Bob & Rose

I'm only a few episodes into 'Bob & Rose' as I write this, but the programme is already shaping up to be a far superior product to Russell Davies' last TV hit 'Queer As Folk'. Daring and provocative (and just damn-well needed) as that series was, it always smacked of 'preaching to the converted'.

'Bob & Rose' is a far more more mainstream affair than 'QAF', but in many ways is slowly proving to be more subversive. The characters in 'QAF' lived almost exclusively in the gay ghetto and thus the series sometimes seemed to avoid addressing the more common truth about those of us who attempt to live an open gay lifestyle whilst also operating in the 'real' world. By making 'Bob & Rose' a gay/straight affair, Davies has succeeded in telling a few home truths about the strained relations that exist within the supposed 'liberal' masses, who may be comfortable with gay lifestyles in the abstract, but who often react somewhat differently when faced with the less glamourised reality. The writer has, as a result, produced a far more profound and touching study of (shifting) sexuality than his - perhaps in retrospect - overrated last work.

Moreover, the language is frank and realistic throughout, avoiding the overbearing coyness that other gay/mainstream programming ultimately suffers from (I'm talking to you, 'Will & Grace'!)

One minor quibble, though, in relation to Alan Davies' character. I've been 'out' for almost 5 years now, and I have yet to have met any self-respecting gay man sporting a 'wet-look' shaggy perm. We're talking 'meek suburban white boy sporting early-eighties Rick James jeri-curls' here. Please sort your barnet out in time for series 2, sweetheart....

I have watched all but the last episode of this series and really look forward to finding out how the the story pans out. The characters are fully believable and likeable -warts and all. Alan Davies is developing into a credible actor and has shed the lisp (?) and the overgrown-boy-image.

Bob's mother (played by Penelope Wilton) is an absolute hoot and would drive any son to drink, gay or straight. A lovely, gentle series, funny but not shallow - it puts a smile on your face.

That rare combination in today's hypermedia, short attention spanned televisual world, Bob and Rose is witty, warm, provocative and honest storytelling.

The ever-prolific Russell T. Davies has delivered a small screen delight with a touching, funny, soul-mate saga that challenges and entertains. The show is awash with superb performances, Davies, Sharp and Stevenson a standout.

I can understand the subject matter provoking strong reactions, but I think that's surely RTD's point. Let's not forget he's the genius behind Queer as Folk - a refreshingly no holds barred writer, inclined to shake things up a bit whatever he turns his hand to.

Upstanding, outstanding television!

This is one of my favorite love stories of all time! it was fantastically written.

The show had controversy due to gay people thinking the show made out that being gay is a choice, but they forget... that a gay man wrote it.... based on his friend, who it happened to.

I'm a gay man, and I have had feelings for women in the past... i wouldn't say im bisexual by any means, but now and again, a woman will just seem appealing. i don't know why people got so upset about this TV program, as it was very well represented, and all the gay issues brought up by the gays on the outside about the theory were brought up in the show... such as bob's friend saying ''great, now all our mums will be hoping we'll settle down with a girl'' it was a wonderful TV program, suitable for all! a little bit like an adult sugar rush! my parents loved it... I've got friends who loved it both straight and gay.

its hillariously funny, and will make you cry with both joy and sadness at times. don't allow silly accusations put you off this. it is wonderfully written and one of the best shows itv has every created.

a come back would be brilliant... but then again you never know if it would be any good... maybe let a brilliant show die brilliantly. who knows! but if there was a sequel, i wouldn't miss it for the world.

I watched this show with growing horror, the more and more i watched it the more i wanted to turn it off and put on something where it doesn't depict Gay lifestyle as hopeless, and that doesn't show that if the str8 women perserves then she shall recieve the holy grail of marriage and children, this series left me thinking "What the F***"

One of my major complaints is that now you can just hear the thoughts churning in every other gay parents head thinking "Ohhh, that could be our son!" Don't think so! I had nothing against the acting, nor the way the story was presented, i just didn't like the story itself. The idea that a gay man can go str8, and then leave it all behind while his gay friends are turning into old men and still shagging whatever it is they can, is horribly depressing.

I watched this with friends, they both liked it while i could utter what i thought was wrong with it, a gay man, shagging a str8 women in a train? And then he's completely horrible to her afterwards so Christ knows what happens next!

Most of my complaints with this series is that basically it is everything which most gay guys dont' want their parents seeing, we do not want our parents thinking that it just takes "the right girl" to snap us out of being "gay". Apparently it was written, or based on some guy and girl that the writer knew, well... Are you sure he was totally gay in the frist place? Most gay men consider women fun playful things, but never would consider sex with them EVER.

I don't like this series, i personally think that it should have never been made, but, i can't find a fault with the actors, their acting or the way the story is portrayed, it's a nice piece of work, it's just a terrible shame the story has to be about something which makes my blood want to boil.