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Interview: Jack E.Jett 04.12.06

By Ross von Metzke

Gay entertainers are known for being blunt, but few do it with such no holds barred candor as Jack E. Jett. Best known for hosting Queer Edge with Jack E Jett on Q Television, Jett’s bounced around virtually every corner of the entertainment industry a veteran can hope to fill. He's gone from A.F.T.R.A talent representative to working as the Talent Coordinator for the American Film Institute Tribute to Elizabeth Taylor, working as press manager for Belinda Carlisle and The GoGo’s casting at CBS.

So it should come as no surprise that Jett should find himself in front of the camera, dishing everything gay and newsworthy weekly on Q TV. The HIV-positive entertainer has recently made headlines for taking pharmaceutical companies and HIV advertisements to task for what he considers a poor way to market a cure to the community.

We sat down with Jack to talk about this, rumors Q TV is headed for financial ruin, and many of the other fascinating things this hell of a guy’s got on his mind.

Ross von Metzke: You've been pretty forthcoming in recent weeks about your many feelings surrounding HIV/AIDS and how pharmaceutical companies are choosing to approach advertising, outreach campaigns? Why did you decide now was the time to open up and talk?

Jack E. Jett: I have no problems with the pharmaceutical companies. They keep my alive, in good health, happy and sometimes high. I like the ads, but I’m not gullible enough to believe that taking their medications will make me a hunky dude who is willing to rock climb as a hobby. Nor do I think they will make me happy like the models they use.

RVM: So let’s talk about another series of ads appearing in The Advocate – they paint HIV+ people to be disgusting, sickly, scary, some wearing diapers, one with a horrific hunchback. What in particular bothers you about the ads?

JJ: This whole campaign that uses photos of emaciated men in diapers in an effort to "scare" people from contracting AIDS looks like something that was produced by some right wing Christian nutcases. It was probably actually designed by someone who has never had to witness that or deal with it as a caretaker. This ad is a slap in the face to all the men and women who have HIV, AIDS, or have ever taken care of someone. This is exactly the type of thing the right wing Christians use in their “fright house” attractions that they use at Halloween to frighten people from being gay. I think some advertising queen has gotten caught up in the George Bush fear mongering, or someone just wanting to be shocking for the sake of being shocking, which in reality is so 1985. People with HIV/AIDS do not need some ad agency taking away our dignity.

RVM: We've heard the argument that HIV/AIDS has become a business, that so long as there's money in medicine, they may never find a cure. Is that a theory you prescribe to?

JJ: I would have never, ever believed that any scientist, or pharmaceutical company would ever do such a thing as holding back a cure for the sake of money. I have always had more faith in humanity than that. However, since the Bush administration, that has a focus of fear, lack of transparency… I mean the man rarely utters an honest word. So with such an administration running and ruining this country, I would not be surprised at all that the government might be involved in holding back a cure, if the pharmaceutical companies have hired a Jack Abramhoff. I mean, they may be trying to Tom Delay it, but I don't think the medical community would be involved in such.

RVM: What do you think pharmaceutical companies and outreach programs should be doing differently?

JJ: Other than becoming a sponsor of my show, I can't think of anything! Seriously, I think these companies get a lot flack for not just giving away these drugs. I understand that the process of research is long and tedious and expensive, and it is a business. If we make it tough for them to make a profit, then we will never find the cure. I understand that folks in third world countries can not afford these drugs. Maybe this is where the Pope should get up off his fat, lazy ass and put some money into buying drugs for these people that he instructs not to participate in condoms or contraception.

RVM: You've paired off with Sandra Bernhard for your show on Q TV. How did that pairing come about?

JJ: Queer Edge has always had different celebrity guests each week. From Charo to Kim Coles, Jane Wiedlin and Debbie Matenopolis. Sandra came on to host for a week and we just feel in love. She was like the little Jewish sister i always wanted but never had. She is so fucking funny. Her mind works is a very mysterious and unique way. She has a way with verbiage. She said she wanted to be a part of the Queer Edge project and so we made a deal to keep her on longer. Now she is in New York doing her show. She is an amazing live performer. I am just a huge fan.

RVM: Now that you've spent time with Sandra, what sort of dirt do you have to dish?

JJ: I love people who are really spiritually centered yet don't go around talking about it. That is Sandra. Very grounded, yet not running around preaching. She has never talked religion with me, yet you only have to be around her for a short time to know she is very grounded. I also got to met her girlfriend Sara, who doesn't really jump into the spotlight. Kind of the anti Anne Heche. Sara is one of the prettiest chicks I have ever met. I think I developed a crush on her.

RVM: The rumors have been flying that Q TV is on the verge of going under. What's the real story?

JJ: Q is on the bottom of the gay TV food chain. Q never did have the backing of CBS, Viacom, The Advocate, Jesus Christ… Q was … is trying to be an independent network for the GBLT community… it does not and never did have the money to go in and make deals with every homo star in the world. What they have is a core group of very talented artists that love the concept of being as creative as they can be in their field. Unfortunately, the previous management was far more concerned to be seen at film festivals, pride events, lesbian golf extravaganzas and investing in feature films than spending money on programs and programming.

RVM: So now, a new team has come in to try and fix things?

JJ: These folks are gone, and a new team has come in to clean up the mess. They are trying to right the wrong of the previous administration and move forward. It’s a tough road… David and Goliath to the 100th degree. I really admire the folks that are trying to do it. Some have complained that they are not gay. I really don't care if they fuck boxes of cereal as long as they pay back the employees that the numb nuts who ran the place before failed to pay.

RVM: You always seem to have your hand in several different projects. What else do you have in the works currently?

JJ: I have a company with my husband John Gennusa, Bubbabru Productions Inc. It is named after our dogs. We have distributed a DVD entitled The Gayest Show on Earth and we are currently in the process of distributing the Queer Edge with Jack E. Jett to an international market. We are in the pre-production stages of a documentary on gay men in prison. In addition, we are in development on a project about growing older as a transgendered person. On a personal level… I have given up on trying to loose weight and am now concentrating of growing taller in hopes of looking thinner. And as I grow older, I want to keep an eye on my eyebrows. I don't want to wake up one morning looking like a gay version of Andy Rooney.

For more on Queer Edge with Jack E. Jett, visit QTelevision.com.

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