Thursday, October 26, 2017

How Joe Gerard Turned a Generation of Gay Boys Into Chest-Hair Queens


Damian and I are knee deep in the much-analyzed third season of "Rhoda.” It’s definitely not for the faint of heart -- a beloved TV couple splitting had never been done before -- so it's understandable why viewers were so unhappy and fled. (I was a kid the first time I saw it, so its darkness was a bit lost on me then.) Although it's difficult to watch our more-assured heroine flirt with being an insecure wreck again, scenes like this one at Joe's "bachelor pad" go a long way toward explaining why she had her occasional weak moments. (Joe Gerard is undoubtedly the source of my weakness for hairy chests.)


Not sure if it was my age or that reruns of the later seasons ran more often, but I totally remember Rhoda's "single" apartment -- with Gary Levy always stopping by -- more than the one on the top floor with Joe. And I also always think of her working with Jack at the costume shop, which hasn't even happened yet.


Will be equally interesting to re-watch "Phyllis," which I just bought bootleg DVDs of. I remember it fondly -- "growing up" with Bess and my whole family gathering around to watch Mother Dexter's wedding. But a reader tells me the recasting of Phyllis's colleague Julie -- originally played by Barbara Colby, the same actress who shared a jail cell with Mary Richards, until she was murdered three episodes into the series (a case that has never been solved), tainted things for him. (If I remember correctly, Phyllis quits working in the photo studio in Season 2 anyway.) Will be curious to see if I feel the same way. (You know how I am about "fakes"!)


David Groh died of kidney cancer in 2008 at age 68.


A few more pictures of dreamy Joe HERE.

11 comments:

jaragon said...

How could Rhoda resist all that furry hotness.

Shawn Cullen said...

David Groh was soooo hot! Sigh. I never really warmed up to "Rhoda". I love me some Valerie Harper, but I always found "Rhoda" as a series kind of disappointing. The sister was grating (as I recall a different actress played her on one appearance on the "Mary Tyler Moore Show") and the Carlton-the-doorman joke got tired quickly. And then the whole downer of a divorce storyline, but I'm pretty sure I gave up after season one anyway. On the other hand, I remember loving "Phyllis".

SFRowGuy said...

I don't remember, but I can imagine, I was thirteen when this season of Rhoda aired and when I saw David shirtless on TV, I must have nervously glanced over at my parents. (Don't say anything. Don't do anything.)

akirakid said...

And here I thought it was the masculine furriness of Tom Selleck in the 80's or Robert Conrad in the 60's (two of the biggest crushes of my childhood)that made all the boys swoon!

Kenneth M. Walsh said...

@akirakid: Depends on your age!

streeteditions@j said...

He was such a twink to me back then! But so is anyone under 65 these days!

BFIrrera said...

In addition to David Groh, I'd add Lee Majors and Gil Gerard.

Johnjon said...

Back when I was a young teen gay boy, I was drawn to men who had the “clone” look. Robert Conrad, Tom Selleck, and of course Sam Elliott. I used to tell my friends if Tom or Sam showed up at my door and said, “leave all your family and friends, and come with me to be my boyfriend”, I’d ask, “can I buy a toothbrush at the airport?”. LOL. In the mid 80’s, I was working at a terribly expensive restaurant in a very upscale suburb that had a regional theater that attracted national road companies of plays and musicals. It wasn’t unusual for celebrities who appearing locally to drop by for lunch or dinner. One afternoon, I was tidying up during a slow time. I looked out the window and saw David Groh approaching from across the street. I nearly passed out. He looked exactly as he did when he played Joe Girard, shirt opened 3 buttons, show ing just the right amount of chest hair. I was watching as he walked past, then I couldn’t believe as he pushed open the door, and came inside. I rushed to the host station, said hello and asked how I could help. He wanted to see a menu, I handed both lunch and dinner, he scanned both, it was too fancy for him. I recommended a few low key places for him. I was praying he’d invite me to join him, it happened a few other times with celebrities who didn’t want to dine alone. I always tried to be friendly, not overly fawning, even introducing myself pretending not to know who they were. They usually like that, I dated sometime a few times who was famous, but it grew old quickly when going out to dinner meant my date signing autographs, and chatting with fans half the nigh. David smiled at my suggestions, thanked me, and left. I would have yes in a second if he asked for company. I was crushed when I learned of his death. He was such a handsome man, his eyes glittered.

Unknown said...

I have to agree!

Weekilter said...

Groh made me gay

Anonymous said...

Absolutely!