sexless?? I think not! - McMillan & Wife (1971) Discussion

[–] budikavlan 16 years ago

You see that all the time on TV, but not, in my opinion, on McMillan & Wife. Oh, sure, they had scenes where they flirted with each other, or kissed, or whatever; my point way back in the original review was they they were fakey. I didn't think for an instant that these characters were believably in love with each other. I'm sure part of it was knowing that Rock Hudson was gay, but the age difference, Rock Hudson's glib acting style, and the radical difference in personalities contributed to it as well.

I do think it's funny that so many people have continued to discuss that single line of the review I wrote. I'll take a large amount of disagreement over being ignored any day. It's nice to know people actually read what others write. On so many websites, people just throw in their own comments without paying any attention to those of other writers (even repeating the same things over and over or dropping in complete non sequiturs).

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[–] gtbarker 8 years ago

I agree with the OP and I think you may have coloured your judgement from knowing Hudson's sexuality rather from actual observation

'Well I've got two words for you - STFU'

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[–] ed-ryba 8 years ago

I don't know what show YOU were watching, but the rest of us seem to have been watching McMillan And Wife! Were you reading a magazine or something while it was on? The show was a product of its time. It didn't try to push any envelopes, but it did give us a believable couple. If you, budikavian, don't understand this, it makes me wonder what your home life was like when you were growing up.

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[–] thekadlecs 16 years ago

I'm guessing you are male. I wonder if women see it differently than
men....I don't think about Rock's "gay thing" while I watch this
show. The show in itself is unbelievable but I rent it FOR the
chemistry and relationship between husband and wife.

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[–] caprice1221 14 years ago

You have to consider the time, it was 1970 to 1977, they could not show them doing a lot romantically, they were at least in one bed.TV Protocol is different from movie standards of the day. They were not allowed to French Kiss, at all, or show them having sex. They could only imply and viewers had to use their imagination.

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[–] tapdancer 16 years ago

I loved their relationship. It didn't seem cheesy and fake to me.

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[–] Poisoned_Dragon1964 15 years ago

I have only seen the first season, but their relationship seems forced to me. I do not think it's knowledge of Hudson's orientation that does it, either. It reminds me somewhat of Tom Cruise jumping up and down on a couch.

§« El sueño de la razón produce monstruos. »§

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[–] bobd64 15 years ago

I do remember them getting ready for bed together in the same bed. Double entendres were used too, that was risque for the times actually. This was a show of the times, it was barely removed from the time of separate twin beds. Although some movies had hot sex scenes, TV did not. To me this show was a plot driven mystery series. Relationship moments are used at times but there isn't any real character development. They just don't delve deep into the characters and their sex life. I very much enjoyed the show for what is was campy light mystery, ala Chan, Holmes and Marple and that's all it was.

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[–] petehuse 13 years ago

To me it had plenty of believable chemistry. Frequently the show ended with them thoroughly engaged in each other, that was part of the recurring show closure theme. And that red 18 jersey! Damn, how I wondered what might be underneath! Only used in the bedroom scenes. Since I was (am) infatuated by SSJ I sure thought it was sexy!

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[–] RikerDonegal 13 years ago

I'm rediscovering the show, and rediscovering my crush on SSJ and I totally love the romantic stuff, and think all the 'couple-y' scenes are wonderful.

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[–] sharon-matthews4 13 years ago

I thought they were sexy together. Their rapport was evident and they seemed to spark off each other. Having read Rock Hudson My Story, Susan says she loved him and was very surprised to find out he was gay during the first season. She said he never gave her a hint and that if she had not been married she felt she could use her feminine whiles to prove otherwise.

I think he was a man who genuinely liked women as well as men.This definitely came across in that book. When SSJ and Rock met some years later at a show biz function for Rock, he ran to her and embraced her and she said she felt like she was home. She joked with Rock that she was disappointed he kissed another woman so soon after Sally died, especially since Mac and Sally had sex every day of their married life! Rock laughed at that. They also laughed at the Till Death Do Us Part episode. They called it the big plastic bag episode where the house was wrapped in plastic. Apparently it came about because the show was done on a small budget and they had no money to pay for extras etc. She said he was so cuddly she wanted to just go and curl up in his lap like she did on the show, but her husband was there. In the book she did this during their first rehearsal on the show and Rock never turned a hair. He liked to cuddle in real life and thought it was good that she was comfortable enough to do that; it helped develop the Mac/Sally relationship.

I watched this show in Australia when it aired and I was about 14 years old. I thought Rock Hudson was sooo sexy in this role and my mother and I watched it and drooled over him.

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[–] blackhawkswincup2010 12 years ago

I agree. I think they had chemistry, and it was a lot of fun to watch. Although there was one episode when Rock Hudson played two roles, Stew McMillan and a criminal who looked just like him. The 'evil twin' had a Latin dancing scene with Nancy Walker that was hilarious and fun.

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[–] anne0 12 years ago

Rock Hudson and Robert Reed - two great actors in family shows where I never had the slightest clue they were gay. Loved the chemistry in McMillan, totally sex-ful, and they did try to push the boundary for television with double entendre.

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[–] monga76 11 years ago

I love them together. The fact that they were friends and really liked each other offscreen makes it nicer. Susan Saint James adored Rock Hudson. Rock Hudson being gay is mentioned too much. Susan had said that he did not talk about his personal life and she didn't ask. Did not matter. The person matters. Their chemistry is charming and they seem to have unconditional love for each other, and that is sexy! As far as Rock Hudson being gay, I don't care about that. He will always be one of my favorites..........

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[–] 11 years ago

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