Extreme Makeover: No Business like Show Business

PROMISES

Total makeover of an unattractive individual on a network television show each week results in a beautiful and therefore, a happy person with a, happier marriage, better job, and brighter future. Technical results are always portrayed as flawless and no complications of surgery ever occur.
 

PITFALLS

• In general "Reality TV" is a misnomer for nothing is quite what it seems when all the facts are revealed. (Joe Millionaire wasn't named Joe and wasn't a millionaire.) Most reality shows are well staged productions that entertain by others good fortune or misery depending on the angle of the particular show.
• Extreme Makeover is an ABC-TV show that is based on radically changing the appearance of a contestant through cosmetic surgery, hairstyling, nutritional changes, physical fitness and cosmetic and fashion makeovers. The shows are advertised as reality and do involve real people and real surgery but they are sensationalized, scripted and edited.
• How real is this "reality" show?
  • No matter how much surgery is done and how long a convalescence is required, it's all for FREE!
  • The cost of the "Extreme Makeover" surgery, dentistry, personal training, supervised dieting, wardrobe, etc., FAR EXCEEDS what most cosmetic surgery patients are willing to spend.
  • The length of convalescence of patients shown on "Extreme Makeover" also exceeds what most cosmetic surgery patients would be able to afford or tolerate.
  • While most people want to be seen in a positive light, the contestant on "Extreme Makeover" allows a national audience to see him/her at their absolute worst (unkempt with no make up, poor hair style, unstylish clothing, and unflattering photography).
  • Also, most people regard cosmetic surgery as a very private interlude while the "Extreme Makeover" contestant is willing to be subjected to a complete metamorphosis on national TV.
  • If a significant complication occurs during or after a surgical procedure on "Extreme Makeover" it will not be shown to the public! The Producer, when questioned about the handling of a negative outcome, replied "obviously we wouldn't air that segment. What's to be gained by doing that?" (PSN March 2003, pg.37)
  • No matter how successful the surgical procedure is, the outcome shown on TV is exaggerated by weight loss, fitness program, makeup, hairstyle, stylish clothing, and photography.
  • Who can help but be impressed by the emotional impact of the Cinderella stories dramatized on "Extreme Makeover" ? Who isn't impressed with the apparent salvation by cosmetic surgery of the unattractive person from a life of unhappiness and mediocrity? Although most people want to be attractive, the ultimate message of each show is that physical beauty is the answer to success and happiness.
  • This type of show encourages unrealistic expectations by perspective cosmetic surgery patients and can, in reality, lead to disappointment and UNHAPPINESS.