Somewhere between The Cove and The Real World: The Fabulous Beekman Boys

-By Lisa

There are important films that I know I should watch.

And I do. 

Sometimes.

Film can be amazing vehicle for change. But sometimes it’s hard to handle. I can’t even speak informatively about "The Cove." It sat on top of my DVD player for weeks, daring me to watch it, but I chickened out, sealed it back in the Netflix envelope and sent it away. I'm glad the film exists and I wish I could watch it, but I’m just not strong enough – the trailer had me hyperventilating.

So, I know these things are important but some days I just can’t handle important.  

Then the pendulum of my viewing habits swings and it’s horrifying to look back at my youth and recall how many hours...no, how many seasons (reunions, challenges...) of "The Real World" I watched. I know too much about Puck and I am kind of weirded out that The Miz is actually a professional wrestler now.

But right smack dab in the middle of important and immature, between sullen and silly, providing both education and entertainment – is "The Fabulous Beekman Boys."

It is a reality show is about a gay couple from New York City, Josh and Brent, who buy a farm upstate. Brent is a doctor and former vice president of Martha Stuart Omni Media and Josh is a writer and used to be a night club drag queen. (Come on, you can’t make this stuff up.) This first season chronicles their “Year of Sacrifice” trying to get their goat soap and cheese business up and running, while Brent is on the farm and Josh works during the week in the city. Luckily, these city slickers have John, an experienced and knowlegable farmer, who helps them out with the goats, pigs, chickens and a sassy llama named Polka Spot.

The couple have the prerequisite reality show relationship issues and both have sharp enough wit to keep it interesting. Famer John is a character in himself -- his deep love and devotion to the animals occasionally results in explosive crying jags.

But there is actual content here, too. Thanks to the Beekman boys, I know the difference between a Nubian goat and an Alpine goat, and that llamas might look gravely ill, splayed in the dirt like road kill, but they are actually just sunning themselves.

It's Simplicity & Sustainability Lite and it's fun with a glass of wine. 

Season one is currently in reruns, but they will be back for season two in 2011. The show airs Wednesdays at 9pm on Planet Green, or you can see clips and full episodes at planetgreen.com.

For more from Lisa, check out www.justherejustnow.com