Season 2 Discussion: Bring on the Men

[Aethera]

A place to discuss Season 2!

[starri]

Five minutes into Miss Tammye's episode, and I'm are ready tearing up.

Goddamn it, show.

[Whimsy]

Binging all the episodes now.  My love knows no bounds! 

[starri]

I had a rather stunning, and potentially very unpopular revelation after Miss Tammye's episode:

As a gestalt, I think I like these guys more than the OG Fab 5.

[PRgal]

Is it just me, but does Miles/Myles look like he needs new frames?  

[starri]

William in episode 2 looked easily 10 years younger once Jonathan was done with him.

[Vikitty]

I liked Season 2 but I didn’t think the men were as memorable as in Season 1. I was more interested in seeing the Fab 5 by the end of the season, rather than the actual makeovers. There were a few exceptions to the rule but aside from enjoying the makeovers, I didn’t really feel that connection to the men’s stories.

Also, Tan is now my favourite. His one-liners had me rolling. “What, you don’t want to bang me?” “…and I’m married to a man.” And his conversation with Skyler about his ignorance about the T in LGBTQ+ was really, really moving.

[iMonrey]

OK confession time. After Season 1 I found Jonathan kind of hilarious and endearing. I looked up his Gay of Thrones videos and found those hilarious as well. So then I started listening to his podcast. Oh, dear. I got through maybe four of them and that was enough. Now I can barely tolerate him. Everything is "c-yoooot." Everything. And he can rarely shut up long enough to let anyone else get a word in. He had Antoni on as a guest and he talked all over him and never let him say a word. Annoying as hell. Worse, he has a shocking lack of knowledge about some of the very most basic things. In short? Just not that bright.

Anyway, I've seen the first two episodes so far. These guys will cry at the drop of a hat, won't they?

[PRgal]

15 hours ago, starri said:

William in episode 2 looked easily 10 years younger once Jonathan was done with him.

That's because he IS 10 years younger than how he looked before.  Isn't he like 40-something?  I've only seen two episodes so far, but I like how Jonathan is sporting a man bun more than last season.  I just didn't like his hair loose (I thought it looked greasy).

[iggysaurus]

I just saw on Twitter (and then Instagram) that William from episode 2 is actually an actor - he was on the Walking Dead and Stranger Things 2, probably bit parts, but they sure didn't mention that in the episode - it was "he works at Walmart."  He seems to be really self-promoting online now that his episode has aired.  When I looked back thru his Instagram, far enough back to where it had to be before the filming of QE, there were pics of him looking not that different than he did after his makeover.  I don't think he's any stranger to hair & makeup transformations, considering his background in acting. I dunno, it just seems disingenuous now that I've found that out.  Plus, I have to confess, the whole "I Shannan You" thing in the episode made me cringe a bit (even though I usually tear up at all of these reveals/transformations - I'm a total sap!).  

1 hour ago, iMonrey said:

OK confession time. After Season 1 I found Jonathan kind of hilarious and endearing. I looked up his Gay of Thrones videos and found those hilarious as well. So then I started listening to his podcast. Oh, dear. I got through maybe four of them and that was enough. Now I can barely tolerate him. Everything is "c-yoooot." Everything. And he can rarely shut up long enough to let anyone else get a word in. He had Antoni on as a guest and he talked all over him and never let him say a word. Annoying as hell. Worse, he has a shocking lack of knowledge about some of the very most basic things. In short? Just not that bright.

Aww, I still love Jonathan.  I've only listened to a few of his podcasts but I know what you mean. I had to turn off the episode on bees because it was embarrassing how little he knew about basic stuff.  Then again, I thought his episode on Brexit was pretty decent and he actually seems to know a bit about that, more than a lot of Americans anyway. I just take him with a grain of salt - he's not an expert in any of these things, but he IS curious as the title of the podcast says.  And I feel like he'd be super fun to be around. 

[Delphi]

4 hours ago, iMonrey said:

OK confession time. After Season 1 I found Jonathan kind of hilarious and endearing. I looked up his Gay of Thrones videos and found those hilarious as well. So then I started listening to his podcast. Oh, dear. I got through maybe four of them and that was enough. Now I can barely tolerate him. Everything is "c-yoooot." Everything. And he can rarely shut up long enough to let anyone else get a word in. He had Antoni on as a guest and he talked all over him and never let him say a word. Annoying as hell. Worse, he has a shocking lack of knowledge about some of the very most basic things. In short? Just not that bright.

