Queer as Folk (1999-2000)

Another one of those shows you didn't realize the American networks had ripped off; the fantastic British boob tube drama Queer as Folk kicked off 1999, a full year before the American remake of the same name. The show followed the lives of three gay man living in Manchester as they hooked up, dealt with homophobes, and tried to convince their families it was okay to be gay. There’s the wealthy, hyper-sexual advertising executive Stuart (Aidan Gillen) who is known for his ability to get people to do whatever he wants; his luckless in love best bud Vince (Craig Kelly) who just might be failing with other men because he's actually into Stu; and teenager Nathan (Charlie Hunnam), a dude that’s new to the whole gay scene. When Stuart and Vince are hitting the streets and having fun, Nathan appears out of nowhere and changes their life with his wild and crazy ways. Throw in the old grandpa gay who lives to hear their stories, Bernard (Andy Devine) and the lesbian trying to get knocked up using Stu's goo (Esther Hall) and these folks were constantly up to something interesting. Unlike its American counterpart, this version had a brief life on the boob tube, only lasting ten episodes that spanned two seasons. But even though it was brief, it was absolutely star and skin-studded. Looking for big names? How about Little Finger himself, Aidan Gillen showing his not so little cock a bunch of times, including while in bed future Sons of Anarchy star Charlie Hunnam. More like buns of anarchy, young Charlie's ass was a work of art! We managed to get some full-frontal action from Steve Ramsden, along with some butt-baring from Jim Shepley. There's even an insane threesome scene with Aidan, Richard Slack, and Michael Norris! These skin-baring guys make repeat watching of this show necessary and erotic! For Brits who were into balls, not tits, nothing was better than catching the new episode of Queer as Folk!