Jonathon, a gay fashion executive, is curious. He has an inner desire to experience a change in lifestyle --just once. He isn't curious about his sexuality; he is proud to be gay. But, a part of him yearns to experience the life of a straight, blue-collar meatpacker.
Normally his friends would tease him about this dream, forcing him to forget living out his fantasy. However, the folks at Comedy Central want to make dreams come true. On Feb. 23, "Straight Plan for the Gay Man" will premiere on the network, helping gay men live out their fantasies.
The show embraces, in a non-sexual, tough, manly way, the sensation that "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy" has created. "Queer Eye" may have the "Fab Five," but "Straight Plan for the Gay Man" has their team of testosterone-charged men, dubbed the "Flab 4."
Four straight comics set out on a mission to transform Jonathon into the stereotypical straight man. Billy Merritt is known as the "appearance guy," and rightly so. The rotund, plaid-adorned man has the task of turning well-dressed gay men into mismatched fashion disasters.
Next up is the team's ringleader, Rob Riggle, who has a strong love for the straight mobile (a Dodge Ram 3500 with the vanity plate "STR8 4U"). Rounding out the team are Curtis Gwinn, environment man, and Kyle Grooms, information guy.
From the opening of the first episode, you know exactly what is in store. The show opens with the Flab 4 inside the straight mobile trying to find their way to Jonathon's cushy Manhattan apartment. They are lost, but there is an agreement: no one can admit they are lost or ask for directions.
When the team arrives at Jonathon's pristine apartment, they are caught off-guard by the museum-feel of the place. China is displayed on one wall, forcing Merritt to quickly explain, "Straight men don't usually collect tea cups."
Environment guy, Gwinn, jumps in adding the China display is what he likes to call "grandma sheik."
One of the steps in Jonathan's transformation is to change him into what Merritt refers to as the "suburb-a-sexual." He does this by taking Jonathon to the Salvation Army and layering him in clothes as if he were a lasagna. He also forces Jonathon into playing with animal parts in an attempt to make a meatloaf.
The show reveals that the stereotypical straight man cannot even spell the word decorator, let alone be one. Jonathon views his new digs redone by the Flab 4 with a face of utter disgust. He surveys the damage done to his pad to find Labatt Blue paraphernalia is scattered everywhere: with empties in the living room, a beer light in the bedroom and a tap in the kitchen sink. A job well done by the Flab 4.
The show is a bit predictable, as the basic premise is to poke fun of straight male stereotypes, but that does not make it any less funny. With tips like Merritt's--"Don't smile. A smile means you're happy; happy means you're gay," --a good laugh or two is in the future.
Reach the reporter at chelsea.ide@asu.edu.
