I dislike this show already since it reinforces stereotypes about us -- the fab five cast includes design doctor Thom Filicia, food & wine connoisseur Ted Allen, fashion savant Carson Kressley, grooming guru Kyan Douglas, and culture vulture Jai Rodriguez. But maybe it'll be funny. (Maybe I just don't trust guys named "Thom")

The premise: "The straight men are a group of sad sacks in need of rehab. They don't know how to dress or groom themselves properly, make their homes comfortable or entertain for business or family" -- gays to the rescue.

Premieres on Bravo on July 15.
I thought at first glance the second guy was holding a squash racket -- but on closer inspection, it's a whisk. damn ...

I caught the end of a commercial for this just the other night.

So torn. I mean, it looks really FUNNY. And it's on Bravo. I thought their series on Gay Weddings was actually kinda good (the class politics made me uneasy at first, but I think Bravo actually did "get" issues of class ...and race, too).

One of my co-workers just had a committment ceremony, actually - she was totally inspired by Gay Weddings.

Yeah, the show does run the risk of some mutual stereotyping. The show's take on straight guys: The straight men are a group of sad sacks in need of rehab. They don't know how to dress or groom themselves properly, make their homes comfortable or entertain for business or family.

I'm sure they're finding the most pathetic str8s possible, of course, which makes me curious about their receptiveness to mentorship from gay dudes. I mean, could this build bridges of understanding (or is that my allergies talking...am I crazy for imagining that changing the political perspectives of the Bravo demographic will mean much...or that there will be a change)

Ultimately, I'm going to tune in, I think, and not only for lurid curiosity. I mean, if I occassionally do watch "Surprise By Design" or "What Not to Wear" anyway, why the heck shouldn't I tune in to this?

Besides, I've been lusting for the guy who hosts Monster House (http://dsc.discovery.com/fansites/monsterhouse/meet/meet.html) too long now...

I saw an ad for this last night while watching something, and I already know I will check it out at least once, then will go from there.

I think the show, if done well, could be both funny and socially relevant, but was worried by the last line in the review DCBucky posted a link to - that getting a manicure or taking better care of your grooming doesn't mean you're gay. That statement is classically, if not homophobic then heterosexist - assuming being gay is a bad thing. One can only hope the show does not take that attitude.

I don't take cable - but I'd give it one shot (and 1 only): I don't get to ask TV boards what they're thinking...and, until then...

I know that none of you will admit to watching "For Love or Money" on NBC, but on the finale last night they actually ran a commercial for "Queer Eye." NBC owns Bravo now. I think NBC should get a pat on the head for that. At least Bravo has not turned into the "All 'Friends,' All the Time!" station. Yet.

I agree with most of the postings that the advertisement for this show is feeding the stereotypes of gays as these "glam" people 24/7. But I do think this show will have an audience. Did people read the recent article from the New York Times about "metrosexuals"? These are men who are straight but enjoy a pedicure now and then and spend a lot on grooming products. So I bet many of them will be tuning in for more tips. Like Scalia says, it's the gaying of the country! (OK, maybe he didn't use that word but that's what he meant.) wink

The ads for the series use a spuriously-worded tagline ( "Five gay men, out to make over the world — one straight guy at time" ) that can lead people who don't know the premise of the show to think it's something else. I know this because someone in my office had seen the ad and asked if I had heard about the new Bravo show where 5 gay guys try to turn a straight guy gay!

So is that a squash racquet, or are you just glad to see me? wink

Dallas UNC started another thread but I"ve deleted it. Everyone, please make sure that you do a search or look at the second page (where this thread was) before starting a new thread. Here's Dallas UNC's comments:

Queer Eye for the Straight Guy premiers July 15th on Bravo 10pm EST/9pm CST. Sounds interesting and funny!

"Five gay men, out to make over the world — one straight guy at time.

They are the Fab Five: an elite team of gay men who have dedicated their lives to extolling the simple virtues of style, taste and class. Each week their mission is to transform a style-deficient and culture-deprived straight man from drab to fab in each of their respective categories: fashion, food and wine, interior design, grooming and culture."

[ July 13, 2003, 04:05 PM: Message edited by: Tarkus ]

I found an article in the NY Times about the show. One of the paper's writers underwent a one-day session with the gay boys. A good article, upbeat in nature. (Sorry if the link is via registration only).

Um, I think Ted of the 5 gays is cute. Maybe he could he could break me of my reliance on microwaveable foods....

If it's pot pie, there goes another stereotype, biting the dust...

[ July 14, 2003, 05:08 AM: Message edited by: GatorJamie ]

OK - they're an elite group of (gay) men who promote the virtues of style, good fashion, good fine and wine...

