BRAVO 'Queer Eye' turns gaze to women

ZAP2IT.COM
Better late than never, Bravo is moving forward on "Queer Eye for the Straight Girl." The extremely late capitalization on what was a cultural phenomenon a year ago won't premiere until January 2005, by which time perhaps the "Queer Eye" franchise will have gone from over-parodied to retro-cool.
The Fab Five who help shape Bravo's current identity are gone, replaced by the Gal Pals, a quartet of lifestyle healers in place to help uncertain women as they undergo transformations in anticipation of major life-affirming events. The Gal Pals are Robbie Laughlin, Danny Teeson, Damon Pease and Honey Labrador (the first female to provide a "Queer Eye"), whose specialties are symbolically described as The Look, The Life, The Locale and The Lady.
"We are thrilled to expand the 'Queer Eye' franchise on Bravo," says Bravo President Lauren Zalaznick. "The 'Queer Eye' phenomenon has left an indelible mark on popular culture today, and with the launch of a new series dedicated to 'make-better' straight women, we anticipate the phenomenon to continue."
"Queer Eye for the Straight Guy" premiered on Bravo in the summer of 2003 and soon the Fab Five were everywhere, popping up on talk shows, on the red carpet at award shows and in countless specials which went back and forth between Bravo and NBC. The show's second season, premiering in June of 2004, hasn't produced anywhere near the initial buzz or ratings, though "Queer Eye" remains Bravo's most recognizable brand.