With the Men of Looking at Its San Francisco Premiere

During my second week of living in San Francisco, after relocating from New York City, I was cast as a featured-extra for HBO's new show Looking. My on-screen moments consisted of pantomiming my face off (because I'm not a SAG member--yet) in a pop-up restaurant scene.

READ: OUT's LOOKING COVER STORY

Last night, the show had its premiere at the Castro Theater in San Francisco. I got the opportunity to cover the event and meet the principal actors and producers of the show: Michael Lannan, the creator, Nick Hall, VP of Programming at HBO, and actors Jonathan Groff, Frankie J. Alvarez, Murray Bartlett, Raul Castillo, and OT Fagbenle. After chatting with them for an hour, the best response came from the straight and married Frankie J. Alvarez after I asked him how he would like for the audience to view the show.

SLIDESHOW: THE MEN OF LOOKING

"Hopefully people won't watch the show to see who's gay or straight in real life," Alvarez said. "It's about the full journey of these complex characters and their friendship. Being gay is only one circumstance out of many."

When I spoke to Jonathan Groff, I asked him how he felt about being chosen for Out's 100 Most Eligible Bachelors list.

"What? Really? That's awesome! I had no idea", he said while smiling from ear to ear.

We think someone's playing a little TOO coy. Of course he knows he's a catch!

Looking premieres Sunday, January 19 on HBO at 10:30pm.

Emillio Mesa is a writer and hospitality expert. He's working on a TV show based on "The Art Of Hospitality" and conversations. His writing has appeared in The New York Times, NY Press, Huffington Post & SF Weekly.