Bravo’s “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy” debuted this summer and is setting the mark for entertaining and eye-opening gay reality television.
Each week, the Fab 5, Kyan, Jai, Carson, Ted and Tom, convert a sloppy man into a stud.
The twist is that the transformers are gay and the transformed is straight.
“It’s ‘A Makeover Story’ that’s come out the closet,” said Kim Bell, a psychology senior.
Bravo’s Web site considers the show a full lifestyle makeover.
Grungy men are made fabulous and taught style, fashion, cuisine, interior design and culture.
“It’s an original idea for a reality show,” said Matt Zokai, a finance senior.
According to the Bravo Web site, the union of a gay producer and a straight creator allows “Queer Eye” to have humor, depth and edge.
“That show is so funny,” said Jeremiah Oertling, a mechanical engineer. “My favorite part is when the guy [Jai] takes the waxing paper with all of the guy’s back hair on it and wears it as an ascot.”
The straight men’s appreciation for the gay men demonstrates homosexual tolerance and friendship.
“I think it’s cool that the show has outwardly gay men and some [men] that are not so obvious who are breaking the barriers for possibly homophobic guys,” Bell said.
“Queer Eye’s” humor and originality attract many viewers, but some of the Fab 5’s characteristics may be offensive.
At the end of some episodes, the Fab 5 toast and say, “Cheers for queers.”
Danny Watts had much insight on the less appealing aspects of the show.
Watts is the producer for the independent short film “A Vested Citizen,” which discusses homosexuality in Baton Rouge.
“It does regrettably play on stereotypes of gay men,” Watts said. “The fashion and interior decorating is very stereotypical.”
Watts believes that the humorous and flamboyant portrayal of gays is the network’s way of dealing with homosexuality.
“Humor is a necessary stage for society to accept gays,” Watts said. “Society does not want to play on the seriousness of homosexuality.”
“Queer Eye for the Straight Guy” entertains audiences while making a name for gay reality television.
New episodes of the show air on Bravo Tuesdays at 9 p.m. Reruns air constantly Friday through Sunday.
This series is not Bravo’s first attempt to include gays in reality television.
“Boy Meets Boy,” “Gay Weddings” and “Fire Island” are three other gay reality shows.
“Boy Meets Boy” also debuted this summer.
This show is the equivalent of “The Bachelor,” except this bachelor is gay, and some of his suitors are straight.
“Gay Weddings” followed gay couples through the process of planning and executing a wedding.
“Fire Island” showcased gay New York vacationers with a time-share on the predominately gay Fire Island.
According to the VH1 special “Totally Gay,” gay is the new black, and Bravo is taking full advantage of the trend.