Does Heated Rivalry give anyone else the ick?

[zevthepaparazzo 1,712]

1 hour ago, hugo020 said:

That summarize everything that is wrong in america

Im Australian 

[Chromanne 2,257]

I do understand OP's point that if the show is too hypersexualized it would be just boring and we'd rather watch pørn instead. It should have some substance apart from sëx. However it's better to watch the show and then get into conclusion.

Also, there's nothing wrong in straight people playing gay characters and vice versa. This is the field of acting, and for a good actor, one should be able to play a broad range of characters whether straight or gay.

[Juanlittlem 48,046]

I've watched the whole show and I kinda agree, the interesting story was Kip and Scott's. You got to see how they meet, how their relationship evolves and how it crashes, and of course its also the big moment of episode 5.

I get the "oh they have to hide it 'cause no one is out on hockey" but they're just fucking during a couple of years, they just accepted after like 6 years of it that they have feelings for each other

[Bronco 18,433]

1 hour ago, Juanlittlem said:

they just accepted after like 6 years of it that they have feelings for each other

I mean Ilya has been in it since day 1. 

Like boy organised a tv advert to have an excuse to be with Shane after like 1 hookup. 

He's just been repressing it because of Russia & family. And also the fear that Shane wasn't fully in it. 

[Controversiaga 12,727]

5 hours ago, Chromanne said:

I do understand OP's point that if the show is too hypersexualized it would be just boring and we'd rather watch pørn instead. It should have some substance apart from sëx.

Only the first 2 episodes are sex driven. The rest of the season has a lot of substance, imo 

[Fuffy 1,044]

I don’t mind it but I end up just feeling quite bad about my body and appearance, plus the stereotypical yet unrealistic gay experience.

That’s on me though rather than the show. 

It’s a bit like watching insta gays stories as a show with sex.

Edited December 25, 2025 by Fuffy

[InTheCloset 21,333]

On 12/24/2025 at 11:58 AM, Bronco said:

I hate this narrative btw.

What started as discourse about the issues within Hollywood production blocking openly gay actors from taking on leading male roles because of their sexuality and why we should push against it.

Is now purist dictat that seeks to reinforce the very limitation we once sought to break. 

Its acting. The job is to sell a made up story. The best actor should get the job. 

I feel like this idea that only gay/bi men should play gay/bi characters is a deliberate bastardisation of the original discourse by right wing media to reinforce the confines of the closet. 

Yes yes yes. Say it louder luv

[Bronco 18,433]

1 hour ago, Controversiaga said:

Only the first 2 episodes are sex driven. The rest of the season has a lot of substance, imo 

I'd argue even ep1 and 2 have a lot of substance but so much of it is deliberate foreshadowing & setup for a punchline delivered in 4 & 5. 

 

[PlastiscGuy 21,879]

Gays are so ****ing hard to please... Y'all will complain about everything.

If a show depicts real life topics like homophobia, then it's bad because gays want an escape from reality, not a reminder of real life struggles.

Heartstopper exists... But guess what? It's bad because gay people are, apparently, not allowed to be happy, so it's unrealistic.

Okay then, you get a show like Heated Rivalry but again, it's bad because it has sex... And I understand that sex and sex only doesn't represent the gay community (even if GGD has its own Haus of Taste or whatever tag)

 

But Jesus... Nothing ever pleases y'all

[uo111 5,274]

Can I just say, the more gay sex scenes in my gay sex shows, the better.

[MACATL 1,909]

I wouldn’t say it gives me the “ick,” and I’m certainly not jumping on any “fetishization” of gay culture bandwagons (couldn’t roll my eyes any harder at that notion), but it comes across as a little generic and hollow.  It’s like if Hallmark made gay erotic movies.  

[Ladle Ghoulash 38,211]

Does Heated Rivalry get anyone else thick in the knickers?

[zevthepaparazzo 1,712]

GANG

i think the reason why i don't like it is bcuz i'm repulsed from sports cuz i hate straight men and straight man adjacent stuff 

[MountainMonster 1,527]

I agree with the sentiments about straight people playing gay people. It gives me the ick. I understand those who don’t care about the actor’s sexuality. But it’s rare for gay people to be portrayed in mainstream media in ways that aren’t stereotypical. And ultimately I see it as this: straight men get to act gay for fun, and gay men still have to act straight for survival. Until that changes, gay men should probably get the opportunity to act in media as gay roles. 

[Horny Chicken 10,231]

39 minutes ago, MountainMonster said:

I agree with the sentiments about straight people playing gay people. It gives me the ick. I understand those who don’t care about the actor’s sexuality. But it’s rare for gay people to be portrayed in mainstream media in ways that aren’t stereotypical. And ultimately I see it as this: straight men get to act gay for fun, and gay men still have to act straight for survival. Until that changes, gay men should probably get the opportunity to act in media as gay roles. 

Personally, I feel that there is more harm in gays looking one type of way in media- white and a very specific type of white. It doesn’t represent a community of men who come in different shapes and colors. 

I was quite happy with Shane at least being half Asian. 

Edited 40 minutes ago by Horny Chicken