YES! Jay Armstrong Johnson YES!

[MlleDaae]

Has anyone watched Boy•Friends yet? Just saw the trailer and I'm screaming YES for Jay!! Been a fan of his other projects (loved his Hocus Pocus performance at Feinstein's/54 Below). Excited to hear he's working with Roundabout again as well.

Keep in mind, this is a pilot. So, show some love and keep your fingers crossed it gets picked up! Would be great to see another network/cable credit on his IMDB, Quantico being the first.

Not many POTO alums break away into tv and film, so this is doubly exciting. Personally, I loved his overly foppish performance as Raoul. It's exactly as I imagined the character both in the novel and various fan fictions. And, his singing is always beautifully heart-melting. So win win.

Love LOVE that he's playing the straight friend. On a personal note, I really admire how outspokenly out and proud he is. I get the impression that after Phantom it was a chance to breathe again. Glad to see the old school "keep it on the down low with your fans" is finally getting the boot. As if an actor "being gay" ever stopped teen girls from obsessing and fantasizing... *lol*

ANYWHO ...I digress. Congrats to Jay!!!

[LizzieCurry]

For anyone who hadn't heard about this (like me):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WmeN6ydGWto

[CATSNYrevival]

I'm so behind the times. What is tentacle porn?

[uncageg]

Was going to give this a try. I tried to watch "My Gay Roommate" but couldn't get through the second episode. This looks like the follow-up. Just wondering if there is anything you need to know about the first series that is part of this one?

[ClydeBarrow]

MlleDaae said: "Not many POTO alums break away into tv and film, so this is doubly exciting. Personally, I loved his overly foppish performance as Raoul. It's exactly as I imagined the character both in the novel and various fan fictions. And, his singing is always beautifully heart-melting. So win win.

Love LOVE that he's playing the straight friend. On a personal note, I really admire how outspokenly out and proud he is. I get the impression that after Phantom it was a chance to breathe again. Glad to see the old school "keep it on the down low with your fans" is finally getting the boot. As if an actor "being gay" ever stopped teen girls from obsessing and fantasizing... *lol*"

Are you saying that you only know JAJ from being the 97th Raoul replacement? Honey, no.

[bjh2114]

Julia Murney looks like the highlight of this to be honest.

[itsjustmejonhotmailcom]

Am I the only one who thinks this is terrible? It looks like a cheesy independent gay movie from the 90's. I'd like to think we've moved on from that kind of sexual humor especially. The whole thing seems like its aiming for lowest common denominator comedy and like the film equivalent of a self-published book. It looks great and the people in it are fine, but I predict this is the first and last we'll hear of it. 

[CATSNYrevival]

itsjustmejonhotmailcom said: "It looks like a cheesy independent gay movie from the 90's."

I may be wrong, but I think that was more or less the goal.

[LizzieCurry]

Tentacle porn dates back to at least the '80s and originates in anime.

[itsjustmejonhotmailcom]

CATSNYrevival said: "itsjustmejonhotmailcom said: "It looks like a cheesy independent gay movie from the 90's."

I may be wrong, but I think that was more or less the goal."

Maybe I missed it, but it didn't seem like they were making a commentary of that or comedically paying homage to it. It seemed like they were just recreating a dated genre. 

[everythingtaboo]

Only thing I'll mention is before Phantom he did a couple of years on ABC's "Quantico" opposite Priyanka Chopra.

[CATSNYrevival]

He was great on Quantico.

[MlleDaae]

ClydeBarrow: ...Wow. You obviously skipped the first half of my post. Cool. Perhaps you should be the one to list every single one of his credits starting with Broadway for everyone on this thread. #girlplease

uncageg: I don't believe you have to watch the original web series. And yes, I agree with you. JAJ is a welcomed change.

In regards to the "production value" of the pilot, I believe it's both a slight nod to the original web series (.."authenticity" is in right now a la webcam/zoom/youtube look) and the fact that personal funding usually goes into making a pilot. Once a pick up is ordered, studios almost always reshoot the pilot as it servers as the first episode of the series.

