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Queer Eye(2003 TV series)

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Queer Eye
GenreReality television
Created by
Starring
Theme music composerWidelife
Opening theme"All Things (Just Keep Getting Better)"by Widelife featuringSimone Denny
Country of originUnited States
No.of seasons5
No.of episodes100(list of episodes)
Production
Running time43–54 minutes
Original release
NetworkBravo
ReleaseJuly 15, 2003(2003-07-15)–
October 30, 2007(2007-10-30)

Queer Eyeis an Americanreality televisionseries that premiered on theBravonetwork in July 2003, initially broadcast asQueer Eye for the Straight Guy.The series was created by executive producersDavid CollinsandMichael Williamsalong with David Metzler through their company, Scout Productions.[1]Each episode features a team of gay professionals in the fields of fashion, personal grooming, interior design, entertaining, and culture collectively known as the "Fab Five" performing amakeover(in the parlance of the show, a "make-better" ): revamping wardrobe, redecorating, and offering lifestyle advice.

Queer Eye for the Straight Guyquickly became a surprise success, winning anEmmy Awardfor Outstanding Reality Program in 2004, with subsequent merchandising, international franchising of the concept, and a woman-orientedspin-off,Queer Eye for the Straight Girl.The series name was abbreviated toQueer Eyeat the beginning of its third season to include making over individuals regardless of gender or sexual orientation.[2]

Queer Eyeended production in June 2006 and the final episode aired October 30, 2007.[3]During September 2008, theFine Living Networkbriefly airedQueer Eyein syndication.[4]The series was also run again by the CBS-affiliated Twist network in 2023.

Netflixrevived the series in 2018with a new Fab Five.[5]

"Fab Five" experts[edit]

Cast ofQueer Eye,from left to right: Kyan, Jai, Carson, Ted and Thom

Episodes[edit]

Main article:List of Queer Eye episodes
SeasonEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast aired
125July 15, 2003(2003-07-15)April 20, 2004(2004-04-20)
230June 1, 2004(2004-06-01)April 12, 2005(2005-04-12)
319June 7, 2005(2005-06-07)February 7, 2006(2006-02-07)
416June 6, 2006(2006-06-06)September 19, 2006(2006-09-19)
510October 2, 2007(2007-10-02)October 30, 2007(2007-10-30)

Production[edit]

Michael Williams at the 2022 WonderCon in Anaheim, California.
Co-creatorMichael Williams

Producers Collins and Metzler were given approval by Bravo to developQueer Eyeafter the ratings success the network experienced when itcounterprogrammeda marathon of its 2002 seriesGay Weddingsat the same time asSuper Bowl XXXVIIduring 2003 January.[6]Thepilot episodewas filmed inBoston,Massachusetts during June 2002. Of the eventual Fab Five, only Kressley and Allen appeared. The culture, design and grooming roles were filled byJames Hannaham,Charles Daboub Jr., and Sam Spector, respectively.

The pilot was delivered to Bravo during September 2002, and was well received in audience testing. Soon thereafter,NBCpurchased Bravo and ordered 12 episodes of the series. NBC promoted the show extensively, includingbillboardcampaigns and print advertisements in national magazines.[1]

Kyan DouglasandThom Filiciajoined the show for these episodes, along with Blair Boone in the role of "culture guy". Boone filmed two episodes (which were broadcast as the second and third episodes and for which he was credited as a "guest culture expert" ) but was replaced by Rodriguez beginning with production of the third episode.[7]Each episode was shot over a span of four days and edited to create the perception that the events of the episode took place in a single day.[1]

Format[edit]

The majority ofQueer Eyeepisodes use the same basic format. The episode begins with the Fab Five in anSUV(usually inNew York City,where the series was based) discussing their heterosexual client. The Five review details of the subject's personal life and note problems in their various areas of expertise. The Five usually have a specific event for which they plan to prepare the client. These included everything from throwing a backyard barbecue for friends to preparing to ask for a salary increase to proposing marriage.