Why couldn't ANYBODY (lesbians, str8 men in the entertainment and hospitality industries) do the same quality of "makeover"?

The stereotypes here for me are:

1/Gay/Bi are out to "remake" the str8 world because we think that we're "more". This misconception also leads us to want "more" out of life, whatever that is. :confused:

2/Gay/Bi are comfortable as servants, albeit of the "cultural" variety, to serve and cater to str8 men whose sex lives actually (at least, in society eyes) have more importance than ours.

- - - - -

Far be it from me to be afraid of a corps of gay fashion designers, but why couldn't (one day) we have a show where a corps of gay accountants, businesspeople, and contractors help a man or family build a new home, give back to their community, or help a needy kid go to college?

My point: what does the general audience get, in 2003, out of seeing the age-old stereotype of what LGBT people are "supposed" to be like - when that stereotype gets us maimed, shot, and drowned each week of the year?

The producers of this show cannot be thinking that this is helping society...it must be for the "young audience" again .

[ July 14, 2003, 05:33 AM: Message edited by: bluebird48234 ]

I just hope that this show will send out the message to the general public that sucking c*** actually leads to having good taste.

Which, it goes without saying, is bullshit -- just listen to techno or "Les Miz."

If this show doesn't kill "queer culture," I will personally finish the job with deadly force...

Jeffrey, that line was f**king funny!

Bill, I'm with ya! I'll bring the bulldozer and bazooka's

[ July 14, 2003, 07:41 AM: Message edited by: budge ]

I am really excited to see this show, from the previews it looks good. Yes it plays into the stereotypes of gay men, but let's face it, stereotypes come from somewhere. More importantly, as the writer from the New York Times points out, for the first time gay men will actually be in charge. Instead of constantly being told that we're not "manly" enough, finally someone is admitting that straight men copy gay men all the time - that we are (okay, not all of us) the trendsetters - and we should thank God that all the trends are not copied by straight guys.

Great just what we need-a show full of Steven Cojo-whathisname (the "stylist" from the Today Show) wannabees mincing around and performing for the cameras. This is gays being represented on TV??? Ugh!!!

This is like when the only representation of blacks on TV were Amos & Andy. Blacks were told "well at least there are some blacks on TV".

If this is how gays are going to be portrayed over and over again, do me a favor and keep us off all together. Because if the only way straight America will accept us on TV is as stylists, hairdressers and Jack McPharlands, we've got a loooonnnnggg way to go.

omg - the str8's at work we're having a big laugh about the show - saying after the complete makeover, he has to bend over for all the stylists, etc !

Didnt notice we even had a 2nd page. If something is buried that deep it should be archived or something. Nonetheless, we have a thread going.

The original topic was started July 8th. You think they should archive threads that are 6 days old? Nobody expects us to scroll page after page after page of topics to be sure it's not a dupilcate. But at the top of the page, there is a search function. You can set whatever parameters you want to find the subject you are looking for.

Maybe I can get Cyd/Jim to increase the font size of the numbers in the upper right hand corner of each forum, they're easy to miss.

Back on topic, please.

Tom Shales reviewed the show today, looking at it in the context of how gays have been shown on TV in recent years.

from the review "Queer Eye Heads Straight for the Stereotypes": "Forced to choose between scorn and condescension, gay people could hardly be blamed for preferring the latter -- and thus might not object to the stereotypes on parade in the series"

from later in the review: "Obviously TV has come a long way from times when gays were either being invisible or portrayed in cliched and melodramatic terms; then there was a period of discovery, or whatever, when it seemed that the only well-adjusted adults in dramas or sitcoms were gay, because seemingly every show was careful to include a positive gay role model among its dramatis personae. The word "queer" itself has gone from detested epithet to a slang term embraced by homosexual groups themselves, thus essentially taking away its sting."

... "In Mart Crowley's breakthrough play "The Boys in the Band," a particularly effeminate character remarks, "Oh, Mary. It takes a fairy to make something pretty." In some circles, that play is now considered hopelessly reactionary. And yet that line sounds as if it might have come from "Queer Eye for a Straight Guy" -- except that "fairy" is no longer an acceptable term. Things change -- or do they?"

Link to article.

Did I mention that I saw a commercial for this show on ESPN Sunday Night Baseball (Braves - Cubs)? And another one last night on "For Love or Money." Smart of NBC to run it during a dating show geared to women. Even smarter of them to run it on ESPN!!!

But seriously, I sort of wonder about this show. With all the progress that's been made in recent years -- sodomy laws out the window; marriage around the corner; state laws banning discrimination -- I would think that gay men no longer needed this old compensatory myth that they have better taste than anyone else. When gay people were hated and persecuted everywhere, the notion that we're better than them was understandable. But now.....I wonder if this is a stereotype that might better be left to die.

