389 replies to this topic

[keeper]

I can't believe I am admitting that I watched this, but I was alternately fascinated and completely grossed out by the douchebag level on this show. I mean, I don't care if people pay for or take money for companionship/sex, but I'm not sure why anyone might pay these guys.

I was sort of hoping that the show might get deeper into (pun not intended) the reasons some people get into this line of work or chose to hire people in this line of work, but I have a feeling this is going to be pretty shallow.

And for anyone who may watch HBO's Cathouse --- Brace is totally Gigalo's Air Force Amy.

[JadziaDax]

Thank you for starting this thread. After watching this show I was dying to discuss it with it someone, but it seemed no one else watched it (or would admit to it. LOL.)

That blond guy Brace? Are we supposed to believe he is straight? And some kind of ladies man? I can't imagine any woman wanting to to pay for sex from him. Not like the other guys were much of a prize. The one younger guy had a really odd lisp or speech thing going on. He talked like he had his teeth wired shut.

I had to wonder why a woman who was a teacher would want anyone to know they were hiring a gigolo much less allowing the camera to film them having sex. The black couple was a hoot, though. "Thank you for the use of your pole."

[ShadowDenizen]

Thank goodness!
I thought I was the only one watching this!

As with everyone else, I’m alternately fascinated and appalled by this show.

I was sort of hoping that the show might get deeper into (pun not intended) the reasons some people get into this line of work or chose to hire people in this line of work, but I have a feeling this is going to be pretty shallow.

I’m sure they’ll at least give a rough ideas of the circumstances of each of the cast members. That’s what’s compelling to me, at least. (The gratuitous sex is just a bonus.)

I also think they actually did a fair job setting up the premise of the show, and the personality of the main cast in the space of a 28 minute show. (I’m especially curious where the “storylines” take Steven; he seems the most “genuine” of the cast so far. Indeed, he seems so “normal” that I almost cringe when think of him him prosituting himself out.)

That blond guy Brace? Are we supposed to believe he is straight? And some kind of ladies man? I can't imagine any woman wanting to to pay for sex from him.

I totally agree.

And I thought the best comment on that was when Jimmy was saying how Brace’s strategy was to “talk their ear off and then have sex with them.” And then he kinda winks at the camera. Awesome.

And are we supposed to believe ANY of these guys are straight? I so hope they get a male client in an upcoming episode, but I don’t think Showtime would necessarily air that even if they did….

[keeper]

I thought the same thing about the teacher. Maybe she figured no one would watch? More likely she is playing the role of a teacher. (Or recently left teaching to pursue acting.)

I also doubt Brace is straight. And I am guessing he is 10-15 years older that he claims to be. I wondered too if there would ever be any solo male clients, but since their "manager" said at the beginning that he owns a "straight" male escort service I am guessing that won't be addressed.

[suburbfabulous]

I wouldn't sleep with any of these guys. Jimmy and the guy with the 5-year-old son and speech impediment are too corny. Brace is disgusting. Nick is the cutest one. Probably only Nick and maybe Vin are straight, and that's a big maybe. I just felt really sad watching this episode, much sadder than I felt when watching Cathouse. Very slim pickings in their company.

[ShadowDenizen]

Actually, I found Garren (their manager) to be way more skeezy than any of the guys, for some reason. And, (granted I'm not a lawyer), but I don't really think "Get the money first" would fly as a good way to avoid prosecution for prostitution.

I think the guys (minus Brace, who looks about 10 years older than the rest of the group) are good-looking, but (and I'm embarrased to admit it) I think Steven is the only one I would consider doing.

Edited by ShadowDenizen, Apr 13, 2011 @ 2:11 PM.

[luckyroll3]

Thank you for starting this thread. After watching this show I was dying to discuss it with it someone, but it seemed no one else watched it (or would admit to it. LOL.)

Me too! So thank you brave soul for starting this thread!

I only thought one of the guys wasgood looking, but I don't remember any of their names. I think he was also the most normal one in terms of personality, as most of the guys were complete douchebags. Racist douchbags at that.

I don't know what to make of Vin yet. At some angles he was cute, and others he was plain ugly, but I guess he'll be fullfilling the "exotic" role, as so many of the darker, but light skinned people, do.