Anyway, I've seen the first two episodes so far. These guys will cry at the drop of a hat, won't they?

I know what you mean,  it's why I always bounce back and forth on whether I like Jonathan.   But I have to say that Antoni wouldn't exactly be hard to talk over.   He is my fave but he's defintely the most soft spoken of the 5 while Jonathan is defintely the loudest.   I can't see the two being great with just the two of them.

Edited June 16, 2018 by Delphi

[Amethyst]

Glad this is back.  I can easily binge the whole season, but I'm trying to save some of it for later.

They really know how to sell a premiere.  I loved Tammye and want all the best things for her.  She really is the epitome of compassion.  I would be open to them having more women as the heroes.

Like there was any question of Myles joining the gay chorus, but it would be nice to get an update on how he's doing.

Was also interesting how the Fab 5 opened up around Tammye.  I've seen them tear up around the heroes, but Antoni was really emotional in this episode.  Notice how he also started crying when he mentioned that parents aren't always accepting of their children.  He could be talking about someone he knows, or his own personal experiences.  Poor guy.

I really liked how they didn't wrap things up in a bow for Bobby.  When it comes to homosexuality and the church, I can believe there are more experiences like Bobby's than Keramo's.  The fact that Bobby couldn't even set foot in the church said a lot.  So it's good that he didn't just casually walk in the door at the end like everything was fine.  He's working at letting go of his resentment, and that will take time.

Jonathan seems toned down a bit.  Maybe it was his look.  The braided back hair was really sweet, and up close, you can tell he takes care of it.  I read that he hurt his foot in the fireman episode, and sure enough, you can see a bandage on his toe, lol.

Tan looked extra dapper escorting Tammye to the homecoming party.  Seriously, the man can wear a suit.

[2727]

20 hours ago, starri said:

William in episode 2 looked easily 10 years younger once Jonathan was done with him.

And 30 pounds lighter! The suit jacket and fitted pants made a world of difference. But I had to fast-forward past his "movie" to spare my cringe reflex.

[iggysaurus]

3 hours ago, nosleepforme said:

Tan is my favorite of the Fab 5. He seems to be the most sincere and authentic. He's not really putting on a show, but still remains memorable. Bobby is also authentic, but he fades more into the background, because he doesn't have as big of a personality/persona on the show as the others. Karamo is the eye candy for me, handsome man, and I love his jackets, but I think he seems somewhat distant, even when he's having "close / emotional" moments.  Jonathan and Antoni are my least favorites, though I have gotten used to Jonathan's personality and I think he does the "queeny sidekick"-thing better than Bobby on that god awful Finding Prince Charming. Antoni is cusping a bit on his charmed and good looks.

That's funny, Jonathan and Antoni are my favorites, followed closely by Tan.  I also like Bobby and Karamo, but as you said, they just seem a little more distant or something. When I see JVN, Antoni and Tan on Instagram they seem like they are always hanging out, even when it's not for the show. I don't see any of them with Bobby or Karamo as much outside of promo stuff. 

Atoni seems extremely smart and I know from JVN's podcast that he speaks multiple languages and grew up with exposure to different cultures.  I know he gets flak for seeming to not make very complicated dishes on the show but from what I've seen on Instagram when he's even just hanging out with friends, he really does cook and know a lot about it.  I don't think he's just eye candy, I think he's got a lot more to him.  Oh and when he comments on the other guys' instagrams, his comments are very well written and witty. Love him. 

[rozen]

I was dying at the end of S2E6. That mom is gonna f**k that boy up once the cameras are gone.

[EarlGreyTea]

The rest of season two can pack up and go home, because none of them will approach Mama Tammye’s episode. It was as genuinely moving as AJ’s last season. Tammye comforting Bobby after hearing his story was some of the most moving stuff I’ve ever seen on TV. Not a single false note in the episode. I wish all Christians could be like Tammye, because the world would be a better place. 

I will always love the original Fab 5, but they never moved me like these do. 

[iMonrey]

Quote

I just take him with a grain of salt - he's not an expert in any of these things, but he IS curious as the title of the podcast says.  And I feel like he'd be super fun to be around. 

