Queer Eye 350844 224222528 2008-07-07T21:38:24Z J Milburn Bot 7423137 All Music Guide has now been rebranded to Allmusic {{Infobox television| | show_name = Queer Eye | image = [[Image:Queer-Eye-logo.jpg]]<br>[[Image:queereye-promo.jpg|right|250px]] | caption = ''Queer Eye'' cast | format = [[Reality television]] | runtime = ''ca.'' 54 minutes | creator = [[David Collins, television producer|David Collins]]<br>[[David Metzler]] | starring = [[Ted Allen]]<br>[[Kyan Douglas]]<br>[[Thom Filicia]]<br>[[Carson Kressley]]<br>[[Jai Rodriguez]] | country = [[United States]] | network = [[Bravo (television network)|Bravo]] | first_aired = [[July 15]], [[2003]] | last_aired = [[October 30]], [[2007]] | num_seasons = 5 | num_episodes = 100}}</div> '''''Queer Eye''''' is an [[Emmy|Emmy award-winning]] [[United States|American]] [[reality television]] series that premiered on the [[Bravo (television network)|Bravo cable television network]] on [[July 15]], [[2003]]. The program's name was changed from '''''Queer Eye for the Straight Guy''''' after the third season to broaden the scope of its content.<ref>{{cite web | author=Andy Dehnart | title=Queer Eye Shortens its Name, will include "Compelling Personal Stories." | work=Reality Blurred | url=http://www.realityblurred.com/realitytv/archives/queer_eye/2005_Jun_01_name_change | date =[[01 June]] [[2005]] | accessdate =2008-03-15}}</ref> The series was created by openly [[gay]] executive producer [[David Collins (television producer)|David Collins]] and his [[heterosexuality|straight]] producing partner [[David Metzler]], and produced by their production company, [[Scout Productions]].<ref name=advocate>{{cite news | last=Giltz | first=Michael | title=Queer Eye Confidential | work=The Advocate | pages=40-4; issue 897 | date=[[02 September]] [[2003]] | url=http://www.advocate.com/issue_story_ektid21766.asp | accessdate=2008-03-15}}</ref> The show is premised on and plays with the [[stereotype]]s that gay men are superior in matters of [[fashion]], style, personal grooming, [[interior design]], and culture. In each episode, the team of five gay men known collectively as the "Fab Five" perform a [[makeover]] (in the parlance of the show, a "make-better") on a person, usually a straight man, revamping his wardrobe, redecorating his home, and offering advice on grooming, lifestyle, and food.<ref>{{cite episode | title = Queer Eye for the Straight Guy | episodelink = | series = | serieslink = | airdate = | season = 1 | number = 1}}</ref> ''Queer Eye for the Straight Guy'' debuted in 2003 and quickly became both a surprise hit and one of the most talked-about television programs of 2003. The success of the show led to merchandising, franchising of the concept internationally, and a woman-oriented [[spin-off]], ''[[Queer Eye for the Straight Girl]]''. The show's name was shortened to ''Queer Eye'' at the beginning of its third season to reflect the show's change in direction from making over only straight men to including women and gays. ''Queer Eye'' ended production in June 2006 and the final 10 episodes aired in October 2007. The series ended [[October 30]].<ref>{{cite web | last=Grogan | first=Leigh | title=What one "Queer Eye" guy has learned from the show | work=Sacramento Bee | date=2007-10-02 | url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/living/2003917284_webqueereye.html | format=| doi=| accessdate= 2007-10-31}}</ref> ==The Fab Five == *[[Ted Allen]]: "[[Food]] and [[Wine]] [[Connoisseur]]", expert on [[alcohol]], beverages, [[cooking|food preparation]], and presentation *[[Kyan Douglas]]: "Grooming Guru", expert on hair, grooming, personal [[hygiene]], and [[makeup]] *[[Thom Filicia]]: "Design Doctor", expert on [[interior design]] and home organization *[[Carson Kressley]]: "Fashion Savant", expert on [[clothing]], [[fashion]], and personal styling *[[Jai Rodriguez]]: "Culture Vulture", expert on [[popular culture]], relationships, and social interaction ==Production== The pilot episode was filmed in [[Boston, Massachusetts|Boston]] in June 2002. Of the eventual Fab Five, only Kressley and Allen appeared. The culture, design and grooming roles were filled by James Hannaham, Charles Daboub, Jr. and Sam Spector, respectively.