Four gay friends live in L.A. and deal with today's issues, boyfriends, AIDS, your boyfriend's children, making it in the movie biz, etc.Four gay friends live in L.A. and deal with today's issues, boyfriends, AIDS, your boyfriend's children, making it in the movie biz, etc.Four gay friends live in L.A. and deal with today's issues, boyfriends, AIDS, your boyfriend's children, making it in the movie biz, etc.
- Awards
- 1 win total
Jennia Fredrique Aponte
- Brandy
- (as Jennia Fredrique)
Doug Spearman
- Chance
- (as Douglas Spearman)
- Director
- Writer
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Featured reviews
Three promos and the pilot episode of Noah's Arc just screened last night at Washington, D.C.'s 14th Annual Reel Affirmations Film Festival, and it was a sold-out house--just like when director Patrick-Ian Polk showed his feature film "Punks" at RA in 2000. The hype behind this showing was all about "At last we get stories of gay Black men!" And indeed, whereas other films at this festival are attended overwhelmingly by gay WHITE men, Noah's Arc attracted a larger African-American gay audience than most of us light-skins ever get to commune with. Who knew? Are all these guys out? Where do they hang out? Not the same clubs my friends and I frequent... It's incredible that in wonderfully diverse D.C. we're still so damn segregated.
Anyway, the shorts and the pilot were wildly appreciated at the fest. I cannot help but surmise that this was due at least in part to the aforementioned thirst for gay Black stories in film. Noah's Arc is definitely entertaining, but apart from being the first gay Black (soon-to-be-) cable network show, there's really nothing new here. It's Queer as Folk, translated to African-American L.A. I liked the characters; but that's because I was supposed to like them. I like the issues they deal with--relationships, sex, family--but there are no real challenges or surprises here. The central dilemma of the pilot--Noah falls for an acquaintance who has historically been hetero but seems to have some more-than-friendly feelings for Noah--is NOT an exclusively (or even a primarily) Black phenomenon.
Don't get me wrong--the production is great (though the sound could use some editing) and the cast are uniformly talented (and for the most part drop-dead gorgeous). But the characters are all *upscale* L.A.--even the "struggling" screenwriter Noah drives a convertible--and apart from a few Black street terms ("downlow" and, yes, "nigga"), there's little in Noah's Arc to distinguish this group of gay guys from the cast of Queer as Folk, or of any mainstream sex- and romance-themed feature film of the last few years.
So my question, then, is: Is it enough to take a recent, successful formula for a TV show, change the race of the characters but little else, and resell it? Is it really all my Black neighbors want, to be able to see Queer as Black Folk? From the reception Noah's Arc received at the Reel Affirmations fest, the answer seems to be yes... but I'm personally doubtful.
I know this was just the first episode, and I'm totally willing to give the series the benefit of the doubt. I very much wish for the success of this project as a cable series, and I look forward to seeing future episodes, in the hope that we get to see (a) further exploration of what, in all its diversity, "Black gay America" means, and (b) examinations of more of the weightier issues barely touched on in the pilot. For example: the family situation of Noah's friend Chance, who has just married a partner who has a young daughter. So far that daughter is nothing more than a political prop and a running joke regarding her name ("Kenya"), which the "diva" friend can never remember. I have no doubt that Mr. Polk's heart is in the right place, so I look forward to seeing where he takes these characters--hopefully someplace we haven't all seen before!
Anyway, the shorts and the pilot were wildly appreciated at the fest. I cannot help but surmise that this was due at least in part to the aforementioned thirst for gay Black stories in film. Noah's Arc is definitely entertaining, but apart from being the first gay Black (soon-to-be-) cable network show, there's really nothing new here. It's Queer as Folk, translated to African-American L.A. I liked the characters; but that's because I was supposed to like them. I like the issues they deal with--relationships, sex, family--but there are no real challenges or surprises here. The central dilemma of the pilot--Noah falls for an acquaintance who has historically been hetero but seems to have some more-than-friendly feelings for Noah--is NOT an exclusively (or even a primarily) Black phenomenon.
