By STEVE DALE
Tribune Media Services
Jai Rodriquez from "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy" is now the host of "Groomer Has It," a new Animal Planet reality show airing Saturday nights beginning April 12 (9 p.m. E/P). It's like a "Big Brother" for dog groomers. Contestants live in a swanky L.A. loft, referred to as 'The Dog House.' Each week, one is eliminated based on the opinions of a trio of judges.
Dr. Karen "Doc" Halligan, director of Veterinary Services at the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals-Los Angeles, is one of the judges. "I'm the Paula Abdul of the group," she says. "I really did cry when these talented people were voted off."
"Doc Halligan is nice," says Rodriquez. "Xavier Santiago is really a bit." (When he pauses, you get the feeling he would have liked to use another word than "bit" but beginning with the same letters.) "Let's say he's very serious, coming from the show dog world." The third judge is Joey Villani, a groomer who speaks at grooming conferences and teaches grooming.
Rodriquez likens the show to "Project Runway" with Heidi Klum. "Instead of building a dress or an outfit, you have to groom a dog for breed standard, or groom for creativity," he says, "Making me the Heidi Klum of a show, OK, there's a reference I don't mind. Anyway, these contestants don't have it easy. And they all don't take well to criticisms from the judges. After all, grooming dogs really is artistry. With artists, it can be very personal."
Rodriquez says viewers get a glimpse into what happens behind the scenes once you drop off your dog at the groomer. It's the same curious appeal that contributed to the success of the hit Animal Planet show "Emergency Vets."
"It's fascinating to watch," says Rodriquez. "I had no idea what goes on with the scissors, the dryers and the expressing of the anal glands. Have you heard about anal glands? And putting cotton in the ears to prevent an ear infection, which can happen if even a little water gets into the ears."
Rodriquez says that behind-the-scenes life isn't always so easy in the Dog House. "All the contestants have to share a single bathroom. It begins with 12 groomers living together. Of course, the line for the bathroom becomes shorter each week as participants are cut short by the judges. There are definitely some arguments."
Did Rodriquez live with the contestants?
"Are you kidding? I don't think so," he said.
Rodriquez is happy to be called a dog guy coming off the success of 'Queer Eye.' "In high school, being the queer guy wasn't such a good thing. Now, with an Emmy on my mantle, when people say, 'there's goes the queer guy,' I think it's positive."
Rodriquez often has a canine co-host on the show: his Yorkshire Terrier, Nemo. It is often Nemo's job to deliver instructions for the groomers to follow for their elimination competitions. In one contest, the groomers are blindfolded and asked to identify various breeds based on touch alone. Some participants do incredibly well, some not so well. In another competition, cats are groomed.
Rodriquez says some of the contestants have a special kinship with animals.
"All the dogs seem to fall in love with certain groomers; you can tell which people really have this special way with animals. One groomer even has a cat post (that's what it's called when dogs stand to be judged at dog shows)."
In truth, the entire first season is complete. Halligan knows who won but can't say. "Oh my gosh, they were all amazing," she says, "The choice was perfect. I can say that it was very close between the first two."
Rodriquez, who just released the single "Broken" (available at I-tunes and www.airgomusic.com), sings the praises of all the groomers.
"They really all wanted to win." After all, the winner receives $50,000 in cash and what Rodriquez calls a "pimped up" mobile grooming facility valued at $85,000, plus the coveted title, Groomer of the Year. "If I told you who won, the producers would have to neuter me," he says. "But I will say the winner deserved to win and was the most deserving for the work on the doggy clients. Ooh, boy, did they all plot and scheme. I love that."
Steve Dale welcomes questions/comments from readers. Although he can't answer all of them individually, he will answer those of general interest in his column. Write to Steve at Tribune Media Services, 2225 Kenmore Ave., Suite 114, Buffalo, NY 14207 or send an e-mail. Include your name, city and state. Listen to Steve Dale's WEEKLY RADIO SHOW, "Pet Central," on Saturdays at http://www.wgnradio.com; or Steve's syndicated radio shows: "Steve Dale's Pet World" and "The Pet Minute." Learn more at http://www.petworldradio.net. Steve's personal website is www.stevedalepetworld.com.
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