Queer Eye

...Should be the theme for the show. Well, it is. But it's true. The show warms the heart while updating the clothes, and is one of the most entertaining things on television.

Makeover shows are a popular necessity to TV these days. We love em. From house and garden makeovers, to "The Swan" (I love CSI, but that one, I must admit, grosses me out), "What Not to Wear", even Oprah or, my other favorite, "Second Chance". Queer Eye For the Straight Guy offers an ingenious combo, gay men making over often very slobby straight men. Make it hip, cool, fun. Presto, mega hit. But the show goes further than other makeover shows because it really offers something to the viewer. It tells you HOW to look better the way Bob Vila shows you how to build a house, as opposed to whisking someone backstage and back out a different person. And above all, it gives you a real sense that you can change your life by throwing out the old and bringing in the new, having a positive outlook. Life detox, and all with a real human connection.

The show, which has 5 gay mavens driving all over uber cool parts of New York City and each being oracles of stylistic expertise, turning the often dowdy everyman into a Adonis of personal style. The makeovers are extensive and delightfully enjoyable to watch. We see a big transformation, blueprints and details, all laced through the roof with spontaneity and hilarity from 5 very, very, very funny and warmhearted men, aka the Fab Five - Carson Kressley for clothes, Kyan Douglas for grooming, Ted Allen for food, Thom Filicia for house and home, and Jai Rodriguez for culture. They're all experts and they all milk amazing end results. Every new guy has a new recipe that had thought and attention put into it, unlike some shows which just do the same thing to everyone, and we're brought through the whole process. Each of the gurus walk the participant through the makeover, usually with fairly easy instructions and give them tasks they have to do themselves. The majority of the time it looks like a bona fide style miracle took place. Darned fun stuff.

But I think the magic of QEftSG is that 90% of the time, the main thing the straight guys get out of the experience is a life makeover with the belief that anything can happen in their future. The outward change manifests an inner spring cleaning. Over and over these guys, by the end of the show, have a renewed self esteem and vitality for life instead of wallowing in the doldrums of everyday existence...which is something a lot of us can relate to and hope we can take initiative from. The Fab Five are sort of like a group of superheroes, running around to help those in need of couture and general rejuvenation.

Other than our collective addiction to "the makeover", the fact that this show does makeovers much the better than the rest with flourish and warmth and style up the wazoo, and the often hilarious nature of the show -- the joy and emotion often beaming off the participants faces and the genuine compassion and dedication the Fab Five shows to each of the straight guys is, I think, what keeps people coming back every week.

It's a makeBETTER show, say the five homosexual stars of Bravo's forray into "metrosexual" culture. And right they are. The theme song says it all: "You bring out the best in me...when you're around, things just keep getting better." By far, the best episode I've seen was during the first season when they were working toward a goal: To get the "victim's" girlfriend to accept his marriage proposal. The fact that she said yes is a perfect example of just how good this show can be. It's a perfect resource for the young man, sick and tired of the female "why all men are pigs" comments and want to be a better man. So watch it on Bravo (and the occassional NBC airing) and make a list of men you know who could stand to see life through the "Queer Eye."

Still as entertaining and enjoyable as when it first began. The guys have maintained an engaging rapport and a winning sense of humor, no matter what straight guy crosses their paths! And the "brotherhood" and true camaraderie that exists amongst the five is to be commended.....as so many reality shows bring out the worst in others, THIS show only focuses on the BEST. I am so looking forward to the new season as they branch out....

The wedding episodes were heart-warming and touching but the new ones shot in Vegas look like they're gonna be a blast...

As they approach a landmark 100th episode, I hope fans continue to support their endeavors and appreciate EACH of their talents.

QE is an interesting and markedly different way of looking at the Reality and Makeover subgenre.

The so-called 'victims' appearing in QEFTSG appear willingly, and despite being harangued in a playful manner over their cleanliness, fashion sense and the contents of their fridge, they emerge from this show as more confident and more mature people. This is a show with lasting effects, not just for the wardrobe and the home, but for the lifestyle.

The Fab Five are not about tearing a person's confidence to shreds and dressing them like a doll, as we have seen in some of the lesser makeover shows (What Not To Wear, Extreme Makeovers). The subjects are listened to, they are counselled and delivered back to their partners and friends as better versions of themselves. No more bad haircut, no more dangerous living conditions. Think of the difference between wearing makeup and wearing a mask. This is the difference between QE and other makeover shows.

Thom Filicia in particular, handles the design of the subjects home in a way that no other reality show decorator does. His designs, furniture and decor choices reflect the person living in them. He extols the virtues of using your living space as you want to use it. Don't eat at the the table? Then don't have a dining room. Use the computer a lot? Put it in the lounge. And always, put your personality and your own stamp on the rooms. Watch Thom work a room, and you will forever see Changing Rooms and other interior makeovers as severely lacking.

QE never has one of those awkward 'reveal' moments where you can tell that someone hates what the makeover team have done. They are roundly thanked, sometimes tearfully, by the straight men they transform from ugly ducklings to 21st century swans. I have yet to see one person show any distaste at the changes made to their life. The response is always, as it should be. A heartfelt 'thankyou'.

Let's face it some people need a kick in the pants if not a new pair of pants. I like this program. I think the 5 guys are entertaining and considering there are cameras following theme around they all seem pretty genuine although Carson flames a bit but you can tell he's like that all the time and not just for the cameras. They are doing the jobs they love and helping some poor filthy guy out is a bonus. I know there are gay men that need help (bobby trendy?) but it seems that most of the hetero men being 'eyed' on this show really want the help. I love the way the 5 all cringe when the heteros 'speed shave'. I'm a hetero female and I find it very entertaining to watch. Thinking about it though, it really doesn't matter that the men are gay, it could be called 'Professional Eye for the Amateur Guy' but then it would be 'What not to Wear MEETS every DIY show on cable'. So the gay aspect is the show's hook. It would be just as good if the word 'gay' was never used, but the comments wouldn't be as clever (like when Kyan was wearing a cowboy hat that belonged to one of the their target guys and Carson called him 'George Gay' (instead of George Straight). I like everything about QE.