Don't get me wrong--the production is great (though the sound could use some editing) and the cast are uniformly talented (and for the most part drop-dead gorgeous). But the characters are all *upscale* L.A.--even the "struggling" screenwriter Noah drives a convertible--and apart from a few Black street terms ("downlow" and, yes, "nigga"), there's little in Noah's Arc to distinguish this group of gay guys from the cast of Queer as Folk, or of any mainstream sex- and romance-themed feature film of the last few years.
So my question, then, is: Is it enough to take a recent, successful formula for a TV show, change the race of the characters but little else, and resell it? Is it really all my Black neighbors want, to be able to see Queer as Black Folk? From the reception Noah's Arc received at the Reel Affirmations fest, the answer seems to be yes... but I'm personally doubtful.
I know this was just the first episode, and I'm totally willing to give the series the benefit of the doubt. I very much wish for the success of this project as a cable series, and I look forward to seeing future episodes, in the hope that we get to see (a) further exploration of what, in all its diversity, "Black gay America" means, and (b) examinations of more of the weightier issues barely touched on in the pilot. For example: the family situation of Noah's friend Chance, who has just married a partner who has a young daughter. So far that daughter is nothing more than a political prop and a running joke regarding her name ("Kenya"), which the "diva" friend can never remember. I have no doubt that Mr. Polk's heart is in the right place, so I look forward to seeing where he takes these characters--hopefully someplace we haven't all seen before!
Noah's Arc is the best show ever,It truly give's a real life look into what gay men must go through and the issues of everyday life. Since Noah's Arc has aired I have not missed one show. The second season is even more better than before there is no show quite like this. Every episode is even more exciting than the last one, It leaves you at the edge of your seat wondering what is going to happen. I only wish that it would be able to air on regular T.V so that other people that don't have cable would be able to see this outstanding show. It has become a weekly meeting for my friends to meet and watch the show together. I wish you all the best and many, many more years to come. One more thing...there's a song that played during Noah's and Wade's night together from the first season. It's not the one from Musiq-(whoknows) this one is more slower beat and the words that play keep saying "will you comfort me". If anyone knows the name or artist of that song, please let me know. Thank you.
10ej90019
The series was amazing! I've seen a couple of the episodes and was blown away. Although the characters are primarily African American and gay, it has great crossover appeal because the writing is smart and funny, and the actors are well cast. The show doesn't get caught up in stereotypes, but it doesn't shy away from them either. The show is about four black, gay men living and loving in Los Angeles. Each character is different and a bit complex. It is easy to see a bit of yourself in each of them. Who you were, who you are, or who you want to be. And I love the LA locations they use! The show is bold, intelligent, sexy, and extremely funny. This show has GOT to find a home! I've never seen anything like it and its well overdue.
I never heard of a black gay series, until I saw Noah's Arc on the internet. I love it. I wish that the TV show and film festival versions would come out in stores. It is original. When my sister first watched it, she said it was "off the chain." Darryl Stephens(Noah) is so fine. He remains of a Hershey's with almonds. I do not care if he is straight or gay, I'm in love. Trey is fine too. This like the black, gay, male version of Sex in the City. It is so funny and I like some the fashion. Like the skirt and jacket Noah wore on episode 4. BET is not ready for this. Noah's gets 5 out of 5 stars. I hope it get a GLAAD award for Best TV Series.
I absolutely adore this new American program. It is a new twist to Sex in the City. Even as a straight female I appreciated the story lines and humor this show offers. It targets issues people often shy away from with a breath of fresh air. My mates told me it differs from programs like Queer As Folk because sometimes they feel those shows mostly place and stereotype gays into one image. Instead of being overly gay jokes like we normally see now on the telly, Noah's Arc deals with life in general. The characters are in relatable situations despite sex, race and sexuality. Kudos to the writers. I am in love with the character ALEX! I cant wait till it comes on in September. You will fall in love with the show and Alex as well...Cheers!
Did you know
- ConnectionsFeatured in Visible: Out on Television: The Epidemic (2020)
Details
- Runtime1 hour 15 minutes
- Color
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