[ July 15, 2003, 06:05 AM: Message edited by: Jerzoid ]

So ... do you think they could help this guy who lost his queer eye?? Man! I could use (and abuse ) their help!!

People, like Tom Shales, keep talking about how the show perpetuates stereotypes, etc. But it's not like they picked 5 gay guys at random - these fellows apparently have skills and training (although how one becomes a "culture guru" I am not sure). And unlike the "Amos and Andy" situation, when the characters were actually caricatures and white actors played them on the radio, none of these guys is being told to "act gay" or be different than who he is. I think that is a bit of progress. It's basically a make over show, like any number of others, so it needs an edge to be noticed. Given the publicity, I think it worked.

Not to mention, in the past few years TV has featured a number of gay and lesbian characters and "reality" TV cast members who were not mere stereotypes. It's not as if femmy gay guys are all that you see on television any more, although TV could do better at showing the true breadth of the gay community.

I read Tom Shales review -- and he is the only TV critic worth reading. The show sounds like a nauseating combo of gay stereotypes, rampant comsumerism, and art-fag snobbery. No thank you.

But, I get 60 or so channels on my cable system, so, if I decide to watch TV tonight, I'd have 59 other choices.

although I wish the show success, I agree Charlie--- I'd rather watch blowfish mate in Discovery channel than to watch this show.

[ July 15, 2003, 08:22 AM: Message edited by: jeffrey3410 ]

Okay, you all say that now, but what will happen tonight? You'll watch either the All-Star Game or this show.

Just like people who say, "I'm not watching Queer as Folk! It's not like MY life!!" What happens?? They watch it.

See ya tonight in front of Bravo!

For once, I have to agree with CITT on something. I have absolutely no interest in this show--it's just another one of these dumb makeover shows, with a silly (and stereotype-reinforcing) hook.

Sorry, JC, but I have to say that Allen's post is right on the money....anyone care to place wagers on how many Outsporters who are insisting they won't watch one minute of this "trash" will be posting on this thread beginning tomorrow detailing the quality (or lack thereof) of the show? -- or, worse yet, make comments about the faults of the "series" without ever having watched it?

So people may watch it. That doesn't mean it isn't a piece of crap.

He writes well, but he's so jaded, he pretty much hates everything (at least, when I've read him, he has). One has to go by whether he only slams something a little or slams it a lot. The quotes above almost sound like praising with faint damnation.

Either way, this show sounds like fluff. I'd watch at least once, just out of curiosity, if I had cable ... but only because of the gay angle (most makeover shows bore the crap out of me, and I only watch Trading Spaces for the occasional hunky handyman ).

[ July 15, 2003, 12:35 PM: Message edited by: danimal ]

Have you seen the show yet??

No!

So, why are you judging it by the basis of some crabby TV critic? Be open minded and check it out. Hell, you may even like it!! eek! eek!

God, talk about narrow mindedness for just fluff!!

Well my basic cable doesn't include Bravo,and after seeing these guys on Today this morning-I definitely won't be watching. eek! Not sure of the time frame,but is this show on at the same time as Big Brother?

Just how exactly is it that you know they are being who they really are? We have no idea what they are really like, just what they are like when the cameras are on.

It's on at 10:00 Pacific Time, with a second episode at 11:00. I think you need to make the usual adjustments if you're in the Central time zone.

I'll watch it just to check it out, but if it's poorly done, I'm gone. I'm actually more disturbed about the issues raised by Bravo's Boy Meets Boy than by this bit of fluff.

The "just-be-glad-your-kind-is represented-on-TV" line is far from genuine: we all know TV is a business and if it had been proven that watching Filipino-American roast pigs on a spit in a bedroom before having sex would sell ad time, that would have gone prime time years ago.

I would not say I couldn't get a few laughs out of the show - yet, at least HALF of them would be at my expense, don't you think? :confused:

Never seen an episode. American or British.

The only show that I watch that is straight outta the gay subculture? An occasional episode of "Bewitched" on TVLand.

There was also a commercial for this program run during WWE Raw last night (on Directv anyway). Guess they figured out that gay people watch wrestling. Or a lot of messy straight guys!

This show sucked.....hope that boy meets boy at the end of the month is better than this. Maybe I was expecting too much since the promos for the show were so good.....

I saw one 15 second segment and changed the channel. I saw another five second segment and threw something at the T.V. Granted, it was a pair of gym shorts. I'm not THAT psychotic!

