I would not be surprised if the person responsible for this phrase was currently tossing and turning in their grave. In modern society, it is safe to say expressions such as these have taken on a whole different meaning. With the gradual cancellations of sitcoms and the revamping of reality-shows, basic cable television has received a facelift. Ironically, significant reasons for this metamorphosis can be traced to reality-based television shows such as: FOX’s The Swan, ABC’s Extreme Make Over, and MTV’s I Want a Famous Face. These shows depict the real lives of ordinary people and the lengths some will go to achieve the “look” they rightfully desire. Not only does a camera follows their every move, but also goes inside the emergency room and exhibits the graphic realities of plastic surgery.

In the past year, “makeover” television shows have been cropping up on basic cable and have spread through our popular culture like wildfire. In some aspects, audiences see the show as an entertaining glimpse into the world of real people. However, in the eyes of critics, shows like The Swan are already facing a bum rap. "Absolutely appalling, a low point even by the low

Althusser’s point of view towards ideology as material and how it does not exist in opposition to material conditions is very similar to Fraser’s argument of why females are not hesitant to proceed with cosmetic surgery. Young adults are the most potential victims of interpellation. Along with the vivid nature of these programs, Althusser’s theory is put to the test with every viewing. It occurs at a time where kids are stepping into their social roles. Shows like The Swan, Extreme Makeover and Famous Face have the power to manipulate the external and internal identities of young adults by displaying a beautiful, but pseudo woman. They promote this model of a woman as the true definition of gorgeous to an adolescent audience. Besides influencing viewers, these programs also normalize plastic surgery in attempt to make it apart of our popular culture. And in some sense, it already is apart of our culture. With 9.2 to 9.6 million viewers tuning in to these cable T.V. shows, it is highly doubtful FOX or ABC will pull the plug on these shows any time soon.

After watching an episode of I Want a Famous Face, it is easy to compare it to an installment of The Learning Channel’s Life in the E.R. MTV sure knows how to get the audiences’ attention. First, they introduce viewers to real individuals or “character(s)” if you will. Obviously, he or she is not satisfied with their outer appearance. As a result, they take their self-esteem to greater heights by getting plastic surgery to look like a celebrity. For example, Sha Ross is a twenty-two year old model from Houston, Texas. Since she began modeling, she has idolized Pamela Anderson and her voluptuous figure. Ross decides the only way she’ll ever make the pages of Playboy, is to get plastic surgery. She hands her body over to the best surgeon money has to offer and permits them to mold and sculpt her figure after Anderson’s curves. By the conclusion, she’s so disappointed when Playboy’s editor-and-chief turns her down and asks her to shed a few pounds. What does Ross do as a result? She loses the weight in order to not only appear in Playboy, but to build confidence inside herself as well as on her outside appearance. In a recent issue of US Weekly (2004), the writers received an expert opinion on how these makeover shows have gone too far. Dr. Rod Rohrich, president of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons says, “These programs trivialize plastic surgery...A new life comes from within” (45).

With the increase of reality-based television shows dominating the airwaves, audiences are craving more drama, more love triangles, and more violence premium cable channels never offered. Makeover shows go to the extremes in telling the true stories behind people’s missions to undergo plastic surgery. So far, audiences have responded to The Swan, Extreme Makeover, and I Want a Famous Face in droves. FOX, ABC, and MTV are renewing their vows with these shows and creating more episodes and even spin-offs such as Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, which can already be seen on television. Television has been speaking to audiences for years in more ways than one, but it has never had to raise its voice until the addition of makeover shows. Such programs are damaging to our society and the country’s youth in that they send the wrong message and throw the idea of morals and self-respect out the window. As every human being must learn, ideal beauty comes from within and nothing can ever take away what someone possesses inside himself or herself. Instead of watching an hour of a commercialized fairy tale, audiences should take a closer look at the real definition of “beautiful.”

Makeover shows are harmful to our culture because they deliver the most discouraging message you could ever

Some topics in this essay:
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