Note: This post includes a brief mention of an eating disorder and depression.
Queer Eye cast member Jonathan Van Ness wears a lot of hats — he's a reality TV star, an expert hairstylist and hair business owner, a podcaster, and a constant source of fashion inspiration.
Jonathan can officially add TV host to that list, since his new series, Getting Curious With Jonathan Van Ness, was released on Netflix on Jan. 28.
These are some funny moments from the series and some informative lessons that were shared:
1. Made me laugh: When Jonathan's inner angel and inner devil argued over whether bugs are gorgeous or gross.
2. Made me think: When Jonathan got an up-close-and-personal look at insects from entomologist Dr. Jessica Ware.
3. Made me laugh: When Jonathan was honest about his attitude toward spiders.
4. Made me laugh: When Jonathan reacted candidly to hearing the diet of a centipede.
5. Made me laugh: When Jonathan conquered his fear of spiders with the help of a reality TV reference.
6. Made me laugh: When Jonathan made the case for bug movies after getting inspired by insect expert Frank Somma.
7. Made me laugh: When Jonathan and Rachel Dratch recreated the construction site of the Empire State Building, but Jonathan's focus was elsewhere.
8. Made me laugh: When Jonathan made it through some height fears at the Edge at Hudson Yards observation deck.
9. Made me think: When Jonathan learned some history about the Empire State Building.
10. Made me think: When Jonathan was taught the backstory of how One World Trade Center was built after 9/11.
11. Made me laugh: When Jonathan found the right moment to work in a Zoolander line.
12. Made me laugh: When Jonathan was extremely thankful to make it through an elevator ride at a skyscraper construction site.
13. Made me laugh: When Jonathan's inner Elle Woods emerged upon meeting attorney Paula Segal.
14. Made me think: When Jonathan heard from Segal how skyscrapers could impact neighborhoods in the future.
15. Made me laugh: When the design for Jonathan's skyscraper concept was revealed by Nathan Lee Graham, and he kept the Zoolander references going.
16. Made me laugh: When Jonathan's favorite figure skater, Michelle Kwan, made an appearance on the show and inspired him to get on the ice.
17. Made me laugh: When Jonathan was willing to bet on his ability to spread his love of figure skating to viewers, but Netflix had to pull in the reins a little bit.
18. Made me think: When Jonathan and his skating coach, Eliot Halverson, went over figure skating jumps.
19. Made me laugh: When Jonathan remained optimistic while trying to complete an Axel.
20. Made me laugh: When Jonathan was on a mission to learn more about the figure skating scoring system.
21. Made me think: When Gracie Gold opened up about how competitive figure skating impacts the mental health of skaters.
22. Made me think: When Jonathan and Eliot addressed figure skating's prejudiced history and Eliot discussed her optimism that the sport can evolve moving forward.
23. Made me think: When Jonathan met with leaders who are paving the way for diversity in figure skating.
24. Made me think: When Jonathan went to the Metropolitan Museum of Art to learn some hair history.
25. Made me laugh: When Jonathan tried for a Rapunzel moment with Lea DeLaria.
26. Made me laugh: When Jonathan had some fun with wigs.
27. Made me think: When US Representative Ayanna Pressley opened up to Jonathan about her hair journey and introduction of the CROWN Act.
28. Made me think: When Jonathan and author and artist Alok discussed the rights of transgender and gender-nonconforming people.
29. Made me think: When Geo Neptune spoke about their Two-Spirit identity and how everyone has their own unique balance of masculine and feminine energy.
30. Made me laugh: When Jonathan pulled himself together as he modeled for designer Christian Siriano and activist and model Nala Toussaint.
31. Made me think: When Nala talked about her hopes for the future of representation across the gender spectrum.
32. Made me think: When gender-nonconforming activist Joshua Allen discussed their experiences, and how marginalized transgender and nonbinary people must be acknowledged.
33. Made me laugh: When Jonathan spoke of his lifelong love of snacks.
34. Made me laugh: When Jonathan got a behind-the-scenes look at how powdered donuts, one of his favorite snacks, are made at the Entenmann's factory.
35. Made me laugh: When Jonathan couldn't help but sneak a donut at the factory.
36. Made me laugh: When this factory visit inspired Jonathan to have an I Love Lucy moment with his Queer Eye castmate Antoni Porowski.
37. Made me think: When Jonathan did a taste test with flavor chemist Dr. Arielle Johnson.
38. Made me laugh: When Jonathan had a tough spelling bee word to tackle.
39. Made me think: When Jonathan discovered what sugar does to the brain.
40. And, lastly, made me laugh: When Jonathan gave half an Oreo to his buddy, Jonathan Van Mouse, who was less than impressed with the offer.
Me after watching these episodes and immediately wanting more:
-The National Eating Disorders Association helpline is 1-800-931-2237; for 24/7 crisis support, text “NEDA” to 741741.
-Peer-support services are available at the Trans Lifeline. You can call the hotline at (877) 565-8860.
-If you or someone you know has experienced anti-LGBTQ violence or harassment, you can contact the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs hotline at 1-212-714-1141.
-The National Alliance on Mental Illness helpline is 1-888-950-6264 (NAMI) and provides information and referral services; GoodTherapy.org is an association of mental health professionals from more than 25 countries who support efforts to reduce harm in therapy.