Queer Eye success grows

By Peter Bowes In Los Angeles

Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, America's newest variation on the theme of makeover TV, has become a huge summer hit.

The latest edition of the reality series chalked up its best rating figure yet with almost 3 million viewers tuning in.

The tally nearly doubles the Bravo cable network's previous best audience before Queer Eye joined the schedule.

The show puts great emphasis on grooming

The show features five gay men whose job it is to transform the hum drum life of a drab straight guy.

The so-called Fab Five each has expertise in grooming, fashion, culture, food and wine, and interior design.

The premise is that a hopelessly inept heterosexual man needs the makeover to transform him into a more stylish and sensitive person.

The gay men take control of the subject to prepare him for an important event such as a special dinner with his girlfriend or wife.

Since the show was launched a month ago, it has been variously described as "outrageously funny," "vaguely charming," and "depraved".

The Fab Five have become instant celebrities on the talk show circuit and in October they will appear in an episode of the comedy Good Morning Miami.

New Yorkers are turning to gay men for style inspiration

At least one of the five, fashion guru Carson Kressley, has been signed up by a Hollywood talent agency.

In addition, the Bravo network is enjoying a significant boost in viewing figures for other gay-themed programming such as the dating show, Boy Meets Boy.

"We're thrilled," said Jeff Gaspin, President of Bravo.

"The most talked-about show of the summer is reaching whole new levels in its ratings performance."

The audience figures speak for themselves.

The overwhelming reaction to the show has been that it is fun, harmless and genuinely endearing.

But Queer Eye has also stirred up a lively debate between viewers and critics.

'A great thing'

According to The New York Post's Linda Stasi the show "reinforces every horrifying stereotype about gays and straights".

"Openly gay programming is a great thing," said Brian Gossh, a viewer from Los Angeles.

"It's great to see that people are more open minded and more accepting."

However, reflecting the views of many critics, Mr Gossh, added that he was disappointed by the overtly camp nature of the show.

"Not every gay man is lispy and limp-wristed with a fabulous sense of fashion," he said.

With its emphasis on clothes, grooming, style and cooking the show is an easy target for critics who take issue with gay stereotyping.

'Major milestone'

Conservative groups have branded Queer Guy an "affront to family values".

However, a letter writing and email campaign against advertisers appears to have had little impact.

In fact the show's biggest coup has been a repeat airing on Bravo's parent network NBC.

"By airing on NBC prime time on Thursday night, which is known as must-see TV night, this show marks a major milestone in gay and lesbian visibility," said Scott Seomin, entertainment media director with the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation.

"It brought five real gay men into the living room of millions of American homes.

"Those five men are not threatening.

"They are not apologising for who they are, and they're very, very likeable," he added.