TV: Big Gay Sketch Show

the idea of a gay-themed sketch comedy show wreaks of the unfortunate inclination to program for niche audiences as well as those minority groups’ willingness to embrace an insulated world. That was my first reaction upon receiving a screener for “The Big Gay Sketch Show” from Logo, MTV’s gay cable channel. Would it have the same two-dimensional, sistah attitude as “Noah’s Arc”? Please, oh please, no. Of course, comedians thrive on busting up stereotypes and the multi-ethnic, multi-sized cast of “Big Gay” do a great job of capturing both the foibles of gay and lesbian lifestyle choices as well as broader cultural quirks in general.

The wackiness of “Political Project Runway,” begins to show the range and originality of the cast and writers. The skit takes the popular Bravo show and has Condi Rice, Barbara Bush, Ariana Huffington and Abe Lincoln as fashion wannabes. Michael Serrato’s impression of an orange-faced Michael Kors is spot-on and the butch Bush (played by Julie Goldman with neck tattoos) has countercultural cunning.

But that’s easy stuff. It’s the “Lesbian Speed-Dating” skit that’s comic genius. In the course of three minutes, Goldman and Kate McKinnon meet, makeout, move in together, get cats, suspect the other of cheating and break each other’s hearts. It takes U-haul jokes to an entirely new level, and makes the argument that only gay comedians/writers could have understood and realized a piece like this so perfectly.

So far, two cast members—Stephen Guarino and Erica Ash—standout. Guarino inhabits each of his characters with flamboyant sincerity (his KGB agent/chorus girl, Svetlana, shows he’s more than a pretty face). But it’s in  “Chicago-Style Yoga” that Ash truly shines. A brash yoga instructor, Ash gets all up in there during sun salutations, ending with an unforgettable, “Namastay, bitches.” A recurring character? We can only hope. OK, sure, let’s mention Jonny McGovern—the NYC party promoter, aka “Gay Pimp”—who, for the most part, is the weakest cast link. But he and the rest of the cast are just warming up. Logo may have finally found some essential programming.