Queer Eye Season 8: A Bittersweet Farewell and a Hopeful Look Ahead

We’ll be honest, we embarked on the journey of Queer Eye Season 8 with a mix of excitement and apprehension. The behind-the-scenes drama that had unfolded before the season’s release, from cast departures to production hiccups, had us worried about the impact on the show’s signature charm. 

Sadly, our fears were not unfounded – all the drama we saw unfold on social media somewhat affected the magic we’ve come to associate with this beloved show. And maybe it was just an us thing, but this season felt different, and not necessarily in a good way.

Queer Eye has been our go-to feel-good watch for eight seasons. Since the first episode aired in February 2018, Queer Eye has been a beacon of heartwarming positivity, setting itself apart in the reality TV landscape. However, this time around, the familiar warmth flickered and this season seemed to lose a bit of its sparkle. 

It’s a sentiment that might be challenging to grasp without having watched the new episodes, but something about Season 8 just didn’t resonate as loudly and profoundly as its predecessors.

Going into the heart of Queer Eye Season 8, our Fab Five – Jonathan Van Ness, Bobby Berk, Karamo Brown, Antoni Porowski, and Tan France – return once again to New Orleans to work their magic with six new heroes. Past seasons have seen the quintet transform lives with a mix of humor, style, and genuine compassion. From turning around struggling businesses to helping individuals rediscover their self-worth, Queer Eye has consistently delivered moments that tug at the heartstrings.

Yet, this season, with its mere six episodes, left us wanting more. Despite the compelling stories of heroes Ernest, Tim, Doreen, Denton, Alison, and Anh, there’s a lingering sense of unfulfillment. Usually, Queer Eye delivers episodes that resonate deeply with audiences, prompting self-reflection and a commitment to positive change. Unfortunately, these moments were scarce this time around.

It’s not that the individual transformations of all these heroes are lacking – quite the opposite. Each journey was moving and tear-inducing in its own way, yet the show fell short of its own high standards. There was potential, it was simply not exploited to the max. 

Take for example the story of heroes like Tim Keel, a lifelong KISS fan, who has been his brother’s caregiver for decades and has fallen into a deep depression after losing his job. Or the story of Ernest Bartholomew, a 68-year-old man who’s set to celebrate his 39th wedding anniversary, but needs help to overcome the estrangement with his wife Miranda, which has become evident ever since their two daughters left home. There’s also the story of Denton Mallas, whose fight to help save the football program of the school where he coaches and teaches is so loud that it breaks any language barrier. 

All of these stories had the potential to highlight why Queer Eye, when it wants to, is so good at what it does. But sadly, and despite the show’s best efforts, they don’t quite hit the high notes we’ve grown accustomed to, harshly reminding us that sometimes simple makeovers can’t entirely address deeper, more complex issues.

This disappointment is particularly painful as we say goodbye to Bobby, who in November of last year took to social media to announce his decision to part ways with the show and not come back for its ninth season. We believe that his departure deserved a more festive send-off, not with a season that was already faltering even before it saw the light of day.

But anygays…

Queer Eye Season 8, while meeting the expectations of a show of its genre, falls short of its own legacy. The show’s organic connections between the heroes and the Fab Five remain its strongest suit, but the formula has grown somewhat stale. So as the series gears up for its ninth season (which will take place in Las Vegas) and with a cast reshuffle on the horizon, we’re optimistic about a return to that fan-favorite feel-good show we’ve cherished for years.

As we eagerly await the next chapter in this transformative journey, we can’t help but express our heartfelt farewell to our beloved Bobby. As a key figure of the Fab Five, his presence will be sorely missed, but we wish him nothing but the best, hoping to see him continue to amaze us with his jaw-dropping renovations, perhaps in a solo show of his own.

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All six episodes of Queer Eye Season 8 are available to stream on Netflix now. Follow us on X and Instagram for all queer stuff!

Featured Image: Image Courtesy of Netflix