TVLand's Forever Young in an obvious idea for a reality series -- five young adults live in a house with five senior citizens; both groups grouse about their differences -- but after a stilted debut episode, it establishes itself as a quaint, one-of-a-kind spin on The Real World starring conscientious adults who actually love each other without ever having to throw a fist or cocktail.
Better yet, the quintet of millennials features adorable, out gay man Christian Taboada, a gregarious guy who is clearly the brains and sweetheart of his team. Unlike other shows that would force Christian to deal with hateful homophobes who threaten him with violence, this one gives him a chance to be honest, fun, and outspoken with seniors and peers who take no time to treat him like family. Inner household conflicts are actually sweet since they spring up during fun challenges that force the two age groups to learn from each other. Can that 83-year-old former showgirl handle a GPS? Can that young gym rat work a typewriter? During one episode, both groups set each other up on dates, and we watch as the nervous, dating-phobic Christian enjoys wine with a male blind date and learns to trust his own social skills. It's a sweet show that verges on maudlin, but it's unapologetic, inoffensive, and effectively emotional in that pursuit.
We talked with Christian about the show, which premieres tonight and has taken three years to finally air, living with geriatric firebrands, forging a friendship with vivacious 83-year-old former showgirl Shelley, and another castmate's LGBT revelation.
AfterElton: You didn't learn that you'd be living with five senior citizens until you'd moved into the house. What kind of show did you think you had signed up for?
Christian: Honestly? They had just told me that I would be a voice of my generation! I'd be discussing current topics. I had just graduated from college and I thought, "This sounds fun. I can represent me reeeeal good." Then I found out that we're going to be living with older people and not necessarily defend our viewpoints, but stand by them and learn from each other as well.
AE: What was most surprising, at least initially, about living with people 40+ years older than you?
C: The amount of explaining you have to do. The amount of telling them what you meant by something or really listening to what they're saying. It's funny between generations how there's a lack of communication.
AE: It seemed like you were definitely the most self-aware and smartest member of your team.
C: How funny! Thank you! I apologize, I'm all complimented. You've got me flustered.
Did you worry that being gay would shock the other people in the house?
C: I thought that from the beginning. Definitely! I thought that was going to be scary. I thought they were going to be like, "Well, you know, that's not really correct according to the Bible." I was really anticipating that. I was ready to say, "Excuse me? Let's get to know each other as people before we judge who we go to bed with." But that didn't happen at all! It was so friendly. So nice and so warm. It was more like, "What are you eating? Ooh, hummus! Can I try some? Mmm, hummus!" It was caring! And a lot different than I expected, for sure.
AE: Who were you closest with in the house?
C: I would say probably Shirley. When we did the date challenge, Shirley and I really got to know each and felt a close bond since then. Ever since the show has finished, we kept the strongest bond. I take to her constantly -- I would say weekly. I do talk to Gene a lot too, but I connect with Shirley because she was a showgirl from back then, and I call myself a showgirl of now. I love the personality of who she is, how she demanded what she got, her life struggles, and it's just beautiful to listen to. She has a beautiful story about rainbows, and now every time I think of rainbows, I think of her. She talked about how she imagined that she would dump some of her husband's ashes every time she sees a rainbow.
AE: She is pretty fab.
C: She will talk your face off. She does yoga every day, and I visited her place in Palm Springs, and trust me, she has a place in Palm Springs. I went with her to a yoga class with 30 people and she was just the boss.
AE: Have you been out for awhile?
C: Totally. I've been out since college. You know, whatever.
AE: There's a memorable episode in which another cast member reveals his/her LGBT sexual orientation, and the entire house comes together over it. What was that like?
C: Without giving anything away, I can say I was shocked, but at the same time I'm always happy to see that people will be warm and accepting and loving just because we get to know who we are as people. That was so cool to see. We're all different from each other, but we're as diverse as any true family is, you know? Come on, let's be real. These five older people came from different backgrounds than us and they all accepted us, and that was so beautiful to experience and witness.
AE: The challenges on the show, in which you're usually paired with an elder member of the household for a task, seem fun. What was your favorite?
C: I would say my favorite was the scavenger hunt. It was so frustrating, but ever since then, there'd be certain looks that Gene would have that'd make me say, "Oh God." I check in with him regularly. He still goes out to jazz clubs with his wife, drink his same beer, and smoke his particular cigar.
AE: What's your life like now?
C: I've lived in LA for three years. I work five days a week, I'm an apartment manager, and I have a boyfriend! It's working! I'm into him; we're into each other. We're good.
AE: What do you think people will take away from Forever Young?
C: The show will definitely show that families can come together and really listen to each other. And if they do listen to each other, they're going to live and laugh a lot longer. We can appreciate so much of each other, for real.
