I've read several articles about "Queer Eye" being an example of "Relationship Reality TV" (as opposed to Crime, Disaster, Contest or Deception reality) a proof that audiences are fascinated by social interaction rituals when depicted under duress or in extremis. (Someone should send the Loud family and Alan Raymond a 30th anniversary card)
A few years ago, I developed interactive products and programming at Microsoft, then Red Sky (SF). My area of interest was inducing a state of unconscious participation with an online users quickly. The ideal offering would satisfy the left brain that participation was valuable and simultaneously intrigue the right brain with entertainment.
"Queer Eye" starts with this proposition and then extends it with relentless passion. Every detail of the subjects life is under scrutiny and the remedies offered are couched in a continuous stream of condescension and disparagement. This is cotton-candy to America: we love sarcasm. The fact that we learn what shirt goes with which pants is all the value wee need to justify the victim's humiliation. To borrow a Queer term: it's outrageous!
Do you think Cable would take the next logical step in depicting this sort of status inversion?
"My Gay Brother-In-Law" - We follow the adventures of a heterosexual 30-something Dad who invites his homosexual brother-in-law to a series of "macho-guy" events: a poker game, deep-sea fishing, a NASCAR race, a bachelor party. The other straight guys tease the gay brother-in-law unmercifully and try to "fix him up" with every guy they meet. The "value" would be learning more about games, sports and male bonding rituals.
Sounds like a knee-jerk spin-off, but my experience as a television producer revealed that it is an industry full of knees and jerks.
Then again, perhaps it's too outrageous.
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