Bravo's 'Queer Eye' future is murky

NEW YORK, Sept. 7 (UPI) -- The Bravo cable network insists the hit show "Queer Eye" remains one of its most-watched shows even with faltering ratings.

"Queer Eye," still running new episodes from its fourth season, just completed a new season set to run in 2007, The New York Post reported Thursday.

A look at the show's ratings since it debuted in 2003 shows that when "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy" first aired it was averaging 2 million viewers; that number has shrunk to 455,000 viewers now.

But Bravo officials dismiss any talk of the show going out of production anytime soon.

"'Queer Eye' remains the core of our Tuesday night strategy," said a Bravo spokeswoman Wednesday.

Also the decision about future seasons may be affected by the show's stars, Carson Kressley, Thom Filicia, Jai Rodriguez, Ted Allen and Kyan Douglas, who may be nearing the end of their contracts.