‘Queer Eye’ returns to NBC for limited run

NBC is bringing the Fab 5 to network television again this summer.

“Queer Eye for the Straight Guy” will air on NBC on Wednesdays at 8 p.m. for three weeks beginning June 30. The episodes will be rebroadcasts — two from earlier this year, and one from the show’s second season, which launched earlier this month.

First up are fraternal twins Brandon and David, who get help from the Fab 5 in updating their frat-boy furnishings and finding styles that help each brother carve out an individual identity.

The other episodes will feature Kevin, a retro-loving cat who needs to clean up his act (and apartment) before proposing to his girlfriend; and John, a figure-skating champion who gets a makeover to impress his bride of four months.

NBC enjoyed solid ratings when it aired two “Queer Eye” episodes last summer. An abbreviated half-hour version of the show drew 6.9 million viewers in July 2003, while a full episode a month later was seen by 8 million.

In turn, NBC says, the network airings helped raise the show’s profile on its home cable network, Bravo (which NBC owns).

The network also counterprogrammed a “Queer Eye” block opposite the Super Bowl in February, with limited success. The three episodes averaged about 3.9 million viewers.