And a partridge in a pear tree

 

By now you may know I don't have cable tv but I could be very persuasive when it comes to other people's TIVO. So I managed to have two more of those LGBTQ cable movies people were talking about recorded for me. We have already talked about The Christmas House here and now we're going to talk about two (I know, it's a gay bonanza!) other basic cable Xmas movies that have hit middle America. Who knew 2020 could have a silver lining besides kicking Hair Furor to the curb? 

First, I watched Dashing in December, a Paramount Network production. Yeah, I didn't know there was a Paramount Network, either. I was as surprised about this one as you are. But they managed to snatch Juan Pablo Di Pace (who is gay in real life) to play Heath, the ranch hand who shows Peter Porte's Wyatt that falling in love again with the place we are from is not too bad. I have to say I have never heard of Di Pace or Porte, but I imagine that played well with me because I didn't bring any biases to the viewing. The movie is your usual xmas fare with lots of snow and men in winter-themed square cuts prancing around their house. Porte is a little too stiff for me (not that I'd complain, mind you) but Di Pace is absolutely adorable as the idealistic Heath. Oh, and the mother is played by Andie McDowell (goddess, it's been awhile since Sex, Lies and Videotapes!) so you know it's gonna be cute and have a happy ending. Formulaic? Of course. It's a holiday movie, people! But it's so, so sweet to watch on the screen gay characters who do not deal with internalized homophobia, or coming out or with bigoted people. Just plain old falling in love. 

Oh, and the second movie I got to watch (it was a VERY, very gay weekend!) was The Christmas Setup. This one was on Lifetime (television for women!) and I actually was very pleasantly surprised with the story of Hugo and Patrick. Yes, it's the big city boy coming back to his hometown and finding love with a high school acquaintance with the help of his mom during the holidays. How's that for a millenial love story? The whole thing takes place in Milwaukee (it made me wanna take a trip north!) and there's the subplot of another queer love story that you'll find quite adorable. I know I did, and I wish they would have explored it a little bit more.

Also, Ben Lewis and Blake Lee, who play Hugo and Patrick in the movie have been married for ten years and it's absolutely cute watching them play boys falling in love. Also, their romance is actually believable (Would I dare say that this movie was better written than Dashing in December?) and even the difficulties they overcome are relatable (the kiss they share is the most 'real' kiss I've seen in a made-for-cable-christmas-movie ever, BTW.). And Fran Drescher is the mom! How cool is that? Oh, while you're at it, take a gander at the actor who plays the straight brother. Yep. They've got you covered.

So all in all, I'm happy with the breakthrough of having LGBTQ offerings on basic cable this time during the holidays. Is it enough? Hell no. But it's a good start. 

Happy viewing!

XOXO

P.S. if you have already watched them, make sure you tell your friends to watch them too! And your mom. And your cousin in Arkansas. Because representation matters, hunty. Also, all those networks care about is eyes on their products. So let's give them that,  and hopefully next year we will get even more LGBTQ movies on basic cable. Well, that and One Million Moms will have conniption and croak.