-24
url =http://www.afterelton.com/TV/2007/4/bgss
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References

External links

* [http://www.logoonline.com/shows/dyn/big_gay_sketch_show/series.jhtml Official site]
* [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0498323/ IMDB listing]
* [http://lighthousenews.us/03/TELEVISION/TELEVISION_041806_1.html Logo picks up O'Donnell's "Big Gay Show"]
* [http://www.tv.com/the-big-gay-sketch-show/show/73658/summary.html?q=&tag=search_results BGSS at tv.com]