Interior designer Thom Filicia did his best to wheedle into that space in my heart occupied by fashion expert Carson Kressley.
Filicia and Kressley made up half the team of guys who invaded homes for the better on Bravo's "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy." I met Filicia for the first time last week, when he signed his new book, "American Beauty," while making an appearance at a private opening for Edina's new Kohler Signature Store. I told Thom that Kressley may be my favorite all-time celebrity with whom I've ever spent time. I think we've hung out three times, and Carson always encourages me to quote outrageous remarks many celebrities wouldn't want attached to their names. A "boob buffet" is how Carson described the scene at one now-defunct restaurant, for example.
Filicia agreed that his co-star is great fun. Filicia gave no hint that my rhapsodizing about Carson had resonated until I joined Thom in a vibrating Kohler bathtub, sans water.
"You love Carson, but have you ever taken a bath with him?" Filicia joked.
Filicia was full of charm, a tidbit about a possible "Queer Eye" reunion and some straight talk about those Bravo shows featuring an endless cast of ridiculous housewives.
Q Tell me about that "h." Is that a rich family thing? An ethnicity thing? Did you add the "h" or did your parents?
A What it is is that my brother's name is Julius. When I was going to that age where I wanted to become Thom instead of Tommy, we were walking through a mall in Upstate New York and he said to me, If you switch your name from Tommy to Thom, you have to spell it that way. And he was pointing to Thom McAn Shoes.
Q Do you stay in touch with your "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy" castmates?