01/27/2006
Brokeback on Oprah
I thought it was a fairly bland get-together, but I do think it'll be good for the movie. I've always felt that the topic of homosexuality has always made Oprah a bit uncomfortable, and this show certainly didn't change my feelings about that. For those who didn't see the episode, in the screencap above, Jake Gyllenhaal is joking how he uses his hand to practice his kiss scenes the night before he has to shoot.
For those who haven't seen it, Malcontent has the clip.
I'm sure some of you have comments, so go to it...
Posted 5:17 PM EST by Andy Towle in Film & TV | Permalink
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I saw the show. Somehow I knew this was going to be the screenshot used for this blog. I actually liked the interview, although akward, but still positive.
Posted by: Chuck | Jan 27, 2006 5:22:40 PM
Too bad Ang Lee was not there. And don't forget about "Jack Nasty"!
Posted by: Tim | Jan 27, 2006 5:28:19 PM
The question that Oprah asked, that I wished Heath Ledger had a better response to was when she talked about how it's conflicting for women to see gay men, marry and have children. Well, if everyone was allowed to be opened, for a guy to be able to hold another guy's hand down the street, then yeah, maybe they won't marry women, but is it really completely their fault, when society drives you to take refuge as a str8 man or woman, and live the str8 life.
Posted by: Greg | Jan 27, 2006 5:30:23 PM
I'm not sure how I feel about this interview. I was disappointed that her very first question was about whether they were afraid of being typecast if they took the role. Come on! How many gay cowboy movies are being made anyway?
Also, what was Oprah getting at with the comment about gay marriage and relationships being in conflict? I did, however , like Heath's response indicating his discomfort with people feeling the need to voice their negativity about who other people choose to love.
I agree Andy, Oprah is uncomfortable with the "gay" thing. She seems to want to convey that gay = down low and that ultimately women are the victims.
Anyway - on to the Oscars!
Posted by: HoyaBoy | Jan 27, 2006 5:36:56 PM
Agreed Greg. Perhaps Oprah didn't think about what the two of them would have been subjected to if they had lived openly the way they would have wanted. Maybe she stepped out to use the restroom when the tire iron flashback scene came on.
Posted by: Matt | Jan 27, 2006 5:36:57 PM
Oprah is going to be great for the movie. She is a marketing genius. What she did with the whole Frey incident - that was such a cunning and beautifully executed plan. This movie is already getting great press. She really didn’t need to do this show. Thank God her appetite for self promotion outweighs any possible homophobic tendencies. This appearance alone will help to further promote this mediocre movie and its mythical rise into the stratosphere of so called greatness.
Posted by: Matthew Schooler | Jan 27, 2006 5:48:53 PM
I had a few problems with the interview, but let's remember that Oprah is a terribly influential person with millions of women. This interview was basically her endorsement of the movie. She does have a big problem with gay men marrying women. When she viewed the movie, I don't know why she didn't pick up on the disasters that the closet leads to. It can destroy the lives of the person in the closet but also those around the person.
I've stated this before. I was married, and the only reason that lives weren't destroyed was that my ex-wife and I realized that we really loved each other. Of course, it was like the love between a brother and sister. However, we were able to successfully raise the children, and now my partner is becoming entwined in the family. I don't think Oprah realizes that sometimes these things can work themselves out for all concerned.
Posted by: Mike in the Tundra | Jan 27, 2006 5:51:49 PM
Probably the most amazing part of the Oprah interview was the genuinely enthusiastic response from the audience. Jake is certainly the most at ease about the role he played in Brokeback. I watched Jake again on Leno last night. He is so comfortable in his own skin that he is just a delight to watch. Both Jake and Heath are now propelled to Hollywood's "A" list, and deservedly so. It is so great to see two really nice guys reap accolades, awards and security in their lives and careers that were never imagined or expected.
Posted by: Johnny Lane | Jan 27, 2006 5:55:06 PM
Why didn't Jake stick around and do the Electric Slide??
I agree with Andy. Could have been better.
Posted by: Blair | Jan 27, 2006 6:01:08 PM
Good God, Jake is just dreamy....
This'll be good for the movie.
Posted by: Mitch | Jan 27, 2006 6:07:32 PM
Andy says: "I've always felt that the topic of homosexuality has always made Oprah a bit uncomfortable..."
the basis4insanity says: The topic of Oprah has always made this homosexual uncomfortable.
Posted by: basis4insanity | Jan 27, 2006 6:09:50 PM
R U Guys KIDDING??? You are SMARTER than this!
Oprah SEEMS uncomfortable because she's CONSTANTLY being accused of being gay. What's worse is that she's now accused of "being with" GAIL KING. Egads!
She wants to BE SUPPORTIVE without "seeming" gay. If anything, her best gay show was the CARSON KRESSLEY "when I KNEW" broadcast.
How conflicting is it for gays to get married? Come ON, You GUYS ARE SMARTER than this. Oprah ALREADY KNOWS the answer.
LOOK at the amount of married-gay-guy shows she's done--and REPEATED. Oprah already knows the answer. She's just APPEASING her MIDDLE-AMERICA audience. You guys KNOW this.
