Archive through July 28, 2003
TV ClubHouse: Archive: Queer Eye for the Straight Guy (ARCHIVES):
Archive through July 28, 2003
Realitynut | Friday, July 25, 2003 - 04:16 pm     After seeing the hour long show on Bravo, I didn't care for the abbreviated show on NBC. Too many of the jokes and conversations were edited out, and I think that's one of the funniest bits of the show. I will keep watching it on Bravo rather than NBC. There - that's all I have to say. |
Maris | Friday, July 25, 2003 - 05:36 pm     I know that the victim was gay and the subject of that particular show was same sex crushes but, when I think of Jenny Jones I think about generically ambush television. That just happened to be the subject of that particular show. It could have been anything. It is all about the format, luring someone under false pretenses, and then embarrassing and humiliating them on television. A mentally ill person was lured by a friend to go on the Jenny Jones show with because she told him someone had a crush on him. It was a tragedy for everyone all around. I saw the trial and the whole thing was sickening. The whole point was to humiliate and embarass a person on television. This dating show is the same thing ambush television. |
Sanfranjoshfan | Friday, July 25, 2003 - 05:51 pm     I agree Maris....but so was Joe Millionaire, For Love or Money, and For Love or Money 2. I guess, given the eX Factor, so is BB now. I just don't think on Boy Meets Boy that it's *dangerous* like the Jenny Jones thing, since homophobia results in gay bashing and killing every day in this country, but I never heard of a "heterosexual panic defense" in a murder case, generalized heterophobia, hetero bashing, or anti-hetero legislation. Btw, there is a Boy Meets Boy thread, too....but the discussions seem to have have wound up here! |
Bastable | Friday, July 25, 2003 - 06:42 pm     Just so everyone knows, there is more discussion of this topic going on in the Gay Civil Unions thread: ../1071053/1089286.html?1059091771 |
Bastable | Friday, July 25, 2003 - 06:44 pm     Yeah, but Maris, many people (myself included) feel that it is a grave social failing that being thought of us gay could be considered embarrassing and humiliating. A large aspect of that trial hinged on the notion that calling someone gay was "humiliating." Do you see what I'm driving at--the way we see being gay in our society is patronizing and unkind. The only gay man we find acceptable is one that is not sexually potent. |
Maris | Friday, July 25, 2003 - 10:24 pm     I absolutely see what you are driving. I was just saying that this show is of the genre of a Jenny Jones/Springer type show. I find the whole thing distasteful. I didnt realise NBC owned Bravo since I used to love watching Bravo for high quality programming. I am wondering now whether NBC is using Bravo to float their more controversial subject matter to see what flies. If it is a success then it moves from cable to network. You have to wonder about that. |
Sanfranjoshfan | Friday, July 25, 2003 - 10:39 pm     Maris, they also do the opposite. A few weeks after the 6 episode run of "Kingpin" on NBC, it aired on BRAVO as the "uncut version". Looks like BRAVO airs the adult versions of some shows and NBC airs the prime time versions. |
Fabnsab | Saturday, July 26, 2003 - 05:18 pm     well, I for one, love this show- meaning Queer Eye for the Straight Guy. It is hysterical and has found a way to blend all my fave shows into one. I have many people hooked already. I am bummed that I am now in Germany and can't watch it anymore. I see 5 different men on this show- not one stereotype. There are just as many different gay men as there are straight. I have known gay men who would make Carson blush. I have known gay men who would be offended by Carson. I would rather see these "stereotypical" gay guys than none at all. The TV industry has come a long way and instead of complaining at every turn, they should get some credit. I don't believe every gay character on TV is over the top but some are, just as some are in real life. This show also shows a "stereotypical" straight man- one who is sloppy, doesn't know about fashion or even personal hygiene. I don't see any straight guys taking umbrage to it. Its all in fun and I love it!! |
Nathalia | Saturday, July 26, 2003 - 05:44 pm     This is my favorite new show! I laugh all the way through it. I think it's funny how Carson comes onto the "subjects". I just finished watching a replay of this weeks episode and I like it better than Trading Spaces or any other reality show. Although..I really doubt that they do all that stuff in one day. I love the chemistry the Fab 5 have together and apart. I do not find these 5 men to be the "stereotypical" flamboyant gay men I am used to seeing being portrayed on tv. I find them all to be down to earth and I think it's a refreshing change. The men having the makeover always love all the new changes and really appreciate their help. I agree with Fab..it's all in fun and I love it too. The grooming guy (name starts with a K) is absolutely to die for..and I would take any advice Carson had to give. |
