Logo Channel's TV series "Noah's Arc" is a black "Queer as Folk" with some "Sex in the City" thrown in. Set in Los Angeles, the show features the lives of four black gay friends dealing with everyday events. At the center of the circle is soft-spoken Noah Nichols (Darryl Stephens), a young struggling screenwriter with romantic ideals who is new to having a boyfriend. Surrounding him are uptight professor Chance Counter (Doug Spearman), flamboyant Alex Kirby (Rodney Chester), and unrepentant Ricky Davis (Christian Vincent). Noah struggles as a screenwriter, and in his dating life becomes very attracted to successful closeted film writer Wade (Jensen Atwood). Neither Noah nor the audience can tell if Wade's attracted to him or not. The cast rallies round one another for adventures great and small, and that's what makes it enjoyable, whether you're single, gay, black, or whatever. Often referred to as a comedy-drama, the show integrates socially-relevant issues such as same sex dating, same sex marriage, HIV awareness, infidelity, sexual curiosity, promiscuity, gay bashing and same sex parenthood.
"Noah's Arc" premiered on October 19, 2005 on the Logo TV network, and was Logo's most popular program. It ended October 4, 2006. Only two seasons were made. Season one was filmed in Los Angeles with nine episodes. Season two was filmed in Vancouver, Canada with eight episodes. Plus there is the pilot, included in the season one DVD release. Runtime is 23 minutes per episode. The original title of the series was "Hot Chocolate". It was announced that the show had been canceled a few months after the post-production of the film based on the series, and a few years after the cliffhanger finale. The melodramatic film adaptation "Noah's Arc: Jumping the Broom" served as a follow-up of the series. Patrik-Ian Polk created the show, directed some episodes and wrote the scripts for 3 episodes. Brent Belke composed the original music for 5 episodes. Laurie Lynd and Mina Shun directed 2 episodes each.
"Noah's Arc: Jumping the Broom" (2008) takes place two years after the second episode and features Noah and Wade prepaing to marry in Martha's Vineyard. In attendance are Alex, managing the food and preparations; Chance, accompanied by his neglected partner of four years, Eddie (Jonathan Julian); the promiscuous Ricky, who secretly covets Noah; Brandon (Gary LeRoi Gray), a student of Chance’s, who is dating Ricky and afraid of coming out to his family; and a closeted British rapper, Baby Gat (Jason Steed). The personal problems of their friends and the unexpected arrival of Baby Gat threatens to end their relationship. With the Jacuzzi and two bachelor parties, the occasion prompts a flurry of flirtations, jealousies and sexy encounters. Emphasis is on communication, monogamy, and child rearing. The group shares a prayer at the dining room table. Written and directed by the show’s creator, Patrik-Ian Polk, the film ends with vows of commitment.
