Series Review

'Queer Eye ' redo loses some of its lustre in season 2

The second season of Netflix's popular makeover show doesn't deliver as many tear-jerking moments as the first, but it's still worth watching

15 July 2018 - 00:00 By pearl boshomane tsotetsi
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The makeover team from 'Queer Eye for the Straight Guy' change people's lives while battling some of their own demons.
The makeover team from 'Queer Eye for the Straight Guy' change people's lives while battling some of their own demons.
Image: Instagram

Makeover shows - you either love them or you hate them. But there's something about Netflix's redo of early '00s show Queer Eye for the Straight Guy that appeals to those who don't care for makeover shows, but love a good tearjerker. The second season probably won't make you cry as much as the first, but it has moments when your eyes will tear up.

Queer Eye features a team of five gay men trying to help people mildly transform their lives, their dress sense, their grooming and their homes. And unlike the original, it's not just clueless straight dudes getting a makeover - the subjects range from a gay man preparing to come out to his stepmom to a church-loving woman who needs to get her groove back.

Each episode is as much about the show's stars as it is about the people they are helping. In this season, for instance, design expert Bobby sort of learns to overcome his resentment for the church as a gay man.

WATCH | The trailer for Queer Eye for the Straight Guy Season 2

While parts of this season feel a bit more put-on than those in season one, the show still (for the most part) feels sincere, and the guys seem to genuinely care about each subject they take on.

Jonathan (in charge of grooming) is still the most interesting one in the group - he's quotable, funny, sassy and most importantly, kind. None of that bitchiness that TV producers think gay men need in order to be interesting.

It doesn't matter that food and wine expert Antoni can't really cook and that fashion expert Tan dresses everyone exactly the same - each episode will have you invested in it, but you'll also forget about it as soon as it ends.


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