Product Description

QUEER AS FOLK Season 5 continues to follow the journey of a group of gay friends and lovers living in Pittsburgh. This critically acclaimed series brings with it mature stories about facing the challenges of same-sex parenting, discrimination, AIDS/HIV, cancer and morality.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #7688 in DVD
• Brand: PARAMOUNT PICTURES
• Released on: 2006-05-30
• Formats: Box set, Collector's Edition, Color, Dubbed, DVD, NTSC
• Original language: English, Spanish
• Number of discs: 5
• Dimensions: .70 pounds
• Running time: 870 minutes

Amazon.com
Gay has rarely been so glamorous as in the American version of Queer as Folk. But the show's success rests on more than hard bodies and glossy, picture-perfect sex (though there's an abundance of that); this series gave its characters a multidimensional richness that rivals more high-profile programs like Six Feet Under or The Sopranos, while tackling an impressive breadth of social and political issues without ever (well, almost never) feeling preachy. The fifth and final season lays out its themes with authority: Alpha-gay Brian (Gale Howard) buys and revamps the sex club Babylon, declaring promiscuity and independence as a gay birthright, while Brian's oldest friend Michael (Hal Sparks, Talk Soup) embraces domesticity with his partner Ben (Robert Gant); the flamboyant Emmett (Peter Paige) finds success as a tv personality, only to find his persona may trap him in a stereotype; and Ted (Scott Lowell) grapples with body prejudices within the gay community. Meanwhile, the crumbling relationship of Mel (Michelle Clunie) and Lindsay (Thea Gill) takes a more troubling turn when Michael demands more rights as the father of their daughter.

Most tv series would take a topic like this last legal wrangle and stretch it over an entire season, but Queer as Folk is more ambitious; the writers recognize that the resolution of one problem is rarely the end of the story, that muddy consequences can be as dramatically compelling as head-to-head conflict. This aggressive and effective plotting, combined with the show's willingness to explore the complexities of every issue--be it assimilation or the coming out of a celebrity--results in an increasing emotional power as the series steamrolls towards its final episode. Some subplots can be silly (Brian has a ridiculous stud-off with a new hot guy in town), the dialogue can sometimes veer from wit to camp cliches, and the omnipresence of sculpted, muscular physiques is absurd and even a little alienating for some viewers, but Queer as Folk's strengths--the compassion and intelligence of the writers, the commitment and nuance of the acting--make this show a true television landmark and a pleasure to watch. And then, of course, there's all that graphic and lovingly photographed sex. Rosie O'Donnell and Cyndi Lauper make guest appearances, and Sharon Gless (Cagney & Lacey) continues her much-loved performance as Michael's mother, Debbie. --Bret Fetzer

Customer Reviews

Final season of this groundbreaking Showtime series excels
Last year I had the opportunity to watch Queer As Folk through my dvd subscription. It took me all of half an episode to be hooked on this heartbreaking, funny, dramatic, and serious look at gay life in Pittsburgh among a small group of close friends. I won't try to rehash five seasons worth of this show in a review, but I will say this: This show was way ahead of its time. Derived from the British series of the same name, it served as a model for American shows when the only gay characters on TV were Will and Jack and Ellen. Queer as Folk demonstrated that America was ready to have a honest potrayal of gay and lesbian life and love onscreen.

Where this show sparkles is in its dealing with life, love, relationships, drug addiction, the struggles of gay teens and coming out, sex, dating, and discrimination against gays and lesbians. The acting is superb, showcased by Hal Sparks, Gale Howard, Randy Harrison, and Sharon Gless among others, and the cast developed their characters for the last 5 years, making them seem at times more real than not. Is it exaggerated at times? Yes, just as a show like Sex and the City is, but Queer As Folk is more heartfelt and emotional than that show could ever be. QAF was also never afraid to tell a dark or painful story, reminding everyone that life is not always wonderful.

The box set extras for the last are quite good, with lots of commentaries, character and actor bios, deleted scenes, and outtakes. The DVD set releases May 30. The final season is only 13 episodes, but the show manages to wrap the series up in a way satisfying to the fans, with an ending they have been hoping for since the first episode of Season 1.[...] Enjoy the final season of this great series. Highly Recommended.

Queer As Folk Season 5 (The Final Season) is finally going to be released in May 2006!
QUEER AS FOLK is still one of the most amazing TV Shows ever and is a landmark as the show for the new millennium. This New Queer As Folk Season 5 DVD Box Set has all 13 episodes of the fifth and final season. Queer As Folk is destined to be one of the most controversial and bravest TV shows of its time. The BOX SET includes Bonus features such as: Filmographies, Rosie O'Donnell diary, wrap party reel, deleted scenes, photo gallery, and a Music video of Cyndi Laupers Shine. I have seen all 13 episodes of the final season 5 and it is another great and very emotional season. I am still amazed at how honest this show is on dealing with gay life. Queer As Folk is about the life of a group of gay guys and a lesbian couple living in Pittsburgh. Queer As Folk makes no apologies and thats what is so great about this series. From the graphic sex scenes to the drama of dealing with the prejudice that still haunts America, this show is so brave and I give Showtime a big thumbs up for having the balls to take on such a big risk as Queer As Folk. This show has some issues that are far more real for some than others. This is not a show just for gay people, but for ALL people. It deals with human emotion and thats something that we can all relate to whether we be straight, gay, bisexual, black, white, brown or in between. Queer As Folk has opened the doors for mainstream gay movies like Brokeback Mountain (which received 8 Academy Award Nominations and won 3) and Transamerica. With this season being the final season of Queer As Folk I encourage you all to enjoy this great show because very few shows can touch your heart yet push the limit as far as this show has. I encourage anyone who has a open mind and a open heart to BUY this amazing DVD collection as it will inspire you and if nothing else open your mind to a lifestyle not as uncommon as you may think. Watch more than one episode before you judge this amazing series. I would also highly recommend Queer As Folk Season 1, 2, 3 and 4.

One Quick note: The packaging for season 5 is different and not as good as the first 3 seasons, but it is a space saver and so much better than the horrible packaging of season 4.

"Queer as Folk":December 3,2000/August 7,2005
The final season of this groundbreaking clasic may be gone,but the memories and the "thumpa-thumpa" live on.The most intense season yet sees Liberty Avenue and its citizens go through some tough challenges.Ted fears growing old alone,Michael and Ben are Tested in more ways then one,Justin returns from hollywood with bad news,Mel and Lindsay's relationship takes a few turns,Emmett helps an old love,deb gets an admirer in the form of guest Rosie O'Donnell....then there's Brian,who does the unimaginable..for him.Although there are still many questions left unanswered,this is still one of the best final seasons of any show i've seen in some time.DON'T MISS IT!!!!