I'm back to not minding Jonathan within the context of this show. You just wouldn't want a whole half hour of nothing but him talking. And I think he'd be kind of exhausting to be around for any length of time.

There's some really weird censoring on this show. Sometimes they bleep out swear words and sometimes they don't. In the episode with the handyman who wanted to move to Reno, you can clearly hear Jonathan say "that's a bad fucking idea" when the other boys want to play with the flame thrower. Then, in the very same episode, the make-better guy is writing things down and the word "fuck" is blurred out on one of his notes.

WTF?

Edited June 17, 2018 by iMonrey

[PRgal]

I'm in the middle of Skyler's episode and one thing which bothered me was how he wore his seatbelt - with the shoulder strap behind his back.  I get that he's still recovering from his surgery, but is it safe for him to do that?  Can a cop fine him?

[jmonique]

Mama Tammye was moving -- especially the end where she turned the feel-good good-byes around on the Fab 5, everything about Skylar's episode form the jump moved me, but the way the Five were all just completely flummoxed by The Real Sean Van Meter in Ep. 7 entertained me. 

It sounds like a lot of you haven't gotten as far (I have no self-control with this show), so I won't spoil, but Tan and Jonathan at the cooking lesson had me legit laughing out loud!

Edited June 17, 2018 by jmonique

[sab85]

Quote

I really liked how they didn't wrap things up in a bow for Bobby.  When it comes to homosexuality and the church, I can believe there are more experiences like Bobby's than Keramo's.  The fact that Bobby couldn't even set foot in the church said a lot.  So it's good that he didn't just casually walk in the door at the end like everything was fine.  He's working at letting go of his resentment, and that will take time.

I was really glad of this too. I was afraid that the producers might try and force the issue to wrap everything up all neat and tidy. Bobby (understandably) has very deep resentment and painful memories when it comes to the church and he may never get over that. I do hope meeting such a devout Christian who does accept him helped him heal if only a little bit. 

I loved Tammye. She is truly good people. I loved when she turned it on each one of the guys and talked about them. Antoni, who is normally the most reserved of the guys, was openly crying several times this episode. It seemed very emotional for everyone. 

I just finished episode 2 and Antoni was hilarious in it. From his expressions at finding the teeth, to eating a big bite of the disgusting wrap, to very seriously discussing food with Shannan whilst wearing a shower cap, he was cracking me up. Tan receding into the depths of the closet and yelling out that he couldn't help William when he found out his fashion idol was Frasier Crane was also priceless.

It was a quick moment but I really liked the conversation the guys had driving at the beginning of Episode 2 when Jonathan says he gets nervous when they drive deep into rural Georgia and Antoni replied that he has felt comfortable everywhere they had been. Karamo pointed out Antoni is white and easily passes for straight (unlike some of the other guys). It shows the different perspectives and privilege. And then they ended on the crop top conversation, which I'm sure we will see at some point. 

[jmonique]

1 hour ago, sab85 said:

And then they ended on the crop top conversation, which I'm sure we will see at some point. 

I'm wondering if that explains Antoni's ensemble in Betty Who's new video for the theme song:

[Ms Blue Jay]

On 6/16/2018 at 1:50 PM, iggysaurus said:

I just saw on Twitter (and then Instagram) that William from episode 2 is actually an actor - he was on the Walking Dead and Stranger Things 2, probably bit parts, but they sure didn't mention that in the episode - it was "he works at Walmart."  He seems to be really self-promoting online now that his episode has aired.  When I looked back thru his Instagram, far enough back to where it had to be before the filming of QE, there were pics of him looking not that different than he did after his makeover.  I don't think he's any stranger to hair & makeup transformations, considering his background in acting. I dunno, it just seems disingenuous now that I've found that out.  Plus, I have to confess, the whole "I Shannan You" thing in the episode made me cringe a bit (even though I usually tear up at all of these reveals/transformations - I'm a total sap!).  

I get what you mean about the disingenuous thing.  I LOVED *LOVED* last season but right now I'm watching an episode about a college student who just lies all of the time?  He's basically just an idiot?  I don't really like how his friends nominated him for this show and then the Fab 5 actually helped him.  Why?  Why does he deserve to be picked?  Ugh, the whole thing bothers me.  I'm cynical enough to think that his friends and/or he did this as some kind of scam to get free stuff.  I don't think I'm being unfair because that's the type of person this show is presenting him as.

