The cautionary tale of Ozzy and Sharon seems to have been lost on many reality show talent handlers. Going against the less-is-more publicity strategy, the hosts of Bravo's Queer Eye for the Straight Guy have been testing the boundaries of overexposure lately, turning up at events en masse and striking multiple book and endorsement deals while the straightening iron is hot.

Now, after Tivo-ing their way into guilty pleasure status last year, the fulsome fivesome are back with season two, which includes stints in Dallas and possibly London, as well as a Queer Eye for the Queer Guy episode that will air during Gay Pride Week. But rather than curbing the public's enthusiasm for Queer Eye, the Fab Five's ubiquity so far has translated into higher ratings. The June 1 season premiere saw a 50 percent increase over last year, up to 1.7 million viewers for the 25- to 54-year-old audience.

As for the group's outside projects, following closely behind the February release of their eponymous Clarkson Potter book, currently ranked 4,006 on Amazon.com, is Carson Kressley's Off the Cuff, a dressing guide for men published by Dutton, to hit shelves on Sept. 27. In addition to illustrated fashion tips, the book will feature items photographed from Carson's Closet, including patchwork corduroy shorts and 1960s-era daisy-print swim trunks.

Kressley will continue to multitask when he makes his acting debut in the upcoming Hilary Duff vehicle The Perfect Man. "I play a bartender," said Kressley. "It's a stretch for me. I've never been a bartender. Though I've been to many, many bars."

The Queer Eye grooming guru and former colorist for Child magazine, Kyan Douglas, is also finishing up his new book, this time lending his queer eye to the straight girl. Beautified, also published by Clarkson Potter for an October release, offers hair care, skin care, makeup, diet and fitness tips for women. Harper's Bazaar beauty director Kerry Diamond collaborated with Douglas on the book.

Meanwhile, frequent Esquire contributor Ted Allen is at work on his sixth book, about food and wine, to be published in the spring of 2005; Jai Rodriguez is recording an album and is once again performing in the New York cast of Rent (July 5-17), and Thom Filicia continues to hawk housewares as a spokesman for Pier 1. The company, which has seen a recent dip in sales, will overhaul its current advertising campaign next month.