Queer Eye season 9
release year: 2024
genre: TV reality show (10 episodes)
viewing setting: home streaming 2/1-7/25
synopsis: Five makeover experts, each with a specific area of expertise, work together in positive ways to help people who badly need new looks, wardrobes, furnishings, motivation, etc to get out of whatever ruts they're stuck in.
impressions: More of the same, like all of the previous seasons. The guys continue to find and help people who could use some help (or in a couple cases, a helping hand.) The former category are typically people who have lost sight of their situations and need a kick in the ass. I did have a couple of gripes, through. In the fifth episode, Karamo officiates a wedding and somehow didn't want to take off the stupid "L.A." hat that he wears everywhere; that's disrespectful. Also, seven of ten people they helped had dogs (and another had a cat) in their homes, which kind of defeats the purpose of having a nice, expensive remodeling and furniture - but that's just me. Finally, there were a couple times where one of the person's problems was excessive weight; in no case did the guys suggest that the person do something to try and lose weight, instead finding clothes to mask the extra pounds. That's like putting a band-aid over a deep cut without treating the cut itself - and will lead to more problems down the road - but like the dog thing, just my opinion. This season takes place in Las Vegas, and the people they help are:
a former showgirl who's resigned herself to old age and its stereotypes a little too soon
a newly-divorced mother who's spent her whole life taking care of her kids and doesn't have her own identity
a costumed magician who's wildly successful when he's wearing the suit, but is excessively introverted outside of it
an older casino dealer who recently survived a quadruple-bypass heart surgery and who has low self-esteem despite being a really outgoing guy
a couple who needed a push to get married (and then the whole thing was planned in four days!)
a single mother and social worker down on her luck, for whom her daughter wanted a nice Mothers Day
a guy who's working his ass off in a casino but is reclusive and lacks the confidence to ask for a promotion or go meet people
a librarian who tells stories to kids of color in a hip-hop style...and lives like a college kid in a dorm
a cleaning lady in a hotel/casino who works hard, is studying for her college degree, and is a single mother to three kids - and thus doesn't have her own life too
an older, bearded guy who used to play Merlin in a show and lived his life as a loner and outdoorsman...but is now married with a stepson and works too hard to provide for them
acting: There are five members of this cast, and each has a particular area of expertise (food, fashion, culture/relationships, design, grooming.) This season featured the first new member ever: Jeremiah, design/furnishing expert; he seemed to fit right in wit the show's concept and methods.
final word: Entertaining, fun, and practical; it really showcases some great and unique people as well as how a little help can do a long way in their lives.
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