Emmy-nominated Queer Eye for the Straight Guy brings New York chic to UNT

UNT began the fall semester abuzz about something big happening. Seemingly, most everyone had heard something about TVs hottest divas — the Queer Eye for the Straight Guy's Fab 5 — rolling quietly into town to make over one very lucky North Texas fraternity member.

		Queer Eye cast member Carson Kressley admires the set of longhorns on the hood of the Fab Five's signature sport utility vehicle in honor of their trip to Texas.

But very few could pin down exact details, and network executives request that the university remain tight-lipped about specifics until the episode airs. It is tentatively scheduled for January.

The episode — shot at UNT from Aug. 31 through Sept. 3 — marked the first time Ted Allen, Kyan Douglas, Thom Filicia, Carson Kressley, Jai Rodriguez and crew ventured out of the New York tri-state area. It is the first of three shows that were scheduled to be filmed during a four-week stay in North Texas. The Emmy-nominated reality show lets loose the Fab Five's fashion, grooming, culinary, cultural and interior design expertise to the benefit of a straight guy in need.

"When we decided to do a series of shows outside of the New York area we wanted to really go someplace different, and Texas seemed to be about as opposite from New York as you can get," said producer Jerry Kolber during the first day of filming.

In honor of the journey, the Queer Eye crew mounted a set of longhorns on the Fab 5's GMC Denali.

"That was my idea," said fashionista Kressley, the show's dry-witted one-liner stylist. "I told them I was not going to Texas unless there were horns on that truck."

While on campus, the crew quietly set up shop in a parking lot, and worked day and night to film the show. While cameramen, sound engineers and set designers worked to capture the show's standard drama, the Fab 5 entertained the few fans who located them and goofed off with each other during down time.

"Carson, did you hide Ted's glasses again?" asked Douglas. "He just said ‘Jinksie guys, I can't see anything,' so I think it's time we at least give him a clue."

"Aim him toward the fridge," Kressley replied.

But for all their joking, which is part of the show's secret to success, the Queer Eye guys take their work seriously.

And while the show appears to take place in one day in its televised format, the intense three- to four-day filming schedule provides an incubator for bonding.

"Straight guys are conditioned not to open up, and that experience can really be overwhelming for all of us," says Rodriguez "So the emotions on the show are real and that's what's so impressive to me. "We're all just guys being guys together, learning from each other."

Allen says it is that positive focus that he is most proud of.

"So much of what we see on TV today is mean-spirited and cruel, and this show is genuinely about helping others," Allen says. "It's about five guys who are completely devoted to helping one guy improve himself, and that feels great."

BY KELLEY REESE kreese@unt.edu

Other featured articles in this issue

• Regents approve new construction, renovations
• $4 million bequests benefit Department of Biological Sciences and research at UNT
• UNT to honor barrier-breaking athletes Oct. 2
• Start-up the Band seeking used instruments
• George Foreman to speak at annual leadership lunch
• North Texas Exes to host tailgating in Waco
• UNT celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month
• Club at Gateway Center opening soon for Fall 2004
• Family Weekend is Oct. 1-3
• Voter registration deadline for Nov. 2 election approaching

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