Old Dogs & New Tricks at 15

My 15 favorite moments from the series...

When I sat down in the summer of 2010 to write about four middle-aged gay friends in what would become the first dozen scripts of Old Dogs & New Tricks, I had but one goal: give myself a job!

And I wanted to honor the kinds of queer friendships I had enjoyed among my circle of San Francisco theatre friends, like playwright/actor/director Jeffrey Hartgraves, wherein we shared almost everything!

It was also a matter of wish fulfillment. Since high school, I'd fantasized about creating, writing and acting in a serialized television series, so it was also a dream come true.

But it quickly became about more than just my selfish desires. The skilled crew we gathered, and the talented actors we cast, created a universe that was much bigger than just me. And they produced a show that was much more successful than I could have dared dream. And I will be forever grateful to each and every one involved.

I owe a particular debt to our executive producer and most frequent director Arvin Bautista, who was as responsible for the show that resulted as I was, and our "executive in charge of production," my husband and producing partner Laurence Whiting.

So to celebrate the show's 15th anniversary of the show's premiere, to honor the amazing artists and artisans who brought the show to life, and to thank the fanbase that quickly rallied around us and kept us alive through five years, three seasons and two specials -- and streaming on Tubi and Amazon Prime ever since -- here are my 15 favorite moments from the show.

Together Again for the Very First Time

Pilot, June 30, 2011

When Arvin and I were in pre-production for the pilot episode, he promised when we see the four "old dogs" (David Pevsner, me, Jeffrey Patrick Olson & Curt Bonnem) together for the first time at the end of the episode, the moment would look like a million bucks. And he delivered! We shot it guerilla style on Santa Monica Boulevard in the heart of gay West Hollywood within maybe 30 minutes, walking down the block towards the camera, running back and doing it again, about 3 takes.

Carmageddon

1.4 "Stuck in A Jam" Jan 17, 2012

The entire episode unfolds while the four guys are stuck in traffic in their cars -- a very Los Angeles scenario -- as everyone calls Nathan to ask for advice or to complain about a problem. Arvin employed lots of split screens and green screens to pull this off -- some viewers didn't believe me when I said we weren't really driving!

HR Would Disapprove!

1.5 "Strange Bedfellows" Jan 31, 2012

Nathan interviews a prospective client -- wannabe actor and sometime underwear model Damian Johns (Ryland Shelton). But Damian forgot his portfolio and Nathan's computer is too slow, so Damian strips to his underwear -- then makes a pass. Tired of living vicariously through his friends' adventures, Nathan follows his shrink's advice and goes for it. This scene got the episode, our first season finale, a lot of views!

Wake And Bake Then Shake

2.1 "Topsy Turvy" Jan 30, 2013

Our second-season premiere found Nathan sneaking to Damian's apartment for more, while telling his friends he was at the dentist, the DMV ... you get the idea. The show-biz website The Backlot called the "bong scene" where Nathan surprises Damian with his pot-smoking prowess an "instant classic."

Brad's Wedding Gift for Nelson & Dirk

2.6 "Bad Reception" Mar 13, 2013

Our two-part "Big Fat Gay Wedding," wherein Nathan's nemesis Nelson Van Eddy (Bruce L. Hart) marries special guest star Greg Louganis, was an epic affair, with the scope of a real wedding. But the defining moment comes in part two, "Bad Reception," wherein a very drunk Brad regurgitates all over Nelson's pristine white tux -- perhaps the series' funniest moment ever. (As always, Bruce was a great sport!)

We Are Family

2.6 "Bad Reception" Mar 13, 2013

As the boys drive home in shame after the wedding, depressed at the dramas in their individual lives, Muscles touchingly lightens the moment by reminding the guys "You don't have to get married to have a family ... we already have a family ... we're family." Jeffrey really delivers as Muscles, and viewers saw that the show had heart under its cynicism.

