The gay hockey romance Heated Rivalry is having a moment right now, and this week it got an extra boost from a spicy (and very online) conversation about what “authentic” gay sex on TV is supposed to look like.
It started when actor and comedian Jordan Firstman compared the show’s intimate scenes to the ones in his own HBO series I Love LA, and basically said: sorry babes, this isn’t it.
Firstman argued that the early episodes of Heated Rivalry felt more “posed” than real, and he framed it as a bigger issue about who gets to tell queer stories — and how those stories are shaped when they’re built to be glossy, mainstream entertainment.
What Jordan Firstman actually criticized
Firstman’s bluntest point was that the sex scenes in Heated Rivalry didn’t ring true to him as gay intimacy, and he suggested that certain details of gay camaraderie and humor in bed are hard to capture if you haven’t lived it.
He also took aim at the broader culture around casting and identity, including the pressure some actors feel (or refuse) to address their sexuality publicly.
That last part is exactly the kind of comment that turns a TV take into a full-on discourse wildfire in about six minutes.
François Arnaud claps back with a very fair question
François Arnaud (who plays hockey player Scott Hunter on the series) responded on Instagram with the line that instantly became the headline of the whole mess: Is there only one way to have “authentic” gay sex on TV?
Arnaud also pointed out that context matters, because the sex that closeted hockey players have might not look like the sex that “sceney” LA gays have, and pretending there’s just one correct version is its own kind of limiting box.
Honestly, that’s a pretty smart defense, and it manages to be shady without being cruel.
Hudson Williams adds kindness (and a little “go stream his show” energy)
Hudson Williams appeared to co-sign Arnaud’s response by resharing it, and he also encouraged people to check out I Love LA, giving Firstman credit and keeping the vibe surprisingly generous.
Instead of going nuclear, the cast energy has been more like: “We hear you, but also… there are many flavors of gay, sweetheart.”
And truly, that might be the most grown-up way to handle a gay-on-gay critique in public.
Why this is hitting such a nerve
Heated Rivalry is based on Rachel Reid’s popular hockey romance novels, and it has pulled in a huge audience that wants both steamy fantasy and real emotional payoff.
So when someone calls it “not gay enough,” fans hear it as more than a review — it becomes a fight about representation, gatekeeping, and who gets to set the standard for queer storytelling.
The twist is that both sides are kind of arguing for the same thing: more queer stories, told with specificity, confidence, and zero shame.
Where it stands now
The show debuted as a Crave original and has been rolling out weekly, with the season finale scheduled for December 26, 2025.
A second season has also been confirmed for 2026, which means the hockey boys aren’t leaving the locker room anytime soon.
And if nothing else, this whole mini-feud has basically dared half the internet to watch the show and decide for themselves, which is the most effective marketing plan imaginable.
📷 IG: @ jtfirstman / cravecanada