I haven't seen Blades of Glory nor Wild Hogs, but a lot of what Giese writes about is obvious just in the trailers for these films (Will Ferrell holding up John Heder by the crotch; the four men spooning in the woods). Giese makes a very legitimate observation in stating:
It’s harder to take as much offence at Blades of Glory. Ferrell’s portrayal of testosterone-charged Chazz is so broad, it’s far more of a send-up of hetero posturing than a sneer at homosexuality. Still, that subtle distinction will probably be lost on most multiplex audiences. [...] I don’t think the rest of the audience was laughing at gay anxiety, but rather because of it.
I feel as though comedians like Ferrell and Sacha Baron Cohen are probably smart enough to be actually poking fun at society's anxiety with male homosexuality, but it is almost certainly lost to the under 25 straight male demographic which forms a good portion of their audience in films like Blades of Glory and Talladega Nights.
Brian Juergens finds the positive in Blades in his review forAfterElton.com, but the way he describes the portrayal Coach and Jesse makes it seem like they're more of a *winkwink*nudgenudge* to those in the audience who perceive the gay anxiety as humourous, but who knows, maybe it'll go in under the radar of those uncomfortable straight guys.
Giese is right in stating that gay men, specifically, "are one of the last remaining minority groups that can be mocked with impunity." Lesbians, in the rare occasions they appear in film, tend to be fetishized rather than mocked. Is it better to be exploited than laughed at? Perhaps not, but there is undeniably a difference in treatment.
For tons o' commentary on GLB people in entertainment and the media, check out AfterEllen and AfterElton.
