Calling all bears, admirers, and allies. Cult web series Where The Bears Are is celebrated in Eduardo Aquino’s fabulous new documentary A Big Gay Hairy Hit – Where the Bears Are. This funny, heartfelt documentary tells the story of how three Hollywood film industry bears, tired of the lack of visibility of burly gay men on mainstream TV, decided to create and produce their own series which surprisingly became a huge hit.
Rick Copp, Ben Zook, and Joe Dietl had a wealth of Hollywood TV writing and acting experience between them, including Golden Girls, Scooby Doo, The Brady Bunch Movie, Two and a Half Men, The Thin Pink Line, and Jack and Jill. They knew the gay bear community was under-represented on TV but none of the big studios would accept any of their ideas. So, they went it alone and created Where The Bears Are, a sexy queer comedy-mystery show that was part Golden Girls, part Murder She Wrote, and a lot of sexy big hairy men. Series One launched on YouTube in 2012 and was an immediate hit. The series focuses on Nelson (Zook), Wood (Dietl), and Reggie (Copp), three gay, bear friends sharing a house in the Silver Lake neighborhood of LA, who, in each season, along with sexy younger bear friend Todd (“Hot Toddy”) (Ian Parks), are drawn into a different murder investigation which plays out as a season-long story arc.
Where The Bears Are became one of the most successful online shows ever. It ran for 7 seasons until 2018, and to date has amassed over 50 million views online across the world, including in many countries where homosexuality is illegal. Its message of inclusivity struck a chord amongst gay men and their allies who were tired of the narrow representation of gay men in mainstream media. Series 1 was self-funded by the founders but series 2 to 7 were funded by crowdfunding campaigns which raised over $800,000 and enabled more outlandish production ideas. The episodes were all goofy, camp, funny, full of ridiculous slapstick sex scenes and each episode ended on a cliffhanger, drawing the audience into the next one. Each character had their own version of masculinity, not based on any stereotypes. The press loved it and the LA Times, Advocate, Huff Post etc all championed the show. Today we live in far more inclusive times, but back in 2012, it was a different story.
Aquino’s documentary reunites the cast for a look back at the funny, often chaotic creative process and filming. The cast reveals how their own childhoods and personal experiences on the gay scene shaped their characters and the storylines. Hilarious clips from many of the 142 episodes are shown. The cast revealed that sex positivity and non-stereotypical and non-conforming behavior was at the core of their messaging, alongside the showcasing of real bodies rather than ‘Hollywood’ bodies. Overacting and wackiness were encouraged. They also discuss ageism and body shaming. Ultimately, the documentary is about how queer friendship and community, when combined with humor and the right creative process, regardless of funding, can create something with global appeal. Lots of fun.
PS The movie is currently playing the LGBTQ+ Film Festival Circuit; next up is OUTshine in Fort Lauderdale :
for all other future screenings check [email protected]
Queerguru’s Contributing Editor Ris Fatah is a successful fashion/luxury business consultant (when he can be bothered) who divides and wastes his time between London and Ibiza. He is a lover of all things queer, feminist, and human rights in general. @ris.fatah