Upon arriving at the subject's home, the Fab Five go through his belongings, performing a running commentary of catty remarks about the state of his wardrobe, home decor, cleanliness and grooming. They also speak with the subject and family members to get an idea of the sort of style they like and their goals for the experience and to discuss the planned event.

Series logo for the first and second season

The remainder of the first half of the episode follows the Fab Five as they escort the subject to various locales to select new furniture and clothes. Often, Ted demonstrates how to select and prepare food for a particular dish that the subject will prepare for the special event, and Kyan takes him for spa treatments and a new haircut. Each such segment includes a style tip superimposed on the screen, summarizing the style issues addressed in the segment. Interspersed with this are interview segments in which friends and family members of the subject discuss his style issues.

In the next section, the subject returns to a completely redecorated home and models articles of his new wardrobe for the Fab Five. Each of the Five offer final words of advice and encouragement, accompanied by supplies of grooming products, food and kitchenware, and in some cases expensive electronics items such as entertainment centers and computers.

The final section follows the subject as he prepares for the special event, with the Fab Five watching edited footage of his preparations and critiquing how well or how poorly he followed their advice. Finally, the subject is followed through the event itself, with the Five again performing a running commentary and the subject often expressing his deep gratitude to the Fab Five for their counsel. A final tip from each of the Fab Five, usually relating to one of the topics covered in the episode, plays just before the credits.

Special episodes ofQueer Eyethat deviated from this formula included episodes in which the Fab Five journeyed outside the greater New York area, including shows filmed inEngland,Texas,andLas Vegas.In two episodes, the Fab Five made over homosexual men (both of which aired during June, Gay Pride Month, during 2004 and 2006) and in one episode made over a transgender man. The show also featured makeovers of members of theBoston Red Soxafter their 2004World Seriesvictory, several holiday specials, and, in the final season, a "Mister Straight Guy"pageantfeaturing subjects from the series' history.

Popular and critical response[edit]

Queer Eye for the Straight Guydebuted on July 15, 2003 and the series quickly attained high ratings, peaking during September of that year with 3.34 million viewers per episode.[8]The popularity of the series established the Fab Five as media celebrities, with high-profile appearances at theEmmysand a "make-better" ofJay Lenoand hisThe Tonight Showset in August of that year.[9]The members parlayed their statuses into endorsement deals, most notably when Thom Filicia became the spokesperson forPier 1 Imports.[10][11]

American press reviews were largely positive.Outmagazine listed the Fab Five in its "OUT 100", the "greatest gay success stories" of 2003.[12]Instinctmagazine declared Kressley one of the "Leading Men" of 2004.[13]

The series attracted criticism for making generalizations about sexual identity, often objecting to ideas that homosexual men are inherently more fashionable and stylish than heterosexuals.[14]Among those making this critique wereTom ShalesinThe Washington Post( "stereotypes on parade" ), Richard Goldstein inVillage Voice( "Haven't fags always been consigned to the role of body servant?" ) and United States CongressmanBarney Frankspeaking to theNew York Post.Author Gustavus Stadler presents similar critiques ofQueer Eyeemphasizing the expectation placed on homosexual men by society.Queer Eye,Stadler claims, is an example of an unrealistic world in which all queer men are fashionable, hip, witty, and very much enjoy helping a straight man to reach their straight potential. Similarly, Stadler claims this is why heterosexual men find enjoyment in watchingQueer Eye,as they envy the "simple" imaginary gay lifestyle held by queer men; a life free from divorce rates, children, and demanding jobs.[15]AnthropologistLionel Tigercriticized the show's portrayal of heterosexual men: "Heteromales are the last group it is acceptable to bash as a class. The homosexual fellows onQueer Eyeseem to provide riveting hilarity to especially female viewers. What if there were 5 Swedes telling Kenyans how to live elegantly and fashionably? What if 5 Catholics told Jews how to dress, decorate, and court? The program is degraded and degrading ".[16]

Before same-sex marriage was legalized throughout the United States, there was a study on the distribution of attitudes about gay marriage from residents in Louisiana, Arizona, and Minnesota. Reportedly in this study, 60.9% disagreed with gay marriage with the "intensity of disagreement also stronger for those who disagree compared to those who agree".[17]WhileQueer Eye for the Straight Guydid last from 2003 to 2007, the attitudes of the U.S audience during these years might have had an effect on the show's popularity during their airing.