Dynasty Redux

2.7 "Best Laid Plans" Mar 27, 2012

We were often compared to Sex and the City and understandably so. But a podcaster once described our show as "Golden Girls meets Dynasty," which was pretty accurate. That prime-time soap was a favorite of mine and inspired Nathan and Nelson's pool fight -- and, like that series, a slap-down between the two rivals became an annual tradition. It's great fun to watch, but was not a lot of fun to shoot!

"Friend Phone, Sex Phone!"

2.8 "Date Night" Apr 3, 2013

Brad and Ross' accidental online near-hookup in a no-tell motel was another comic highlight of the series. But there was a problem writing this scene -- how would neither of them recognize the other's phone number when setting up their rendevous? Then it hit me -- a "player" like Brad would have a separate phone dedicated to hook ups and sexting!

Mo Gaffney, Divorce Lawyer

3.2 "Fortunes Flip" Nov 12, 2014

I never expected Mo Gaffney -- one of the funniest actresses alive (and one of my favorite performers) -- would say yes to guest-starring in our third season. But she did -- less than five minutes after I emailed her the offer -- and I jumped three feet out of my chair. I told her to feel free to ad lib (the only time I gave an actor this note) in the scene where she played Ross' ruthless divorce lawyer, and she didn't disappoint. The crew was in agony trying not to laugh!

Pity Party Of Four

3.4 "Thanks But No Thanks" Nov 26, 2014

I'm particularly partial to our Thanksgiving episode, and not only because it's the one of the series I also directed. It has many laugh-out-loud moments, if I do say so myself (Brad & Jake ignoring Nathan, Lucas "force-feeding" Muscles, drunken Neal crashing the dinner, and Nathan walking in on Lydia and Andy "in the throes"). But the moment that makes me LOL every time I see it? The scene when the guys have a pity party while smoking a joint in Ross' bathroom, and Muscles cries out "Don't pretend you can't see it...I'M FAT!" As if!

Sex-Tape Damage Control

3.7 "Putting the X in Xmas" Dec 17, 2014

Nathan has just quit smoking -- what a perfect time for a sex tape starring Ross Stein to go viral! The conference-room scene, where publicist Dan Karmel (Jeffrey Scott Basham) arrives to save the day, Nelson tries to take control, and Nathan has a meltdown on the phone with an executive from Lifetime Television, is just one reason this is one of my favorite episodes. (And David and Jeffrey have amazing chemistry!) Another from this episode is below, under "Honorable Mentions.

Calling Home For Christmas

3.8 "All About (Xmas) Eve" Dec 24, 2014

Broke and desperate, Brad drops his accent and calls his elderly parents in Florida on Christmas Eve with the intent of asking to borrow money -- but he just can't go through with it. Curt's powerful performance, and Arvin's decision to shoot it in one long slow dolly shot, made it the most powerfully dramatic moment of the series. While Brad fights back his tears, I bet you won't be able to!

I Love Lydia, And She Loves Me!

3.8 "All About (Xmas) Eve" Dec 24, 2014

I created the role of Nathan's loyal and loving assistant Lydia Lasker specifically for my good friend Amanda Gari and loved shooting all of our scenes together. I think our real-life affection for each other shines through. But none more than in this scene, when Lydia joins lonely Nathan at a bar on Christmas Eve, and tries to convince him to accompany her & boyfriend Andy (Andy Gates) on a holiday trip. While Nathan was certainly dependent upon her, I think his relationship with Lydia was maybe his healthiest.

Muscles and Mom

3.9 "Homo for the Holidays" Dec 31, 2014

At a crossroads about his future, Muscles travels to Ohio to visit his parents for Christmas, and receives a wise, warm pep talk from his mom. We were so incredibly lucky to land Dark Shadows' leading lady Kathryn Leigh Scott to play Lillianne. She brought a down-to-earth quality to the role that really elevated the scene. She and Jeffrey are remarkable and it gets to me every time I've seen it. Maybe because I had the many heart-to-hearts I had with my mom in my head while writing this.

