Queer eye for the straight guy: Contemporary depiction of homosexuality on TV

Queer eye for the straight guy: Contemporary depiction of homosexuality on TV PDF

Author: Judith Schwickart

Publisher: GRIN Verlag

Published: 2007-06-04

Total Pages: 21

ISBN-13: 3638785106

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Seminar paper from the year 2005 in the subject Communications - Movies and Television, grade: 1,0, University of St. Thomas, course: Communication Studies 340, language: English, abstract: Queer Eye for the Straight Guy (hereafter Queer Eye) is a television series which was first aired in July 2003 on Bravo Cable Network. Basically, the main content of each episode is that five gay men, each of them an expert in their field, make over a person, most often a straight man, for a special occasion, such as a proposal to a girlfriend or even a wedding. The series was an instant, and somewhat unexpected, success. It is especially remarkable for the way homosexual and heterosexual men are presented. My paper raises, and partially answers, questions such as: What is so different here about the way sexual orientation is presented? Through which symbols is homosexuality conveyed? and, What might be the effect of these representations on the audience? I argue that even though the symbols and stereotypes have not changed, their implications on Queer Eye make them a more positive representation of homosexuality than ever before seen on television. In order to understand why Queer Eye is revolutionary, I will first give a short overview about the presentation of homosexuality on television in the past five decades. After that I depict the symbols, and particularly visual and aural symbols, through which homosexuality is conveyed in the show by giving specific examples from single episodes. Then I describe the stereotypes which are presented on Queer Eye, followed by the influence of these representations of homosexuality on the audience.

A Queer Eye for Capitalism

A Queer Eye for Capitalism PDF

Author: Yarma Velázquez Vargas

Publisher: Cambridge Scholars Publishing

Published: 2010-06-09

Total Pages: 130

ISBN-13: 1443823015

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This study uses critical discourse analysis to conduct an examination of the reality television program Queer Eye. The goal is to help understand the manner in which the representations of queer culture in the show reinforce the binaries of sex, gender and sexuality. By investigating the evolution of Queer Eye this study provides insights into American popular culture’s understanding and depiction of sexual difference and evidences the strong link between these representations and the commercial interests of the producers. In the show Queer Eye, the male guests sell access to their lives for a makeover and in the process they are indoctrinated into new patterns of consumption. The identity of both the five main characters and the guest character is represented as a reflection of their aesthetic choices, and audiences are exposed to numerous product placements and advertising messages. In encouraging materialism, the show transforms the term queer into a commodity sign and redefines masculinity as represented through wealth and accumulation. Moreover, consistent with the stereotypical representation of gay males in American culture the queerness of the Fab is depicted as asexual and a form of aestheticism.

Straight Girls and Queer Guys

Straight Girls and Queer Guys PDF

Author: Christopher Pullen

Publisher: Edinburgh University Press

Published: 2016-01-18

Total Pages: 200

ISBN-13: 0748694854

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Examines the emergence of gay male and female heterosexual alliances within contemporary media.

The New Queer Aesthetic on Television

The New Queer Aesthetic on Television PDF

Author: James R. Keller

Publisher: McFarland

Published: 2014-11-04

Total Pages: 223

ISBN-13: 1476609071

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Television is awash with newly embraced gay and lesbian themes that have crossed over into the collective pop culture of America. Dramas like Queer As Folk and The L Word, comedies like Will & Grace,and even reality shows including the popular Queer Eye for the Straight Guy signify a new commercial acceptance of homosexuality that has never been seen before in the United States. However, the increasing exposure has prompted critics to argue that the gay and lesbian representation on television is oversimplified and is rife with one-dimensional characters. Ultimately, the viewers will decide the future of homosexuality and homosexual characters on television. The text offers essays that explore such topics as the politics of representation and the clash of progressive and regressive social agendas in television and the emphasis on the search for a space for gays, lesbians, bisexuals and the transgendered within the mainstream media. The book contains criticisms of characters in such shows as Six Feet Under, Queer As Folk, Friends and Ellen.

Queer TV in the 21st Century

Queer TV in the 21st Century PDF

Author: Kylo-Patrick R. Hart

Publisher: McFarland

Published: 2016-06-05

Total Pages: 231

ISBN-13: 1476625603

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Television has historically been largely ineffective at representing queerness in its various forms. In the 21st century, however, as same-sex couples have seen increasing mainstream acceptance, and a broader range of queer characters has appeared in the media, it seems natural to assume TV portrayals of queerness have become more enlightened. But have they? This collection of fresh essays analyzes queerness as depicted on TV from 2000 to the present. Examining Buffy the Vampire Slayer, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, The L Word, Modern Family, The New Normal, Queer as Folk, Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, RuPaul's Drag Race, Spartacus and Will & Grace, among other series, the contributors demonstrate that queer characters in general have achieved visibility at the expense of minimizing much of their queerness--with a few eye-opening exceptions.