With the success of the first season, original "culture guy" Blair Boone sued the show forbreach of contract,claiming he should be paid not just for two episodes but for the season that he had been contracted to film.[18]

The popularity of the series inspired a number of parodies.Comedy Centralhosted asatiricaltelevision series namedStraight Plan for the Gay Man,which featured four heterosexual men teaching homosexual men how to be more stereotypically straight, redecorating their homes with neon beer signs and teaching them about sports.South Parkspoofed the show and its hosts in the episode "South Park Is Gay!",in which the protagonists learn that the Fab Five are actually the disguises of evil Crab People aiming for world domination by converting heterosexual men intometrosexuals.

Queer Eyewon anEmmy Awardfor Outstanding Reality Program during 2004 and was nominated for another Emmy in the same category during 2005. The series also receivedGLAAD Media Awardsfor Outstanding Reality Program during 2004 and 2005, and was nominated for a third during 2006.

In the second season, ratings decreased, averaging about 1.8 million viewers per episode with an average of 804,000 viewers in the important 18-40 demographic.[8][19]Despite this, new episodes continued to be broadcast for two more seasons. After Bravo confirmed in early 2007 thatQueer Eyehad been cancelled, the remaining fifth-season episodes were billed asQueer Eye: The Final Season[20]and aired twice weekly beginning October 2, 2007.[21]

The show attracted more criticism than other similar television series from the same time period.[22]James Keller asserts that the title itself seems to cross a boundary;gay menobjectifying straight men.[22]Keller also criticizes the exemplification of stereotypes on both sides; gay men who are effeminate, only pursuing artistic careers, while straight men are rude, uncultured and uncivilized. The largest criticism from Keller to be that even if the stereotypes are correct, the show tended to take too simplistic of a view, relying on a sophisticated audience.[22]

Joshua Gamson praised the series and its portrayal of gay men on television saying that it has "produced a fascinating reversal of fortune" where gay men are admired, and straight men are praised for being more like gay men.[23]

Spin-off series[edit]

During January 2005, Scout Productions premiered the spin-off seriesQueer Eye for the Straight Girl,set in Los Angeles. It featured a cast of four lifestyle experts (three men and a woman, known as the "Gal Pals" ) who performed makeovers for women. The show was cancelled after one season.

International adaptations[edit]

Queer Eye's American success caused television networks in several countries to syndicate the American episodes, with a number of countries creating their own local versions ofQueer Eyefor broadcast in their countries. However, few of these homegrown versions have proven as successful as the original, and most did not last long before cancellation. Licensing of the format is managed by NBCUniversal.

NBCU licensed UK television production house vialondon.tv[24]to produce local versions for Europe, withFlextech'sLivingchannel doing the same to produce the United Kingdom's version after a first attempt at a UK production byMaking Timewas abandoned.[25]

The first episode of theFinnishversion,Sillä silmällä,created controversy for the blatantproduct placementconsidered to be a transgression of a Finnish law againstsurreptitious advertising.