[iMonrey]

I can't wait for y'all to catch up to episode seven because we've got to talk about Sean and Lulu. That boy just ain't right. There's is seriously something off about him. 

Starting with the fact that he was raised by a woman he's calling his godmother, and apparently was handed over to her as a newborn by Sean's parents who "couldn't take care of him." WTF? Are they even around or in his life?

This kid is so sheltered he has no concept how to behave around normal human beings, and I got the impression that Lulu indulged his little fantasy that he's a singer-song writer to his detriment. From what little I heard (and notice how little they showed), he's not talented enough to make a living doing this stuff.

Sometimes home schooling can be a wonderful thing; sometimes it's more detrimental than not. In Sean's case it seems more the latter. Everything about him just seemed so robotic and mechanical - inhuman, almost. Like an alien that learned how to act like a person by watching them on TV. 

[Amethyst]

Welp, so much for holding out, lol.  Tammye is still the best, though.  I've seen that one a few times.

I felt bad for Arian.  At first it looked like he was lying out of laziness, but later on, it seemed more like he was genuinely depressed.  Especially when you consider how he used to be: a (mostly) hardworking student, dressing well and actually caring about himself.  But after the college fiasco, he's job hopping, smoking, playing video games all day...eesh.  I've definitely been there.  He was clearly unhappy about his life and not living up to his parents' expectations.  And regardless of age, it's easy to deflect blame or just ignore the problem when it seems insurmountable.  Lying wasn't a game, it was a defense mechanism.  In the end, you could tell his mother was unhappy, but at least she knows the truth now.

Him cooking with Antony was probably the most surprising part.  One of the few times that they've given Antony a real dish to prepare.  I don't think Arian was bullshitting, but rather insecure that he actually knew more about cooking then he realized.  

However, this may be the first time I disagreed with Johnathan.  I preferred stubble to clean shaven in Ari's case.  He already had a baby face, the stubble made him look older in a good way.

 

The stories about the heroes aren't always accurate.  Neal Reddi is an actor too; I saw his profile on IMDB.  So I'm not surprised that William acts as well.  

10 hours ago, iMonrey said:

There's some really weird censoring on this show. Sometimes they bleep out swear words and sometimes they don't. 

I noticed this, too.  I thought they only censored network shows.  I definitely remember some f bombs from the first season.

 

4 hours ago, sab85 said:

I just finished episode 2 and Antoni was hilarious in it. From his expressions at finding the teeth, to eating a big bite of the disgusting wrap, to very seriously discussing food with Shannan whilst wearing a shower cap, he was cracking me up. Tan receding into the depths of the closet and yelling out that he couldn't help William when he found out his fashion idol was Frasier Crane was also priceless.

All this cracked me up.  Tan slowly receding into the closet should be a meme.  And I'm wondering how Antony is going to pay Keramo back for eating that revolting concoction.  Chocolate syrup and spray cheese, ugh.  Someone on twitter called it an "IBS wrap".

[PRgal]

On Ari:  Though I saw him as some kind of loser, I also can relate.  Being a child of immigrant parents can really suck - especially if you are surrounded by success (e.g. if he has siblings who are already successful doctors, lawyers, whatever)...or sometimes, just someone who is “different.”  It could be as simple as what one eats (e.g. someone who is vegetarian for reasons other than religion).  I have had aunts/uncles ask me why I don’t cook rice (I do, just not as often as one would expect of someone with Chinese ancestry.  I eat quinoa, bulgur, sorghum, cous cous, spelt and even cauliflower “rice”) and I can feel the invisible eye rolls.  It can feel awkward, to be honest.

 

On Sean: I can also relate to him.  While I wasn’t adopted (Though I don’t think Lulu ever formally adopted him, at least he didn’t have to go from foster home to foster home) nor was I a child music prodigy, I WAS very out of the loop with pop music as a teen.  For me, it was just a lack of interest.  And yeah, I didn’t  have a lot of friends my age (still don’t) and yes, it felt (feels) lonely.  

Edited June 18, 2018 by PRgal

[Ms Blue Jay]

20 hours ago, sab85 said:

I just finished episode 2 and Antoni was hilarious in it. From his expressions at finding the teeth, to eating a big bite of the disgusting wrap, to very seriously discussing food with Shannan whilst wearing a shower cap, he was cracking me up. Tan receding into the depths of the closet and yelling out that he couldn't help William when he found out his fashion idol was Frasier Crane was also priceless.

