Bravo: Queer TV

One thing that struck me as I was watching the Bravo network the other day was the overabundance of estrogen; both real and fabricated. According to Reuters, Bravo is one of the leading gay-friendly stations. Bravo, part of the NBC/Universal family, is known for it's both female and gay appeal. Fashion shows, and reality shows such as Top Chef, America's Top Model, Kathy Griffin's My Life on the D List, Inside the Actor's Studio, Make Me a Supermodel, Miami Social, Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, all seem to have a gay element to them. If Lifetime is called “TV for women,” I think we can safely call Bravo, “TV for gays.”

The Fashion Show, is hosted by Isaac Mizrahi, where a collection of designers, both over-the-top women and extremely flamboyant men get together and have a “design-off,” as well as vie not to be the “design that greatly disappointed us this week.” In one of the competitions they are told to sketch a dress from memory. This checks their eye for detail, (because “being a designer is kind of like being a secret agent,” don'tcha know). Just like any other reality show, some contestants get voted off.

The blunt or “direct,” as she prefers, lesbian Tabitha Coffey's, Tabitha's Salon Takeover showcases her razor-sharp directions to motley salon staffs. After bringing one stylist to tears, she declares, coldly, “I hate tears. Why don't you channel all those tears and emotions into something productive....work.”

Lesbian, Jackie Warner hosts Work Out, a show that chronicles the life and drama of a Beverly Hills spa owner. The cast includes the trainers at her spa,”Sky Sport and Spa,” as well as Warner's lover, Mimi, who is a self-centered Brazilian She-Rah.

Of course there's Queer Eye For the Straight Guy where 5 gay guys transform an everyday shlub to sheer fabulousness.

Comedy Central even hosted a spoof on it called Straight Plan for the Gay Man, which featured four heterosexual men teaching gay men how to be straight, or “mannish,” redecorating their homes with neon beer signs and teaching them about sports.”

United States Congressman Barney Frank speaking to the New York Post commented on Queer Eye, saying, "The notion that gay men have a superior fashion sense is not true and it's damaging. It's perfectly possible to enjoy that show and say, look at those clever homosexuals. What they do with hair! And not support gays at all.".

On Top Chef, It seems food isn't the only thing holding the attention of the viewers. The restaurant's kitchen is the backdrop for a saucy soap opera. The chefs, both gay and straight, have 30 minutes to cook dishes complete with amuse-bouches, and refreshing palate cleansers, topped off with sexual innuendoes and double entendres.

The judges hold nothing back. One chef's dish, quoted judge, Steven “reminded me of the career of Elvis Presley. It started out great, but then died on the toilet.”

So, is gay TV really that odd an idea? It is not rare for other subcultures have a channel that is exclusively theirs. Some say that they, just as anyone would, want to have a voice; a representation. Others say that they are trying to push their agenda on all of us straight people, thus validating themselves. Some say that they are trying to make homosexuality seem “normal” or mainstream, turning the kettle water up a notch, so to speak.

I think whatever they are doing, for good or for bad, is working. I remember 20 years ago, gayness was very much in the broadcast closet. TV networks would never even think of putting a gay character on one of their shows (Jack Tripper, aside). An entire gay channel would have been out of the question.

Now, however, it seems we have surpassed mere acceptability. We are embracing it. Celebrating it, even. We are forced to revel in their flamboyancy. My question is, can we honestly say that we celebrate or feel an obligation to be “OK” with any other subculture as much as the homosexual culture?

c. 2009