Last week in class (Introduction to Film and Media Aesthetics), we were discussing television, specifically reality television as a genre. The question posed by one of the assigned readings was whether or not reality shows can be “quality television.”

I went on my usual tirade about how “back in the day” I loved Trading Spaces because of communitarian values and hated what came along after that, starting with Survivor–which I only watched one season–because winning the competition required lying, cheating, and working against one another.

One of my students, Anna, started to beam and suggested that she knew of one reality series that she thought I would like because of the values it promotes. She and several others in class started talking about how “sweet” the series was, and I resolved to give Queer Eye a try.

Now that I’ve teared up–and I don’t cry easily–through the final ten minutes of half of the available episodes, I have to agree.

The Netflix reboot of Queer Eye For the Straight Guy–the new, shorter title reflects the expanded scope of the series–is exactly what America needs right now.

Set in Georgia with a few episodes in Atlanta, a few in suburbs, and a few in smaller towns, this series is gentle, affirming, funny, and proof positive that people can communicate across difference.

I don’t say this lightly: every person in the United States should watch this series, which is a study in deliberative dialogue.

No wonder Netflix is seeing its stock surge.

Bring me more shows like this…and Easy…next post is about that series to give us a balance of “reality” and realistic fiction.