evenings out
A funny answer to 'Queer Eye,' in more ways than one
JESSE WILLMON
February 20, 2004
GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE
11
ABT
AMERICAN BALLET THEATRE
Ethan Stiefel in Within You Without You: A Tribute to George Harrison
The Flab Four point out the flaws in upscale fashion maven Jonathan. Clockwise from lower left, they are Billy Merritt, Curtis Gwinn, Kyle Grooms and Rob Riggle.
by Anthony Glassman
Now that everyone has become a metrosexual, thanks to Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, what is the hip homo to do to make himself stand out from the crowd?
Become straight for a day, of course, thanks to Comedy Central's new show, Straight Plan for the Gay Man.
Debuting on February 23, the show follows four experts on heterosexuality, known as the Flab Four, as they train a gay man to pass for straight for a day.
In the first episode, an upscale fashion seller who bears a startling resemblance to David Gest is made over to pass for a meat packer for one day.
Interestingly enough, nobody used the easy "meat packer" joke during the four days of training.
Billy Merritt is the appearance guy, dressing Jonathan in flannel and sweat pants. Rob Riggle is the culture guy, teaching him to drink beer and put his feet on the furniture. The adorable Curtis Gwinn is the environment guy, taking Jonathan's apartment from what he referred to as “grandma chic" to dumpster-diving divine. Finally, Kyle Grooms is the information guy, imparting such important bits of wisdom as which sports have goals, which have home runs and which have touchdowns.
Curtis points out that Jonathan's bathroom has many pictures of beautiful women
in it, "but they're all dead."
He was astounded when he discovered the contents of Jonathan's medicine cabinet.
"No man should have an herbal laxative," he told the audience. "If you can't get it done with coffee and cigarettes, you don't deserve to be in the bathroom."
The two other announced episodes will revolve around Roger, a yoga instructor who wants to take part in a pick-up basketball game, and singer-dancer Stephen, who wants to see if he can make it as a "ladies man."
Surprisingly, when the eye rolling over the concept ends, it turns out to be a very funny, warm show. It's certainly far less annoying in the long run than Queer Eye is, and its limited engagement will make sure it doesn't outstay its welcome.
The show is also completely homophobia-free, which is a little surprising. The straight men may display discomfort with the fashions or decorating of the gay men, but they're completely at ease with their guinea pigs.
With Straight Plan for the Gay Man, Comedy Central pretty much cements its position as the gayest network on television today, with gay characters on a number of shows and gay comedians on specials and series. Perhaps the network remembers the days when "funny" was used as a code-word for "gay."
JOHNNY HAZZARD @BODY LANGUAGE
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1 TO 3 PM
COME AND MEET FORMER CLEVELANDER
JOHNNY HAZZARD, GAY PORN'S NEWEST, HOTTEST STAR
11424 LORAIN AVE. @. W.115TH 216-251-3330; 888-GAY-7733
ww.body-language.com
Don't miss the world renowned dancers of American Ballet Theatre performing a repertory program including:
Raymonda (Divertissements)
Pillar of Fire
Within You Without You:
A Tribute to George Harrison
ON SALE NOW!
March 11-14, 2004 State Theatre
216.241.6000 playhousesquare.com
Group Discounts: 216.771.4444
UniversityHospitals Health System
Remy HabIOS &4hz Hoopt:
PLAYHOUSE SQUARE CENTER
playhouse square popsy