Stories from My Gay Grandparents (YouTube) is my comedy show of the year. Here’s the premise: when their hidden shrine to Judy Garland (complete with candles) accidentally burns down their house, Russell and Barbara Butters (James Kall and Jane Moffat)—closeted, married, seventy-somethings living in small town Ontario—arrive unannounced at their grandkids’ condo door. Brother and sister Rebecca Michelle and Mason Butters are two out-and-proud Toronto millennial queers. The shock of Grandma and Grandpa moving into their one-bedroom condo is topped when the grandparents tell the youngsters that they’ve been closeted their whole lives but have always known they’re gay; the house fire was a sign from Judy to “grab their feather boas” and live life to the fullest. Russell and Barbara are determined to rise from the ashes, and they expect their grandkids to show them the ropes. But said grandkids are not without problems of their own. Rebecca Michelle (played by Perrie Voss, who also co-created and co-wrote the series with Scott Farley) owns a failing lesbian bar (The Beaver Hole) and has a big crush on her non-binary staff member, Dax (Tricia Black), but can’t seem to tell them. Mason (played by Scott Farley, series co-creator and co-writer) has money, but no significant other—though the delightful Gavin (Alexander Nunez) seems interested. Before long, Grandma and Grandpa are navigating dating apps (HUMPR), nude beaches, drag shows, the gay village and more. This is as fun a show as any I’ve seen this year. The series is currently making the rounds of the queer film festivals, and deservedly so. Coming out at any age isn’t easy, but at seventy, there’s a lot of guilt and regrets about wasted time and a lot of (understandable) confusion about the new world. So, grab your feather boas and enjoy the ride. —Peggy Thompson

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