Is it me or did It seem like all the guys in this sitcom are Gay? - Are You Being Served? (1972) Discussion

[–] freshwater 19 years ago

Only Mr Humphries is meant to be gay. The rest are maybe 'theatrical' but straight - exaggerated because its that kind of over-the-top comedy.

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[–] ghosthunterx 19 years ago

So one of them was actually meant to be gay? wow pretty edgy for the 70's

"I'd call the French scum bags but that would be a disservice to bags filled with scum."

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[–] Ranyhyn 19 years ago

For the 70's? In case you hadn't heard some of the episodes with "pussy"-refernces are not allowed on US tv channels. Funny that in a country with such a big porn industry.

You gotta be brave in the land of the free to believe in the powers that be.

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[–] Batwoman_the_Crimson_Avenger 18 years ago

For the 70's? In case you hadn't heard some of the episodes with "pussy"-refernces are not allowed on US tv channels. Funny that in a country with such a big porn industry.

Not here in IL. To my knowledge, no BBC import was ever edited for tv. I grew up on the stuff and can tell you that they never edited that word out. Same goes with the Milwaukee station (which is where it's showing these days).

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[–] thomthom830 18 years ago

I've seen all the episodes a million times on PBS and they are never edited from their original "Pussy" references.

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[–] 18 years ago

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[–] Bloodanna 16 years ago

Actually, Mr. Humphries wasn't meant to be gay just really camp, a Mother's Boy (as described by one of the writers), I mean he did have female love interests. Ultimately he was described in the show as "being in Limbo" which is how I see him: Bi, but very camp with a leaning towards men.

"Just because you don't understand it doesn't mean it isn't so."

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[–] melwyn 16 years ago

I'm sorry but he drops enough hints in dialogue to make it bloody obvious he's gay. Check what he says about men vs women - he might go out to dinner or a movie with a girl, but he sure as hell doesn't sleep with em :)

---
I just want sausages and mash and a bit of cake. Not twigs fried in honey or a donkey in a coffin!

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[–] Bloodanna 16 years ago

Does he say that? Where? I'm not doubting you, I just don't remember hearing that. :)
Also what about the stories he's always telling Lucas, like the one where he is making out with a girl in his car? I'm not saying that he didn't like men, in fact I do think he'd rather/was more likely to date men, but I also think there were one or two girls that caught his eye.

"Just because you don't understand it doesn't mean it isn't so."

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[–] sanna_o75 15 years ago

OK, this is a REALLY old thread, but I wanted to quote someone in here

Actually, Mr. Humphries wasn't meant to be gay just really camp, a Mother's Boy (as described by one of the writers), I mean he did have female love interests. Ultimately he was described in the show as "being in Limbo" which is how I see him: Bi, but very camp with a leaning towards men.

I think this is the best descpription of him. That's how I view him too.

I actually don't think much about what he was, I just take him for what he was on screen, I rarley stop and think "Hmm, was Mr Humphries gay?"

I mean, he didn't have to be gay. He could ahve just been very camp. I also feel that he was a bit asexual. A campy asexual momma's boy. There's nothing that prrofs he was gay. But there's no proof he was straight either. Some say he's bi. Well, maaybe he was. Just, like in the quote above me, leans towards men. He's a very complicated man, hehe, I think it's wonderful that he was mysterious, that we never found out anything. That's the beauty of his charachter

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[–] tribalmaggot 9 years ago

I'm watching the series now for the first time, and Humphries is definitely gay - he makes a number of references to wanting a man, when the perfume booth is set up he responds to the seductive male recording, when Rumbolt is going over possible vacation spots he jumps with excitement over Spain's gay cafes and does the same every time a gay location or social scene is brought up.

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[–] Royalcourtier 8 years ago

Mr Humphries was not meant to be "gay". He was meant to be ambiguous. That is the beauty of the role. It would be so easy to have a homosexual character.