<ref>{{Citation | last =Internet Movie Database | first = | author-link = | last2 = | first2 = | author2-link = | title =Queer Eye cast | date = | year = | url =http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0358332/epcast#season-2 | accessdate = 2007-10-31}}</ref> The pilot was delivered to Bravo in September 2002 and was well-received in audience testing. Shortly thereafter [[NBC]] purchased Bravo and ordered 12 episodes of the series. NBC heavily promoted the show, including [[billboard (advertising)|billboard]] campaigns and print ads in national magazines.<ref name=advocate/> [[Kyan Douglas]] and [[Thom Filicia]] joined the show for these episodes, along with [[Blair Boone]] in the role of "culture guy". Boone filmed two episodes (which aired 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.<ref>{{cite web | last =Internet Movie Database | title=Blair Boone | url =http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1082838/ | accessdate =2007-10-31}}</ref> Each episode was shot over a span of four days and edited to create the conceit that the events of the episode took place in a single day.<ref name=advocate /> ==Format== The majority of ''Queer Eye'' episodes follow the same basic format. The episode opens with the Fab Five in an [[SUV]] (usually in [[New York City]], where the series was based) discussing their straight subject. 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 subject. These have included everything from throwing a backyard barbecue for friends to preparing to ask for a salary raise to proposing marriage. Upon arriving at the subject's home, the Fab Five go through his belongings, keeping up 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. [[Image:Tv bravo queer eye for the straight guy logo.jpg|thumb|left|Queer Eye 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, Kyan takes him for spa treatments and a new haircut. Each such segment includes a style tip superimposed on the screen, summarizing in a sentence or two 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 and a last [[Polari#Zhoosh|tszuj]], accompanied by supplies of grooming products, food, and kitchenware, and in some cases big-ticket 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 keeping up 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 of ''Queer Eye'' that deviated from this formula included episodes in which the Fab Five journeyed outside the greater New York area, including shows filmed in England, Texas, and Las Vegas. In two episodes the Fab Five made over gay men (both of which aired during June, Gay Pride Month, in 2004 and 2006), and one episode making over a female-to-male transgender person. The show also featured makeovers of members of the [[Boston Red Sox]] following their 2004 [[World Series]] victory, several holiday specials and, in the final season, a "Mister Straight Guy" [[beauty pageant|pageant]] featuring subjects from across the show's history. ==Popular and critical response== ''Queer Eye for the Straight Guy'' debuted on [[July 15]], [[2003]] and the series quickly attained high ratings, peaking in September of that year with 3.34 million viewers per episode.<ref name=advocate2>{{cite news | last=Vary | first=Adam B. | title=Pride, Patriotism, and Queer Eye | work=The Advocate | url=http://www.advocate.com/issue_story_ektid09194.asp | pages=120-36; issue 917 | date=[[22 June]] [[2004]] | accessdate=2008-03-15}}</ref> The popularity of the show established the Fab Five as media celebrities, with high-profile appearances at the [[Emmy Award|Emmys]] and a "make-better" of [[Jay Leno]] and his ''[[Tonight Show]]'' set in August of that year.<ref>{{cite news | last=Silverman | first=Stephen | title=Jay Leno to get "Queer Eye" treatment | work=People | date=2003-08-04 | url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,626611,00.html | accessdate=2007-10-31 }}</ref> Fab Five members parlayed their celebrity into endorsement deals, notably Thom Filicia's becoming the spokesperson for [[Pier 1 Imports]].