I personally liked the interview--there were some REFRESHing things not mentioned in other interviews, BUT you guys are SMARTER than about what's BEHIND this CONVO!
You are TOO SMART this convo.
Posted by: Gilli | Jan 27, 2006 6:13:02 PM
Is it any surprise that Oprah's not too supportive of gay men marrying straight women? I'm not a big supporter of that myself. Like Dan Savage said in his piece about Jim West, it's a different time now than it was in 1960.
That said, I think that Oprah's coverage of the movie was a great thing for overall exposure. Anything Oprah features on her show becomes an instant success. I wonder how the box office totals will be affected by her support?
And Jake is indeed dreamy. I loves me some Jake Gyllenhaal.
Posted by: Brian | Jan 27, 2006 6:14:14 PM
Matthew, Matthew. Didn't ja get the memo? The Critics Association from your Planet LA named BBM BEST movie of 2005 and Lee BEST director. I guess it was just a voting snafu, and they really meant to name it Most Mediocre. RECOUNT!
Not home yet to watch my tape of the O show, but I fully expect to have the comments here about her discomfort confirmed. She's a big, fat fake. Sure Nate's her very own special pocket fag, but every bigot allows some exceptions, particularly when they're so willing to play Good Queer, and not make the Massa uncomfortable. It's not like you see her donating any of her trillions to the Point Foundation for scholarships for gay kids kicked to the curb by their parents, or even just donating her time and image doing PSAs for GLSEN or PFLAG or .... And like Bush, she has to go all the way to Africa to find people with AIDS to care about. And she doesn't get a pass for her willful ignorance about the pressures, even today, to marry. That's what she has a huge staff for, to prep her with relevant information around a show topic that she's too busy buying $1200 purses by the gross to find herself. She latched onto the movie flavor of the moment to add gleam to her own halo. It's the cinematic equivalent of 600 thread count sheets, or the best praline pound cake. Girl gotta have it! It's not like she decided to promote it because it starred her Favorite Actor in the Whole World Tom Cruise. No wait, her favorite actor is John Travolta. No wait, it's...give me a minute....
Posted by: Leland | Jan 27, 2006 6:40:33 PM
Slightly OT, but here:
http://www.smh.com.au/news/film/no-tongues/2006/01/25/1138066862628.html
Posted by: Lady Heather | Jan 27, 2006 6:44:51 PM
First of all Oprah is not at all uncomfortable about the gay issue-that's absurd. The fact that she has not married Steadman or anyone yet is a bit weird, but she is the hardest working woman in showbiz and trying to save the World is a lot of work. Lets face it if Oprah ran for President she would be probably win,
I did have the pleasure of meeting her and hanging out at Harpo Studios 8 years ago when she first began her annual favorite things eposide- she dressed the entire audience in my clients pajamas which put us on the map and increased our business ten fold.. By the way she is as charming and sweet as she seems and this was before she was queen Oprah.
This is the third gay themed show in recent months, one with author Terry Mcmillian and her ex gay husband, and then a show about gay men coming out to their wives. Lets face it she does not have to talk about any of these issues and is doing a great service to the homosexual population about bringing these issues out. Shes opening up dialogue for the issue of acceptance and the way our society makes it difficut to come out , whether your a cowboy or joe schmoe.
Posted by: michael | Jan 27, 2006 6:48:55 PM
Leland,
You know by now that Matthew wasn't completely against the movie, that it just didn't rub him the same way it rubbed us.
How you cd be so completely against Oprah is mind-boggling. I admit that even Dr. Phil has had more interesting fodder lately, but has absolutely NOthing good ever come out of her show Leland?
Not even the child molesters who have bn publicized then captured because of her show? Was that a "big fat fake" too?
Surely, there are other people in the media more deserving than Oprah of so much poop.
Posted by: Gilli | Jan 27, 2006 6:55:04 PM
P.S.
Did anyone notice how much Jake and Heath seemed to mirror their roles in real life?
I mean, Heath is always so self-contained, careful and contemplative with his words, and Jake is always so "out there", so completely at ease in the situation.
The only time Heath eased up was around Michelle. Hmmmm....
Posted by: Gilli | Jan 27, 2006 7:00:53 PM
It's always tough to follow Leland, but here it goes.
Sorry, I don't worship at Temple Oprah. Best parts: Ledger somewhat proclaiming "Live and Let Live" and Gyllenhaal expressing his support to Ledger on Oscar night "should something happen, I'll be right there screaming Jack Nasty loves you." Otherwise it was a big ole mess. God, and her obsession with the kiss! Loved Jake's response: "What are you getting at?"
Posted by: Matthew | Jan 27, 2006 7:02:22 PM
You know, I am getting very bored of all the constant scrutinizing of ever little thing Heath or Jake says in relation to the movie. No, they may not give the the HRC-textbook-PC answer to every question, but these men are not here to please every gay in damn world. They are products of this society and I'm sure there's some underlying internalized homophobia in how they may approach certain questions, but not even the faggiest of fags can escape that! Just shut up and watch them be pretty.