I was taken aback by that, LOL!!!!  Because I'm the EXACT generation that grew up on Frasier.  I don't really think a lot about his style but  he and Niles were supposed to be the picture of Seattle sophistication.  He had a really UNIQUE personal decor that I wouldn't personally emulate but that I could admire from afar - so many various shades of beige, taupe, khaki, cream until you die.  BUT I still watch Frasier thinking that it's a really top shelf show.  So Tan's reaction really threw me.  Like, holy crap am I really that old?  My style icons are still Rachel Green, Kate Moss, etc. ALL 1990s people.  Trust me.  With few exceptions.  So I felt a hell of a lot better when I Googled Tan's age and found out that he's definitely a peer of mine.  He just wasn't raised in North America.  Frasier Crane is not that unstylish!  LOL!

15 hours ago, Amethyst said:

The stories about the heroes aren't always accurate.  Neal Reddi is an actor too; I saw his profile on IMDB.  So I'm not surprised that William acts as well.  

Well, to be honest, I know people who are actors who are in therapy.  So, I don't think being an actor precludes you from needing major, major help.  But I get that it throws the audience if QE is not completely up front about what's going on.  Like all those mactors on Survivor or The Bachelor/ette who pretend they have some other job.

Edited June 18, 2018 by Ms Blue Jay

[JustaPerson]

33 minutes ago, Ms Blue Jay said:

My style icons are still Rachel Green, Kate Moss, etc. ALL 1990s people.

Nothing wrong with that! I was rewatching Friends recently, and most of Rachel and Monica's outfits have come back into style. Can't say as much for Phoebe's haha. 

[sab85]

Okay, got through Episode 5. 

I quite liked Jason. The guys cheering him and Beth on was cute. ("I should have taught him how to make breakfast!") And of course, they were adorable playing with all of the Burning Man stuff. Bobby: "Everyone always told me I was flaming!"

Tan was adorable being scared of the dog (and apparently Bobby can carry Tan? Hellooooo nurse.) At one point Tan himself yelled out: "Tan's afraid of dogs!" My favorite though may have been Antoni and Karamo exploring the kitchen. "You can't just put everything in your mouth and up your nose!" Yup, Karamo's a dad. 

Skyler was always going to be the most intense episode of the season. As a fellow redhead, I really felt for him after all the issues he had with the anesthesia after his long awaited surgery. We don't respond to pain or anesthesia like the rest of the population and it can have serious consequences. I'm like Tan, I really don't know that much about being transgender but my heart really felt for Skyler when he was talking about waking up for 10 years and feeling uncomfortable in his body. I just can't even fathom that. I loved that Tan helped him keep his style but made it grown-up. Also, I loved his confidence- the guys' reactions when he started stripping on stage!

Edited June 18, 2018 by sab85

[Ms Blue Jay]

9 minutes ago, JustaPerson said:

Nothing wrong with that! I was rewatching Friends recently, and most of Rachel and Monica's outfits have come back into style. Can't say as much for Phoebe's haha. 

You stick around long enough, and what you liked when you were a kid comes back into style!  Phoebe was always the boho chic woman so it never really vibed with me anyway, but maybe some hippies get into it :)  The cool thing about Netflix is I know these young 20ish kids are getting into Friends for the first time now.  Early seasons Carrie Bradshaw was also an awesome style icon for that time.

[MerBearStare]

I binged the second season this weekend and I didn't like it as much as the first season. I only cried during two of this season's episodes (Tammye and Skyler), whereas last season I cried at all but two episodes. I think maybe because they did more episodes with younger people and I just don't find the younger nominees as compelling. It was still enjoyable but it wasn't as emotionally resonant as season one.

[PRgal]

10 hours ago, Ms Blue Jay said:

I was taken aback by that, LOL!!!!  Because I'm the EXACT generation that grew up on Frasier.  I don't really think a lot about his style but  he and Niles were supposed to be the picture of Seattle sophistication.  He had a really UNIQUE personal decor that I wouldn't personally emulate but that I could admire from afar - so many various shades of beige, taupe, khaki, cream until you die.  BUT I still watch Frasier thinking that it's a really top shelf show.  So Tan's reaction really threw me.  Like, holy crap am I really that old?  My style icons are still Rachel Green, Kate Moss, etc. ALL 1990s people.  Trust me.  With few exceptions.  So I felt a hell of a lot better when I Googled Tan's age and found out that he's definitely a peer of mine.  He just wasn't raised in North America.  Frasier Crane is not that unstylish!  LOL!

