I don't know how many people in the United States have been watching (though I heard that ratings have been great), but, the Bravo Network now runs a show called Queer Eye For The Straight Guy. The catch phrase is "Five gay men, out to make over the world � one straight guy at time." It's a make-over show that seems to operate on the dual premise that:
- Gay men intrinsically have an appreciation for a cultured, bon-vivant lifestyle.
- Straight men don't.
The show recognizes that this is blatantly not true, but, perpetuates the illusion by finding the contestants that fit the following profile:
- Subject name: Sasquatch
- Physical appearance: Unkempt and hairy
- Personal grooming and hygiene: Questionable
- Personal style: Freshman dorm
- Interior decor: Fast food container messy
Into the life of this stylistic living fossil swoop five gay men, each an expert in some relevant field (fashion, interior design, food & wine, culture, grooming) to make over Sasquatch into a dazzling urbanite rather than a creature seldom glimpsed in the backwoods. Of course, there is only so much they can do in a couple days. Manners sometimes remain attrocious and girlfriends often recognize the "gay" veneer with frequent exclamations of "oh, a gay man must have gotten this for you!!!". All of this is done, of course, amidst a boatload of sarcastic and biting commentary from the five gay experts including color commentary of the "show and tell" of their current test subject after they leave. Oh yes, Sasquatch seems, more often than not, to want to undergo this transformation to impress a woman.
I have to say that it's all good fun and interesting TV, but, I don't know if I'd be all that good a contestant on the show. Why? My cooking repetoire moves well beyond reheating cans of "Dinty Moore Beef Stew" or sending out for pizza. I own more than two pairs of shoes. I have cleaning implements and know how to use them. Heck, I even iron Fiancee S.'s clothes if she's in a hurry to go out... and I leave the seat down. I have also been graced by a few people in my life that have helped me to realize that a) nice furniture is cool, and b) some sense of decor is a quality that many other adults see as desirable. I'm sure that there are a few things that the "Fab Five" makeover squad can teach me, but, I doubt that the "before" and "after" transformation would be as dramatic. That and the show seems to have a penchant for wearing men's dress shoes without socks... I don't know how women manage wearing shoes without socks, but, after trying it a few times, I don't like it.
said drgeek
on 2003-07-28 at 10:38 a.m.
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