The secret to Heated Rivalry's success

Heated Rivalry - the hit HBO Max series - has it all: scintillating romance, hot guys, sports (kind of), and, most importantly, portrayals of gay love and sex that don’t hold back. Steamy, sensual TV shows aren’t new, but the Canadian series has captured the public's attention in a way that a show hasn’t in a while.

So, what’s behind its cultural resonance? What does it mean that this gay romance was written by a woman?

And why are straight women and gay men equally into the sex scenes? Michel Ghanem , TV critic and columnist of “Appointment Viewing” for The Cut, and Glen Weldon , co-host of NPR’s Pop Culture Happy Hour, join the show to get into why we’re all waiting for every new episode with bated breath. (0:00) What is Heated Rivalry really about? (2:40) How successful is the gay TV show? (6:05) Why are straight women into gay romance? (9:25) Why all audiences see something new in the sex scenes (12:12) Can straight actors play queer characters? (18:30) "Wait, What?!" A Pop Culture Trivia Game Support Public Media.

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