Oh yeah, and that married couple was hilarious. I could not stop laughing during their scene. "Oh shit damn fuck, god! Shit damn fuck!" Lol. I was repeating that to my cat everytime she bugged me.

[Clara2020]

Racist douchbags at that.

The remark wasn't racist. It was a poor attempt at (scripted) humor; just like this whole show is a poor attempt at entertainment.

[Jer2002]

This latest episode was so good. We had one guy do a fat chick, another do a really eager massage therapist, and 4 of the guys do 1 client and give the money to the guy with a kid cause he needed to pay for his kids summer camp fee. Seriously, they gave him $3000! The trip to the psychic was so lame.

[lancelot29]

After watching him cringe at doing that really fat chick, i realize now that i cannot be a gigolo no more.

[GG63]

I can't believe I am admitting that I watched this, but I was alternately fascinated and completely grossed out by the douchebag level on this show. I mean, I don't care if people pay for or take money for companionship/sex, but I'm not sure why anyone might pay these guys.

I'll add to the "thanks" for starting this thread. I've only watched one episode so far and agree with all the remarks made here so far.

I don't believe the teacher is still teaching either - how could she be and not get fired from her job. When I saw her and heard what she did I figured this was much worse than the poor teacher who was fired for pictures of her drinking/holding alcohol on her facebook page. How could you be so stupid? We even had a teacher up here in Quebec who is on suspension or fired, don't remember which one for appearing in some porno flicks. She was caught when one of the students at the school wanted her autograph!

Brace really skeeves me out. He has too much of the spray tan going on and not sure how old he is, but he's definitely several years older than the remaining four. Not quite sure how I feel about the rest of them but definitely know I wouldn't be spending any of my money on any of them.

I still can't believe that the people being shown with these guys agree to be filmed. Wonder how the "date" went with the lady who interviewed all of them in the limo? It would have been a waste of time making up a story on how she met the guy when people watch the show and figure out her date was a paid escort wouldn't you think? Or maybe she figures none of her friends watch "those kinds of shows" only really "classy" television.

[GenieinTX]

The "clients" on this show aren't real, right? That teacher in the first episode would so be fired right now, and this week we get a woman who is ok with being filmed having 3 guys do her at once? And I don't believe the heavy woman who said she was uncomfortable with just being naked (and has a finance) would allow a tv show to film her having sex. If that lack of confidence was real, no way she'd allow strangers to film her having sex. I believed the first week, but this week I think the "clients" are porn stars or wanna be's.

[shopper gal]

I'm trying to figure out this show. I watched them out of order - w/ the fat girl/gang bang episode first, then going online to find the pilot. The clients can't be real...why did he bang the fat girl on the floor..that didn't look like a lived in house. Ditto w/ the gang bang. I'm wondering if Showtime isn't renting the houses for them?

At first I wasn't feelin' Lispy McGee, but then Steven won me over...he just wants to send his kid to summer camp ya'll. lol

Brace - Ick.

Vin - The poor man's Vin Diesel...I'm not mad at him though.

I can't believe they did the gang bang chick though. That was just skeevy.

The black couple had me howling..I particularly liked the "praise the lord" tat on the wife's arm that was clearly visible as she was giving the gigolo head. Shit, damn, fuck indeed.

[GG63]

GenieinTX said :

And I don't believe the heavy woman who said she was uncomfortable with just being naked (and has a finance) would allow a tv show to film her having sex. If that lack of confidence was real, no way she'd allow strangers to film her having sex.

Am DVR'ing this episode tonight as we had a power failure here when it initially aired, but I have to agree with this. As a plus size woman myself, I won't even let people see me in shorts and a regular length t-shirt! There would be no way I would ever let strangers see me naked, let alone having sex, so I really don't believe this woman had any confidence issues. I'll be interested to see the actual episode and see what conclusions I get after watching.

Not that I really expected it, okay maybe I did, but as someone who doesn't watch much "reality" television, I guess I expected this to be more "real" than on the regular channels. Of course we don't get as much of the "reality" stuff up here in Canada as is shown in the U.S., (judging from the highlights/low lights that are shown on "The Soup"), so maybe this is standard.

