Drama is twice as nice
in second season of “The A-List”

By time the first season of The A-List: New York ended, I was disappointed. Not because of  the God-awful depiction of gay men on cable television. Not because Logo passed over Denver for a spin-off (Dallas got the nod). Not because Derek and Austin kissed and made-up. But because – quite frankly – I found it anticlimactic.

Where was the scandal? Where were the catfights? Where was the baby switched at birth? OK, so maybe I’m reaching with the last one. After all, Ryan’s surrogate hasn’t given birth yet, but here’s hoping!

So I approached season two of A-List with a bit of skepticism.

But I’m happy to report there are more verbal threats, physical violence and porn in the first 11 minutes of the season premier than the entire first season. Halleloo! Oops, wrong Logo show.

Let’s start at the beginning: Austin is back in New York City with his hunky (and British) husband Jake. In the first season, we saw the former model attempt to get back in the business, break-up Reichen and Rodney and do battle with diva-Derek, all while trying to get his husband into the U.S. legally. Austin missed an appointment with a high profile lawyer Ryan had set up for him, causing a rift between the two. At that point, Ryan was the only person speaking to Austin, and for good reasons. But later, things seemed to be working out for Austin – he’s been asked to shoot a spread (and the cover) of Playgirl. Now, if he can just tone up his stomach.

“Derek and I have had a great strong bond ever since filming stopped last year and we have continued that though the past nine months,” Austin said.

“Reichen and I have not spoken since the end of season one. I truly miss him as a friend.”

Meanwhile, the lovesick-bitch Derek has quit his job as a modeling agent and is preparing to open his own tanning business. Who could forget his spray tan obsession and his notorious booty shot? Nevertheless, chances are we might see a reformed Derek come season two. Then again he could just let it all hang out, especially if his mother’s involved.

“I had a ‘come to Jesus’ moment during the middle of filming season one,” he said. “I was so afraid of how people would perceive me. I started to have night sweats and developed stressed induced eczema. My doctor said I had to give up control, something I was never able to do. I had to let the cameras see me for who I was for good or bad.”

Speaking of cameras (or should we say Web cams?), Reichen’s junk, captured during a cam session with someone other than his boyfriend Rodney, is all the talk on Twitter, blogs and the first episode.

“It’s over,” he tells Mike and Ryan about his relationship with the Brazilian import, not knowing Ryan has already seen the footage.

Reflecting, Reichen told Out Front Colorado, “I have learned some big lessons about what I can and can’t do as a person in the public eye, as well as some big lessons about trusting people. The whole thing kind of sucks and I’m sorry it happened, but I’ve forgiven myself and I’m moving on with a clear conscience.”

But you have to wonder, why after being portrayed as a total douche and an even worse boyfriend, Reichen, who has built up a reputation on the nonprofit circuit as a do-gooder, would continue to participate on The A-List?

“I decided to come back with hopes of setting some records straight about who I am as a person,” he said. But then the truth comes out, “Reality television has been a big career for me, more than most. I’ve made some major money in reality television … My business managers would tell you the same thing … this business is no joke.”

Money makes the world the go round and reality TV stars are coming back for more punishment.

Like I said, the aforementioned is just the first 11 minutes. And we didn’t even talk about Mike’s new T-Shirt line. Or the new cast member, Nyasha, a fabulous angry black woman who plans to put the big boys in their place. Or breakout star TJ’s confession. Or Rodney talking shit about Derek’s mom. Or …

Tune into The A-List July 25 for all the drama, queens and douche bags.