In a year when “diversity” was under assault, the Canadian romance series about gay hockey players proved how wrong-headed the attacks were even when it comes to dollars and sense.
I've watched this series 3x now and will likely watch it several more times. I'm 63 and haven't seen anything quite like this series, EVER, on TV or anywhere else. My partner is a bit younger (41) and has yet to see it and I suspect probably won't. He will go to an MLB or semi-pro baseball game with me and the dog (if possible), but other than that it's running, gym, video games, horror movies and making cocktails. He was never closeted, came out at 14 in Mississippi (crazy!) and seems to not relate to any gay themed shows (although he liked "Smiley"). I've enjoyed this series doubly for the both of us.
BTW - all the actors and actresses are great and well cast. The dudes were all quite hot (by design /calculated). Even Kips dad, who I seem to resemble lol. The kid who plays Ilyav (Connor Storrie) nailed his character and is most excellent. He also grew up in Midland F'in Texas, (very west TX/Permian Basin) where "W" had his "pho ranch" trying to make him look like a regular guy when he was running for his 1st term.
They played All the Things She Said by Harrison, a key song in Heated Rivalry, over the sound system during the second period of yesterday's New York Rangers-Washington Capitals game here in DC. A round of applause swept through some of the crowd. The Caps' sound person knew what he/she was doing.
Yup, this show was just what we (I) needed. It hadn't been on my radar either, though I started seeing posts about it on social media, and then there was a clear, strong response to "Episode 5," so I figured something noteworthy happened in that episode.
I have a weekend ritual of watching movies in the morning. I find myself reluctant to watch TV series since they require a longer time commitment, so I hadn't been rushing to watch HEATED RIVALRY, but I'm off from work this week, so Monday morning I started the series and watched all six episodes, bawling through much of them, but that was a good thing. Sure, the guys were sexy and the sex was hot, but, damn, if it wasn't the relationships that got me, and the representation. It meant a lot to me to see that. Maybe my age is showing, but this sort of TV show wasn't possible (or available) when I was young. The TALES OF THE CITY mini-series aired when I was in my early 30s, so we got things here and there, but now, in my 60s, I was cheering for the guys in this show, and when Shane came out to his parents, and they responded as they did, I was a blubbering mess.
My social media feeds were suddenly filled with clips and videos and stories about the series, and I watched key scenes over again, getting emotional all over again. This morning I thought about rewatching ALL OF US STRANGERS for the 21st time, but, yeah, I rewatched all six episodes of HEATED RIVALRY. I probably cried harder this time through. I'm just a big softie.
It cracks me up in a way. Forever, straight men have thrilled to the idea of women with women. As though somehow, it’s for them, that they are the intended audience. Move over guys, guess what, we aren’t just objects, we have inner lives too, and imaginations.
I found the series depressing. It didn't feel at all romantic, just stressful and sad, these young men's struggle to accept their attraction to each other, and then in the end their decision not to come out was not questioned in any way. We've come so far since the 80s and 90s persuading people that the closet is not simply a choice to keep one's life private, but a repressive institution that hurts ALL of us when we legitimize it. This series felt to me, just like pretty much everything these days, a huge step backward.
I found the series depressing. It didn't feel at all romantic, just stressful and sad, these young men's struggle to accept their attraction to each other, and then in the end their decision not to come out was not questioned in any way. We've come so far since the 80s and 90s persuading people that the closet is not simply a choice to keep one's life private, but a repressive institution that hurts ALL of us when we legitimize it. This series felt to me, just like pretty much everything these days, a huge step backward.
Let’s be honest! Heated Rivalry became a hit because of Connor Storrie’s perfect ass. Tell me part of the reason for returning the next Friday to watch the new episode had nothing to do with Connor’s body part.
If not, then please tell me why you kept on watching.
If it is part of the reason, thank you for your honesty.
(both on and off the ACA marketplace) are expected to increase significantly on January 1, 2026 due to rising healthcare system costs, potential effects from new tariffs, and the anticipated expiration of enhanced ACA subsidies, leading to higher out-of-pocket costs for many, even without using the ACA exchange.
Please reply with YOUR rate increase and if you are on or off ACA market. Thanks
Your comment about “no tariffs” was the icing on your article, Michael.