<ref>{{cite news | author=The Associated Press | title='Queer Eye' Thom is hot, Kirstie Alley is not | work=USAToday | date=[[11 March]] [[2004]] | url=http://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2004-03-11-alley-pier-one_x.htm | accessdate=2008-03-15}}</ref> The American gay press almost universally hailed the show and the Fab Five as cultural icons. ''[[Out (magazine)|Out]]'' magazine listed the Fab Five in its "OUT 100", the "greatest gay success stories" of 2003.<ref>{{Citation | last =Epstein | first =Jeffrey | author-link = | last2 = | first2 = | author2-link = | title =Kyan Douglas, Ted Allen, Thom Filicia, Carson Kressley, Jai Rodriguez | newspaper =Out magazine | pages =90 | year =2003 | date =December 2003 | url = }}</ref> ''[[Instinct (magazine)|Instinct]]'' magazine declared Kressley one of the "Leading Men" of 2004.<ref>{{Citation | last =Ray | first =Parker | author-link = | last2 = | first2 = | author2-link = | title =The Ambassador | newspaper =Instinct | pages =48-50 | year =2004 | date =November 2004 | url = }}</ref> The series attracted criticism for making generalizations about sexual identity, namely that gay men are inherently more fashionable and stylish than heterosexuals.<ref>{{Citation | last =Greim | first =Katrin | author-link = | last2 = | first2 = | author2-link = | title =Crossroads of Culture: Studies look at roots of the "down low", LGBT-focused television shows | newspaper =American Sexuality magazine | pages = | year = | date = | url = http://nsrc.sfsu.edu/MagArticle.cfm?Article=394}}Katrin Greim.</ref> Among those making this critique were [[Tom Shales]] in the ''[[Washington Post]]'' ("stereotypes on parade"), Richard Goldstein in ''[[Village Voice]]'' ("Haven't fags always been consigned to the role of body servant?"), and United States Congressman [[Barney Frank]] speaking to the ''[[New York Post]]'' ("The notion that gay men have a superior fashion sense is not true and it's damaging. It's perfectly possible to enjoy that show and say, look at those clever homosexuals. What they do with hair! And not support gays at all.").<ref name = AfterElton>{{cite web | last =Dossi, Joel | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | title =The Rise and Fall of Queer Eye for the Straight Guy | work = | publisher =AfterElton.com | date =2005-01-03 | url =http://www.afterelton.com/archive/elton/TV/2005/1/queereye.html | format = | doi = | accessdate = 2007-10-31 }}</ref> With the success of the first season, original "culture guy" [[Blair Boone]] sued the show for [[breach of contract]], claiming he should be paid not just for two episodes but for the season that he had been contracted to film.<ref>{{cite web | last =Haberman | first =Lia | authorlink = | coauthors = | title =Former Fabber sues "Queer Eye" | work = | publisher =E! Online | date =2003-09-04 | url =http://www.eonline.com/news/article/index.jsp?uuid=731379e7-698c-4a15-ad70-2192ed5288c2&entry=index | format = | doi = | accessdate = 2007-10-30}}</ref> The popularity of the series inspired a number of parodies. [[Comedy Central]] hosted a [[satire|satirical]] television series called ''[[Straight Plan for the Gay Man]]'', which featured four heterosexual men teaching gay men how to be more (stereotypically) straight, redecorating their homes with neon beer signs and teaching them about sports. ''[[South Park]]'' spoofed the show and its hosts in the episode "[[South Park Is Gay!]]", in which the protagonists learn that the Fab Five are actually evil [[Crab People]] trying to take over the world by turning all straight men into [[metrosexual]]s. ''Queer Eye'' won an [[Emmy Award]] for Outstanding Reality Program in 2004 and was nominated for another Emmy in the same category in 2005. The series also received [[GLAAD Media Awards]] for Outstanding Reality Program in 2004 and 2005, and was nominated for a third in 2006.