Well, to be perfectly honest, I had one friend who was an actor once and if anyone needed therapy, it was her.  So, I don't think being an actor precludes you from needing major, major help.  But I get that it throws the audience if QE is not completely up front about what's going on.  Like all those mactors on Survivor or The Bachelor/ette who pretend they have some other job.

Yeah, but Sean wasn't even BORN when Fraiser premiered and was probably in preschool when it went off the air.  It would be like any of the Fab 5 saying their style icon is, oh, I don't know, Alex P. Keaton (actually, it might be realistic for some - Family Ties went off the air in 1989 and some of the guys were born in the early 80s - old enough to have actually enjoyed the show).  It's not the 90s, just Sean's age.  

I briefly sorta had a Rachel.  No pics to prove it.  

[sab85]

I believe it was William who said Frasier was his style icon and he was 40ish (so born late 70s-early 80s). Frasier was on 1993-2004, plenty of time for William to see it. 

[iMonrey]

The hipster mayor dude looked great all cleaned up, but he didn't match his girlfriend anymore. She is clearly a hippie/bohemian type and he looked too clean cut for her. I predict he will go back to looking like a member of a grunge band within months with a full beard again.

The problem with the Fab 5, whether the original group or this incarnation, is that their functions just aren't equally relevant. The hair and grooming guy and the wardrobe guy are always going to have the most visible affect on the makeover, followed by the furniture guy who redecorates their home. The roles of the food guy and the lifestyle guy seem comparatively irrelevant in most cases. I can't think of anything Karamo or Antoni did this season that had any real meaningful effect on these guys' lives.

[Ms Blue Jay]

2 hours ago, sab85 said:

I believe it was William who said Frasier was his style icon and he was 40ish (so born late 70s-early 80s). Frasier was on 1993-2004, plenty of time for William to see it. 

lol.  I was like who is Sean and why does his opinion matter here?

[Ms Blue Jay]

13 hours ago, sab85 said:

I'm like Tan, I really don't know that much about being transgender but my heart really felt for Skyler when he was talking about waking up for 10 years and feeling uncomfortable in his body. I just can't even fathom that. I loved that Tan helped him keep his style but made it grown-up. Also, I loved his confidence- the guys' reactions when he started stripping on stage!

For me the season of Survivor called “Game Changers” was extraordinary in helping me see trans issues in a new way and helping me feel real empathy about it.  I would totally recommend it.

[Ms Blue Jay]

2 hours ago, iMonrey said:

The hipster mayor dude looked great all cleaned up, but he didn't match his girlfriend anymore. She is clearly a hippie/bohemian type and he looked too clean cut for her. I predict he will go back to looking like a member of a grunge band within months with a full beard again.

The problem with the Fab 5, whether the original group or this incarnation, is that their functions just aren't equally relevant. The hair and grooming guy and the wardrobe guy are always going to have the most visible affect on the makeover, followed by the furniture guy who redecorates their home. The roles of the food guy and the lifestyle guy seem comparatively irrelevant in most cases. I can't think of anything Karamo or Antoni did this season that had any real meaningful effect on these guys' lives.

Karamo helped the Mexican father befriend the other Dads when he was really insecure about it, and helped the Mayor gain some confidence in his speeches.  I can relate to the people who barely cook and I think Antoni makes a difference with people who never do it or eat unhealthily.  Bringing them into the kitchen and forcing them to work with food is beneficial and helps with their health.  I think everyone can have a differing POV here because I often thinks JVN makes the least amount of impact or that Bobby has the most (like that episode with the guy who lived in his Grandma's place in S1).  Depends on the person.