Posted by: Kia | Jan 27, 2006 7:27:04 PM
I never said she has never done any good. "Even a broken clock is right twice a day." I fully acknowledge that she does lots of good. My problem is 1. General: she eats up the adoration and worship as The Great Oprah far, far too much. If she had any humility, an old-fashioned virtue I grant you, she would, for instance, veto the walk on of each show to the screaming fans [Leno does it too, including juvenile hand slaps, and I hate it in him, as well.] Did you ever hear of Mother Teresa or Nelson Mandela purposely setting up such adoration for themselves? Can you imagine them doing it five days a week, for 52 weeks a year? Then standing there under flattering lights, with a look on their face of "Yes, I am wonderful aren't I and you are SO smart to recognize it." I never liked much of Teresa's beliefs, but one story illustrates the difference in these two famous women. A dimwitted rich guy gave Teresa a Cadillac once, mistakenly believing she would be thrilled to be driven through the filth of Calcutta in such luxury. She sold it and used the money to feed the hungry, nurse the sick. Oprah, a classier version of Star I-Was-Poor-Once-But-I'm-Rich-Now Jones, has raised conspicuous consumption to stratospheric heights--preaching the gospel of Ya Gotta Have It And If You Don't Know About It I'm Here To Tell You, to make you feel like your life is inadequate without more things. And, oh yes, I'll be making my annual pilgrimage to Africa—did you see me tear up?—between my Valentino fittings in Rome and my shopping sprees in Paris [they WILL let me in this time!] 2. Specific. She has done SOME gay positive shows; but she has also done dumb, reactionary, sensationalistic, homophobia reinforcing shows, worthy of the National Enquirer, like the one about the Down Low—that have done far more damage than the positive ones have done good. She has effectively led audiences to believe that homosexuality and transsexuality are the same [although her show about trans children was remarkably sensitive and educational] and mocked effeminate males. And her oft repeated question, "Do gays STILL have problems?", even if rhetorical, is inexcusably dumb. With accepting the crown of Queen of the TV World comes responsibility. Climb down from your ivory tower, Rapunzel. There are STILL other oppressed minorities besides your own.
Posted by: Leland | Jan 27, 2006 7:32:22 PM
Pretty much was as I expected... and I agree with most of the comments here. The interview could have been an hour though. It could have started with a lot of fun and funny 'fluff' at the beginning (as this was), but then get to more serious/relevant topics in the second half hour. Most of this interview was just plain fun, and a positive promotion for the film. And there is nothing wrong with that -- but I wanted something more.
I liked Heath's comment -- too bad he didn't have more time. I think if that had been the case, he (and the cast) could have expounded on the reasons why gay men marry, and how and why the film gets that point across.
Is that too 'deep'a subject for an Oprah-audience of screaming women? Maybe. There was so much time spent on the mechanics and feelings about the kiss... Jake's answer was great -- like "enough about the kiss already! There's more to this movie".
But all in all, Oprah kept gushing about this 'wonderful film' so it can only help the longevity of it, and for that, it is a good thing.
Posted by: randy | Jan 27, 2006 7:37:36 PM
Leland
I knew that line would get to someone. I thought the movie was good. I obviously did not like it as much as some of you. It is a difference of opinion. I am very glad the movie is getting so much press. However if you asked me if I like the film I will tell you the truth.
Of all the things I read on this site the one thing that most people seem to be most vocal about is the intolerance of others towards us. Those who don’t let us live our lives or let us have a voice. With that said I have to tell you it has become more difficult to say to gay men ‘I don’t like this movie or ‘I find it merely mediocre’. Men look at you in horror. Some refuse to believe that this movie can be anything but great in every gay man’s eyes. The truth is – gay men don’t always have to conform. They can have a difference of opinion. They don’t have to follow the masses. I won’t say I loved the movie. I know many people in Los Angeles who feel the same way. I know many people in Los Angeles who loved the movie. It is a difference of opinion.
Can you at least accept that a gay man might not find the movie as fascinating
as you?
Posted by: Matthew Schooler | Jan 27, 2006 7:46:02 PM
I was a bit confused why it took 3 segments for Oprah to give her positive opinion of the movie. She's hosted the cast of pieces of shit movies all the time and raves about them before bringing them out. I was also confused by her discomfort, negative body language and agressive questioning of Heath and Jake at the top. Usually she's great at putting her celebrity guests at ease immediately.
That said, it's FANTASTIC promotion for the film because Oprah rules.
I did fall MORE deeply in love with Jake, he seems like he would be a blast to hang around. The "Jack Nasty" bit was a scream.
And...I missed Ang.
Posted by: RAY | Jan 27, 2006 7:46:36 PM
I have to say that the interview was good. I thin ksome of y'all are diggin' wayyy too deep in this than y'all really should. It was just good to see the cast members supportin' this great movie. Hope they win big at the Oscars. Btw, I don't think Oprah is uncomfortable with the "gay" topic. Sometimes we just overnanalyze things. 'Sides...if Andy never aaid, would some of y'all have agreed? Probably not...
Posted by: Lee | Jan 27, 2006 7:47:31 PM