[kkrhocp]

I wouldn't sleep with any of these guys. Jimmy and the guy with the 5-year-old son and speech impediment are too corny. Brace is disgusting. Nick is the cutest one. Probably only Nick and maybe Vin are straight, and that's a big maybe. I just felt really sad watching this episode, much sadder than I felt when watching Cathouse. Very slim pickings in their company.

ITA with this post.

Also, thanks to whoever started this thread, I too have been wanting to discuss and see what others had to say.

[shopper gal]

My biggest question is why do the clients need Gigolos? I mean regadless of what a women looks like there are ways to go about having sex w/ a guy for free.

Is it the prowess of the Gigolos that attracks the women? The thought that they are somehow less random/ more safe then a bar hook up? I mean w/ the exception of the photographer in the limo, I didn't really see any of the the clients getting anything more then just a fuck.

Maybe it's b/c I'm cheap, but I just can't see, as a women, paying for sex. Hell I'd rather take that money and buy me a nice handbag or something.

I remember Nick saying it started out at 500ish for two hours. I wonder how much of that the skeevy manager takes?

[CapsChick]

I cannot believe I have watched 2 episodes of this. Only because it was on after Secret Diary which I don't really enjoy either anymore. Steven seems like he is really lost and depressed. It makes me wonder how severe the emotional issues of the other "gigolos" are. That is, if they are not simple scripted characters. Who knows. I too cannot believe that the clients are real and willing to have sex on camera. it doesn't compute for me. This is just...ugh. I won't be watching again, it is just too depressing.

Edited by CapsChick, Apr 17, 2011 @ 11:44 AM.

[ShadowDenizen]

Yes, this show has me really, really conflicted when I watch it, and not in a good way.

Normally, I’m all about gratuitiousness in television. But the graphic nature of the show coupled with the absurd “storylines” (Let’s go see a psychic!), almost take away from the “reality” of the stars.

I really, really want to like Steven. He seems like a decent, normal guy, and it’s refreshing that his tag line is “Just an ordinary guy looking for love.” But (going back to my conflicting feelings about this show) I don’t know if I felt worse for the obese client, or for Steven (who was CLEARLY uncomfortable with the entire situation.)

But, though I think the Stephen storyline, with him trying to care for his kid and being hampered by his wife is compelling, I feel it could be more so if I wasn’t questioning the central premise of the show. If he’s a high-end hustler, (assuming the going rate of $550/2hrs) how can he not have enough saved to send his kid to camp? That, coupled with the weird gang-bang/”Gigolos to the Rescue” ending make it seem more fake than a scripted show.

As to the “clients”, I’m betting they’re actresses. Anyone appearing on the show legally has to be reimbursed, right? (I mean, we never see money actually changing hands between the guys and the girls, right?)

And I’m curious how much of a cut their skeevy manager Garren takes?

[luckyroll3]

As to the “clients”, I’m betting they’re actresses. Anyone appearing on the show legally has to be reimbursed, right? (I mean, we never see money actually changing hands between the guys and the girls, right?)

I actually watched through the closing credits last week, and paused it on the last frame. It said that no one was compensated for having sex on camera, or something to that effect.

These girls are either actresses or just desperately seeking attention. I too couldn't get over the fact that the overweight woman had all her *goodies* on display after saying she was shy and uncomfortable. And she just had so much of it, I was trying to understand if the gigolo was actually making contact. The who episode had me thinking about mechanics for the entire hour.

[sherrybomb]

I didn't see all of the show, but did they address the fact that prostitution is illegal? It's only legal in few rural counties in Nevada isnt it? Dont the police have tvs?

My biggest question is why do the clients need Gigolos? I mean regadless of what a women looks like there are ways to go about having sex w/ a guy for free.

I kept thinking that. There are so many guys who woud do anything with a pulse, I can't believe any woman could be desperate enough to pay for sex, not to mention go on tv and tell the world. I'm guessing the women on this show can be found on "amateur" porn sites on the web somewhere, otherwise I feel incredibly sad for them.

[MiamiGuy]

And these guys, when they're not with "clients," always seem to be hanging out together. I didn't know gigolos traveled in packs.

Also, maybe my defintions are off, but I always thought a gigolo didn't necessarily have sex as part of the package, though it could be. I always thought a gigolo/escort as more arm candy for a woman, someone who could hold an intelligent conversation in the presence of the woman's well-traveled, well-read friends. And, yes, could show her the wonders of the flesh if need be.

