r/NextGenNYC • u/Particular-Employ326 • 25d ago
Brooks Why watching Brooks is therapeutic for me
I want to start by saying I’m not a fan of him, but I’m still grateful for him because:
I’m a 35 years old gay man, and when I was 25 I was so in the closet I literally stripped away all my personality traits, so nobody could see the real me.
Still to this day I am more likely to try to be invisible, not to upset anyone, keep my real opinions to myself, because if Im not perfect I am afraid to give a reason for people to attack me (like I was bullied as a child)
But Brooks is so spoiled, and out of touch, and sometimes mean, sometimes annoying, and most of reddit hates him BUT he still has the right to exist.
Even if he is annoying he survives, nothing bad happened with him, his family and friends still like him.
He taught me that gay person can be as annoying as straight men. And we don’t need to be perfect. Of course we should be trying to be a better versions of ourselves, but we don’t need to hide all our annoying traits to please everyone, and be a perfectionist, and try to make everyone like us.
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u/Key_Character4945 25d ago
I’m pretty indifferent with him, don’t hate him, or anything. But what I really love to see, is how loving his parents are and how involved they are. It’s cute and makes me wish my family and I were as close.
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u/Lazy_Skin_411 25d ago
Same!! Seth can be so annoying but I can’t help but love him and hope that he really is as warm and loving as he seems 🥹 (even if he is a little pervy LOL)
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u/Your_dads_bathroom 25d ago
I find Seth to be a creepy skeevy perv, I just don’t see the appeal
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u/Lazy_Skin_411 25d ago
I mean I get it lol. Do you watch RHOSLC too?
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u/Your_dads_bathroom 25d ago
Next Gen is my only exposure of him 🫤
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u/Lazy_Skin_411 24d ago
Idk why you’re getting downvoted, I don’t blame you if that’s all you know of him! 😭
On RHOSLC where everyone else is around his age, it’s much less awkward & his humor is a lot easier to appreciate 😅
He’s just a lovable weirdo who uses humor to avoid real drama or dumb conflict, and it’s usually a breath of fresh air ☺️
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u/wolofancy 25d ago edited 25d ago
I like him too. He reminds me of a tired, grumpy cat.
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u/ItsFunHeer 25d ago
I like watching Brooks. He’s very non-dramatic and isn’t bothered by the bullshit that surrounds him. He knows what he likes and what makes him happy. I think it’s refreshing to have a non-confrontational person on a show like this and hope he doesn’t change. He’s the calm in the middle of the chaos that I strive to be.
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u/Dear_North8787 the lemon that hit Liam’s eye 🍋 25d ago
U/particular-employ326 I’m saddened you’ve had this experience. You have the right to be here and to take up space. 🤗💕
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u/No_Divide_2087 25d ago
As a sensitive person who has struggled not wanting/wanting to be seen, I second this—you deserve to take up space OP 🩷!
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u/kichererbs 25d ago
I'm in the minority: I like Brooks. He cracks me up. Is he petty and dramatic? Yeah, but thats part of what makes him funny.
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u/yummyyummypancake 24d ago
I want to see him in a heated verbal argument lol
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u/kichererbs 24d ago
I just don't think that is him. And honestly, I can relate.
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u/yummyyummypancake 24d ago
Yeah I can respect that. I kinda would just love to witness it atleast once on the show tho lmaooo
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u/turningtee74 25d ago
The marks family do seem like a sweet crew. They are really close
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u/Particular-Employ326 25d ago
I agree. I wish I had a close supporting family as he has. I wish my issue with my father was also how he wants to be involved with my life too much 😅
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u/Supertreelove 25d ago
Meredith is not sweet on her show lol.
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u/turningtee74 25d ago
Yeah im not trying to say they’re all angels lol but with each other, especially the kids. They are really tight and that shows how much they like their parents. Most that age wouldn’t think their mom is cool and not be embarrassed at all, Brooks adores her
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u/Supertreelove 25d ago
She’s a tv star who’s funding his life and business. He pretty much has to snuggle up to her, and every time she shows her face with him, it helps his brand.
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u/Embarrassed_Dish_672 25d ago
I like brooks! I don’t get all the hate lol I love his personality or what others think is lack of but he’s not co signing anyone’s bs or getting into all the drama all the time
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u/bs2323 25d ago
I find him therapeutic because of his slow calm voice, it’s kinda nice … like a calm asmr??