[itsjustmejonhotmailcom]

MlleDaae said: "In regards to the "production value" of the pilot, I believe it's both a slight nod to the original web series (.."authenticity" is in right now a la webcam/zoom/youtube look) and the fact that personal funding usually goes into making a pilot. Once a pick up is ordered, studios almost always reshoot the pilot as it servers as the first episode of the series."

That is not at all how it works . Legit TV pilots aren't funded through Kickstarter. Usually the studio pays for it, sometimes the production company, but creators don't self fund it. This is never going to get picked up. This is on YouTube because they couldn't find someone to pick it up. They worked hard on it and I bet they had fun doing it, but this was a hobby or a resume-builder, not an actual attempt at getting a TV show picked up.

[MlleDaae]

itsjustmejonhotmailcom: Literally moved to another country for the next few months filming in a production bubble during a fcking pandemic because that's how my family eats ...and you're trying to tell me how the industry works? HA! How about you sit the fck down and stop claiming to know things you clearly do not.

I never mentioned Kickstarter. That's a crowdsourcing tool ...when people need funds other than their own and lack the resources or connections to fund further. As for "legit TV pilots" ...yea, you clearly have zero knowledge of this industry and its many facets. Not everyone writes a show and sells it straight to a network or studio. Creators self fund all the fcking time ( "Broad City", "High Maintenance", "Insecure", "Billy on the Street", "Repo The Genetic Opera", "Workaholics" ) before being picked up or shopped around.

Considering Boy•Friends already had their web series, this might very well be their spec pilot. And to that, I say hell yes and Godspeed!!

[itsjustmejonhotmailcom]

MlleDaae said: "itsjustmejonhotmailcom: Literally moved to another country for the next few months filming in a production bubble during a fcking pandemic because that's how my family eats ...and you're trying to tell me how the industry works? HA! How about you sit the fck down and stop claiming to know things you clearly do not.

I never mentioned Kickstarter. That's a crowdsourcing tool ...when people need funds other than their own and lack the resources or connections to fund further. As for "legit TV pilots" ...yea, you clearly have zero knowledge of this industry and its many facets. Not everyone writes a show and sells it straight to a network or studio. Creators self fund all the fcking time ( "Broad City", "High Maintenance", "Insecure", "Billy on the Street", "Repo The Genetic Opera", "Workaholics" ) before being picked up or shopped around.

Considering Boy•Friends already had their web series, this might very well be their spec pilot. And to that, I say hell yes and Godspeed!!"

I also have experience in the television industry. I may not know everything as you profess to, but I know a lot. Boy Friends was funded through Kickstarter, that's why I mentioned it. While I am sure you can find a couple of examples of projects that were funded through crowdsourcing that eventually got major distribution, that very very rarely happens.

The big difference with Broad City, High Maintenence, and Insecure is that those were digital series' meant to be distributed that way. They didn't shoot a pilot and put it up on Youtube hoping to get picked up. They made a good series that developed a following and got noticed and then got picked up. And that's the most important distinction, in my opinion, that those shows were *good*. I believe BOTS started on cable, but I could be wrong. I'm not familiar with the other two. So yes there are exceptions but in the many, many thousands of TV shows that have been made, this is not how it's done. I would be willing to bet real money that Boy Friends will not get major distribution.

Also? No need to get so upset! This is an internet message board where people share their opinions - many times wrong - oftentimes different than yours. 

[MlleDaae]

itsjustmejonhotmailcom said: "I also have experience in the television industry. I may not know everything as you profess to, but I know a lot. Boy Friends was funded through Kickstarter, that's why I mentioned it. While I am sure you can find a couple of examples of projects that were funded through crowdsourcing that eventually got major distribution, that very very rarely happens."