Country Channel Program name Seasons Episodes First aired
Australia[26] Network Ten Aussie Queer Eye for the Straight Guy 1 6 9 February 2005—23 February 2005 NB: Three episodes were broadcast later in the year.
Belgium[27] KanaalTwee De heren maken de man 2 2005
Brazil[28] Netflix Queer Eye Brasil 2021
Chile Mega Ojo con Clase (Classy Eye) 1 5 April 2013
Finland Nelonen Sillä silmällä 2 24 30 March 2005
France TF1 Queer, Cinq Experts dans le Vent 1 8 2004
Germany RTL 2 Schwul macht cool (Gay makes you cool) 1 8 10 November 2003
Greece Antenna 1 (ANT1) Fab 5 1 10 2011
Italy[29] La7 I Fantastici Cinque 2 22 2004
Norway TV3 Homsepatruljen (The Gay Patrol) 3 36 2004 & 2012
Portugal SIC Esquadrão G 1 8 11 September 2005
Spain Antena 3 El Equipo G 1 10 2005
Sweden TV3 Fab 5 Sverige 1 12 2003
UK ITV1 Queer Eye for the Straight Guy 2 14 2004

Merchandising[edit]

Soundtrack[edit]

Queer Eye for the Straight Guy
Soundtrack albumby
various artists
Released2004
GenrePop,dance
LabelCapitol Records
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic[30]

The soundtrack forQueer Eye for the Straight Guywas released February 10, 2004, in the USA. It reached number one on theelectronic musicchart, number two on the soundtrack charts and the top 40 in theBillboard200album chart.[31]In Australia, the soundtrack was released for theSydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras,and the popularity of the series in Australia resulted in the soundtrack scoring in the top 10 of the Australian album chart on March 8, 2004. It was certified gold in Australia in March 2004. The song "Superstar" byJameliafrom the soundtrack also went to number one on the Australian singles charts in the same week, and the theme song of the show, "All Things (Just Keep Getting Better)" byWidelife,went to the top 20 that month. "All Things" scored a2005 Juno Awardfor "Dance Recording of the Year" forWidelife(Rachid Wehbi & Ian Nieman). Rob Eric was the executive producer for the album.

Track listing[edit]

  1. "All Things (Just Keep Getting Better)"–WidelifewithSimone Denny
  2. "Good Luck"–Basement JaxxfeaturingLisa Kekaula
  3. "Slow"(Chemical BrothersMix) –Kylie Minogue
  4. "Move Your Feet"–Junior Senior
  5. "You Promised Me (Tu Es Foutu)"–In-Grid
  6. "Superstar"–Jamelia
  7. "Everybody Wants Youto Emerge"–Fischerspooner/Billy Squier
  8. "Sunrise"(Jason Nevins Remix) –Duran Duran
  9. "Never Coming Home" (Gonna Live My Life Remix) –Sting
  10. "An Area Big Enough to Do It In" –Prophet Omega
  11. "You're So Damn Hot" –OK Go
  12. "Extraordinary" –Liz Phair
  13. "Are You Ready for Love"–Elton John
  14. "Five Gay Men in One House" –Jai RodriguezandTed Allen
  15. "All Things (Just Keep Getting Better)" (music video)

Certifications[edit]

Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[32] Gold 35,000^

^Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Books[edit]

The book tie-inQueer Eye for the Straight Guy: The Fab 5's Guide to Looking Better, Cooking Better, Dressing Better, Behaving Better and Living Betterwas published in 2004 byClarkson Potter/Publishers,an imprint ofRandom House.[33]

DVD releases[edit]

Several DVDs were released in conjunction with the series. Kressley, Filicia and Allen each had individual releases emphasizing their topics of expertise. Douglas and Rodriguez were featured together in a single DVD focused on grooming. Additional DVD releases includeQueer Eye for the Red Sox(featuring the team makeover episode) and a multi-disc box set.[34]

Revival[edit]

Main article:Queer Eye (2018 TV series)

Netflix ordered eight new episodes ofQueer Eyein January 2017, to feature a new Fab Five.[35]Scout Productions has contributed involvement with the revival, which trades the original New York setting forGeorgiain the first two seasons, andMissouriin the third and fourth.[36][37]

The new Fab Five consists of:

