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They're fun, irreverent, sarcastic and critical. And they do it all with flair. They are The Fab Five. These guys are dedicated to providing total makeovers for straight men on the new Bravo series "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy."

What makes these gay men such experts?

Ted Allen, the food and wine connoisseur, is a contributing editor to Esquire magazine since 1997. Kyan Douglas, the grooming guru, is a specialist in men's skin care and hairstyles. He has also worked as a colorist for The Learning Channel's "What Not to Wear." Thom Filicia, the design doctor, has his own interior design company. Carson Kressley, the fashion savant, has worked extensively with Polo Ralph Lauren. Jai Rodriguez, the culture vulture, is an actor, singer and dancer who has starred in the Broadway hit "Rent" and knows the cultural arena.

Together they invade every part of a willing victim's life. It truly is an invasion. There is nothing subtle about this crew. As soon as they arrive, they swarm their prey and dissect every aspect of his life.

In the premiere episode, the volunteer is Brian "Butch" Schepel. Schepel is an artist who is preparing for his first gallery showing. Schepel is a carpenter during the day and has the wardrobe to prove it. He's single and just lost 15 pounds from his large frame. He has long blond hair that has not been cut in nine years. He is a man's man, with stacks of magazines throughout his apartment, no food in the refrigerator and laundry, both clean and dirty, littering the floors.

"This is a disaster," exclaims Filicia as soon as he walks in the door.

"Are they alphabetized by ugly, ugly and uglier?" Kressley asks Schepel about his wardrobe.

"By the time the bottle gets dusty, the red wine isn't good anymore," advises Allen.

Schepel is a good sport throughout the taunting, although at times he does look stunned. You can imagine him thinking about why he ever got involved in this escapade.

The Fab Five quickly get down to work. Filicia and Rodriguez clean the apartment, paint the walls and rearrange the furniture. Allen goes shopping for the perfect hors d'oeuvres, while Douglas and Kressley take Schepel shopping and to a salon.

By the end of the day, Schepel has several new outfits hanging in his closet, a modern short haircut, a sunless tan and a spotless home. Allen teaches him how to cook fancy finger foods. Douglas demonstrates how to style hair. Rodriguez goes over the finer points of mingling and hosting a gallery opening.

The five then leave Schepel on his own to perfect his look and the preparations for the evening's big event. However, a cameraman is left behind to film Schepel's every move. The five watch Schepel's preparations and critique his efforts. They are quick with praise and catty comments. But even their nastiest comments are said with such flair that it's hard for anyone to be offended.

The Fab Five are a fun group who also revel in sexual innuendo and homosexual humor. But they offer some good fashion and style tips throughout the show. When a man lacks advice from a wife or girlfriend, this is the group to set him on the straight path.

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