The new Queer Eye thrives on kindness

I sat down to watch the reboot of Queer Eye for the Straight Guy (this time round just entitled Queer Eye), and I’m not going to pretend I wasn’t highly skeptical. Makeover shows feel like a dated concept in 2018, a tired reinforcement of the idea that the right variety of products will change your life.

What I got instead was something uplifting, a salve for an era that often feels so relentlessly trying, especially for anyone who is part of a marginalised group. The show tries not to step entirely away from the struggles we’re in right now. That leads to either the highs or low points in the show depending on who you ask. Between a jarring confrontation with police brutality, and looking at the confidence impact of aging, the strain of coming out to a parental figure as an adult, or the need to hold down multiple jobs to get by as a family — it does make a real attempt to lean into what makes life tricky.

Yet in such a divisive time, it can feel like exactly what we need to see is some empathy on screen. That’s truly where the beauty of this show lies. Yes, it is raising these issues. But where it really wins is in the love and care that they show to the guys whose lives they make over, and that exists between the Fab Five. Friendship and affection between gay men is never to be underestimated, and to see these men interact with such joy is exactly what my heart needed to see.

The focus on overall wellbeing rather than simply physical appearance is done with a delicate balance. They each have their area and all of them shine. Tan Friend has an apt last name because I do want to be his pal. He comes across as a chilled but cool guy, offering the men he works with easy fashion tips that change their whole vibe for the better. I feel like I could watch a show just of Tan doing his thing. Karamo Brown is in charge of culture but really he feels like he’s helping to shift the mindsets the guys are stuck in, to see how they could start to feel like they’re on track again. Antoni Porowski is in charge of food and wine, and it’s lovely to watch him give everyone room to create something that feels like them or that will positively impact their lives rather than just teach a recipe.

Jonathan Van Ness who’s in charge of grooming is exactly who I need in my life. Someone who feels like they’re full of catchphrases and fun but truly has a heart of gold. I fully believe that Jonathan cares right to his core about everyone they work with, he’s pure gold.

And finally Bobby Berk. Bobby Berk is out there completely redoing people’s homes with some kind of magic touch — mixing everything these people strive to be with what their heart is calling out for. If you believe that the space you live in impacts your way of being in the world, then Bobby Berk is out there truly changing lives one lick of paint at a time.

This show has reminded me how much good revitalising different parts of people’s lives can be, sure. But more importantly it’s shown me on screen that leading with empathy is essential. Trying to understand where people’s lives have ended up without judging, and showing people true kindness even why they might be struggling to accept it is how we can truly connect.

Here’s hoping for a season two because I could watch these guys do what they do every single day.