Not only was the role ambiguous, but there were plenty of hints that Mr Humphries, for all his campness, was actually not homosexual. The fact that his character was intended to get married in the spinoff series Grace and Favour confirms that the creators saw him as a camp heterosexual, not as a homosexual.

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[–] rockmail 8 years ago

Camp Hetero? Where do you people get this?

There's DIRECT dialog many times of himself and other characters describing his preference for men, for God's sake.

An example: They mention "Sue Ellen" from the show Dallas while trying to get Mr. Humphries to seduce Mrs. Slocumbe.

He first mentions that he would find that "rather difficult". And just to emphasize that he's NOT talking about her age, the next line Humphries says is, "thinking about Sue Ellen wouldn't necessarily help me".

Then they mention J.R. (male character on Dallas) and Humphries perks right up with popping eyes and a shaking leg (referencing Young Mr. Grace's response to SueEllen.

Just one of many NON SUBTLE references to his GAY CHARACTER.

Geez people, it could not be MORE obvious for Christ's sake.

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[–] tjfishstix 19 years ago

Oh please! With all the attention Captain Peacock, Mr. Lucas, and Mr. Spooner pay to sexy Miss Brahms, you really think they're all gay? And Young Mr. Grace and Old Mr. Grace, who spend three-quarters of their time with a hot secretary on their laps or testing his pacemaker by looking at their suspenders? You should watch this show more carefully before commenting next time.

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[–] Dignan_Tenenbaum 19 years ago

He wasn't asking if all the male characters were gay. He just asked if anyone else felt that they seemed gay. That is to say, that they possess many of the attributes which are normally considered stereotypically gay.

Of course the characters weren't actually gay. He just thinks they act a little gay. You should read more carefully before commenting next time.

"Are you in the army?"
"No man, I just have short hair."

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[–] richard.fuller1 19 years ago

In even saying they seemed gay depends on your definition of masculinity.

If we want to define them as effeminate simply because of their nationality, then what do we have in America that defines masculinity?

Clark Gable, Marlon Brando, Robert Redford, Steve McQueen? They all border on sexist to me with their depictions of how they regard women. Paul Newman won't even speak to Jennifer Jones like she is a person in "Towering Inferno."

As was pointed out, Lucas and Peacock leered after every woman who entered the store.

What on Earth did the original poster think was going on in the "His and Hers" episode with Joanna Lumley as the perfume girl?

All those blow tickler references in "Oh What A Tangled Web."

Did Rumboldt seem gay because he was soft spoken?

And essentially there was only one time that Humphries was slandered as gay. Slocombe called him a fairy cake (which was a reference dropped in other episodes).

I guess every time Mrs. Slocombe made her pussy comments, the guys were supposed to elbow one another and snicker?

Would that have been more hetero?

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[–] CKlink13 19 years ago

Actually Humphrise is not completely gay, but bisexual for those who wan't to know, hence the "neither one way or the other" and "on the fence", not to mention the "I have friends of many different sizes, shapes, and sexes" comments throught the run. On a lighter note, one of my favorite moments is when Rumbold is trying to think of the right word for a man and woman fasion show Mr: Humphrise: Bisexual is not the right word"... or something to that extent.

Speaking of "Old Jug Ears", he is for sure married. They make refrences to wife throughout, in fact she appears twice, in "The Hold Up" and once more in "Friends and Neighbors". He's just blustering and confused in general.

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[–] Ranyhyn 19 years ago

Actually Humphrise is not completely gay, but bisexual for those who wan't to know, hence the "neither one way or the other" and "on the fence",

I started looking for episodes of Grace and Favour on the internet (I can't find the DVD's ,are they out yet for region2 ?)And he says in one of them to the farmers daughter something like :"Contrary to what you might have heard I always slept alone". My guess is he's a virgin. I don't think he ever had a thing with a woman because when his mother calls him (after the farmer's daughter gets into bed with him ),he tells her "You may never have to worry about me ever again".

You gotta be brave in the land of the free to believe in the powers that be.