But these guys don't seem like they've even cracked a book, let alone read one. And it's all just about sex and getting paid, which pushes it beyond gigolo and into straight-up whoring.

[Druck]

I would imagine that any woman paying for the pleasure of the company of these men are doing so for the "sure thing" factor, the disease free factor, and the I'm a busy woman, who's not looking for a permanant arrangement hey-look-at-the-time-get-out factor. And in the case of the clients on this show, the fact they get to be on the teevee.

It seemed that both the "teacher" from the first episode and the couple were well aware and nonplused by the camera crews filming the transaction. However in the second episode, all of the "hookups" seemed to have been (or made to look like) they were being filmed from another room, without the partipants knowledge. In the group sex hookup the camera crew was obviously in the bedroom, but the client had her hands full (so to speak) and probably stopped counting sets of feet at some point. There's alot of awkward transitions from the light chit chat that ignores the elephant in the room to the actual sex.

It's funny the Brace sure was admanant about how not into the group sex he was, and yet constantly wandered in an out of the room to watch the goings on. You not getting paid, your not getting laid, Brace dude, put on a shirt, and go sit in the car if your not going to particpate.

The filmed bit of comradarie (like the card reading and bar hopping) are odd because despite the fact that they work for the same skeevy Master(male version of a Madame, no?) they do compete for work. I mean there can't be THAT much demand for straight male prostitutes in Las Vegas, can there? Especially when three of these guys are relatively indistiguishible.

[mayaroo]

I didn't see all of the show, but did they address the fact that prostitution is illegal? It's only legal in few rural counties in Nevada isnt it? Dont the police have tvs?

Showtime has slapped a gag order on the stars and producers of its provocative new reality show Gigolos

The show has not gone unnoticed by local authorities. "Our vice section is aware of the situation and will be paying close attention," police spokesperson Marcus Martin tells The Post. "The fact that they won't be showing the exchange of funds does leave some loophole, but it doesn't mean the show can't still face criminal sanctions later. If we can show a pattern of pandering or participating in prostitution, the show could have to answer for that. People think it is a victimless crime. It is not."

...

Garren James -- who lined up the talent and serves as creative consultant for Gigolos -- insists his men are trained to operate within the legal gray area. "We are a companion service and clients pay a rate per hour," he tells a new hire in the premiere episode. "The first thing you are going to do is collect the money from the client. Whatever happens between you two is [between] two consenting adults."

The show's fallback defense could be even simpler: the "dates" aren't real. Buried in the end credits is a tiny legal disclaimer from the producers: "No one depicted in this program was remunerated in exchange for engaging in sexual activity." Last week, James confirmed to Salon.com that the women were not all walk-in clients, but recruited participants. Finding them "wasn't easy," he told the Web site, adding, "They were compensated. They definitely got compensated." Standard practice in reality TV would have been for clients appearing on camera to receive their services free of charge, says one industry insider. The gigolos would then be paid directly by producers to avoid the direct exchange of funds. One reality show producer tells The Post it is likely that clients appearing on film received services free of charge and the gigolos were paid directly by producers.

[Ellegado]

In believiability from 1(The Hills) to 10(Real World Season 1) I give it a five, even after seeing the new info. It's a show I should be ashamed of watching but is amazing to watch. And it is because the people aren't happy go lucky whoring is fun acting like Cathouse. They act cool and like they're in their own version of Entourage. But you do see cracks in the armor more than on Cathouse. Thank goodness someone started a thread on this.

[ShadowDenizen]

For “believability”, I’d actually rate this show as a 3. (Almost all of the “bonding” sequences seem utterly contrived, and I find myself questioning the basic premise of the show on a minute-by-minute basis.)

That said, it is an inherently watchable show. And I guess I must be a masochist, because I’m still watching it. Worse, I’ve turned two of my friends on to this trashfest! (1 gay male, 1 straight male.)

And that was a really interesting article linked above; if possible, it makes me see Garren James as even more of a skeevy guy than I thought.

I also found it surprising that he would so openly badmouth Steven and Brace while the show is still in it’s infancy. Must have been a bad break-up for the three of them….