Twiggyish | Saturday, July 26, 2003 - 06:00 pm     I don't understand why people don't like the chef on this show. Please clue me in on why. So far his ideas look good in the kitchen. |
Seamonkey | Saturday, July 26, 2003 - 09:36 pm     Not to mention that the chef accomplished one of those pesky jobs that many many of us would put off literally for years.. Reversing the doors on the fridge so that it opened in the best way for that kitchen. |
Roguescollar | Saturday, July 26, 2003 - 10:07 pm     I just caught the last half of one of this show for the first time last night. I LOVED it! Then, today, I was able to watch the show where the husband gave it all as a b-day present to wife. How sweet. The men are fabulous but it is mind boggling if they actually do it in one day. (Surely they have assistants that help?) The show is playful, clever, and the solutions to the "problems" are fab. The FAB 5 are just as great. Carson is sardonic but in a playful way and you can tell that he really does care about the client's feelings. Color coordinating ALL the clothes for the inept bachelor asking Lisa to move in was hysterical. (No wrong choices = sartorial splendor) Smart idea! Love the culture guy--a lot of thought going into choices and building from the client's likes...the heavy metal music for instance. Interior design--the places look great--so hysterical that the wife (b-day) did not even realize it was her OWN stuff in the living room., The grooming (K) guy, too, I like the way K gives REASONS why each step is a good thing to do. The culinary expert may have the hardest job of all...how can you guarantee it will be perfect if you don't have "hands on"? The dishes were very impressive (except the fois gras (pardon my squeaky french), haha) and the food appetizing. It is fun to see them watching at the end, enjoying the results of their magic from afar! P.S. I have a new client for you!! ~R~  |
Squaredsc | Saturday, July 26, 2003 - 10:16 pm     the grooming guy is mine, ive already claimed him.  |
Roguescollar | Sunday, July 27, 2003 - 07:24 pm     LOL, Squaredsc! |
Jan | Monday, July 28, 2003 - 06:33 am     this show got quite the plug on Regis and Kelly this AM. Apparently Regis watched it (I think the NBC half hour show) and had quite a lot to say. He couldn't get over the drink saying..."cheers queers" that one of them used. Kelly jokingly cautioned him that it was OK for a gay man to say it but Regis should not be rushing out to use it with his gay friends! |
Gemma120in2002 | Monday, July 28, 2003 - 07:57 am     I also loved Kelly saying that the guys are so straight that they haven't seen a toothbrush in a month. Regis comparing the 'subjects' to a Quasimodo type was too funny! Guess steriotypes swing both ways. Gay steriotypes, and the steriotype of straight men being cave men who sit around scratching themselves, and sniffing their fingers afterwards. I think that the wonderful thing about this show, and shows like Will & Grace and Queer as Folk, is that they bring different cultures, perspectives, and lifestyles into the homes of people who would otherwise be completely isolated from them. Yes many times they are over the top, but they also stick a face onto the lable and suddenly people care about a gay person. It may not be ideal, but it's a start. |
Sanfranjoshfan | Monday, July 28, 2003 - 10:43 am     I just this minute saw a blurb on MSNBC...after the break they are doing a segment on QEFTSG. |
Sanfranjoshfan | Monday, July 28, 2003 - 01:59 pm     Gemma - " Guess steriotypes swing both ways. Gay steriotypes, and the steriotype of straight men being cave men who sit around scratching themselves, and sniffing their fingers afterwards." That may be true in this one relity show....but the thing is, when you look at TV overall, the one str8 male stereotype in each episode of QEFTSG is offset by *thousands* of other str8 male roles in *thousands* of other television shows....roles that portray str8 men as regular, every day, normal guys, not *just* slovenly stereotypes. The gay stereotypes in QEFTSG have few offsets...in fact, most tv shows with gay characters use unflattering steroetypes for comic relief. |
Kitt | Monday, July 28, 2003 - 02:47 pm     But the trouble with that, Sanfran, is that you can't rectify that situation (no regular gay guys on tv) by not showing any gays at all. Perhaps it's better to show a few stereotypical but solid gay characters than none at all. At least that way those who have no experience of gay people can (hopefully) become a little more aware of how similar gay people are to straight people in other ways. There are a lot of people out there who are very anti-gay but there are also a lot who just have a fear of people who are different from them. Maybe showing that these five image-conscious guys are actually five nice, kind, respectful, tax-paying image-conscious guys will make some people think of gays differently. I don't know, but I can't help but think this kind of exposure of "middle Americans" (there's another stereotype for you ) to a little bit of gay culture can't be all bad. |
