Queer Eye: Season 1 & 2 (2018)

A makeover show with the potential to change the drab "God save the queen" to a flamboyant "Yass Queen!".

Queer Eye follows the Fab 5 (Karamo Brown, Tan France, Antoni Porowski, Jonathan Van Ness and Bobby Berk), five gay men that set out to makeover the lives of individuals around the USA, helping them to improve their homes, style, eating habits and self-image. Each episode focuses on a specific person and their transition from the uncomfortable position their life was in, to the much preferable version at the end of the episode.

In a period where progressiveness in entertainment is moving forward with strong strokes, a show like Queer Eye demonstrates that a conversation with a homosexual person doesn't have to be about homosexuality. Yes, the main selling point of the show is the fact that it's five gays guys improving straight people a lot of the time but it's not about making them adhere to gay stereotypes. Each of the Fab 5 are experts in their respective field; Karamo for Culture, Tan for Fashion, Antoni for Food and Wine, Jonathan for Grooming and Bobby for Interior Design. The show goes beyond a lot of other makeover shows that simply provide a new house or a fixed car, the Fab 5 improve every aspect of a persons life with the goal of improving how they view themselves, what impact they have on their families and friends and how successful they can be at achieving their life goals.

It also extends beyond the regular makeover or renovation shows in the sense that it actually approaches the person being made over, not as a pity case but as an opportunity for improvement. They aren't seen as a negative from the start, the Fab 5's is much more positive, friendly and uplifting. This also struck me on a personal note as I came away from the show analysing my everyday activities and how I was living, not in a negative way but in the mentality of "What can be improved?" and because of how much fun the show was, how much of a friendly experience they were having instead of watching an hour of builders and electricians fitting walls, I was actually excited to experiment with the clothing ideas and hairstyles that were being suggested in the show.

Queer Eye displays an incredible effort in how understanding and co-operative activities can open up some of the more closed-minded of the population. It's not a full on Pride festival but it's not hiding the fact that a lot of the show is based around homosexuality. If more programming can follow the blueprint of tone and theme that Queer Eye has demonstrated, I feel that homosexuality and even more areas of the LGBT+ community will be a much easier talking point for the unfamiliar members of the audience.

Outside of the obvious themes, Queer Eye also tackles a lot of other strong topics that don't see the light much, topics like: difference in cultural parenting, race and perceptions of race, how religion affects the community and individuals, what a position of authority can mean and a lot more. All of these topics are treated with respect and serious moments that disperse themselves within the fun, to provide a deeper learning experience. The mix that the fun of the makeover and the seriousness of the topics can only really be summed up as heart-warming.

I honestly recommend Queer Eye to anyone of any age, race, religion or sexual preference, it's just a good time that harms no one and only seeks to enlighten and improve.

5/5 - Love is love