[Sumner]

I love that Richard Grieco is a producer. Ha!

[Mita_Jo]

Oh yeah, and that married couple was hilarious. I could not stop laughing during their scene. "Oh shit damn fuck, god! Shit damn fuck!" Lol. I was repeating that to my cat everytime she bugged me.

I was both mortified and cracking up when they were on. I'm so glad to see that this might not be as real at all because I was really embarrassed for them both. Particularly that catsuit she was wearing.

Anyway, I too want to thank keeper for starting this thread because I had no idea the show existed until I saw the thread yesterday. Thank goodness for On Demand, I was able to watch both shows.

I didn't get a gay vibe from Brace, but I did get one from Steven, just from his mannerisms. I also wondered how the fat chick was shy and self-concious one minute and then having sex on camera the next, walking around butt naked and such.

And she just had so much of it, I was trying to understand if the gigolo was actually making contact. The whole episode had me thinking about mechanics for the entire hour.

You're not the only one who was wondering about that. I thought there may have been contact but not much to be screaming like she was. Steven couldn't even hide his disgust very well either. Man I hope this show isn't real.

Totally thought Nick was doable until he started talking. Thank goodness for gags, huh?

Vin seems way too eager and excited for me. Especially at the gangbang. Who cares if Brace didn't want to do anything? He didn't get paid for it, we later found out.

Technically the girls on screen are being paid to act in a what is basically a soft-core porn, so they should be fine. Seems pretty crazy that Garren James (fake name if I ever heard one) did this show in the first place. He should have thought twice about doing this show since its only drawn the wrong attention for his business.

Edited by Mita_Jo, Apr 20, 2011 @ 10:04 AM.

[ShadowDenizen]

should have thought twice about doing this show since its only drawn the wrong attention for his business.

Well, maybe he was under the erroneous assumption that "Any pubilicity is good publicity." I'm surprsied that he's been so vocal about the goings-on behind the scenes (in the interview linked a few posts above.) [Although, I wonder if business for his "company" has gone up since the premiere?]

And, while I found the couple scene from the pilot more laughable than anything (especially with Rodney giving "instructions" from the corner), I was more disturbed than anyting else by the "fat chick" scene from the second episode.

[GG63]

Last week, James confirmed to Salon.com that the women were not all walk-in clients, but recruited participants. Finding them "wasn't easy," he told the Web site, adding, "They were compensated. They definitely got compensated."

I would almost bet none of them were "walk-in clients". Were they compensated with money or were the "services" complimentary? Maybe these women want to be famous and figure that's enough "compensation" if they get further work from appearing in this show?

I also found it surprising that he would so openly badmouth Steven and Brace while the show is still in it’s infancy. Must have been a bad break-up for the three of them….

That surprised me as well. When did the split occur as so far only two episodes have aired? As for Steven being able to send his kid to camp, wouldn't he have lots of expenses to "maintain" himself along with cost of living in Vegas? He might be making lots of money, but it must also cost plenty to keep up the life style he's cultivating. I also have to wonder about needing thousands of dollars to send a kid to camp - where is he going and for how long? I'd be questioning that and laying down the rules for the mother about how much money she expects to be getting from him. Not too sure how thrilled I would be to have my child figure out the reason he's able to do expensive stuff like the camp is because his father is a gigolo. Let's face it, eventually the kid will find out.

[bunnyface]

I went to the website for this place (cowboys4angels.com). I'm sure my husband will love finding that in the computer history. lol (I'm not erasing it. That would be like saying I was doing something wrong.)

Most of the gentleman just have first names except for the ones on the show. Nick Hawk and then the other two are Vin Armani and Jimmy Dior, which is odd to me. My first thought was maybe Brace was "Aqua Velva" but then my friend pointed out those weren't necessarily fragrances but fashion lines. In which case I think Brace was "JCPenny Collection for Men." I don't know about Steven. Old Spice or Old Navy maybe.

I don't know if I will watch the rest of the episodes. The whole thing is kind of ridiculous. If I had to put up with any of those tools for any length of time, strictly platonically, I'd probably pick Steven because he seems the least tooliest. Hopefully he's moved on to something better, as in something not sexually prostituting himself, is why he is no longer part of that pack.