A Presidential Cameo

4.1 "Where Were YOU When the Rights Went ON?" Jun 26, 2016

How many "web series" can claim to have a United States President as a guest star? Well, while we can claim it, it's not exactly true. President Obama's speech, announcing the Supreme Court's marriage-equality decision, was public domain. But Obama's personal messages to Nathan, Muscles, Ross, and Brad, came courtesy of talented Obama impersonator Matthew Harris.

HONORABLE MENTIONS

Cliffhanger Times Four

2.10 "Last Gasps" Apr 17, 2013

Can Brad go cold turkey on sex? Is Muscles' boyfriend Bobby's sudden disinterest in sex caused by a prescription drug--and what is he taking it for? Has Ross & Neal's marriage finally reached the end? Is Damian truly in love with Nathan, or merely a gold digger? The final scenes in our second-season finale really pack a punch. Like I said, Dynasty was just as influential as Sex and the City! (I cried like a baby when this episode premiered, because I feared it would be our last!)

Where's Brad?

3.1 "WeHo Horror Story" May 7, 2014

I've always maintained that Halloween is the "gay Christmas." So you can't do a gay TV series without at least one Halloween episode! On a mission to confront Damian at a dance club, the boys suspect foul play when Brad goes missing. Alas, a "self-grooming accident" in the shower has landed Brad in the emergency room. We winked not only at Psycho, but Halloween and Vertigo in this special expanded episode.

Self Control? Interesting New Twist!

3.3 "Hard Bargains" Nov 19, 2014

Following his disastrous relationship with Damian, Nathan found grown-up romance with former model/current millionaire Jake Tyler (Curtis Wayne Brown). Curtis and I had terrific chemistry. Nathan & Jake's impromptu first date in Jake's screening room, where Jake expresses interest but then tells amorous Nathan to cool his jets, feels so real. You'll fall for Jake., too!

#HimToo

3.5 "To Have And Have Not" Dec 3, 2014

Another comic highlight of the series comes when Ross is in Salt Lake City shooting a Lifetime TV movie, and his amorous leading lady Tanya Dickson (a very game Marisa Petroro) shows up in his hotel room, insisting on "rehearsing." His ingenious way of escaping her clutches is hilarious. David Pevsner is a very good actor, adding touches of drama to his comedic scenes, and some comedy to his dramatic ones.

Jingle Hell

3.8 "All About (Xmas) Eve" Dec 24, 2014

Running out of money, a miserable Brad is forced to take a job as a department-store Santa. But his degradation doesn't last long -- he gets fired for telling a shocked mother that her son is a "future friend of Dorothy--deal with it" (Production designer Danielle Lee did an outstanding job on that set, didn't she!)

Decent Proposal

4.1 "Where Were YOU When the Rights Went ON?" Jun 26, 2016

Their marriage had a lot of ups and downs during the run of the series -- infidelities, accidental reconciliations, separations -- but in the final installment of the show, Neal asks Ross to stay married -- and Ross accepted. Our fans rooted for their divorce while Doug Spearman played Neal, but changed their tune and cheered for a reconciliation shortly after Parnell Damone Marcano assumed the role.

Back Home Again In Indiana

Heartland Film Festival/Indy Shorts/Indianapolis LGBT Film Festival Salute Jul 24, 2019

Well, okay, technically, this isn't an episode -- but it's still a favorite memory. The film festivals flew the entire cast to Indianapolis, put us up in a ritzy hotel, and screened 8 episodes of the series to an enthusiastic audience. A great way to go home, and a great way to wrap up the series.

Looking back 15 years later, I notice most of my favorite moments aren't necessarily the biggest laughs or even the episodes people quote to me most often. Not the budgets we didn't have or the deadlines we barely met. I remember the people. And the moments they made real."

If you watched the series over the years, I'd truly love to know what moment stayed with you. Funny, dramatic, romantic, ridiculous... tell me your favorite in the comments. Reading your feedback has always been one of the best parts of this journey."

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