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[–] st_belger 19 years ago

In the book about the series, the authors (and John Inman?) vehemently denied that the character of Mr. Humphries was meant to be gay (they didn't mention bi). They said it was just a typical character of the clothes trade. (Now, here is a stereotype for you...)

The quote with "bisexual" that was mentioned earlier went somehow like this:

Rumbold: " 'Male And Female Modes On The Move' - that's what we need, a unisex fashion show."
Brahms: "Isn't unisex men and women wearing the same clothes?"
Rumbold: "You may be right, Miss Brahms. Perhaps what I meant was bisexual."
Humphries (blushing): "No, Mr. Rumbold, I'm sure that's not what you meant."

Steff

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[–] glowberg 8 years ago

In one episode Humphries talks about an older woman and how he was confused. I believe he leaned towards being guy and then the lady really made him wonder what he was. Now I have to go find out the episode!

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[–] marktayloruk (2405) 2 years ago

It's called being normal. They were men not metrosexual wimps.

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[–] Leodicaprio (6426) 2 years ago

lol what?

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[–] TR_Wolf 18 years ago

Only Mr Humphries seemed gay.

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[–] 18 years ago

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[–] TR_Wolf 18 years ago

Couldnt have said it better!

Mrs Slocombe is guilty of slipping into a Northern accent now and then, but I adore that!

Also, in the first UK Tour of Disney's Beauty and the Beast (the musical), Madame de la Grande Bouche based her voice on Mrs Slocombe's, staying posh when talking about her years at the Royal Opera, but slipping Northern now and then, hehe.

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[–] 18 years ago

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[–] 18 years ago

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[–] Ranyhyn 18 years ago

Yeah, when he says something like :"There has been a lot of talk about me and Miss Moulterd... and I don't mind that one bit".

Nullus Anxietas

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[–] irisheyes317 18 years ago

ghosthunterx, have you actually known/met any british folk?

This show is a satire on department store workers, hence why not have a neat and clean character like Mr. Humphries? (he actually has more integrity than alot of the other characters do if you think about it!)

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[–] eden_echo 18 years ago

Does it really matter though?? This show is one of the funniest Britcoms ever made and Mr. Humphrey's was one of my favorites.

"I promise you, before I die I'll surely come to your doorstep"

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[–] kimisan 18 years ago

I loved Mr. Humphries, too, but it is clearly emphasized that he is neither "one way or the other" for the duration of the show. Sometimes he would make comments that would make him clearly sound homosexual, but in the episode "The Agent," he makes a statement that alludes that he is about to have sexual relations with a woman. And, if you'll remember, he almost married Mrs. Slocombe once, but it WAS due to a misunderstanding, of course.

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[–] thomthom830 18 years ago

I was reading these entries for fun today. And I find it hysterical that there is a debate on whether or not a fictional character is gay or not. Does it really matter? Who cares if the character of Mr. Humphries was gay? Does that change whether you liked the show or not? Probably not. I apologize if this offends anyone, I just don't see how this could really matter.

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[–] matthew-e-gregory 18 years ago

agreed.
and for the record, mr. humphries IS gay.

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[–] truthlord 18 years ago

Its wonderful to see so many people still enjoying this marvellous comedy series.All British TV comedy series are brilliant but some have an "edge" to them connected with class etc.AYBServed is pure simple humour-the one series that is a real tonic if you are ill .I seriously believe that Jeremy Lloyd and David Croft who have written so many brilliant comedy series should be sitting in the House of Lords to bring their wisdom to the world
The remarks about gayness have generally been covered but I think one can say a little more
Mr Humphries IS intended to be gay-however Americans -and others should be careful-it doesnt mean he was continually -if ever having sex with men! The most public homosexual figure in entertainment was Kenneth Williams in the Carry On series.His diaries reveal that although he was always drooling over this or that gorgeous man etc he had virtually no physical sex at all-simply lived happily with his mother
I suspect there are -or were many men like that in the past -things may be different now.
No other characters are meant to be gay in the series-that would spoil it-however, as a poster has correctly pointed out Americans should not confuse "gentiliy" -a kind of prissy slightly feminine politesse attitude- with homosexuality.It is simply a characteristic of trying to be or show one is civilised-you do see these types-often hotel receptionists etc in American films and they are often camp-but that doesnt mean they are Gay-merely showing their extra deference to the customer.
It is sad that one of the aspects of the decline in western societies behaviour is indeed that this kind of behaviour-which is really merely an extreme attempt to be polite and give good service in a non aggressive caring slightly feminine way is now regarded as "homosexual" with all that implies.

