‘Queer Eye’s Tom makeover episode nominated for top TV Bafta Award
The Fab Five are up for the Virgin Media Must-See Moment Award.
By Will Stroude
Words: Thomas Stichbury
Unfurl those rainbow flags as this could be the year of the queer at the British Academy Television Awards after Netflix’s ridonkulously successful reboot joined the race for one of the night’s biggest accolades. Can you believe?! *typed while swishing one’s luscious locks Jonathan Van Ness style*
The boys – foodie Antoni Porowski, fashionista Tan France, “culture expert” (still not entirely sure what that means) Karamo Brown, DIY guru Bobby Berk and hair stylist/groomer Van Ness – shot into the shortlist for the Virgin Media Must-See Moment Award, celebrating the most nattered-about TV scenes of 2018.
So, which Queer Eye moment made the cut? You may be surprised to learn, squirrel friends, that it isn’t simply a montage of Antoni making guacamole. Instead, the jury panel – which Attitude’s own Thomas Stichbury (yes, moi) was honoured to be a member of – cherry-picked the standout sequence from season one, the transformation of Tom Jackson.
In case you need reminding, the lovelorn, down-on-his-luck trucker was given a magical makeover, both inside and out, in a bid to win back his ex-wife Abby. But the Fab Five went way beyond simply updating his wardrobe, giving his pad a fresh lick of paint and teaching him to trim his toenails (though we hope he’s kept up with that…).
At the episode’s end, with his self-esteem boosted and confidence at an all-time high, Tom is reunited with love of his life, Abby. Cue a torrent of teardrops. The scene, Bafta bosses tell us, has been “recognized for craft behind it’s reality format, scripting and editing, and as an example of how TV can promote positivity, wellbeing and inclusivity.”
Here, here.
Queer Eye (which recently returned for a third run) faces stiff competition from fellow nominees, Bodyguard (BBC) for [SPOILER ALERT!!!] the explosive assassination of Home Secretary Julia Montague; Gail Platt’s monologue following news of Aidan Connor’s suicide in Coronation Street (ITV); Rosa Parks making history in Doctor Who (BBC); the finale of Peter Kay’s Car Share (BBC); and, lastly, the oh-so-sapphic (and stabby) climax to Killing Eve (BBC).
Neither of these admittedly great TV shows featured glorious homemade guac though…
Who wins? You decide… The Virgin Media Must-See Moment Award is the evening’s only honour voted for by the British public. Have your say at virginmedia.com/bafta, open until 1 May at 5pm.
The Virgin Media British Television Awards take place at London’s Royal Festival Hall on Sunday 12 May.