That time you were an extra in no way applies to this conversation. Nor does it give you any insight into anything you're attempting to know or explain which is painfully clear with every word you type.

As for Kickstarter, they ran a campaign 4 years ago "My Gay Roommate: Reloaded" that earned $68,000 in pledges specifically for the PILOT ONLY. Again... it seems you're having trouble understanding what it takes to professionally film a pilot in order to shop it around. They DID NOT run a Kickstarter for the full series and they are not looking for distribution as they have nothing to distribute yet. They're hoping for a full series pick up.

Also, tell me again how a pilot directed by Darren Stein with Johnathan Hall as cinematographer isn't "legit TV"?? 

"The big difference with Broad City, High Maintenence, andInsecure is that those were digital series' meant to be distributed that way. They didn't shoot a pilot and put it up on Youtube hoping to get picked up. Theymade a good series that developed a following and got noticed and then got picked up. And that's the most important distinction, in my opinion, that those showswere *good*. "

MY GAY ROOMMATE IS LITERALLY WHAT YOU JUST DESCRIBED. Omfg... The web series started in 2012 and quickly built a following. The creators took the same premise and rewrote it for a more modern time with new characters. They've been working on this project for the last 4+ years. Example:  AWKWARD BLACK GIRL is to INSECURE  as  MY GAY ROOMMATE is to BOY•FRIENDS.

"I believe BOTSstarted on cable, but I could be wrong. I'm not familiar with the other two. So yes there are exceptions but in the many, many thousands of TV shows that have been made, this is not how it's done. I would be willing to bet real money that Boy Friends will not get major distribution."

Okay, so not only are you talking out of your ass (your fixation with the word distribution is a huge tell), but you're also stuck 20 years in the past. Welcome to 2020, the age of Twitch, YouTube, and TikTok. If you had any idea about the insides of the industry, you'd know just how much those three things have changed the game. Ten years ago, it was YouTube. There are some great interviews with Issa Rae where she describes her experiences. Go find them.

Also? No need to get so upset! This is an internet message board where people share their opinions - many timeswrong - oftentimesdifferent than yours."

I have every reason to be upset. In this current climate of misinformation at every turn, seeing people like you pop on here arguing with others just to feel important claiming to know everything only to double down when someone calls you out is beyond tiresome. There are people on these boards that still care about learning - like we all did years ago. For someone like you to pick a fight on here without even researching is beyond irresponsible at this point. This had nothing to do with "opinions", only facts.

To everyone else: if you made it down this far ...go watch Richard Ridge's latest interview with the cast and creators of BOY•FRIENDS here!

 

[itsjustmejonhotmailcom]

MlleDaae said: "itsjustmejonhotmailcom said: "I also have experience in the television industry. I may not know everything as you profess to, but I know a lot. Boy Friends was funded through Kickstarter, that's why I mentioned it. While I am sure you can find a couple of examples of projects that were funded through crowdsourcing that eventually got major distribution, that very very rarely happens."

That time you were an extra in no way applies to this conversation. Nor does it give you any insight into anything you're attempting to know or explain which is painfully clear with every word you type.

As for Kickstarter, they ran a campaign 4 years ago "My Gay Roommate: Reloaded" that earned $68,000 in pledges specifically for the PILOT ONLY. Again... it seems you're having trouble understanding what it takes to professionally film a pilot in order to shop it around. They DID NOT run a Kickstarter for the full series and they are not looking for distribution as they have nothing to distribute yet. They're hoping for a full series pick up.

Also, tell me again how a pilot directed by Darren Stein with Johnathan Hall as cinematographer isn't "legit TV"??

"The big difference with Broad City, High Maintenence, andInsecure is that those were digital series' meant to be distributed that way. They didn't shoot a pilot and put it up on Youtube hoping to get picked up. Theymade a good series that developed a following and got noticed and then got picked up. And that's the most important distinction, in my opinion, that those showswere *good*. "

MY GAY ROOMMATE IS LITERALLY WHAT YOU JUST DESCRIBED. Omfg... The web series started in 2012 and quickly built a following. The creators took the same premise and rewrote it for a more modern time with new characters. They've been working on this project for the last 4+ years. Example: AWKWARD BLACK GIRL is to INSECURE as MY GAY ROOMMATE is to BOY•FRIENDS.