Edited June 18, 2018 by Ms Blue Jay

[iMonrey]

Karamo takes people places and has them interact with people. Whether that has any meaningful or lasting impact on their lives is debatable (and yes, probably varies from person to person). Antoni teaches them how to cook one thing. Whether it inspires them to pursue cooking other things on their own is also variable. In any case, neither of those two functions has the visual impact of the hair makeover, clothing makeover or home design makeover. That's really my point - I might enjoy the things Karamo or Antoni introduce but they aren't immediately tangible like the other three things and often feel superficial and superfluous. This isn't necessarily a criticism of their skills, it speaks to an imbalance in the structure of the show. It was the same way in the original version. Occasionally, Jai would contribute something that really did help someone. Most of the time, though, his participation felt unnecessary. 

[ilovese4]

I thought Karamo actually came into his own this season. There seemed to be a lot of young or youngish men who were really lost or hampered in some way and needed a bit of coaching and support:  Miss Tamye's son, Skylar to an extent, Sean and most of all Ari. Whereas quite a few of the men last season just needed a bit of a boost to one or two aspects of their lives. I like Karamo more and more; I'm not sure what to make of Ari, but he really tried with him, and what he said about accepting when you've failed and that it's ok was really good advice. However, there's no denying that the visual 'wow' factor of a really good haircut has more immediate impact for the viewer.

I think Sean was just a bit socially awkward and goofy. I don't think he's a freak and it isn't really that weird that a close family friend took him in when his parents couldn't cope - they were hardly going to go into detail about why his parents gave him up but it was most likely Lulu or the foster system. I do think it's sad he hasn't had the socialisation he needs though. Again, I really warmed to Karamo taking him paintballing.

I wasn't crazy about Ari's clothes and grooming post makeover. It was somehow ageing so I was glad he picked out the really youthful clothes for the party. 

[Athena]

18 minutes ago, ilovese4 said:

I thought Karamo actually came into his own this season. There seemed to be a lot of young or youngish men who were really lost or hampered in some way and needed a bit of coaching and support:  Miss Tamye's son, Skylar to an extent, Sean and most of all Ari. Whereas quite a few of the men last season just needed a bit of a boost to one or two aspects of their lives. I like Karamo more and more; I'm not sure what to make of Ari, but he really tried with him, and what he said about accepting when you've failed and that it's ok was really good advice. However, there's no denying that the visual 'wow' factor of a really good haircut has more immediate impact for the viewer.

I think Sean was just a bit socially awkward and goofy. I don't think he's a freak and it isn't really that weird that a close family friend took him in when his parents couldn't cope - they were hardly going to go into detail about why his parents gave him up but it was most likely Lulu or the foster system. I do think it's sad he hasn't had the socialisation he needs though. Again, I really warmed to Karamo taking him paintballing.

I agree that Karamo really came into his own. He did very well with the younger men and one of the reasons is probably because Karamo is the legal guardian of two teenage boys. Karamo takes care of his biological son (whom he didn't know about until he was about 27) and his son's half-brother. In a similar vein to the Lulu situation, the boys' birth mother saw that they could have a better life with Karamo. 

Karamo is basically a cool dad and it really shows when he's mentoring the younger clients. 

He discusses his family in the following video:

[ilovese4]

That's an awesome video. I knew he was a dad but didn't know the backstory. Thanks for posting!

[Megan]

Sean talking to the kids at paint ball:

[Maurina]

Oh wow, the Skyler episode.  That was so hard to watch.  My youngest child came out to us as a trans boy after many years of telling us he felt gender fluid - the whole time he felt more like a boy but wasn't sure what that meant to him, and also, he was afraid to tell us.  He's 14 and is talking about top surgery.  Skyler reminds me SO much of him.  I want my kid to be happy and healthy and when surgery time comes, I will be right there for him, but it's still major surgery with the potential for major complications.  No parent wants to see their kid under the knife and dealing with a lengthy recovery, even when you know it's absolutely the best thing for them. 

It's all so scary.  We live in suburbia, not exactly in the most progressive part of the country.  And while he has a tight knit group of very supportive friends, he's still been bullied.  Between his transition and his anxiety and depression, I worry about this kid all the time.  I want him to watch that episode, though, because of the confidence Skyler shows in being himself.

[iggysaurus]

1 hour ago, nosleepforme said:

Antoni's role seems a bit redundant, because even if he's giving them advice on the cooking, they're mostly doing just one dish and that doesn't really help with healthier eating.