It’s both sexy and heartwarming. Great show. And I’m glad that this will finally make Francois Arnaud the star he always deserved to be. 💙💙💜💜💜💜💜💜💜
FA is a good actor and a hottie. I'm not a pop culture/TV person and was completely unfamiliar with him and Robbie GK! Those bunz :P
I've watched this series 3x now and will likely watch it several more times. I'm 63 and haven't seen anything quite like this series, EVER, on TV or anywhere else. My partner is a bit younger (41) and has yet to see it and I suspect probably won't. He will go to an MLB or semi-pro baseball game with me and the dog (if possible), but other than that it's running, gym, video games, horror movies and making cocktails. He was never closeted, came out at 14 in Mississippi (crazy!) and seems to not relate to any gay themed shows (although he liked "Smiley"). I've enjoyed this series doubly for the both of us.
BTW - all the actors and actresses are great and well cast. The dudes were all quite hot (by design /calculated). Even Kips dad, who I seem to resemble lol. The kid who plays Ilyav (Connor Storrie) nailed his character and is most excellent. He also grew up in Midland F'in Texas, (very west TX/Permian Basin) where "W" had his "pho ranch" trying to make him look like a regular guy when he was running for his 1st term.
They played All the Things She Said by Harrison, a key song in Heated Rivalry, over the sound system during the second period of yesterday's New York Rangers-Washington Capitals game here in DC. A round of applause swept through some of the crowd. The Caps' sound person knew what he/she was doing.
And they are adorable off Screen as well…
The real sad story this year is Boots which also should have been renewed
Yup, this show was just what we (I) needed. It hadn't been on my radar either, though I started seeing posts about it on social media, and then there was a clear, strong response to "Episode 5," so I figured something noteworthy happened in that episode.
I have a weekend ritual of watching movies in the morning. I find myself reluctant to watch TV series since they require a longer time commitment, so I hadn't been rushing to watch HEATED RIVALRY, but I'm off from work this week, so Monday morning I started the series and watched all six episodes, bawling through much of them, but that was a good thing. Sure, the guys were sexy and the sex was hot, but, damn, if it wasn't the relationships that got me, and the representation. It meant a lot to me to see that. Maybe my age is showing, but this sort of TV show wasn't possible (or available) when I was young. The TALES OF THE CITY mini-series aired when I was in my early 30s, so we got things here and there, but now, in my 60s, I was cheering for the guys in this show, and when Shane came out to his parents, and they responded as they did, I was a blubbering mess.
My social media feeds were suddenly filled with clips and videos and stories about the series, and I watched key scenes over again, getting emotional all over again. This morning I thought about rewatching ALL OF US STRANGERS for the 21st time, but, yeah, I rewatched all six episodes of HEATED RIVALRY. I probably cried harder this time through. I'm just a big softie.
Great show! Very sexy.
It cracks me up in a way. Forever, straight men have thrilled to the idea of women with women. As though somehow, it’s for them, that they are the intended audience. Move over guys, guess what, we aren’t just objects, we have inner lives too, and imaginations.
I'm so in my feelings with this show, like the Tik Toker you included in the story, LOL. As you say, a gift in a year when it was sorely needed.
The NHL podcast is Empty Netters, not nesters.
Dumb AI proofing mistakes, sorry . Corrected!
I found the series depressing. It didn't feel at all romantic, just stressful and sad, these young men's struggle to accept their attraction to each other, and then in the end their decision not to come out was not questioned in any way. We've come so far since the 80s and 90s persuading people that the closet is not simply a choice to keep one's life private, but a repressive institution that hurts ALL of us when we legitimize it. This series felt to me, just like pretty much everything these days, a huge step backward.
I found the series depressing. It didn't feel at all romantic, just stressful and sad, these young men's struggle to accept their attraction to each other, and then in the end their decision not to come out was not questioned in any way. We've come so far since the 80s and 90s persuading people that the closet is not simply a choice to keep one's life private, but a repressive institution that hurts ALL of us when we legitimize it. This series felt to me, just like pretty much everything these days, a huge step backward.
Let’s be honest! Heated Rivalry became a hit because of Connor Storrie’s perfect ass. Tell me part of the reason for returning the next Friday to watch the new episode had nothing to do with Connor’s body part.
If not, then please tell me why you kept on watching.
If it is part of the reason, thank you for your honesty.
My wife and I are obsessed with it and have been listening to the official soundtrack on Spotify. How will we make it to 2027 for season 2?!
And we need more queer shows!!
NYTimes listed EMPTY NETTERS as one of the best new series of 2025
Yes, private health insurance premiums
(both on and off the ACA marketplace) are expected to increase significantly on January 1, 2026 due to rising healthcare system costs, potential effects from new tariffs, and the anticipated expiration of enhanced ACA subsidies, leading to higher out-of-pocket costs for many, even without using the ACA exchange.
Please reply with YOUR rate increase and if you are on or off ACA market. Thanks