<ref>{{cite web | last =Internet Movie Database | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | title =Awards for Queer Eye for the Straight Guy | work = | publisher = | date = | url =http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0358332/awards | format = | doi = | accessdate = 2007-10-31 }}</ref> In the second season, ratings dropped sharply, averaging around 1.8 million viewers per episode with an average 804,000 viewers in the important 18-40 demographic.<ref name=advocate2/><ref name=AfterElton/> New episodes continued to air for two more seasons. Bravo confirmed in early 2007 that ''Queer Eye'' had been cancelled. The remaining fifth season episodes were billed as ''Queer Eye: The Final Season''<ref>{{cite news | last=McFarland | first=Melanie | title=Hello Pasadena, Goodbye "Queer Eye" | work=TV Gal | publisher=Seattle Post-Intelligencer | date=2007-01-12 | url=http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/tv/archives/110426.asp | accessdate=2007-10-31}}</ref> and aired twice weekly beginning [[October 2]], [[2007]].<ref>{{cite press release | title=Bravo's Emmy-Award Winning Series 'Queer Eye' Kicks-Off Final Season | publisher=NBC | date=2007-09-13 | url=http://www.nbcumv.com/broadcast/release_detail.nbc/bravo-2007913105318-bravosemmy-awardw.html | accessdate=2007-10-31}}</ref> == Franchises and spin-off series == ''Queer Eye'''s American success led television networks in several countries to syndicate the American episodes, and some purchased licenses to create versions of ''Queer Eye'' for 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. NBC licensed [[Viasat]] to produce local versions for Scandinavia and [[Flextech]]'s [[Living (channel)|Living]] channel did the same to produce the United Kingdom's version.<ref>{{cite web | last =Rogers | first =Steve | title =NBC licenses UK and Scandinavia rights to Bravo's 'Queer Eye For The Straight Guy' | date =[[2003-08-10]] | url =http://www.realitytvworld.com/news/nbc-licenses-uk-and-scandinavia-rights-bravo-queer-eye-for-straight-guy-1538.php | accessdate=2007-10-31}}</ref> The [[Italy|Italian]] version, entitled ''[[:it:I Fantastici Cinque|I Fantastici Cinque]]'' (the fantastic five), aired on the [[La7]] channel.<ref>{{cite web | last=Staff writers | title=I 5 fantastici gay fanno già discutere | work=Arcigay | publisher=Associazione Lesbica e Gay Italiana | url=http://www.arcigay.it/show.php?1207 | archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20060310051028/http://www.arcigay.it/show.php?1207 | archivedate=2006-03-10 | date=[[15 December]] [[2004]] | accessdate=2007-10-31}}</ref>The first episode of the [[Finland|Finnish]] version, ''[[:fi:Sillä Silmällä|Sillä Silmällä]]'', (literally "with that certain eye") aired [[March 30]], [[2005]] and created controversy, not for the gay content but for the blatant [[product placement]] considered to be a transgression of a Finnish law against "hidden advertising". [[Australia]]'s take on the show, ''[[Aussie Queer Eye for the Straight Guy]]'', premiered on [[Network Ten]] in February 2005 but was cancelled after three episodes;<ref>{{cite news|title=Ten takes Aussie Queer Eye off air|url=http://www.bandt.com.au/news/f1/0c02d2f1.asp|work=B&T|date=[[2005-02-24]]|accessdate=2007-12-29}}</ref> a Spanish version named ''[[Operación G]]'' aired on [[Antena 3 (Spain)|Antena 3]] for only a few weeks; the German equivalent, [[RTL 2]]'s ''[[Schwul macht cool]]'' ("Gay makes you cool") was canceled after six episodes; ''[[:fr:Queer, Cinq Experts dans le Vent|Queer, Cinq Experts dans le Vent]]'' was shown in [[France]] on [[TF1]] for eight episodes in 2004; and ''[[Esquadrão G]]'', a [[Portugal|Portuguese]] version of the show, was cancelled in [[Portugal]] after the end of the first season. In January 2005, Scout Productions premiered a spin-off series titled ''[[Queer 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. == Merchandising == ===Soundtrack=== {{Infobox Album |<!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject_Albums --> | Name = ''Queer Eye for the Straight Guy'' | Type = Soundtrack | Artist = Various artists | Cover = Qecd.jpg | Released = [[2004]] | Recorded = | Genre = [[Pop music|Pop]], [[Dance music|Dance]] | Length = | Label = [[Capitol Records]] | Producer = | Reviews = *[[Allmusic]] [http://wc03.