Early this year, Bravo announced that it would be canceling its makeover show, Queer Eye, due in part to declining ratings.  The network also said that it would be airing the fifth and final season of the reality series this summer.  However, a recent press release from the network indicated that the premiere of the final season has been slightly delayed.

“Bravo spotlights the fall of 2007 with the final season of one of TV's most groundbreaking reality series, the Emmy Award-winning Queer Eye, which concludes its four-year run with 10 all-new episodes,” read the press release.

The press release also described what fans of the show can expect from the upcoming concluding season, saying that it is “all heart as the Fab Five's Ted Allen, Kyan Douglas, Thom Filicia, Carson Kressley and Jai Rodriguez continue their mission to "make-better" their subjects – beginning with a not-to-be-missed special premiere episode featuring a "Straight Guy Pageant" hosted by the legendary Susan Lucci [All My Children].”

The network also gave some general details about the participants in this year’s Queer Eye, claiming that among those who will be seen undergoing dramatic transformations are a warring musical family, a monster truck-loving clutter bug and a divorced biker father.

The show debuted as Queer Eye for the Straight Guy in 2003.  It became an instant hit, with a special episode from the first season drawing 6.7 million viewers for the network.  The show’s ratings continued to climb, and in 2004, the series earned an Emmy Award for Outstanding Reality Series.  With the aim of expanding the show’s repertoire, the second part of the title was taken out during production of the third season.

The cancellation of the show has not hindered the Fab Five from building their career elsewhere. “Fashion Savant” Kressley has served as a red carpet reporter, released several books and last November launched his own clothing line, Perfect.

Douglas, known as Queer Eye’s “Grooming Guru,” serves as a spokesman and product advisor for L’Oreal.  Like Kressley, he has released his own book, Beautified, a guide to good grooming for women.

“Design Doctor” Filicia took over Kirstie Alley as the spokesperson for Pier 1 Imports.  At present, he serves as the host of the Style Network’s reality series, Dress My Nest.

Allen, the “Food and Wine Connoisseur” of the bunch, has been seen on such cooking shows as Iron Chef America and Top Chef, and most recently hosted the PBS series, Uncorked: Wine Made Simple.

Last but not the least, “Culture Vulture” Rodriguez has participated in several performance-centered reality series, such as Celebrity Duets and Grease: You’re the One That I Want.


-Lisa Claustro, BuddyTV Staff Columnist
Source: TVGuide, realitytvworld, Bravo
(Image Courtesy of Bravo)