LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - The premiere episode of "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy," in which five gay men with expertise in fashion, food, grooming, culture and design remake a straight man, set new ratings records for cable channel Bravo, the network said on Wednesday.

Citing data from Nielsen Media Research, Bravo said the show's Tuesday debut at 10 p.m. ET set new records for the NBC-owned network among total viewers, households, audiences aged 18-49, and audiences aged 25-54.

The 18-49 demographic is most favored by advertisers as their core audience, while some networks rely on the 25-54 audience as a more mature target group.

Bravo said the show attracted 1.64 million total viewers, which made it the No. 2 ad-supported cable network during the hour. Bravo had previously ranked No. 38 in that hour for the season to date.

Bravo said the show's ratings were nine times better than last season's average in audiences 25-54 and more than seven times better than its average in calendar year to date.

While the show has generated significant buzz, it also garnered some critical reviews. In Tuesday's Washington Post, leading TV critic Tom Shales questioned whether the show was too patronizing.

"Forced to choose between scorn and condescension, gay people could hardly be blamed for preferring the latter -- and thus might not object to the stereotypes on parade in the series, which each week dispatches five New York gay men to rescue some poor, style-starved straight person at a crossroads in his life," he said in his column.

Bravo is preparing for the July 29 debut of "Boy Meets Boy," another gay-themed show, in which a bachelor chooses a prospective match-up from a group of eligible men. The twist, however, is that some of the men are actually straight, leaving the bachelor to try and sort out who's who.

Bravo and NBC are units of General Electric Co. .

Watched the rerun last night and really enjoyed it. I was wrong with my rash judgment of the show.....although one of the guys was a big ol' queen

Ok.... can someone get me a date with the food dude? I have a "crush" on him!

I sooo hate not having Bravo right now...

It's not even available on our digital cable tier, and in our area satellite has none of the major networks, and there's no lifeline cable to combine the two...

As I said, I really liked the show. But being the highest-rated program in the history of Bravo isn't really saying much is it?

I hope poor James Lipton doesn't take your comments personally.

I get mine for $35 at Nordstrom Rack.

They need a bargain-hunting expert on the panel.

I just thought of something funny:

Can you imagine the outrage if there was a show with a group of straight women all making over a bull-dyke lesbian?

I kind of enjoyed the first couple of episodes, but I couldn't help but feeling that I should be offended somehow

I mean, isn't this show about one step from having a show about black people showing white people how to enjoy watermelon and fried chicken?

I cought the tail end of the episode when they made over the husband, and I watched the one with Butch the artist. I have to say I enjoyed both. I have to agree that one of the things that makes the show enjoyable is the respect the straight guy and the "fab 5" show for each other.

I've only seen the carpenter/artist episode, but I tend to agree. I think that sort of interaction is one of the more refreshing aspects of the show. Not just the joking. More that they're working together without h0mo/hertrophobic weirdness. Brian the artist sure seemed grateful for the assist.

Possibly, but the "Fab 5" are willing participants. The show is about them, not homosexuality in general. If they want to be stereotypical and "queer" then more power to them.

(This is also why I have no problems with resturants like Hooters. The women there know what they are getting into.)

Just because you belong to a certain group. doesn't automatically make you the spokesperson for that group or make it so your every action must be PC.

Their only responsibilities are to themselves and they seem fine with the way they are being portrayed.

Someone correct me if I wrong but did I see an advertisement that the series is actually getting ported over to NBC for this coming Thursday's 10pm time slot. Guess NBC is letting everyone who doesn't get basic cable to see this show.

Been there...done that

FS

I think the Black/White equivalent of this would be movies like Black Knight and Head of State where the black guy teaches the white people to loosen up, get jiggy, and "raise the roof."

DH and I caught the first 2 episodes and thought it was a riot (we also like do-over shows and have watched BBC-fare for years that does similar-ish).

What a budget though! I mean on the 2nd episode we got furniture from Domain, kosher foie gras (ick) and pearl earrings? Can I submit my husband just so we can get some cool stuff lol?

Well, I take issue with the term "straight" being used in the title. Admittedly, many heterosexual people use this term among themselves but personally, I still have issues with it if it is used by queer people.

Yup!

QEFTSG is moving after Will and Grace on NBC!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's a HIT!!!!!!!

*glub glub* baby!

It's supposedly for this week only, and will be an edited-down, half-hour edition of the first episode (with Butch, the artist).

Since the hour seemed to fly by, I hate seeing them cut it down and I'm afraid it'll lose some of its flavor. Still, I guess it's a chance for people to catch it who missed it entirely on Bravo.

Watched this for the first time last night on Bravo. It was HILARIOUS. I can't believe the squalor that long haired dude lived in. One of the fab five reached under the couch and brought out a half eat hamburger and started banging it on the kitchen counter- it was rock solid! And when they finally saw his girlfriend another guy was like "Some hooker in New Jersey wants her shoes back!" . This was great. Can't wait for the next episode.

And her skirt! And her shirt!

Agreed. Also, it's not like they just pulled 5 gay men off the street. It seems like each one is actually qualified to give advice in his area of expertise.

I know the implication is that gay men know style, fashion, etc., but I think the show would work even if they weren't labeled "queer guys."

While last night's makeover on the guy himself wasn't as drastic as on the first 2 episodes, the house looked amazing! His girlfriend was a bit scary, especially the "former girlfriend"'s teddy bear bit!

I haven't watched this show, and I have absolutely no interest in it - but I can tell you that is definitely NOT gay. I went to high school with the guy. And even now we have some mutual friends - he beds a different super-model calibur woman every other night.

lol...and your point is? how do you think he "beds" them all the time? He's got a perfect opening line.

"I'm gay...you don't have anything to worry about."

Zoom. Bed.

Haven't watched the show yet...but I don't care if they're gay or straight. Middle america thinks they're gay and that's all that matters. Gettin them morons to become more accepting and to entertain.

EDIT: just went to the website and there is no "Dan."

Sorry, I got my shows mixed up - the guy I know is in "Boy Meets Boy".