09/28/2009
Gay Brothers Will Use Rancid Breath, Anything to Win Amazing Race
Sam McMillen, one of the The Amazing Race's team of gay brothers, talks about growing up in a conservative Christian home and attending a Southern Baptist Church, and how difficult that made it for both of them. The McMillens say that their faith is very important to them and will provide their foundation. However, it won't stop them from confusing other contestants and giving them bad directions in order to win.
Says Sam: "My theory is that God does not watch The Amazing Race so we will do anything."
The most candid, and perhaps most insightful glimpse into their relationship comes about 30 seconds into this interview when Dan interrupts Sam to interject, "First of all, your breath reeks."
And who wouldn't want a brother or best friend to tell him that?
Watch, AFTER THE JUMP...
Posted 12:22 PM EST by Andy Towle in Dan and Sam McMillen, News, Reality TV | Permalink
Like it?
Subscribe to FREE Towleroad daily headlines with our RSS feed!
RECENT STORIES:
Comments
You can follow this conversation by subscribing to the comment feed for this post.
they were cute up until they started talking about being "blessed." actually they were cute until they, well, started talking. period.
Posted by: michael | Sep 28, 2009 12:33:59 PM
These boys illustrate my issue with most Christians: excusing un-Christ-like behavior since "God won't be watching."
The point of living a life with grace, is doing the right thing even though no one is watching.
Posted by: Dave Churchill | Sep 28, 2009 12:41:18 PM
Dave Churchill's comment ^^ hits the nail on the head.
Posted by: Robert | Sep 28, 2009 12:50:59 PM
Dave Churchill, you hit the nail on the head.
Many of the most graceful people I know are atheists/agnostics. We don't do good deeds because a sky-god is watching. We do them because it feels good.
Posted by: Hank | Sep 28, 2009 12:58:52 PM
it was a tongue-in-cheek comment about the being on a reality show, for crying out loud. I applaud them. I'm glad they're not afraid to be who they are as themselves. You folks need to lose the 'tude.
Posted by: DR | Sep 28, 2009 12:59:48 PM
Growing up gay in the south - especially in a Southern Baptist family - requires a level of duplicity that, unfortunately, some guys seem unable or unwilling to give-up once they're out. The rest is just typical Christian hypocricy: Either God isn't watching or you can just beg (and receive) forgiveness for it later...
Posted by: Kipp | Sep 28, 2009 1:01:08 PM
Just a small FYI...you have the brothers mixed up in the article. Sam is the one talking about growing up gay in a conservative christian home, and Dan is the one who tells Sam his breath reeks....haha
Posted by: Sean | Sep 28, 2009 1:13:29 PM
I think this is a great opportunity for America to see a side of gay people that they normally don't see. Even though I am not religious, gay people can be and ARE. They can also be conniving and ruthless. Good, Evil, skinny, fat, educated, uneducated, tall, or short. We are just like everyone else - so portraying that is an important step in being treated like everyone else.
Posted by: Jim in MN | Sep 28, 2009 1:28:32 PM
Went to college at TCU with Sam, and he is a sweetheart! He was very involved and very popular.
Posted by: Collin | Sep 28, 2009 1:41:14 PM
They were definitely amongst the handful of least-offensive teams last night, so that's a good start.
However, I rolled my eyes when they said: 'We're not going to reveal to the other teams that we're gay.' WTF?
1) Why not? It's 2009, and this show isn't a popularity/vote off contest.
2) The other teams already know, guys. Come one.
Posted by: another matt | Sep 28, 2009 1:47:37 PM
come on*
Posted by: another matt | Sep 28, 2009 1:49:03 PM
Have we lost our sense of humor? I take the comment of God not watching the race, as a funny line, not as a theological excuse for their actions.
Posted by: Reggie | Sep 28, 2009 1:56:06 PM
The "God is not watching" is in reference to all the contestants who always ask God for help on the Race.
"God wanted me to cross the mat first."
"God wants me win a million $$."
I don't think their God comment had anything to do with religion, more like, "God has more important things to deal with than anyone winning a race."
This Race, so far, only has a couple of 'I can't wait to get rid of them' teams. One didn't even leave LA. MOst of the teams seem ok... for now! Phil... he's ALWAYS a treat!
Posted by: JimmyD | Sep 28, 2009 1:59:14 PM
I think the guys are just showing they have a sense of humor (Evidently some people posting here don't).
And btw, I think it's very cool to have a real-life example of some fun, Xian, gay guys on TV - If only there were more, then all those kids who are struggling with putting the pieces of their sexuality and faith together might find some answers sooner. I hope the guys rock the Race!
Posted by: Schlatty | Sep 28, 2009 2:21:45 PM
They are hot, you go and win that cash and buy me a drink :D
Posted by: Carlos Diaz | Sep 28, 2009 2:40:53 PM
Sam and Dan did great last night. I was so turned on when Dan devoured the wasabi bomb the fastest.
Last season of The Amazing Race had a gay father who is a Christian pastor and his gay son.
Posted by: Bill | Sep 28, 2009 2:56:35 PM
Bill: OMG! The wasabi thing was kind of intense. We were joking that he'd just open up his throat and down it. That wasn't too far from the truth. I hate food challenges. At least they didn't have to eat 20 lbs of sushi.
Then there was the one guy who had to eat it twice. He nibbled at it like a rabbit. Those straight guys...
Posted by: JimmyD | Sep 28, 2009 3:15:26 PM
Churchill has is a humorless gay Stalinist. (Note to Churchill: That's a joke, I don't really think you are exactly a Stalinist.)
Posted by: Puddy Katz | Sep 28, 2009 3:22:39 PM
Matt: The reason they did not reveal their homosexuality was a strategic one, on CBS' main website they have an interview where they discuss using it to their advantage (ie coming on to the girls and/or making the husbands jealous).
Posted by: Jim in MN | Sep 28, 2009 3:41:36 PM
Team Wincest!
Posted by: Strepsi | Sep 28, 2009 7:21:53 PM
The LGB P.C. police (rabid atheist/agnostic division)on these boards never miss a beat whenever people of faith are featured. Bravo, @Schlatty for setting forth a different and thoughtful POV. I'll be cheering all those Lesbian/Bi mainline church ministers supporting or attending next month's rally. Lumping all theists with the tin-foil hat fundie crazies is demagogic nonsense, so please stop it.
Posted by: Contrarian | Sep 28, 2009 9:12:53 PM
Wow, no wonder everyone thinks all gays are drama queens. Grow a sense of humor, will ya.
Posted by: loki7329 | Sep 28, 2009 10:55:02 PM
Yeah, I took it as a joke about all the people who thank god for helping them through the race or who pray to god to get them through the competition as if he actually cares if people selfishly win a million dollars for doing nothing of any worth.
Posted by: Glenn | Sep 29, 2009 1:38:27 AM
The topic of religion has been heavily poisoned for me, so I can't help but look for a way out of the room when anyone starts talking about their faith, etc. That's really more of a personal failing, but that discomfort just isn't going to go away.
With that said, I think these boys are well-poised to do some good. Some nice lookin', funny, baptist gay guys just might get some fundamentalist to think twice in a way that at more 'traditional' lefty secular gay couple might not. We'll see.
Posted by: Yeek | Sep 29, 2009 9:54:34 AM
Of course "god" doesn't watch the show. There is no god. There is only noise.
Posted by: libhomo | Sep 29, 2009 9:37:20 PM