I am much more optimistic about the quality of Boy Meets Boy than this bit of "fluff", as it has been accurately described....as least there's a good chance a few of the guys on Boy Meets Boy will seem like regular, decent men unlike the "straight desperados" that the "Fab 5" were trying to rescue in tonight's two episodes -- perhaps I'm being cynical and a conspiracy theorist (again) but EVERY aspect of the two guys lives (their appearance, homes, etc.) seemed to me to be far too exaggerated and staged by the network for the purpose of this show....the premise could actually have been successful IMHO if they simply used "normal" straight AND gay guys instead of these bad actors that are portraying such highly unsympathetic characters (fictional at that, I might add).

Maybe I'm in the minority here I'm still eagerly looking forward to watching "Boy Meets Boy" beginning on July 29th!.....am I the only one?

It bored me quickly; I fast-forwarded through my Ultimate TV device to the end when they reveal their new look. Of course, there was the scene where the interior designer sees a Wayne Gretzky jersey and has no idea who he is. "What country is Gretzky?" he asks. Harmless fluff.

I thought of this board when Carson was acting like the Rangers jerseys were clothes left by Martians. Most gay men I've ever met would act the same, exact way.

Erm, I kind of liked both episodes. The artist just needed a wrecking crew to go through his apartment, a haircut and some new clothes. And the married guy from Lon Guyland was the artist X 100. Nothing radical in their advice, common sense really. Of course, to get Adam's house ready for his wife's b-day must have taken a crew of 20 to accomplish. It *was* nice to see Adam's wife and her reactions; amazing what some not-difficult-to-do cosmetic changes will do. It's like my apartment: if I actually picked up my CD's once in a while and got some of my prints framed and up on the walls, it'd look a lot better.

Out of the 5 guys, well, Carson is someone I think we've all met; whether you've liked the experience depends. I *love* Ted's voice. Yowza. He can cook for me any time, though I did notice the wedding ring on the left hand. There were some good one-liners here and there.

Both guys they were making over didn't seem freaked out by the gay innuendo or mild come-on's, so that was cool. Groundbreaking? Of course not, but I got some good tips on a few things and I'll watch it again. Of course, Bravo runs each episode about a bazillion times, so that won't be tough.

And the Guy Meets Guy preview made the show look a little more interesting than the Bravo website currently does.

ok I did actually like the show. It's like a gay "while you were out" on TLC.

The jokes are fine but Carson was like all hugging the guys and the one fab 5 guy even kissed the guy on the cheek. The hair guy is hot with his muscles and stuff =).

My biggest criticism again is that the media always portrays gay guys hitting on straight guys or all touchy feely with them.

That's not real life. I have lots of straight friends and I wouldn't dare kiss them on the cheek or put my arm around them. Any thoughts.

Much ado about fluff-ing? Sorry, but I thought the show was harmless and amusing. We are incredibly fortunate to have seen the remarkable changes in society over the past 25 years, and it was only a matter of time before the mass medica started to look for a way to make a buck. If that doesn't prove that Gays are just like everyone else, what does? wink The Fab 5 never apologize for who they are and the stereotypes are actually felt less annoying than any episode of Will & Grace. The previews for the dating show that premieres later this month look MUCH more offensive!

These guys are by no means stereotypes, anyone living in a major metropolitan area probably has one of each such friends. They were not conniving and bitter, typical stereotype images of gay men; and they seemed decent and comfortable with who they are--that seems important.

But what happened to the "Culture" guy between the two episodes? And what exactly is a culture guy? In the first episode he showed the fellow how to work a room and then the other culture guy advises on a present. Seemed a little off to me as culture.

But aren't we all getting a little tired of these shows? I am, and won't tune in again.

I enjoyed the show(s). The whole concept is more or less based on a myopic view of both gay and straight men. Gay men know how to dress, groom ,cook, decorate and live well. Straight men are a mess. Neither of these premises is wholly true. I know gay men who are far messier than either of the straight guys portrayed and I know straight men who can cook, dress and shop with the best of us. That said, there's always an element of truth to most stereotypes. Gay men in general probably are better at these things than straight men. The "Fab 5" certainly don't proportionally represent the entire gay community. They more or less conform to the straight perception of who/what gay men are. Straight people necessarily have a skewed perception of "gay" because it derives from what they observe gay people to be like. They notice the more flamboyant, different, out-there members of the gay community. The straight-acting/looking gay guys who write all those classified ads have a lower to non-existent profile, particularly outside the gay community. Straight people don't see or notice them so the stereotype persists. If anything, television feeds that image. There's nothing necessarily more "real" about reality television, from what I've seen, compared to the pure fiction. Will & Grace doesn't do an appreciably better/worse job when it comes to presenting gay characters than this show did.

I'm guilty of watching the first episode. I have to say that it was... well, a little too over the top for me to totally enjoy it.

But I like the wine and food guy. He was much less catty than the others I thought. He seemed like he really wanted to help out and such.

I'll probably watch another episode next week or so to see what I think, but I won't go out of my way to watch it

Trevor