I hate to use clichés when talking about the multi-talented Tyler Isaac Martin, BUT he really is such a breath of fresh air. In a queer cultural climate on TV (dare we say desert?) where the major mainstream queer comedies such as Will and Grace, Ellen, It’s a Sin, Queer as Folk, Noah’s ARK etc., have disappeared and never been replaced, the landscape is looking bleak for the genre. Even taking into account the bizarre political situation in the US, where major channels and TV providers are brown-nosing The Orange Man and ditching any programming that might offend him to get his personal approval for mega-takeovers and mergers. It’s not just comedy that is at risk here; we are still seething with anger about Netflix’s eagerness to dump the queer military drama BOOTS that had been a major critical and commercial success just to get political approval for their merger.
However, we think that Martin, the New York–based actor, writer, and creator of the series Don’t Suck, is correct in thinking that those days of expensive, highly structured queer comedies are over. He, if anyone, should know, as ‘Don’t Suck’ garnered over 8 million views online (and is still counting). His work explores queerness, identity, and the uncomfortable contradictions of modern life through humor and sharp, character-driven storytelling. Although when Queerguru talked with him, he kept referring to his work as ‘scrappy,’ it is, however, far from that.
We caught the first episode on season 2 that has just been released on YouTube, and WE LOVED IT unreservedly. His subversive humor is so infectious, but you slowly realise that under all this hilarity, he touches on some serious issues whilst keeping a fine balance. It is obvious he knows better than any collection of highly paid Hollywood studio writers what touches queer men and makes them laugh
It’s been some seven years since Season 1 (listen to our interview to find out why), but he has hardly been idle. Tyler’s work spans film, theater, and advocacy, with notable achievements including Candice, a short film nominated for Best Short at the Academy Award-Qualifying Austin Film Festival, and Bonded, his play that raised over $30,000 for MenHealing with two readings starring Bellamy Young. Bonded is now in pre-production for an Off-Broadway run.
He has also been recognized for his writing in projects like Très Chic, which won Best Writing at the 48hr NYC Film Festival, and What I First Desired, a winner in the Soho Playhouse Off-Broadway competition.
The audience for Don’t Suck so far has been young (ish), but we think that will change, especially when more people realize not only how funny it is but how it relates to our community so perfectly. Plus you will agree with me, HE is like a breath of fresh
| Series 2 is being published now, BUT you can also catch up on Series One. It’s Funny and Its Free. What the hell are you waiting for? |
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