Shows like 'Extreme Makeover' and 'The Swan'

[velvett]

I work in the industry, and even I'm offended by this program. Yes, it's an unwritten rule in entertainment that hot chicks and guys get all the ads, roles, scripts, jobs, covers, shoots, etc. But at least it's not so obviously flaunted in a way to put down "ugly" people.

But this program is doing just that. In such a blatant fashion.

But it'll create publicity and millions will watch. And some producer out there will go home with bank.

I would refuse to buy advertising on that show tho. I wouldn't want my company associated with crap like that.

Well, on the flip side if you're at home and feeling ugly it might give you a weird sense of hope thinking that if someone else that feels poorly about themselves can change why can't they?

The plastic surgery is rather extreme and just supports all the wrong ideas but the offering of correct eating habits, exercise and the tools in which to present self are all important things many people were never taught.

It is rather ironic to see members of a fitness board rag on the concept of beauty and perfection - no mater what.

 

[velvett]

we should all watch "shallow Hal"

I love that movie.


I think every high school had a shallow hal.

 

[Razorguns]

>someone else that feels poorly about themselves

Which is _further_ propagated by shows like this.

that's the problem.

 

[Frackal19]

Do you think it will improve one's view of self and realize that with enough self motivation and outside help (medical & procedures) almost anything could be done or make people feel even more helpless over the concept of perfection of self.

Both, depending on how the person views it. One might view it with hope, knowning that things can be done to change the way they look, while another might view it with despair both as a reminder of their own percieved shortcomings and as well as believing that the amount of work necessary to make the changes is discouraging/impossible for them.

 

[Frackal19]

BTW

IMO the very fact that Shallow Hal uses extremely beautiful women/models in an effort to promote the idea that outer beauty is 'not that important' is ironic.

 

[Werd]

I didn't watch the show nor have I seen the movie Shallow Hal (but I will rent it now). I agree with Velv that it is odd how the members of a fitness board will rag on these people (the "contestants"). Primarily we are involved in bodybuilding = purely aesthetic pursuit - no one asks a competitor how much they can lift or the skill with which they can execute the lift when they are onstage during a competition. It is 100% posing and lighting + physical condition. The women are even judged on hair/makeup/overall "beauty" (whatever the hell that might be at sub5% bodyfat). The fitness competitors are the only people insane enough to subject themselves to that type of punishment and who are they primarily?

WOMEN.

I think that a show like this is cruel, but not for the reasons that you all have listed. These women will go through a practically overnight transformation to the nth degree. One day will be "ugly", the next they will be drop dead gorgeous. I should wonder if they will also be receiving counseling to deal with the onslot of false attention they will be getting as a result of their new false exterior.

Like it or not society places a high value on beauty. Elitefitness wouldn't even be here if that were not true. This is not the "beauty and brains" board....

Something as simple and blatant as the avatars the men (and some women) display are testament to that. Any woman who had the slightest "imperfection" that had the balls to show it would be shouted down (and quite) harshly if she said anything that was perceived as being confrontational or whatever else. I have yet to see a single thread titled "Goddamned is Dorian Yates one ugly ass mother fucker side-show lookin' freak but kudos to him for achieving an amazing physique" yet we see threads begun all the time about "fruggly looking shemales" and "this competitor or that looks like she got hit with the ugly shovel" totally discounting the fact that whether one find it aesthetically pleasing or not she has taken her physique passed that of most MEN while most of the guys will display a sickly fake-looking image of someone like, say, Angelina Joli with her fake lips, hyuge fake boobs, pencil thin arms, et all and say, "Damn she looks like I could break her in two if gave her a good fuck." - She is GOR-GEE-OUS! *slurp*

Lets get real here.

Spare me the "turn the TV off and improve your mind* bullshit. If you have been allowing the media to set the standard for you till this point then I don't think something as simple as hitting the off button will make a marked difference in your existance.

SEX SELLS.

A woman's value begins and ends with her sex.... does it not?

(Something for all of us to think about.)

 

[SoKlueles]

what a mouth ful...but RIGHT on the money gf

 

[MattTheSkywalker]

Yeah these shows are disgusting. Sadly, people watch.

 

[Robert Jan]

Its sad. The worship of beauty is ever growing. Soon it will reach a peak and backfire.

My father is a dentist and says the stuff they do to teeth on EM are really quite unrealistic on the long term.

 

[Sub-Zero]

Well, I saw a guy post earlier how "average" girls would be ok..but "beautiful" women rock
I think its this kind of expectations that people think they HAVE to be before they are accepted as a beautiful woman or handsome man...
You guys put all these hot women in ur avatars..where are the avatars of "average" women?

well, anya told me that im worthless and need to get money because girls wont be attracted to me