Review by Win Wiacek

This second collection of middle-aged gay life in 1990s Los Angeles features an introduction from Robert Triptow, the editor who saw their potential as stars from within a huge byzantinely interwoven cast when originally shown Tim Barela’s work. He presents a sly and witty foreword before a detailed and lengthy explanation of the cast orbiting around Leonard Goldman and Larry Evans.

This family saga is primarily a comedic comedy of manners, played out against social prejudices and grudging popular gradual acceptances, but it also has shocking moments of drama and tension and whole bunches of heartwarming sentiment set in and around West Hollywood.

Their friends and clients enjoy even larger roles this time around whilst cunningly presenting other perspectives on LA life and the ever-evolving scene. Flamboyant former aerospace engineer Frank Freeman lives with acclaimed concert pianist Bob Mendez and has an obsessive yen for uniforms, which comes in handy when Bob is targeted by a sex-crazed celebrity stalker. It’s no use at all though, when she kidnaps them at gunpoint and demands Bob satisfies her every desire.

Larry’s other employee is Jim Buchanan, lover of closeted TV star Merle Oberon, and the original and main focus of puckish visits from overly-critical dead composers. Yes, Tchaikovsky and Brahms are regular visitants and serve to keep the proceedings wry, sarcastic and surreal.

Among the highlights this time are the cast’s participation in the April 1993 March on Washington in in support of Gay Rights, Larry’s jury duty and the introduction of a draconian Judge who is also a major purchaser of the Melrose store’s most imaginative BDSM under-apparel. There’s also Jim and Merle’s fraught but fun foray to Texas to get the blessing of the cowboy’s fundamentalist parents, while other episodes cover various couples’ home and work lives, constant parties, physical deterioration, social gaffes, rows, family revelations, holidays and even events like earthquakes and fanciful prognostications.

The opposing sides/families in the “lifestyle vs sin” debate meet often and outrageously and there’s even a couple of ceremonies (this is long before same sex weddings were legal) to confirm that the heart wants what the heart wants.

Terrifyingly there’s also a second episode of “queer-bashing”, Larry’s also gay teenage son David being the first in Domesticity Isn’t Pretty. Shockingly, it results in Larry’s death.

Thankfully his trip to heaven is pleasant and his prompt return to the mortal coil proves “God Loves Gays” and provides sublimely satisfying satirical laughs whilst scoring major points. When he revives it’s to meet his new – and so very, very ugly – grandson, and thus life goes on.

Populated by adorable, appetising fully fleshed out characters, Leonard & Larry is about finding and then being yourself: an irresistible slice of gentle whimsy to nourish the spirit and beguile the jaded. Next is Excerpts from the Ring Cycle in Royal Albert Hall, or the entire series is now available as The Complete Leonard & Larry Collection.