38
Popular Culture Review
Dan and Gregg
Of the couples that appear in this set of episodes, Dan and Gregg are
clearly the most affluent. Together for several years, Dan, 37, is a Hollywood
movie executive and Gregg, 35, is vice president of a travel company
specializing in gay vacations. One of the recurring themes in their narrative is
the way they demonstrate affection through gifts and surprise trips. For example,
Gregg surprises Dan with a helicopter ride on Valentine’s Day, and Dan makes a
last-minute surprise visit to Gregg, who is at work on a gay-themed ocean cruise
in Hawaii.
The other major storyline for Dan and Gregg revolves around how each
man’s family regards his sexual orientation and decision to marry. Gregg’s
family is very supportive; his parents and siblings attend the wedding and some
o f the pre-wedding events, while Dan struggles to gain the acceptance of his
mother and sister. “The journey with my family has been a bumpy one,” Dan
comments. He receives numerous Christmas gifts fi*om them, but they decide
not to attend his wedding. Dan says they think “it’s odd” for him to be living
with a man and to want to commit to Gregg. Throughout his experience,
however, Gregg consistently offers Dan support and reassures him that he is
loved and appreciated.
The couple hires Merv Griffin Productions to put together their
wedding at the luxurious Park Plaza hotel in Los Angeles. Several times they
refer to their wedding as “Showtime!” At the outdoor ceremony, attended by
some 200 guests, Dan and Gregg wear identical suits and ties and walk in
together. A gospel choir provides music. Their officiant is Phil, who apparently
is a close fiiend. They read vows they have written to each other, and exchange
“eternity bands” which are brought into the ceremony by their pet dog. The
ceremony evokes a somewhat religious nature, with Phil using the word “God”
several times. Phil mentions that some people have chosen not to be at the
ceremony, referring to the absence of Dan’s mother and sister. The ceremony
ends with the traditional Jewish breaking of glass. A Scottish bagpipe ensemble
greets guests at the indoor reception, which includes a lavish sit-down dinner,
wedding cake (actually consisting of a tower of individual cupcakes), a live
band, and dancing, including traditional Jewish wedding music and the “chair
dance.” The atmosphere inside the large reception hall evokes images of a
glamorous, “movie-star’^ wedding. As Gregg’s brother-in-law and father each
make a toast to the couple, we see Dan’s emotional reaction as they welcome
him into their family.
Eve and Dale
Together for four years. Dale, a 32-year-old entertainment lawyer, and
Eve, a 30-year-old film student, are shown dealing with their somewhat
controlling wedding officiant, a New Age-inspired woman named Chohosh, as
they plan their wedding. Eve’s parents, though supportive of her relationship