Finally another posters remarks about these struggling shabby department stores still existing in the seventies is correct. In fact there was one in London- Arding and Hobbs in the sleepy suburb of Clapham that always to my mind fitted AYBS perfectly. In the seventies Clapham was a shabby dusty down at heel place its gentry long gone.Arding and Hobbs struggled on like a dying dinosaur
I believe it is still going however and Clapham has long been part of the booming- enormously priced housing- dozens of restaurants etc- of London.American tourists who like AYBS might like to pay it a visit-its next to the station -but I suppose it is now full of sushi bars and Mrs Slocombe and all the others have long departed to the great department store in the sky.....

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[–] irene-102 18 years ago

remember this wonderful series from the first time it was shown on British TV.
i always thought Mr Humphries was meant to be gay.but previous posters are quite right,Mr Humphries often said "I'm neither one way or the other" whatever that means!!
don't think the head of the BBC was impressed,but the British public took this lovable character to heart.
the other characters definitely were not gay,Mr Lucas was always in pursuit of Miss Brahms.
as for Captain Peacock,he was married,but had an eye for the ladies.
even in the 70's this was an echo of how things used to be in dear old Blighty(Britain)so i guess by today's standards the original post in this topic isn't surprising.

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[–] metto81 18 years ago

mr. humphries certanly did.

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[–] 18 years ago

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[–] doodlkatz-1 17 years ago

Even though Humphries is protrayed as HAVING gay mannerisms his actual sexuality is always in question .....in several episodes he is seen in the company of woman and says at one time that enjoys the company of a "great variety " of companions, In another episode he is very offended at the possibly of the firm hiring a flamboantly gay older man, also in another episode he says that he had to fight of the advances of a ragmans horse. there are great many sterotypical jokes about sexuality , race, ethincity etc in AYBS. There are many HETROSEXUAL men on TV who could best be discribed as sissies ,,,also this was england in the late 60's ,early 70's compared to the David Bowie/Gry Glitter
types Mr Humphries could be considered somewhat straight

the more people I meet, the more I prefer the company of my cats

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[–] pifflehopper316 17 years ago

My goodness, this is a long topic. Let me end it.
Has anyone ever seen an episode where Mr. Humphries actually has sex with a man or a woman?
Yeah, I thought not.
Now just enjoy the show.

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[–] lexid523 17 years ago

Oh, please.

The standards people set for "proving" someone to be gay (real or fictional) are ridiculously high, and it's heterosexist to boot. It's "straight until proven queer." The world ain't that simple, kiddies. After all, we never saw Captain Peacock have sex with a woman, but we know he's straight because the way he would interact with the women. Well, just think of how Mr. Humphries interacted with the men, and I think you'll find your answer.

By the way, Mr. Humphries's friendships with women prove nothing; has no one ever heard of fag-hags?

Furthermore, you'll note that the allusions to Mr. Humphries's possible attraction to women come mostly in the second half of the series, after the producers and John Inman had gone through 5+ years of being bombarded by this inane question, knowing full well that if they stated that yes, Humphries is really, truly gay, the ratings would drop and the show would be cancelled because it was the 1970s and because people are hypocrites like that.

It's also interesting to note that John Inman himself denied being gay in a 1999 interview-- 6 years before he entered into a civil partnership with the man he'd been with for 30 years.

