Gaying It Up for the Good of Society

Carson Kressley with straight victim/rescued John Sellers; Photo - NY Times As if Gothamist wasn't already jealous of people who get to hang out with the Fab Five of Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, John Sellers goes through a mini-gayification for the Times. Damn damn damn. Sellers' abs get prodded, his apartment gets made over, he goes to Craft for lunch, he goes to the salon and then goes shopping. Among what the experts say:

- On Sellers' quilt (from his mom a decade ago): "Unless you're 90 years old and alone in the world, you shouldn't have this bedding."
- On his towels: "reeking of elder-care facility."
- On his bedroom furniture: "like a freebie with a fill-up, right?"
- On his attitude towards clothings: Sellers is "like a frightened bunny, scared and alone in a world of couture."

Sigh, Sellers says they are like "a league of superheroes, the members of the team are each gifted with a special power." We cannot wait for the show, which premieres tomorrow night at 10PM on Bravo.

We're also sorta shocked we don't know John Sellers - he refers to men and women as "dude" (just like us!) and he is fond of "casual and slightly sloppy" clothing - but then again, that describes about 80% of our friends.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jen Chung in Arts and Events on July 14, 2003 3:30 PM

Comments [rss]

erin

best show ever. hope they keep it around for a while to fill the void once sex in the city ends.

they kept the blonde on fashion and kyan [ryan+kyle=kyan?!] on grooming for both episodes, but i noticed the food and culture guys changed.

they did an amazing job on both guys. the wife in the john belushi episode was way too hot for him once she dolled herself up. they shouldve given her some fashion suggestions too, because she was a lovely girl at the end.

dr. chelsea

great show, actually a great block of shows. i thought the transformation of john belushi in the second episode was perfect.

i know that it is the whole conceit of the show, and perhaps this is because i am particularly sensitive as a straight chelsea resident myself, but i think the implication that gays have a monopoly on good taste is difficult to support. plus, isn't it also insulting to gays to pigenhole them as fashion/grooming/interior decorating cunsultant?

still, i can see that the straight guys they picked certainly benefited from the experience. the first guy may have even taken home one, or two, of the girls from the art show.

i didn't realize that they would have a rotating crew of gay experts, but it works for me as long as they keep the blonde ringleader, and keep the gossip-kvetching quotient up. is the food guy even gay? he sounds like one of those military analysts cnn had on on during the last gulf war.

another guilty pleasure. who knows, maybe it will herald in a new era of cooperation between all of us "guys" here in chelsea?

DodgeThis

Jen, do you think that you will post something about the first "Queer eye" show tonight. It should get alot of reaction. Love it or hate it, people will want to talk about it.

Jen

Yeah, I must say, I have a heated inner debate about how many posts I can do about metrosexuals. It's like candy, there are more and more stories every day. But do I run it even further into the ground? Why I'm having these debates for a blog, I don't know, but it speaks to something nuts about me.

Karru

It is a trend indeed and the story has gotten some legs over the slow summer months with all these metrosexual sitings (like the NYT article). It also helps that the folks at Euro RSCG -- global advert/marketing firm -- are out promoting a book right now about marketing and are pushing the term ad naseum.

greg.org

Karru and Dodgethis. Two's a trend. There oughtta be an article about this.

joey

"Why is it that when a man knows how to dress, decorate and has manners and is polite, smells nice and goes to the gym, everyone assumes he is gay."

We don't assume anymore...don't we call these 'metrosexuals?' Welcome to mainstream acceptance, pal.

Jen

Because Gay = Interesting

In my book, some things (Chelsea, fashion designers) can't be gay enough, with the exception of boys I date, unless their names are Hilton, Aaron, or Choire.

DodgeThis

Why is it that when a man knows how to dress, decorate and has manners and is polite, smells nice and goes to the gym, everyone assumes he is gay. I do all those things, I am not gay. Whats with the stereotype ???? Why cant the show be called "5 guys who know better help out slobs who dont"? Why the queer part? Does it matter if they are gay or not, as long as they help the slobby dude?

Karru

My first reaction to this story yesterday was one of being bummed that it wasn't me. Though I am happy that I don't have to come home to four John Ritters staring at me.