"I believe BOTSstarted on cable, but I could be wrong. I'm not familiar with the other two. So yes there are exceptions but in the many, many thousands of TV shows that have been made, this is not how it's done. I would be willing to bet real money that Boy Friends will not get major distribution."

Okay, so not only are you talking out of your ass (your fixation with the word distribution is a huge tell), but you're also stuck 20 years in the past. Welcome to 2020, the age of Twitch, YouTube, and TikTok. If you had any idea about the insides of the industry, you'd know just how much those three things have changed the game. Ten years ago, it was YouTube. There are some great interviews with Issa Rae where she describes her experiences. Go find them.

Also? No need to get so upset! This is an internet message board where people share their opinions - many timeswrong - oftentimesdifferent than yours."

I have every reason to be upset. In this current climate of misinformation at every turn, seeing people like you pop on here arguing with others just to feel important claiming to know everything only to double down when someone calls you out is beyond tiresome. There are people on these boards that still care about learning - like we all did years ago. For someone like you to pick a fight on here without even researching is beyond irresponsible at this point. This had nothing to do with "opinions", only facts.

To everyone else: if you made it down this far ...go watch Richard Ridge's latest interview with the cast and creators of BOY•FRIENDS here!

"

I didn't realize this was based on a previous series, that is not made clear at all on their Youtube page. I knew he did a series before didn't realize it was the same one under a different name. The comparison to Insecure makes more sense now (see what I did there? You presented some new info, I realized I was wrong about something, admitted it, and I didn't resort to name-calling.) I stand by my opinion that it is a terrible show, and I stand by my prediction that it will not go further than this pilot on Youtube. I also stand by it being unheard of for legitimate projects to fund their pilots on Kickstarter. You seem to be a fan of Jay's or perhaps friends with the creators. I'm truly happy that they created something and put it in the world. I'm happy that you like it a lot. I'll probably tune in to Jay's annual Hocus Pocus concert. But I'm going to stop arguing with you. Anyone else who wants to have a rational conversation I'm happy to chat with.

[CATSNYrevival]

nsguy45 said: "JAJ's sex tape that "leaked" on the Internet a couple of years ago was much more entertaining than that clip."

I was wondering how long it would take for someone to bring that up.

[MlleDaae]

itsjustmejonhotmailcom said: "You seem to be a fan of Jay's or perhaps friends with the creators."

I don't know any of the creators. As for Jay, I try to be a fan of most Phantom alum. This post was just my attempt at shinning a bit of light and positivity on an actor who has a new project out during this sh!tty, confusing time.

Thank you for your apology. Please, for future posts, take the time to research something before declaring another person is wrong or "doesn't know how something works".

I get that we're all bored and feeling sad about the state of Broadway (especially with the news that came out today) on top of everything else everyone is going through. Hopefully, in the coming months, we'll all figure something out together as a community. Looking forward to more videos and post of encouragement from the Broadway and theatre world.

 

[ClydeBarrow]

MlleDaae said: "itsjustmejonhotmailcom: Literally moved to another country for the next few months filming in a production bubble during a fcking pandemic because that's how my family eats"

Please stay in whatever country you're in.

[MlleDaae]

ClydeBarrow - Awe!! Another contemptuous, b!tchy comment from ClydeBarrow. I'd say I feel special, but looks like you do it to all the girls. ; )

[George in DC]

They are supposed to be college students? Isn't JAJ 33? He doesn't even remotely look college age anymore - well and neither does anyone else in that clip.

[LizzieCurry]

PSA that the block feature on here, while inelegant, can save a lot of time and wasted emotion.