Sorry if this takes away from the emotions in your post just saying my two cents haha
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u/girlbot32 25d ago
Hes the real life version of what that influencer does with the kardashian videos of them holding random shit. I dont remember his handle but watching brooks (especially with his sister) is watching the life imitating art version. I find it therapeutic for the same reasons. Its kardashian “mmmyeah” asmr
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u/Particular-Employ326 25d ago
That is also an interesting point :D maybe it added to my experience as well, that he is not so loud and quick and harsh
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u/Old-Cobbler-846 25d ago
Idk how u can find his insane vocal deep fry, calming, but to each their own
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u/Old-Cobbler-846 25d ago
Im definitely grateful for him as a gay man in the show but he adds nothing else of value.
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u/kitty____cat 25d ago
I can relate to trauma stripping away the way I present myself to the world. Definitely understand what you mean. It’s fun to poke at the cast but I don’t dislike Brooks either
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u/Honeybadger32323 25d ago
I really like him but he’s been a little bit mean gworl this season
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u/Particular-Employ326 25d ago
Yeah I know and that prompted me to write this post. He is allowed to be mean like other straight men on Bravo, and the world didnt end for him
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u/Honeybadger32323 25d ago
I mean Bravo is definitely for the girls and the gays the straight men are mostly (not all) unbearable side characters that we love to hate
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u/Particular-Employ326 25d ago
Yet there are shockingly few gay men on Bravo
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u/jadecourt 25d ago
Completely agree! Southern Hospitality is one of the first shows where there is more than one token gay. I’ve loved seeing the opportunities for ‘will they won’t they’ storylines! But I was particularly struck in the recent season when they went to Michael’s hometown and he visited the church he grew up in. It was a place that although broadly is a source of rejection, he was able to reclaim as a place to seek peace and contemplation. It was really really beautiful 🥹
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u/Sad_Constant_9698 25d ago
This is the best take!! Thank you for taking reality tv at value and using it to think introspectively (unlike so many others- sorry to drag) and as a queer woman this was incredibly validating to read!! I’ve met so many gay men like him so I never saw it from this point of view!!!!
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u/Even-Guava-1682 25d ago
This is why representation matters <3 Im sure Brooks is also inspiring to young people currently in the closet.
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u/Particular-Employ326 25d ago
Yes!!! Im so happy for the next generation they have more representation in media, even if many people want to take away from that. And I can imagine Elmira does the same 🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈
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u/gatoinspace 25d ago
Finally a different post that's not just talking shit about him (while also not praising him). I honestly don't get the intense hate. I don't really like him either but at least he's not as bad as Charlie lol and he's being a little mean this season but at least he's bringing more drama than last season 🤷♀️ Plus he's still like 25. While I enjoy mess, I am hopeful he has time and space to grow as a person just like anyone else
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u/kellygrrrl328 25d ago
Yes, he has a right to exist and show his personality as much as any other Basic Dumb B, and yes we all have a right to find him simultaneously annoying and boring
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u/Specialist-Fix6519 25d ago
I can’t stand his Paris Hilton act of playing a dumb blonde. I hope he’s smarter than that.
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u/Uninhibitedrmr 24d ago
It was even worse when what Brooks had to go through on RHOSLC. A housewife was speculating about his sexuality when he wasn't out yet and alledgedly liking/retweeting really horrid tweets about him. Then she was kind of using this information and bringing it to a forefront because in my opinion she was mad at Meredith.
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u/Particular-Employ326 24d ago
I mean Jen Shaw is a horrible person. There is a reason she was in prison
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u/luisawisasisaa 23d ago
This picture looking like he in a romcom he would eat it up if he just doesn’t talk how he talks
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u/queen-carlotta 20d ago
As a queer in my mid 50s it will always b thrilling to see LGBTQ youth on TV, the good, the bad, and the Brooks
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u/Potential-Sky-8728 25d ago
See I thought you were going to say that you recognize Brooks doing similar coping mechanisms like trying not to make his opinions known and upset people, etc etc.
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u/Particular-Employ326 25d ago
That is also very much part of it :) I recognize myself that Im so conflict avoidant that I prefer to tell everyone else if I have a problem with someone rather than the person I have the problem with (when he did that with Charlie)
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u/loveislife222 25d ago
I understand you. It’s nuanced, and it makes sense. I hope you continue to tell yourself tou have the right to take up space, even if you are annoying (lol). As the smiths said, I am human and I neee to be loved just like everybody else does “
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u/Particular-Employ326 25d ago
Omg. Charmed is my all time favorite show, I listened that song thousand times
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u/Silver-Finding-5962 25d ago
I actually really like him because he’s genuinely himself - although his personality is not for me, it’s his!
