The A-List Review: Lifestyles of The Rich and Gaymous

What is The A-List about? Monday night I set out to New York City to find the answer to this very question. Before the premiere of the show was screened, I only had this trailer to fill me in on what to expect.

Elitists? Shallow? Materialistic? Fame? Loaded with cash? Whatever the case may be, I was on my way to find out.

The first episode of the Logo TV series starts off as it would for any reality TV show: introducing the characters. Featuring a cast of six gay A-List New Yorkers, viewers are given a look into the lives of each cast member and what they want to accomplish.

First we have Reichen Lehmkuhl. Fans of The Amazing Race might recognize him as a former winner. Riding the fame from his win, Reichen went on to create a successful male jewelry business. As a former member of the Air Force, Reichen donates 10% of all sales from his jewelry business to Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell to help the gays in the military movement. That’s pretty great if you ask me. Not something I would have expected from the way the trailer portrays the A-Listers from the show.

In the premiere viewers will find Reichen preparing for his theater debut in Big Gay Italian Wedding. This being his first time on stage, Reichen finds himself worried as he needs to learn how to dance and sing properly before the upcoming premiere. Sadly for the star his singing number is cut from the play. When he asks if it’s because the director thinks he can’t sing, Reichen gets the response, “That’s one of the reasons.” Ouch. At least they’re honest.

Reichen has a lot more to worry about besides this play, but this will be addressed with the next two cast members.

Next up is Rodiney Santiago, Reichen’s Brazilian model boyfriend.

After meeting in Miami, Rodiney decides to follow his heart and move with Reichen to the Big Apple. Hoping to start a career in NYC as a model, Rodiney seeks the help of world renowned photographer and  fellow A-Lister, Mike Ruiz.

However, not everything is fancy sunset boat rides and weekend in the Hamptons for Rodiney. Reichen has a past with the fellow A-Lister Austin, who’s back fiercer than ever.

Austin’s claim to fame? Being Marc Jacobs boy-toy for a hot minute. Breaking Marc’s only rule, don’t bring anyone back to the house, Austin was tossed out of the spotlight pretty quickly. Oh, he also dated Reichen and that ended on a quick stint too. But now that Austin’s back, old feelings are arising and not even a Brazilian will get in his way. As Austin put it in the show: “He (Rodiney) can barely speak English. Reichen’s better off talking to me. We’d have sooo much more to talk about.”

Spending time in London to recoup from the Marc Jacobs portion of his life, the 22-year-old is back in NYC hoping to become a model. However, vacation time for Austin meant packing a few pounds. At the request of his agent Austin must drop a few pounds even before considering getting back into the game. He’s not even fat. I swear if you have no muscle definition as a gay then you are pretty much screwed. Austin goes on to say that working in a restaurant waiting tables would be below him. He would never do such a thing. Shallow much?  Austin is quick to say what is on his mind, won’t hold back, and just goes for it. Expect drama to start with him throughout the series.

Next up is Mike Ruiz, famous photographer of the stars. I really don’t have much to say about him other than this guy is a creative genius. The imagination that he uses in his photo-shoots for celebrities is outstanding. He’s down to earth and even brings Rodiney with him to parties to help the Brazilian find himself a modeling agent.

Derek Saathoff is another young face in the group of A-Listers. His claim to fame? Being a modeling agent in NYC. As Derek puts it, he is on every list to every club in the city. He doesn’t need to wait in any lines, he gets in. Well connected and partying with celebrities, this is one guy who knows how to have a good time.

Derek is very outspoken and calls things as he sees it. His confrontations with Austin in the first episode alone are worthy of a watch. However, Derek does sport a spray tanning regimen that put’s Sookie from the Jersey Shore to shame.

Last but not least is Ryan Nickulas, hair stylist for the celebs. I have to say Ryan had to be my favorite A-Lister out of the entire group for a few reasons. He observes and holds back his comments until he has a better grasp of the people around him, but the look on his face is picture perfect of what is going on in his mind.  TJ, Ryan’s best friend is another reason. While not a part of The A-List, TJ does come along with Ryan to events and lunch. I honestly think he should be part of the group. He’s witty, smart, and comes up with great words like “gaymous.” Like Derek, TJ speaks his mind. He compliments Ryan and any moments shared between the two onscreen will bring out laughs.

The show overall really doesn’t help the gay movement in anyway. It helps improve the image of gays as much as Jersey Shore does for people in general. In short, it flat out doesn’t. When I asked Derek Saathoff about the show and how it would help gays he responded, “I think it’s hard to use this show as a platform for gay rights. It’s just six gay guys living their life in summer of New York. It’ll bring light that we (gays) are different then you think we are. Middle America has this idea that we are scary or pedophiles. No, we have fabulous lives and we live in New York.” Derek goes on to say, ” The Real Housewives aren’t accountable for all women so we shouldn’t be held to all gays.”

So there you have it. The A-List is more of a guilty pleasure reality television show. At the end of the episode a teaser was shown for upcoming drama, which includes a brawl that breaks out between the group in what looks like a restaurant. It seems as if the Reichen – Rodiney – Austin love triangle will be a factor throughout the series. As the cast said to me Monday, enjoy the show for what it is. It’s six gay guys having a fun summer and nothing more.

Below are my interviews with the cast members. The club was pretty dark so sorry about the lighting. Mike Ruiz was in Germany and was not available to interview.

Derek Saathoff

Ryan Nickulas

Reichen Lehmkuhl

Rodiney Santiago

Austin A.

The A-List premieres on Logo TV on October 4th, 2010.

The Cast of The A-List The Cast of The A-List	The Cast of The A-List The Cast of The A-List	The Cast of The A-List The Cast of The A-List
	Rodiney Santiago Rodiney Santiago	Ryan Darius Nickulas Ryan Darius Nickulas
Bilal Mian and Derek Lloyd Saathoff Bilal Mian and Derek Lloyd Saathoff	Reichen Lehmkuhl Reichen Lehmkuhl	Austin A. Austin A.
		Ryan Nickulas, Bilal Mian, and TJ Ryan Nickulas, Bilal Mian, and TJ