Onreview aggregatorwebsiteRotten Tomatoes,the season holds an approval rating of 100% based on 13 reviews, and an average rating of 7.35/10. The website's critical consensus reads, "Queer Eyeadapts for a different era without losing its style, charm, or sense of fun, proving that the show's formula remains just as sweetly addictive even after a change in location and a new group of hosts. "[39]OnMetacritic,the season has a weighted average score of 73 out of 100, based on 7 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[40]Following its success, Netflix has subsequently renewed it for seven seasons.[41]

See also[edit]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^abcGiltz, Michael (September 2, 2003)."Queer Eye Confidential".The Advocate.pp. 40–4, issue 897. Archived fromthe originalon June 18, 2009.Retrieved2008-03-15.
  2. ^Andy Dehnart (June 1, 2005)."Queer Eye Shortens its Name, will include" Compelling Personal Stories. "".Reality Blurred.Retrieved2008-03-15.
  3. ^Grogan, Leigh (2007-10-02)."What one" Queer Eye "guy has learned from the show".Sacramento Bee.Retrieved2007-10-31.
  4. ^Reynolds, Mike (September 17, 2008)."Fine Living Lands 'Loser,' 'Queer Eye' Syndication Pacts".Multichannel.Retrieved2008-09-17.
  5. ^Schwindt, Oriana (January 24, 2017)."Netflix Revives 'Queer Eye for the Straight Guy'".Variety.RetrievedJanuary 25,2017.
  6. ^Engstrom, p. 346
  7. ^Internet Movie Database."Blair Boone".IMDb.Retrieved2007-10-31.
  8. ^abVary, Adam B. (June 22, 2004)."Pride, Patriotism, and Queer Eye".The Advocate.pp. 120–36, issue 917.Retrieved2013-02-04.
  9. ^Silverman, Stephen (2003-08-04)."Jay Leno to get" Queer Eye "treatment".People.Retrieved2007-10-31.
  10. ^The Associated Press (March 11, 2004). "'Queer Eye' Thom is hot, Kirstie Alley is not ".USAToday.
  11. ^"usatoday".USA Today.2004-03-11.Retrieved2008-03-15.
  12. ^Epstein, Jeffrey (December 2003). "Kyan Douglas, Ted Allen, Thom Filicia, Carson Kressley, Jai Rodriguez".Out Magazine:90.
  13. ^Ray, Parker (November 2004). "The Ambassador".Instinct:48–50.
  14. ^Greim, Katrin."Crossroads of Culture: Studies look at roots of the" down low ", LGBT-focused television shows".American Sexuality magazine.Archived fromthe originalon 2007-11-15.Katrin Greim.
  15. ^Stadler, Gustavus (2005)."Queer Guy for the Straight" I "".GLQ: A Journal of Lesbian and Gay Studies.11:109–111.doi:10.1215/10642684-11-1-109.S2CID144722868– via Project MUSE.
  16. ^http:// enterstageright /archive/articles/0304/0304tigerinterview.htm
  17. ^Brumbaugh, Stacey (2008). "Attitudes toward Gay Marriage in States Undergoing Marriage Law Transformation".Journal of Marriage and Family.70(2): 345–359.doi:10.1111/j.1741-3737.2008.00486.x.JSTOR40056279.
  18. ^Haberman, Lia (2003-09-04)."Former Fabber sues" Queer Eye "".E! Online.Retrieved2007-10-30.
  19. ^Dossi, Joel (2005-01-03)."The Rise and Fall of Queer Eye for the Straight Guy".AfterElton.Retrieved2007-10-31.
  20. ^McFarland, Melanie (2007-01-12)."Hello Pasadena, Goodbye" Queer Eye "".TV Gal.Seattle Post-Intelligencer.Retrieved2007-10-31.
  21. ^"Bravo's Emmy-Award Winning Series 'Queer Eye' Kicks-Off Final Season"(Press release). NBC. 2007-09-13.Retrieved2007-10-31.[permanent dead link]