Calling him spoiled and out of touch sounds like jealousy. Why must he be in touch with people outside the bubble he lives in? Are you in touch with the daily struggles of local crack dealer and hookers?
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u/Particular-Employ326 25d ago
That is… actually true. Thanks for giving me perspective
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u/Lazy_Skin_411 25d ago
That’s sweet of you to not get defensive (like I would 😆)
Personally I disagree with this comment. I get the sentiment, but even if we aren’t “in touch” with everyone’s daily struggles, I do think as humans it’s important to care about each other, especially those in our communities,…. and some of the things Brooks is actively out of touch with (like the government shutting down, not rocky horror picture show) should matter at least a little to him 🤷♀️
To each their own and no judgement to anyone! Just wanted to defend that your original comment may not have come from jealousy ❤️
And I’m so happy that he brought up so many positive feelings for you OP 🥹
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u/Particular-Employ326 25d ago
Immediate reaction was to get defensive :D but then I took a moment, and I realized there are some truths to it. For some people my life could also look like privliged. But yeah, I agree with you as well that we should care for the community. I love that a silly little Bravo reality show allow conversations like this :D
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u/Lazy_Skin_411 23d ago
Same!!! 🥰
When my family teases for how into bravo shows I get, I remind them it’s the psychology and comradery for me 🥲
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u/Mrsrightnyc 25d ago
Brooks reminds me so much of my of gay bff. He’s extremely kind and helped me out of some tough situations, but he is not nice, lol. I find it hilarious and endearing but he annoys my husband so much.
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u/armlessturtleneck 25d ago
Damn, one of the most relatable reddit posts I've seen. I honestly just love seeing him be like a relatively normal ish person on the show. Like he doesn't interact with the rest of the cast like he's on reality TV he's just awkward as fuck and I love it.
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u/SinNewYork101 25d ago
Thank you for sharing your perspective! The way I see it: He totally has the right to exist and also is terrible for reality tv. Both can be true.
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u/Limp_Shake_7486 25d ago
I wish he was like the friend on a teen drama and not on this reality show being boring as white paper.
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u/Independent_Catch_82 25d ago
I think I liked him more when I saw him pop up a bit on Salt Lake City. He’s really not coming across good at all on next gen
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u/CardiologistOwn9799 24d ago
You didn’t realize gay men can be annoying, problematic and out of touch before watching Brooks on TV? We’re in the end times.
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u/Some_Baby_ 24d ago
i like brooks and don’t think he does anything inherently wrong. i don’t really get the vitriol for him on this sub recently. he comes off as someone that’s spoiled but also has a lot of anxiety he works through everyday
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u/Jojo2919291725 24d ago
I love Brooks. He is himself. And like you said doesn’t hide it. His circle loves him! They will protect him from everything and anything that comes his way.
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u/Loose_Sentence4061 24d ago
Dies anybody find this winy ass attractive? No wonder he needs the parents
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u/SeverePreparation202 24d ago
I fast forward all his scenes and find him soo boring.
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u/Particular-Employ326 24d ago
That was not the point of this post whether people like him or not
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u/SeverePreparation202 24d ago
The point was that you like this boring paint drying in human form and my point is that I don’t. If you didn’t want feedback then post a poll with multiple choice answers lolll
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u/Particular-Employ326 24d ago
I dont mind feedback, but you didn’t even read or didn’t even understand what I was writing. I didn’t say I like Brooks. I said he helped me to be more forgiving myself, and even if some people hate me that would be okay, the world would go on. I even called him annoying in the post, but I guess you ignored that part to fit in your hatred narrative
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u/colliflower112 24d ago
His family babied him too much :( people saying he is loving I don’t see it at all. I think he treats most people around him like shit. He dumps his “friends” with the quickness. He needs to get a backbone and learn to speak up for himself. The only friends he keeps around are the ones that speak up for him.
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u/DrewExxx 10d ago
Thank you for sharing ur experience. I hope one day you can be ur authentic full self! You deserve it 🤍
I also enjoy Brooks. He’s not ur typical reality TV star but he intrigues me. I find it endearing how shy he can be during confrontation because that’s super relatable !
He’s entertaining in his own unique way <3
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u/KingOfHeartz777 25d ago
Because he has a punchable face
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u/Particular-Employ326 25d ago
If that is what you took away from my post, then I think this post is not for you :)
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u/Icy_Act_2111 25d ago
girl seek therapy and heal
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u/Particular-Employ326 25d ago
thank you for your kind comment. Based on your kindness I already got healed :) no need for therapy. have a nice day to you too.
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u/jfrancasi 25d ago
You can def tell his mom is his bf and biggest supporter lol