Finally, Grace and Favour isn't canon. Because I said so.

Life is too important to be taken seriously. -Oscar Wilde

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[–] pifflehopper316 17 years ago

'Kay, fine. I wasn't saying Humphries wasn't gay (of course he was), I just wanted dumb people to stop talking.

And are you serious about the 1999 interview? That's interesting. Do you have a link to that interview?

And yes, Grace and Favour is sheer, shelvable crap. Let's pretend it doesn't exist.

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[–] ichimaru 16 years ago

I think there's plenty of proof to at the very least point to Mr. Humphries being bisexual if not straight. It may not have been sex, but if you watch the end of The Erotic Dreams of Mrs. Slocombe you might get an answer of some sort. Mr. Humphries also mentions dating women occasionally within the series, including one time he describes to Mr. Lucas when his mother interrupted him and a young lady kissing after a date.

So we know he does like women. Does this mean he doesn't like men? No. He could easily be bi-sexual and quite a few of the jokes and some of his comments about the "women" he's familiar with suggests that they may have been men at one point. There's at least two instances where that happens. He also talks about being in the navy rather suggestively. When he mentions how he wore the captain's hat but had no pants on, it really seems to suggest something happened there.

There's also the fact that most of the others seem to automatically think Mr. Humphries is gay. Such as when Mr. Lucas thought he was going to marry Roger when Mr. Humphries told him how Roger had asked him (to be the best man). Captain Peacock also made a point of telling Mr. Humphries he needed to use the men's clothes when trying to "con the mugs" as Mr. Lucas called it. Mr. Humphries reactions whenever someone assumes his friend is a guy are always a bit too emphatic.

Making Mr. Humphries's inclinations ambiguous was probably a good idea at the time. Personally, I enjoy it. Everyone can have their own interpretations of his character.

As for the others. Mr. Rumbold, Mr. Grainger, and Mr. Tebbs are typical married old men. There's nothing to suggest that either of them are remotely gay at all. In fact, Mr. Grainger hints at a somewhat "wild" youth when he got a girl in haberdashery in trouble in the pudding club (pregnant). It's pretty important to note that she's not Mrs. Grainger, otherwise he wouldn't have asked if the secretary's father was talking about the girl in haberdashery 20 years ago.

Captain Peacock, Mr. Lucas, Young and Old Mr. Grace both fit into a completely different mold. If Captain Peacock had his way he'd be a serial philanderer, but most of the women he hits on don't like him. He's hit on the Bliss Girl, almost all of Mr. Rumbold's secretaries, Mrs. Slocombe, and Ms. Brahms. Mr. Lucas is always talking about trying to get a lay, often with failed results (he has worse luck than Captain Peacock!). There have been several times Mr. Lucas has hit on Ms. Brahms, but in the end she simply doesn't like him. Young and Old Mr. Grace seem to be able to charm young women fairly easily, particularly Young Mr. Grace. Neither of those are anything but obviously straight.

Mr. Mash and Mr. Harmon are lesser versions of the above. There are various instances to illustrate this, particularly with Mr. Harmon who once called Ms. Brahms "goods" when he was pretending to be a customer.

If you watch the show all of the above is fairly obvious. You don't even have to look for it. Mr. Humphries is the only one who's really ambiguous and that's left up to the viewer to decide, so I don't think any one answer is wrong.

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[–] hodie 16 years ago

>Has anyone ever seen an episode where Mr. Humphries actually has sex with a man or a woman?<

Have you ever seen an episode of AYBS where anybody has sex with anybody else?
Yeah, I thought not.

I watched a minidoc about certain actors in the series, including John Inman. Neither Inman nor the creators of the show ever go so far as to say Mr. Humphries was gay, even though it was a question frequently asked of them. To the best of my recollection, they described Mr. Humphries as a mama's boy, and left the rest up to people's imagination. Fair enough.

God save Donald Duck, vaudeville and variety

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