Maybe he also arranges to have their fridge filled with healthy options that fit their lifestyle, and talks to them about how to incorporate healthier eating habits into their routines, and it doesn't make it into the final cut of the show? Not sure why they wouldn't show it, if he does do that, but it's possible that they just don't have time to show everything that each of the guys does!  I often feel like it's too short as it is -- they don't show much of what Bobby does as far as the process of remodeling their living spaces, which would be a huge undertaking. It's just suddenly done, and there's a big reveal, but obviously a lot happens behind the scenes.

[Athena]

I feel Antoni had a good, long-ish segment with Leo. He loves food and cooking, but he was getting complacent about that aspect as well. I liked that Antoni helped him there. I also liked Antoni and Ari, and Antoni/Tan taking Jason to the Indian place. 

[CrazyDog]

I've skipped around and watched a few so far. Mama Tammye was amazing. I'm not religious myself, and I really felt for Bobby and Antoni. That episode was the first time I really felt like I saw Bobby open up and it was painful to watch. Like other posts here, I'm glad it wasn't all wrapped up in a bow at the end. It is up to him as to if and when he forgives. I just love him. Poor Antoni. 

Besides Bobby, Tan and Jonathan are my favorites.

I had no idea Karamo was a social worker - I love that. It's nice to see someone who works in TV also have a "normal" job where they are making a difference. I think he's great at bringing people out of their shell, and I would love to see more of his time with Myles. What a sweet guy - his excitement about joining the choir was awesome. (Was that choir in the same town?) I really hope he's feeling more accepted. I felt like the show downplayed just a bit what he was hearing from his mom before she changed her views.

I absolutely adore both Leo (he and his wife were adorable) and the burning man guy (I needed that epilogue). I really felt for Leo being insecure around the other dads, and that dad poker game better happen!

These guys mesh so well together. I refuse to be cynical watching this show...these days, I just need one feel-good show, and this is it.

[joanne3482]

16 hours ago, CrazyDog said:

Myles. What a sweet guy - his excitement about joining the choir was awesome. (Was that choir in the same town?)

It was a gay choir so I'm going to suspect no.  Our Song, which was the name on the wall, is a gay choir in Atlanta which per google is about an hour away. 

Maybe I'm so burned out by all the terribleness in the world right now, but honestly by episode 6 I was starting to feel a little preached to. 

[iMonrey]

One of the things that annoys me is that it's impossible to make whatever Antoni is showing how to make. I mean, maybe if you're really intuitive about that sort of thing you could replicate his recipes but the show doesn't give us enough information to make those things ourselves. We don't really hear enough specifics about amounts, measurements, what temperature the oven is set to and how long it's supposed to cook. They need to publish the recipes to go along with the episodes somewhere, because some of that stuff looks downright yummy.

I also wonder how they always manage to find these high-end clothing stores and salons even when they visit these two-horse towns. I'm guessing they end up driving the subjects all the way back to Atlanta every episode.

[roctavia]

On 6/18/2018 at 12:06 PM, nosleepforme said:

Also, are you automatically an actor if you have one or two unnamed bit parts on something? Some people just try out new things, because they're interested in the industry and want to have some inside experience. That doesn't make them actors though.

I also assume that they live in an area where some of these shows film, meaning they are searching that area for extras all the time... so having a few bit parts on IMDB doesn't mean a whole lot to me... though if the goal is to become a famous start and they are trying to use queer eye as that springboard, it would be kind of annoying... but what can you do? 

Some guys really have a hard time with that commitment/proposal thing, so I thought it was a really neat proposal.

[iggysaurus]

My only problem with it is that they didn't acknowledge it on the show.  If they'd said "William works at Walmart and is also a struggling actor, who needs help updating his look as well as proposing to his girlfriend," that would've been fine but the way they did it, it made it seem a bit fake when I found out he's an actor.  In William's case it seems like acting is definitely a big part of his life and his main goal.  Here's a shot from his Instagram from August 2017: 

 

 

 

Not majorly bothered by it; just something that stuck out to me when I saw him pop up in social media and I looked at his older posts.

Edited June 22, 2018 by iggysaurus

[iMonrey]

Show of hands: who else has gone to check and see if their shampoo has sodium laureth sulfate in it? Jonathan has railed against this ingredient more than once, saying it's the same thing used to clean out carburetors. I know I went and checked my Neutrogena shampoo and sure enough . . . sodium laureth sulfate. Still, I'm not switching. Been using the same shampoo for nigh on 20 years and don't intend to change brands now.