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The makeover show is on the comeback trail, attempting to ditch the noughties cruelty that so defined it. But Queer Eye is one of the very few to succeed
As Queer Eye reaches its sixth season, its well received mission to put the self love in selfie has led to a resurgence in makeover shows, with a much-needed twist. Queer Eye is an empathetic tearjerker with its kinder approach to the genre, but the makeover shows that dominated the noughties were better known for their caustic putdowns.
They were desperately cruel: the central premise of Snog, Marry, Avoid? was slut shaming, as well as essentially telling members of subcultures that they needed to be “normal” to gain acceptance. What Not To Wear saw Trinny and Susannah take scissors to the less-than-chic wardrobes of the public. Last year The Surjury offered a throwback to this period: a Channel 4 show that would have seen contestants attempt to convince a jury of 12 panellists that they were in need of plastic surgery. The backlash was huge, although it was ultimately pulled because of the sad death of its intended host, Caroline Flack. Continue reading...