'Queer Eye' is the feelgood show everyone needs in their lives right now

'You can't selectively numb feelings. So if you try to numb the vulnerability, you also numb joy, happiness, connection'- Jonathan Van Ness, Queer Eye, Series 1 Episode 2, 2018

TV limbo is a horrible feeling. The absence of Game of Thrones is largely to blame for this, made worse by the fact that there are too many shows on too many channels/platforms. It's all very tiring, and while it can be argued that it's glorious that there is plenty of shows to whet your appetite, it's still pretty overwhelming. Once in a while, a random recommendation will be made and curiosity will lead to the action of 'oh, just one episode, just to get a feel of it'. Sometimes they take hold, like Stranger Things, but are usually put on the back-burner for another day. Queer Eye was the latest recommendation, yet it would not find itself in the depths of 'Ben's Extensive TV List', but at the forefront on a brand new watching adventure.

The heroes we all deserve

A Netflix reboot of Bravo's Queer Eye for the Straight Guy that ran from 2003-2007, the format is simple enough. Five gay men, each with their own area of expertise, attempt to fix the lives of men who are in desperate need of a turnaround. Friends and family recommend them to the 'Fab Five' and they do their best in giving them a new lease on life. In Season 1, their guests range from a 33 year-old stand-up comedian still living with his parents to a 48-year-old father of 6 children whose marriage has got off to a shocking start after a disastrous wedding (no photos, no first dance- horrendous!). Each spends time with the man in need, giving him advice not just in fashion or diet, but also for life in general. There is plenty of talk about vulnerability, confidence and, of course, being god-damn sexy.
The 'Fab Five' consists of:

• Dietician Antoni Porowski, keen to spread the good word of taking joy in cooking
• Fashion guru Tan France, hailing from Doncaster and declaring a never-ending war on combat trousers
• Psychotherapist/ culture guy Karamo Brown, whose role as the therapist means he shares in numerous heartfelt moments 
• Interior designer Bobby Berk, possessing the godly power of turning dwellings around in the blink of an eye
• Grooming expert Jonathan Van Ness, the scene-stealing master of showing every guy that there is nothing effeminate about taking care of your looks

Now, reality TV has never been a high importance on 'Ben's Extensive TV List'. There is no desire to 'keep up' with the Kardashians, or watch in horror at how some people are delusional enough to believe that they have the 'X Factor'. To then be told of a reboot based around the stereotype of homosexual men being far more stylish than their heterosexual counterparts reaffirmed this. Queer Eye could have easily hammered home the negative stereotype of gay men being far more cultured than those that enjoy the company of women rather than men. Yet something amazing happens; they are caricatures of the stereotype, but all five of them are so pure of heart that it will make you cry... a lot. The show is pure of heart, as not only do the Queer Eye nominees get a new look, but they change on the inside as well. Barriers artificially erected are smashed down as if it were the Berlin Wall in 1989, and from the rubble a more rounded and confident person emerges from the wreckage.

No Jonathan, I honestly can't

What makes their epic quest to change the lives of the nominees is that they use their talents on anyone, no matter their ethnicity, political views or sexual orientation. In one episode, in which they spend time with a Trump supporting policeman, there is talk of police brutality towards ethnic minorities and the need for both sides to sit down, talk and listen then maybe they can find some common ground. It's a utopian hope, but it was a constructive scene, especially as it took place between Karamo, the son of Jamaican parents, and Trump supporter Cory. It was disappointing for the five to not address the discovery of 'Trump/Pence' posters in Cory's basement, instead choosing to laugh it off as if it was nothing. If the show had ended with a serious talk about shifting his support away from two men who hold pretty negative views of the homosexual community, then that would have fit in perfectly with the whole feeling of the show. That feeling is of 'both sides' accepting one another for who they are. Perhaps their paths will cross again.

A simple message we should all take to heart

Tan, in the opening sequences of the very first episode, remarked of how 'the original show was fighting for tolerance. Our fight is for acceptance'. It is a strong message to open the new series with, and having an extremely backwards individual twiddling his thumbs in the White House means it is one more important than ever. The 'Fab Five' aren't there to openly criticise how each new 'project' is living their lives (sometimes they do, but they then staunchly remind them that it's beautiful in that it's unique to the individual) but are there to make a difference. None of our lives are perfect since perfection doesn't exist, but the quirks and mannerisms possessed by some of these people aren't healthy. Change was desperately needed, especially if you're keeping your deceased father's suits in the wardrobe since that is the best way to stay close to him. Heartbreaking, and extremely unhealthy.

Tan, representing Britain proudly by dismantling people's fashion sense

Fighting for acceptance in a world that grows more divided day by day is certainly a noble cause. Indeed, it is hard to gain that feeling of acceptance when the media, and society in general, dictates how one should live their lives. Over the past week for example, we have seen Jameela Jamil (former BBC Radio 1 presenter and Tahani Al-Jamil in The Good Place) continue her battle to fight against the unhealthy idea that every woman needs to be skinny. Men are also subject to the idea that being muscular is 'the way forward', especially when it is tied in with the idea of masculinity. It's the issue over masculinity that the 'Fab Five' of Queer Eye are trying to fix.

