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Extreme
Makeover
Ch 5, Sat, 11pm The Really Ugly Show
From bitching to backstabbing, infidelity to idiocy, we've sure seen the ugly side of humans in almost all the reality shows. But just when you thought you've seen it all, here comes another reality show that literally focuses on the ugly side of humans. Extreme Makeover plays glamour God and tries to bestow physical beauty on its participants. Americans from everywhere send in applications to appear on the show, hoping for a chance to transform from an ugly duckling into a beautiful swan. Once they're short-listed, they go through auditions to justify their need to be better looking. It's quite sad to see them pour out their frustrations during the auditions. Some had been called "dumbo" or "loser" back in high school, while others didn't have promising careers because of their looks. And it's rather disturbing to even feel lucky that you don't look half as bad as them, which must, in part, be what draws some people, while it gives others hope. For the sake of looking beautiful, they have to first parade their freakish features…they have protruding ears, beaks for noses, sagging cheeks, severe signs of premature aging and drooping stomachs. From the moment they are granted their wishes to change their appearances, they're whisked away from their hometowns to Hollywood in long black limousines to stay in 5-star hotel suites. Before they can breathe in the stardust and glitter, they are faced with countless appointments with The Extreme Team. The Extreme Team consists of plastic surgeons, dentists, eye surgeons, fashion stylists, body fitness specialists, hair stylists and make-up artists. Yes, the sheer number of people involved, if nothing else, makes it all rather extreme. Over the next 6 weeks, the participants undergo numerous treatments. They go under the knife on their faces and bodies and after the operations they look almost unrecognisable. After living in an aftercare centre for about 2 weeks, the bandages are removed and they look very different. They get haircuts styled to suit their newly minted faces, and wear handpicked clothes to create an entirely different image. 6 weeks past and it's time to meet their families again. The families are kept anxiously waiting in a small room. When the participants present themselves to their loved ones, predictably, collective gasps fill the room, followed by warm applause, tears of joy and hugs.
Cue - it's the feel good part when the home viewer goes "Aw", including the surgeons, make-up artists and every soul that tries to play God. Putting the ethical and moral dilemmas aside, the show, quite unlike its own premise is basically what you see is what you get. Unlike other reality TV shows that rely on heavy editing to capture interesting and hidden scenes, this show simply gives you what it has captured. Extreme Makeover is in need of a makeover itself because we suspect viewers are more interested to see celebs like Michael Jackson going under the knife. Now that would be a real low for reality TV. Rating: All images taken from ABC.com |
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