If there's one trend that's ruling the world of TV and film production, it's nostalgia. This has recently extended to the world of reality TV, as Netflix is bringing back the groundbreaking series Queer Eye for the Straight Guy for more game changing episodes. But rather than featuring the original Fab Five, there's a new cast of gay men who are ready to change lives and educate while laughing all the way. I recently had the chance to speak with the new cast, where fashion expert Tan France spoke to the responsibility of following up on the original cast's legacy. He told me:
There is pressure. This is a legacy show, and people love this show. Everybody I've spoken to saying I'm on the new Queer Eye, the first thing is 'I used to watch this with my parents.' These are some staunch, American midwesterners who are saying 'I watched this with my mom and dad'. There's a lot of pressure to make a show, that we step up and are representing the community very well. There's a lot of people that we need to represent here. We had so much fun, but there was always that feeling: don't let people down, let's do this. Let's do the best we can.
So yeah, no pressure.
Per our conversation at Netflix's recent press junket in New York City, the new cast of Queer Eye certainly seems to understand how important the original series was. Debuting on Bravo in 2003, Queer Eye for the Straight Guy was on when there wasn't ton of LGBT inclusion in TV and film. So for many, the original fab five were the first gay people that they got to really got to know. The series showed straight men connecting with the members of the queer community, helping to foster a more accepting world. And since it's been well over a decade since Queer Eye hit the small screen, there are now generations of fans to service with Netflix's go at the series.
The new fab five also has some amusing stories about their personal relationships to the original show, and its cast. Perhaps the most hilarious is Interior Design expert Bobby Berk, who has a less than favorable memory to share:
I got fired from my job at Restoration Hardware while the original one was filming upstairs.
Well, that's not exactly a warm and fuzzy memory. New culture aficionado Karamo Brown had a similarly quirky memory revolving around the original Fab Five. Namely, when they tied for an award with the new cast member.
The first very award I ever won for being gay, a GLAAD media award, it was tied with the original. I was onstage and was like 'Oh my gosh, this is so exciting. I got my first award!' but then it was tied with Queer Eye, and they kinda stole the spotlight.
Talk about full circle. Now Karamo Brown is a cast member himself, and even recently reunited with the original Fab Five when they filmed a short for Netflix. Check out the photo proof, thanks to new grooming expert Jonathan Van Ness
How sweet is that? It seems that the original Fab Five is supporting the newcomers, and even gave them some advice about how to enjoy the wild ride.
The new season of Queer Eye for the Straight Guy will arrive February 7th on Netflix. In the meantime, check out our midseason premiere list to plan your next binge watch, and our cancellation list to see if your favorite show got the chop last year.
