20040217
'Queer Eye' crew releases new CD, companion book
By GAIL SHISTER
Knight Ridder
The cottage industry that is Bravo/NBC's "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy" recently released both a companion book and soundtrack CD.
"The Fab 5's Guide to Looking Better, Cooking Better, Dressing Better, Behaving Better, and Living Better" features tips from Ted Allen, Kyan Douglas, Thom Filicia, Carson Kressley and Jai Rodriguez.
On the disc, artists include Widelife, Elton John, Sting, Basement Jaxx, Kylie Minogue, Duran Duran and Liz Phair.
Amid a flurry of media appearances to flog their expanding empire, the "Queer" boys are squeezing in time to shoot new episodes.
Co-executive producer David Metzler says "Queer Eye" "guards its brand very carefully" by choosing only those ancillary projects with the same "style, taste and class" as the show.
In this round of the show, "Queer Eye" will move beyond mere civilians for makeovers.
Figure skaters might be the last guys you'd expect to see on the receiving end of "Queer Eye," but three-time pairs champion John Zimmerman, a newlywed, will be transformed on the March 9 episode.
"He came to us, through our Web site," Metzler says. "We didn't expect a skater to pop up in our casting. John's got many of the same straight-guy problems as the other guys. He's just better on the ice."
Zimmerman, the first athlete to make the "Queer Eye" cut, will appear April 4 at Tullio Arena in the Smucker's Stars on Ice show.
Another new "Queer Eye" wrinkle: guest appearances by Motley Crue's Vince Neil and Australian pop star Minogue. They help the Fab 5 deliver their "hip tips" at the end of Tuesday's segment.
As befits the show's hit status, it's spawning at least two imitators. Comedy Central's three-episode "Straight Plan for the Gay Man" launches Feb 23. In each segment, four straight comedians — "The Flab 4" — help a gay man impersonate a heterosexual for a day.
Curtis Gwinn, Billy Merritt, Kyle Grooms and Bob Riggle will work with "an upscale fashion salesman," a "quirky yoga instructor," and a "hip singer/dancer."
Over at Showtime, it's "Make Me Cool," featuring a team of black experts. In the pilot, they'll shine the light on all that is dope and fresh for the terminally uncool. (Not just Caucasians, we're told.)
Producers are Jay Blumenfield and Anthony Marsh of Showtime's "Family Business," a reality series about a mother-son pornography studio.
Such copycats "ultimately, are a compliment to us," Metzler says. "Our concern is that we stay focused on our show, and that 'Queer Eye' stays true to 'Queer Eye.'"
Last changed: February 16. 2004 11:30PM
See this story as it was printed in Erie Times-News' electronic edition.
This content provided by GoErie.com/Erie Times-News is copyrighted material and all rights are reserved. You may not reproduce this or distribute it electronically, in print or otherwise without written permission.
By GAIL SHISTER
Knight Ridder
The cottage industry that is Bravo/NBC's "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy" recently released both a companion book and soundtrack CD.
"The Fab 5's Guide to Looking Better, Cooking Better, Dressing Better, Behaving Better, and Living Better" features tips from Ted Allen, Kyan Douglas, Thom Filicia, Carson Kressley and Jai Rodriguez.
On the disc, artists include Widelife, Elton John, Sting, Basement Jaxx, Kylie Minogue, Duran Duran and Liz Phair.
Amid a flurry of media appearances to flog their expanding empire, the "Queer" boys are squeezing in time to shoot new episodes.
Co-executive producer David Metzler says "Queer Eye" "guards its brand very carefully" by choosing only those ancillary projects with the same "style, taste and class" as the show.
In this round of the show, "Queer Eye" will move beyond mere civilians for makeovers.
Figure skaters might be the last guys you'd expect to see on the receiving end of "Queer Eye," but three-time pairs champion John Zimmerman, a newlywed, will be transformed on the March 9 episode.
"He came to us, through our Web site," Metzler says. "We didn't expect a skater to pop up in our casting. John's got many of the same straight-guy problems as the other guys. He's just better on the ice."
Zimmerman, the first athlete to make the "Queer Eye" cut, will appear April 4 at Tullio Arena in the Smucker's Stars on Ice show.
Another new "Queer Eye" wrinkle: guest appearances by Motley Crue's Vince Neil and Australian pop star Minogue. They help the Fab 5 deliver their "hip tips" at the end of Tuesday's segment.
As befits the show's hit status, it's spawning at least two imitators. Comedy Central's three-episode "Straight Plan for the Gay Man" launches Feb 23. In each segment, four straight comedians — "The Flab 4" — help a gay man impersonate a heterosexual for a day.
Curtis Gwinn, Billy Merritt, Kyle Grooms and Bob Riggle will work with "an upscale fashion salesman," a "quirky yoga instructor," and a "hip singer/dancer."
Over at Showtime, it's "Make Me Cool," featuring a team of black experts. In the pilot, they'll shine the light on all that is dope and fresh for the terminally uncool. (Not just Caucasians, we're told.)
Producers are Jay Blumenfield and Anthony Marsh of Showtime's "Family Business," a reality series about a mother-son pornography studio.
Such copycats "ultimately, are a compliment to us," Metzler says. "Our concern is that we stay focused on our show, and that 'Queer Eye' stays true to 'Queer Eye.'"
Last changed: February 16. 2004 11:30PM
See this story as it was printed in Erie Times-News' electronic edition.
This content provided by GoErie.com/Erie Times-News is copyrighted material and all rights are reserved. You may not reproduce this or distribute it electronically, in print or otherwise without written permission.
Comments:
Post a Comment
