Home > Past Buzz > UK Fame Dancer is US, "Queer Eye"
...........................................................................................................
THE FUTON CRITIC
Thursday, October 28, 2004
BRAVO ANNOUNCES THE LAUNCH OF 'QUEER EYE FOR THE STRAIGHT GIRL,' A NEW WEEKLY SERIES PREMIERING IN JANUARY 2005
New Team of Make-Better Mavens - The Gal Pals - to Feature TV's First Female 'Queer Eye'
BURBANK - October 28, 2004 - Move over straight men, it's time to make-better the straight girls! After successfully converting a nation of straight men, Bravo is expanding the Queer Eye franchise and moving on to the straight women and announces the launch of "Queer Eye for the Straight Girl," a new weekly one-hour series premiering in January 2005. The all new cast -- The Gal Pals -- will feature Robbie Laughlin, Danny Teeson, Damon Pease, and TV's first female 'Queer Eye' Honey Labrador, who will specialize in The Look, The Life, The Locale, and The Lady, respectively. The announcement was made today by Lauren Zalaznick, President of Bravo.
From the channel that brought you the Emmy Award winning series "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy" and the Fab Five, The Gal Pals prove the whole is greater than the sum of the parts as they work together in unison to help each straight girl achieve her goals. Less interested in the broad strokes and more about the fine-tuning, this series is unique in that the straight girls speak up, talk back, and are true participants in their transformations. Each episode centers on a life-affirming event, such as a proposal, 30th birthday, or wedding, and it's up to the Gal Pals to make sure she's fully prepared-on the inside and out.
"We are thrilled to expand the Queer Eye franchise on Bravo," said 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." Zalaznick adds, "'Queer Eye for the Straight Girl' is sure to deliver all the humor, heart and relationship building that made its older brother such a success. Women everywhere should feel fortunate to have gal pals like these in their corner."
"Watching our Scout and Queer Eye family grow this year has been wonderful. The Gal Pals are such an amazing team and we're so excited for audiences to see all the incredible work they've done in the lives of each straight girl," said David Collins, Show Creator and Executive Producer, Scout Productions.
Robbie Laughlin is the Gal Pal with "The Look," an all-in-one guide who helps straight girls to build a great look from head-to-toe. Born in Yamhill, Oregon, Laughlin received a bachelor of fine arts degree in Theatre from Cornish College of The Arts in Seattle. Gifted with an innate sense of style, Laughlin embodies this category as he works in tangent with the other Gal Pals to ensure each straight girl finds the focus to bring all the components of style - the hair, the nails, and the wardrobe - together to build a look that's individual and empowering.
Danny Teeson is "The Life" specialist, bringing his talents in everything from cuisine, dance, exercise and entertaining to each straight girl to build a lifestyle. A native of England, Teeson grew up learning about food and wine at his family's restaurant in Paros, Greece. He was a member of the original London cast of Fame the Musical and has danced and choreographed for artists such as Kylie Minogue, Geri Halliwell, Diana Ross, Gloria Estefan, Usher, Mya, and Tom Jones. After relocating to Los Angeles, Teeson founded Danny Teeson Productions and has produced, designed, choreographed and directed many LA fashion and trade shows.
Damon Pease is "The Locale" expert and the Gal Pal who literally builds dreams. By matching the perfect aesthetic to any location and occasion, Pease creates, designs, and builds spaces that reflect each girl's personal aesthetic. He recently served as both the set and guest designer on Colin Cowie's "Everyday Elegance," where he oversaw the daily dressing of the show's living room, dining room and kitchen sets for visiting designers on the show. Pease currently owns the highly successful international event planning firm Fusion Design, which boasts an exclusive entertainment industry client list.
But can gay men know everything women really want? Enter Honey Labrador, the first female "Queer Eye." As "The Lady," Labrador ensures that all aspects of each make-better have a female perspective, touching on all categories as they relate to women. From make-up and beauty, to healthy living to sexual confidence, this Gal Pal brings her broad range of skills, and a fresh perspective, to being The Lady. Labrador, the mother of a teenage daughter, began her career as a model at the age of 17 and covered New York, Paris, Milan, and London. She has graced the pages of popular magazines such as Elle, Mademoiselle, Marie Claire, Harper's Bazaar, and both British and Italian Vogues. Labrador served as fashion editor for Country Magazine and the head of development at Passion Films, Inc. She also recently produced the feature film, "April's Showers" under her own production banner.
"Queer Eye for the Straight Girl" is produced for Bravo by Scout Productions.
SCOUT is an independent television and film production company dedicated to pushing the envelope of creativity and imagination. The management team translates the seasoned production experience of SCOUT into a premiere creator of content for television, film and new media markets. SCOUT's television slate includes the Emmy Award-winning Queer Eye For The Straight Guy (Bravo/NBC), Knock First (ABC Family), First Person (IFC), Face Time and 24w/ (Trio). Scout has also created the hit soundtrack for Queer Eye, What's That Sound? (Capitol) and the best-selling book "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy: The Fab 5's Guide to Looking Better, Cooking Better, Dressing Better, Behaving Better, and Living Better" (Clarkson Potter). Additionally, SCOUT has produced a number of critically acclaimed films such as Brad Anderson's suspense thriller Session 9 and Errol Morris' provocative documentary Mr. Death. SCOUT co-founder Michael Williams is an Academy Award-winning producer for Errol Morris' The Fog Of War (Sony Pictures Classics). Challenging audiences with what they see and how they see it, SCOUT has become, quite simply, the evolution of media.
Bravo is an arts and culture network featuring a variety of programs presented in an original and engaging way. Currently seen in more than 77 million homes, Bravo is the television destination for viewers who want creativity, experimentation and innovation. Offering programming with a unique point of view, the network features original series and specials, feature films (both independent and mainstream) as well as performance specials and compelling documentary series.
Its critically-acclaimed and award-winning original programming includes "Inside the Actors Studio," "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy," "Celebrity Poker Showdown" and Cirque du Soleil specials and series. The network's latest hits include "Blow Out," "Showbiz Moms & Dads," and the improvisational sitcom "Significant Others."
Bravo is a program service of NBC Universal Cable Entertainment, a division of NBC Universal one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. Bravo has been a NBC Cable Network since December 2002 and was the first television service dedicated to film and the performing arts when it launched in December 1980.