TV in the USA [3 volumes]

TV in the USA [3 volumes] PDF

Author: Vincent LoBrutto

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing USA

Published: 2018-01-04

Total Pages: 1785

ISBN-13:

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This three-volume set is a valuable resource for researching the history of American television. An encyclopedic range of information documents how television forever changed the face of media and continues to be a powerful influence on society. What are the reasons behind enduring popularity of television genres such as police crime dramas, soap operas, sitcoms, and "reality TV"? What impact has television had on the culture and morality of American life? Does television largely emulate and reflect real life and society, or vice versa? How does television's influence differ from that of other media such as newspapers and magazines, radio, movies, and the Internet? These are just a few of the questions explored in the three-volume encyclopedia TV in the USA: A History of Icons, Idols, and Ideas. This expansive set covers television from 1950 to the present day, addressing shows of all genres, well-known programs and short-lived series alike, broadcast on the traditional and cable networks. All three volumes lead off with a keynote essay regarding the technical and historical features of the decade(s) covered. Each entry on a specific show investigates the narrative, themes, and history of the program; provides comprehensive information about when the show started and ended, and why; and identifies the star players, directors, producers, and other key members of the crew of each television production. The set also features essays that explore how a particular program or type of show has influenced or reflected American society, and it includes numerous sidebars packed with interesting data, related information, and additional insights into the subject matter.

Queer Eye

Queer Eye PDF

Author: Antoni Porowski

Publisher: Clarkson Potter

Published: 2018-11-13

Total Pages: 258

ISBN-13: 1984823930

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From the Fab Five--the beloved hosts of Netflix's viral hit Queer Eye--comes a book that is at once a behind-the-scenes exclusive, a practical guide to living and celebrating your best life, and a symbol of hope. Feeling your best is about far more than deciding what color to paint your accent wall or how to apply nightly moisturizer. It's also about creating a life that's well-rounded, filled with humor and understanding--and most importantly, that suits you. At a cultural moment when we are all craving people to admire, Queer Eye offers hope and acceptance. After you get to know the Fab Five, together they will guide you through five practical chapters that go beyond their designated areas of expertise (food & wine, fashion, grooming, home decor, and culture), touching on topics like wellness, entertaining, and defining your personal brand, and complete with bite-sized Hip Tips for your everyday quandaries. Above all else, Queer Eye aims to help you create a happy and healthy life, rooted in self-love and authenticity.

Gay TV and Straight America

Gay TV and Straight America PDF

Author: Ron Becker

Publisher: Rutgers University Press

Published: 2006-02-02

Total Pages: 297

ISBN-13: 0813539323

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After decades of silence on the subject of homosexuality, television in the 1990s saw a striking increase in programming that incorporated and, in many cases, centered on gay material. In shows including Friends, Seinfeld, Party of Five, Homicide, Suddenly Susan, The Commish, Ellen, Will & Grace, and others, gay characters were introduced, references to homosexuality became commonplace, and issues of gay and lesbian relationships were explored, often in explicit detail. In Gay TV and Straight America, Ron Becker draws on a wide range of political and cultural indicators to explain this sudden upsurge of gay material on prime-time network television. Bringing together analysis of relevant Supreme Court rulings, media coverage of gay rights battles, debates about multiculturalism, concerns over political correctness, and much more, Becker's assessment helps us understand how and why televised gayness was constructed by a specific culture of tastemakers during the decade. On one hand the evidence points to network business strategies that embraced gay material as a valuable tool for targeting a quality audience of well-educated, upscale adults looking for something "edgy" to watch. But, Becker also argues that the increase of gay material in the public eye creates growing mainstream anxiety in reaction to the seemingly civil public conversation about equal rights. In today's cultural climate where controversies rage over issues of gay marriage yet millions of viewers tune in weekly to programs like Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, this book offers valuable insight to the complex condition of America's sexual politics.

The Prime Time Closet

The Prime Time Closet PDF

Author: Stephen Tropiano

Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield

Published: 2002-05-01

Total Pages: 352

ISBN-13: 1476847991

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Is it a show about nothing or one of the greatest TV series of all time? It's both of course! ÊSeinfeldÊ's impact on popular culture was so profound that it continues to this day-years after it left prime time-thanks to its inimitable characters (Newman! Bubble Boy!) its wacky memorable plots (who can forget The Contest or The Puffy Shirt ?) and the many catchphrases we use regularly (not that there's anything wrong with that).ÞÊSeinfeld FAQÊ is the first-ever comprehensive guide to the sitcom tracing its path from modest beginnings to water-cooler-show status and to its infamous love-it-or-hate-it finale. This humor-filled reference tells all about Jerry Elaine George and Kramer as well as the other unforgettable characters in their world. It features season-by-season episode reviews and a wealth of fun facts about everything from the characters' inevitably doomed relationships to their food obsessions and fashion sense (or lack thereof) as well as profiles of actors and other notables.ÞBroad in scope and yet obsessed with detail (like the show itself) this FAQ is essential reading for anyone who wants to be master of the ÊSeinfeldÊ domain.

Queer Externalities

Queer Externalities PDF

Author: W. C. Harris

Publisher: State University of New York Press

Published: 2009-09-10

Total Pages: 265

ISBN-13: 1438427670

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Provocative take on the negative effects of increasing queer visibility and assimilation on the lives of queer people and politics in the U.S.