Ok, so Maureen and I watch America’s Next Top Model, which is definitely a guilty pleasure, but we’re pretty open about it, so not so secret.
But the one show I watch and love, and then could watch again, is What Not To Wear. I was told by a friend(Molly actually) that after a few episodes it gets really boring. I was hoping that would be the case.
Except, No. I could watch it day and night. Seriously, there’s something wrong with me.
Talk about a formula. Person can’t dress. They get made fun of. They get told what to wear. They go shopping. They then get to go shopping with the hosts. They get their hair cut, make up applied and there you go. An hour of my life – lost.
I’m still trying to figure out why I love it so. There are almost never any surprises, nothing unexpected ever happens.
The hosts are witty and fun and never mean-spirited. They give you $5000 to shop for a week in New York with in my other life would be my two best shopping buddies. They give you a makeover and I’m guessing in between you get to sleep.
Sounds perfect. Where do I sign up?
Maybe that’s why I love it, the fantasy of sleep and shopping and a really good haircut.
But it’s also the formula. It’s really comforting. I can turn on the show, relax, not think too much and just enjoy.
Nothing wrong with that when the formula is done really well, be it reality TV or books.
9 comments:
Ah yes -- the noon feeding -- the perfect time to sit down with a child attatched to your chest and watch ugly people get made beautiful. I dreamt about that show. I still do -- it made me belive that I was one great blazer and a haircut from the best possible me.
i think it's Clinton -- maybe gay? Maybe not? Still want to be his best friend.
I LOVE that show, too. But don't catch it that often. They have their formula down and it seems to have more staying power than Queer Eye did. Maybe because women's fashion is more interesting than men's? I loved Queer Eye when it first came out, but it got boring. What not to wear is more fun... plus, they never tried to put it on prime time on a big network...
Also a big hit at our house - especially with my fashionista daughter.
I think it's the engaging personality of the hosts. They work so well together and they're so funny - I want to be their BFF's! Stacey is snarky and tough but also sentimental (I love it when she sometimes tears up when she sees the transformations) and Clayton is urbane and witty and while he could be gay he's not over the top making him appealing to both women and men. I tried watching the British version and didn't like it as much - it seemed meaner.
Like every TV show I watch I learn something for my writing - this one tells me that if your MC's have something that engages the reader/TV viewer you've got a hit!
I'm so glad it's not just me.
I too want to be Stacey and Clinton's best friend.
Maybe that's it, along with the fantasy of sleep and guilt free shopping..
Oh, did anyone see the Office last night and find it as brilliant as I did...
Don't like that show at all
(and the hubby is with me on that one, surprisingly, he likes most of those shows).
Why?
Because the people don't volunteer, they are nominated.
Hate the "your loved ones think you dress like a bag lady" humiliation captured on national tv.
I can see their confidence go from high to zero. No one needs that.
Not how I would treat a "loved" one.
Sinead, I haven't seen The Office yet. Basically haven't seen any TV all week...
And Kimber, you're right... The nomination thing is a bit cruel. But the people can refuse to participate and that's that. They can't show anyone on TV who hasn't signed a release. I often wonder if that ever happens...
And Nelsa's right about the original series on the BBC being more mean spirited. Those women are cruel. At least Stacy and Clinton temper their criticism a little and really build up the participants confidence in many cases. The participants who seem most beaten down at the start are often the ones who seem most transformed, most appreciative at the end of the show.
I'm a WNTW fan, too. I think you've hit the nail on the head with the predictable, comfort feel of knowing what's going to happen. Sort of like digging into your favourite ice-cream. You've had it time and time again, but the guilty pleasure in indulging in something so predictable when you need to chill out is appealing.
It is really comfortable and I love, love Stacey and Clinton.. so much that if I lived in New York, I might stalk them...
Sometimes I just need to enjoy and not to think and this is the perfect show...
Yeah, they can opt out
but the damage is already done, isn't it?
However, there is a great market
for that type of thing (obviously).
What I find amusing is that the participants lose their entire wardrobe and then replace it with 3 new outfits (at least in the couple of shows I watched). Sure hope those clothes wash well. LOL
But then again, there was that one girl who wore the same brown dress every day for a year (http://www.littlebrowndress.com/) so it is doable.
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