  22. ^abcKeller, James (2004).""Does he think we are not watching?": Straight Guys and the Queer Eye Panopticon ".Studies in Popular Culture.26(3): 49–60.ISSN0888-5753.JSTOR23414933.
  23. ^Gamson, Joshua (2005)."The Intersection of Gay Street and Straight Street: Shopping, Social Class, and the New Gay Visibility".Social Thought & Research.26(1/2): 3–18.ISSN1094-5830.JSTOR23250049.
  24. ^Rogers, Steve (2003-08-10)."U.K Indie ViaLondon To Produce Local Queer Eye".Archived fromthe originalon 2009-06-18.Retrieved2007-10-31.
  25. ^Rogers, Steve (2003-08-10)."UK Queer Eye stops production".Retrieved2007-10-31.
  26. ^"Ten takes Aussie Queer Eye off air".B&T.2005-02-24. Archived fromthe originalon 2009-06-17.Retrieved2007-12-29.
  27. ^"Vijf homo's maken van hetero een betere man".2005-01-14.Retrieved2016-02-18.
  28. ^UOL, Splash (November 5, 2020)."'Queer Eye' no Brasil: Conheça as cinco estrelas da nova versão na Netflix ".UOL(in Portuguese).RetrievedNovember 6,2020.
  29. ^Staff writers (December 15, 2004)."I 5 fantastici gay fanno già discutere".Arcigay.Associazione Lesbica e Gay Italiana. Archived fromthe originalon 2006-03-10.Retrieved2007-10-31.
  30. ^Queer EyeatAllMusic
  31. ^Allmusic."Queer Eye for the Straight Guy Charts and Awards - Billboard".Retrieved2001-10-31.{{cite web}}:|last=has generic name (help)
  32. ^"ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2004 Albums"(PDF).Australian Recording Industry Association.Retrieved27 December2021.
  33. ^"Official Tie-in Book for Queer Eye for the Straight Guy to be Published by Random House, Inc.'s Clarkson Potter"(PDF)(Press release). NBC. 2003-08-23.Retrieved2007-10-31.
  34. ^"The Queer Eye for the Straight Guy (2003)".tvshowsondvd. Archived fromthe originalon 2007-10-22.Retrieved2007-10-31.
  35. ^"Netflix Rebooting 'Queer Eye for the Straight Guy' for Red State Tour".EW.2017-01-24.Retrieved2017-08-11.
  36. ^Schwindt, Oriana (January 24, 2017)."Netflix Revives 'Queer Eye for the Straight Guy'".Variety.RetrievedJuly 27,2017.
  37. ^"'Queer Eye' Renewed by Netflix for Season 3 ".Variety.13 July 2018.RetrievedNovember 5,2019.
  38. ^"Meet the new 'Queer Eye' Fab 5 in this first look".EW.Retrieved2017-12-21.
  39. ^"Queer Eye: Season 1".Rotten Tomatoes.RetrievedFebruary 13,2018.
  40. ^"Queer Eye (2018) reviews".Metacritic.RetrievedFebruary 13,2018.
  41. ^"'Queer Eye' Renewed for Fourth and Fifth Seasons at Netflix ".CNNI.18 June 2019.RetrievedNovember 5,2019.

References[edit]

  • Engstrom, Erika. "The 'Reality' of Reality Television Wedding Programs". Based on "Engstrom's" Hegemony in Reality-Based TV Programming: The World According toA Wedding Story(Media Report to Women(2003) 31(1) 10–14) and "Hegemony and Counterhegemony in Bravo'sGay Weddings(Popular Culture Review(2004) 15(2) 34–35). Collected as chapter 13 in Galician, Mary-Lou and Debra L. Merskin (2007).Critical Thinking about Sex, Love, and Romance in the Mass Media: Media Literacy Applications.Routledge.ISBN0-8058-5615-3.pp. 335–53.

External links[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related toQueer Eye.
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