Jonathan working his magic

The greatest testament to this is the episode 'To Gay or Not Too Gay'. A.J. is a civil engineer, living in Atlanta and flourishing in a long-term relationship with his partner Andre. Yet all isn't as it seems, as his apartment is a total mess, with A.J. unable to sleep in his own bed due to the clutter in his bedroom and a swing tactically placed in the sitting room (because why not). It's an analogy to how his mind is in turmoil, caused by the fact that he was unable to come out to his father before he died. To make matters worse, his step mum Haide is still in the dark about A.J.'s homosexuality as our untidy friend is afraid of repeating that mistake with Haide. Although out and proud with friends, A.J. shuns his true self around both his step mum and work colleagues over fears of 'looking gay' i.e. effeminate. The makeover is more than just an overhaul of fashion, style and dwelling; it's about bringing the two worlds together in fabulous union.

Think the 'Fab Five' were happy with this assignment 

Each member of the 'Fab Five' is on hand to change A.J. for the better. Antoni, who appears to really not be that great a dietician, helps him make arepas due to A.J. and his stepmother sharing memories of cooking them together when he was growing up. Bobby overhauls the whole place effortlessly, which is way too scary at times when you see how ghastly some of these abodes are. Karamo, tapping into his therapist powers, takes A.J. on a high ropes course to teach him about taking leaps of faith, relating it to coming out. It's a bit of a stretch, but everyone loves adventurous training. It's the role of both Tan and Jonathan that stands out the most here, as their contributions are subtle but effective.

No task is too daunting for Bobby 

A.J. is convinced that being gay means wearing tight-fitting tops to show off your body, meaning that he is unwilling to show off his own killer body. He lives in baggy clothes, fitting in with the butch world he has created for himself. Tan doesn't destroy his wardrobe in a similar fashion to other ventures, but instead puts him in clothes that show off his figure but doesn't reveal too much. They're comfortable clothes, with polo shirts and jeans adding more colour and personality to his style. Jonathan, by far the star of the show with his eccentric personality, shaves off most of his beard and gives him a close crop on top with his hair, giving him a more refined look. While our troubled individual looked better with the beard, it shows that there doesn't need to be a dramatic change in one's life when they're coming out or not. It's all about feeling comfortable with yourself.

Some are just born with it

This is the episode that opened up the waterworks. The theme throughout the episode was coming out, and each member of our fabulous entourage gave their own experiences of coming out. When talking with Karamo, A.J. states about how being a black American means 'you've already got a couple of strikes against you'. Throwing in homosexuality will just make matters worse, especially when it goes against the enforced stereotype of masculinity. Antoni is proof that an openly gay person doesn't have to be flamboyant and over-the top like Jonathan (although we all need a Jonathan in our lives); instead, he's more authentic and dialled back, yet is still comfortable in the life he needs. Maybe that would give him more time to show off his cooking skills... or his body... both are fine.

Let's get together and make some guacamole... as friends, obviously 

If you aren't crying by now, the end will get you. It's not technically a spoiler as everyone knows it will happen, but the raw emotion of the whole thing is too much. A.J. celebrates his makeover with a party between friends and family, ending with a private chat between himself and Haide. He had written a letter to his late father and read it aloud to her- cue the tears and chest pulsating sobs. All that sadness and emotion bottled up came spewing out, bringing together the double lives A.J. had been living for so long. He had been afraid of rejection, yet actually found acceptance and love. Want even more emotions? A.J. and Andre got married in May this year. *sniff* I'M NOT CRYING, YOU ARE!

When being told about Queer Eye, there was a sinking feeling that the stereotype of 'loud and proud' would be on display here. The 'Fab Five' certainly show some of these traits, mainly from Jonathan and the swishing of his long and glorious hair, yet their personalities are infectious.  It's hard not to fall in love with them, or be scared of them as Bobby and Tan seamlessly change fashion tropes and homes with a flick of their wrists. Even if you find Karamo annoying with his love of metaphors and analogies or how Antoni seems to be less adept at cooking than the guys who need a makeover, they are a lovely group with buckets of personality. Their chemistry is natural and flows with ease, and certainly makes for better viewing than those darn Kardashians or that stupid island with the beautiful people looking for love. For this humble blogger, there's another series to be binged through before the third one drops in 2019. Oh boy, more tears. Thanks a lot, Netflix.

Live pictures of Ben watching Queer Eye

Queer Eye provides its audience with real emotion rather than the faked/over the top drama utilised in other reality shows. A dramatic twist in an episode with the Kardashians, for example, would include lost earrings or how someone sent a rude tweet, causing 'major beef'. The 'Fab Five' are meeting people who need a new lease on life, whilst also demonstrating that having a makeover won't destroy their masculinity. To fully embrace change, even if it means making guacamole or keeping your beard trim and tidy, is perhaps the ultimate pinnacle of masculinity. Seeing your faults and correcting them is the noblest thing one can do. By helping others accept and fix their faults, our five gorgeous heroes are well on their way to getting the acceptance they are fighting for. It's a fight that all of us should be part of.

Keep up the fight, lads

Ben G 😁 xo