Nathalia | Monday, July 28, 2003 - 02:59 pm     I was up at 2 or 3 in the morning last night and flipping through the channels and found this show again..I just love it! Ok..finally figured out who the K guy is..Kyan..and I wish I was his best new friend..lol There is the other guy who reminds me of Rocco from "The Restaurant"...he's not bad either. I just love how the "straight" men really appreciate how much these guys do to help them out...and they really seem to be sincere in their thanking them all. I can't count how many times Carson touched this guys hair last night..but he seemed to be enjoying it. I thought it was funny when one of the guys asked Carson if Lisa was his sister and he was like.."no sister of mine". I almost wish these men would help out women too..because we all know some women out there could use some help also. They probably could have helped Lisa out of her "Pretty Woman" style of dressing. My favorite part is the end where they are all sitting around making comments. Can't wait for tomorrow's show. I caught Regis this morning too..and it was hilarious him saying "Cheers Queers". All in good fun though. He did hit on something I've been wondering. Why don't they help these guys out and get their teeth bleached? |
Sanfranjoshfan | Monday, July 28, 2003 - 04:08 pm     Kitt - "But the trouble with that, Sanfran, is that you can't rectify that situation (no regular gay guys on tv) by not showing any gays at all." That is true....and I never said that they shouldn't show gays at all. They should show gay characters that behave like the *majority* of real live gay people. They don't. They, for the most part, just show stereotypes. To rectify the situation, they should just have more gay characters in every day type roles that interact with people on a normal social level in day to day life....they should show real gay families and gay parents and gay businessmen and women. That's how it should be rectified. It didn't help the perception of white bigots in this country when the only black people on tv or in the movies for decades were butlers and maids. "Middle America" as you put it, would have their understanding of gay life better served if it was presented with truth rather than simple comic stereotypes. I am not against having *any* outrageous gay characters on TV, but it should be balanced. There are many times more gay people in this country that are *not* flamboyant and effeminate than there many people realize. That queeny stereotype is a very definite MINORITY in the gay community. If it wasn't, then how could so many gay men hide in the closet? Their flamboyance would give them away!  |
Kitt | Monday, July 28, 2003 - 04:37 pm     I agree totally Sanfran, but unfortunately having regular gay characters in everyday tv shows is a long way from happening, you can see that by all the press this one show has had. I just think perhaps making even stereotypically flamboyant gay men seem more approachable and "normal" might be one step along the long long road. I guess only time will tell. |
Bastable | Monday, July 28, 2003 - 04:37 pm     "I am not against having *any* outrageous gay characters on TV, but it should be balanced" Yeah, even on Will & Grace, the show that people cite as having "normalized" gay characters, one gay character is a flaming egotist sl*t and the other is sexless--but devoted to a woman. Not exactly honest portrayals of real people who have real relationships. |
Sanfranjoshfan | Monday, July 28, 2003 - 05:16 pm     You're right, Bastable. If "Will & Grace" represents "normalized" gay characters, then it must also represent "normalized" female characters, right? Just being sarcastic LOL....I mean there ARE women like Karen and Grace in the world, but if those two "types" were the *only* types of women seen on 99% of all TV shows, I'm sure it would be seen as less than acceptable by most women! |
Sanfranjoshfan | Monday, July 28, 2003 - 05:29 pm     Kitt - "I agree totally Sanfran, but unfortunately having regular gay characters in everyday tv shows is a long way from happening," Well, it is *starting*....I mean Ellen was basically a regular, every day type woman who happened to be gay. I've heard there are a few on the soaps (that I don't watch), but it's still rare in prime time. The problem is that audiences still feel more comfortable with gay characters that they can identify as being gay. I believe they (audiences that are unacquainted with gay people in real life) feel more threatened when they can't easily spot a gay person. These are just my own feelings, not that they are backed up with any study or data... I also think that QEFTSG just got a lot of press because it apparently garnered BRAVO's biggest ratings ever for a series premiere. BRAVO also did a series last year called "Gay Weddings" that was a reality show following several gay couples as they planned their weddings, but nobody I know saw it.....no press! Go figure... |
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