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:fbftxqealdhe~T0 link] | | Last album = | This album = | Next album = }} The soundtrack for ''Queer Eye for the Straight Guy'' was released [[February 10]], [[2004]], in the US. It reached number 1 on the [[electronic music]] chart, number 2 on the soundtrack charts, and the top 40 in [[the Billboard 200]] album chart.<ref>{{cite web | last =Allmusic | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | title =Queer Eye for the Straight Guy Charts and Awards - Billboard | work = | publisher = | date = | url =http://wc03.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:fbftxqealdhe~T3 | format = | doi = | accessdate = 2001-10-31}}</ref> In Australia, the soundtrack was released for the [[Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras]] and the popularity of the show in Australia led to the soundtrack reaching the top 10 of the Australian album chart on [[March 8]], [[2004]]. It was certified gold in Australia in March 2004. The song "Superstar" by [[Jamelia]] from 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)" by [[Widelife]], went to the top 20 that same month. ====Track listing==== # "All Things (Just Keep Getting Better)" - [[Widelife]] featuring [[Simone Denny]] # "Good Luck" - [[Basement Jaxx]] featuring [[Lisa Kekaula]] # "Slow ([[Chemical Brothers]] mix)" - [[Kylie Minogue]] # "Move Your Feet" -[[Junior Senior]] # "You Promised Me (Tu Es Foutu)" - [[In-Grid]] # "Superstar" -[[Jamelia]] # "Everybody Wants You to Emerge" - [[Fischerspooner]]/[[Billy Squier]] [[Mashup (music)|mashup]] # "Sunrise (Jason Nevins remix)" - [[Duran Duran]] # "Never Coming Home (Gonna Live My Life remix)" - [[Sting (musician)|Sting]] # "An Area Big Enough to Do It In" - [[Prophet Omega]] # "You're So Damn Hot" - [[OK GO]] # "Extraordinary" - [[Liz Phair]] # "Are You Ready for Love" - [[Elton John]] # "All Things (Just Keep Getting Better)" (bonus video) ===Books=== A tie-in book titled ''Queer Eye for the Straight Guy: The Fab 5's Guide to Looking Better, Cooking Better, Dressing Better, Behaving Better and Living Better'' was published in 2004 by [[Clarkson Potter/Publishers]], an imprint of [[Random House]].<ref>{{cite press release | title =Official Tie-in Book for Queer Eye for the Straight Guy to be Published by Random House, Inc.'s Clarkson Potter | publisher =NBC | date =2003-08-23 | url =http://www.randomhouse.biz/media/pdfs/Queer_Eye_Release.pdf | accessdate = 2007-10-31}}</ref> ===DVD releases=== Several DVDs were released in conjunction with the show. Kressley, Filicia and Allen each had individual releases focusing on their areas of expertise. Douglas and Rodriguez were featured together in a single DVD focused on grooming. Additional DVD releases include ''Queer Eye for the Red Sox'' (featuring the team makeover episode) and a multi-disc box set.<ref>{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | title =The Queer Eye for the Straight Guy (2003) | work = | publisher =tvshowsondvd.com | date = | url =http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/shows/Queer-Eye-Straight-Guy/6886 | format = | doi = | accessdate = 2007-10-31 }}</ref> ==References== {{reflist|2}} == External links == *[http://www.bravotv.com/Queer_Eye/ BravoTV Official website] *{{imdb title|0358332}} *[http://www.tszuj-it.com/ Tszuj-It! Fansite] *[http://www.tvseriesfinale.com/2007/01/queer_eye_for_the_straight_guy_bravo_fab_five_say.html TV Series Finale] - cancellation details {{EmmyAward RealityProgram}} [[Category:2000s American television series]] [[Category:2003 television series debuts]] [[Category:2007 television series endings]] [[Category:Bravo television series]] [[Category:Emmy Award winners]] [[Category:Fashion-themed reality television series]] [[Category:LGBT-related television programs]] [[Category:Makeover reality television series]] [[bg:Великолепната петорка]] [[de:Queer Eye]] [[es:Queer Eye for the Straight Guy]] [[fr:Queer, cinq experts dans le vent]] [[it:I fantastici cinque]] [[he:טאץ' עליז לסטרייט שיעיז]] [[no:Homsepatruljen]] [[pt:Queer Eye]] [[fi:Sillä silmällä]] [[sv:Fab 5]] [[tr:Queer Eye for the Straight Guy]] [[zh:粉雄救兵]]