The Swan

"The Swan" was a reality TV show in 2004 (seems like that was last year?) aired on FOX about ugly ducklings being turned into beautiful swans within three months. The show is featured nine women who were judged as "ugly" went through a series of plastic surgeries and plenty of alterations until they became what society views as "beautiful."

Each contestant was given a coach, therapist, trainer, cosmetic surgeons and a dentist to remake their appearance. The Plastic Surgeons on the team were chosen among hundreds for their ability to perform often startling transformations. Basically these women underwent several plastic surgeries for the chance to win a beauty pageant that for the most part judged with plastic surgery ended up the best.

Each week two women were featured on the show, at the end of the show one woman would be sent home and the other would continue on to the beauty pageant. At the "Swan Pageant" the chosen women would compete to see who would become "the Swan."

(Before and After picture of Rachel, the winner of Season One)

This reality TV show was criticized for promoting plastic surgery and promoting the view that beauty is completely physical. In my opinion plastic surgery is not a self-improvement if your goal is to become a completely different person. Plus, not only did this show change the appearance of women, I can guarantee you that this show has had plenty of negative effects not only on the participants but also on its audience. It preyed on vulnerable "ugly ducklings" who have been judged their entire lives to be worth less than women who are seen by society as pretty/hot/sexy.

Not to mention, that the audience was probably girls who wish that they could improve their self image. The tv show uses pathos to appeal to the audiences emotions and relate to their feelings about their self consciousness. Those who watched these two seasons probably started to believe that being pretty is their top priority in life.

One of my pet peeves about the public today is that they pass judgment on someone based on their looks. They won't even get to know a person unless their physical appearance meets their requirements.  I'd be a hypocrite if i said that the first thing that attracts me to a person is their physical appearance, but I would never ignore someone or be rude to another person who wasn't seen as pretty by society. Hopefully, we can work towards becoming a more genuine community that accepts people no matter how they look.

Who's Your Daddy?

Let me start out this blog entry with a story about two happy parents adopting a precious baby girl. She is loved unconditionally and raised in a caring atmosphere. Eventually, her parents tell her the truth, "you're adopted." Maybe she feels that it doesn't matter who her birth parents are because her adoptive parents are her true parents. But, maybe she beings to question her entire life.

Well, I am not adopted, so I cannot give speak for any adopted child but I believe the issue of adoption is a sensitive subject. Whether you are the child or the adoptive parents, it can be hard on the parent-child relationship once the secret is revealed.

So, tell me, why would anyone run a controversial program that would offend those people who have adopted children? Fox ran a program called, "Who's Your Daddy?", about an adult who was adopted at infancy searching for her father. That doesn't sound awful but here's the catch, she met with 25 men, one of whom was her biological father. If she picked the man who was her biological father, she wins $100,000. If not, the man who she picked wins $100,000.

When the phrase "Who's your daddy?" comes to mind I tend to think of a pimp The phrase, "Who's your daddy?", is a slang expression that takes the form of a rhetorical question. It is commonly used to show dominance over someone. Not to mention, it can be a sexual reference. Relating the issue of adoption with a such a phrase is disrespectful. Some children are actually asking the real questions, who are my parents and why did they give me up?

To my satisfaction, only the first 6 episodes of this reality tv show was aired, the remaining episodes were not put on television because it received bad reviews from the public. At least the United States hasn't completely lost touch with the true meaning of reality.

The Real World

“This is the true story... of eight strangers... picked to live in a house...work together and have their lives taped... to find out what happens... when people stop being polite... and start getting real...The Real World.”

The show took off in 1992 and has had 25 seasons thus far including Real World: Las Vegas which has just begun. I can admit that I have watched different sets of strangers from the Real World ever since I was around 8 years old.  When I began watching drama between these room mates I remember thoroughly enjoying it. Maybe it was because I had an older sibling who also watched the show, but, regardless, it gave me the wrong message. A child should never want to imitate the profanity which this show broadcasts on national television. My group of friends planned to go on the Real World when we were old enough (18-20 years old) to venture around a new city while going to clubs and experiencing the “real” world. We were influenced by the show at a young age and our eyes were glued to the television whenever a new episode came on the screen.


First Season: New York

Why wouldn't an immature 10 year old want to be on a TV show where the cast has lived in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, LONDON, Miami, Boston, Seattle, Hawaii, New Orleans, Chicago, Las Vegas, PARIS, San Diego, Philadelphia, Austin, Key West, Denver, SYDNEY, Hollywood, Brooklyn, CANCUN, D.C., and New Orleans. MTV has definitely succeeded in making the show seem appealing, the viewers enjoy the drama and excitement. They see a flashy house with attractive people and a great night life. But, what they don't see is the message that the show is portraying to young adults throughout the United States, its okay to parade around causing scenes and acting immature because it will bring attention to the show.

Season 12: Las Vegas

In my defense, I am 19 years old now and I stopped watching the show when I was 16. I was mature enough to realize that these people are taking months out of their lives to make bad decisions and humiliate themselves. Generally, any enrolled college student or devoted employee would not be able to put their lives on hold in order to move to a new city and bring chaos into their lives. At 20 years old, I think you should be enrolled in college trying to figure out where your life is headed.

Season 22: Cancun

What successful business would want to hire you after watching you freely embarrass yourself on national television. Not to mention, who is okay with having your parents watch your drunken mistakes? Definitely not someone who should be a reliable role model for adolescents. All of these questions are things that should be expressed on a reality TV show but that is not the case with our generation or television viewers.

This I Believe Podcast

http://www.zshare.net/audio/860557416676c821/

My Super Sweet Sixteen

The "reality" television show My Super Sweet 16 is going strong with 8 seasons under it's belt and a few more to go. For those of you who haven't seen the show, it is an MTV reality series documenting the lives of teenagers who are turning 16.

"My Super Sweet 16 takes you on a wild ride behind the scenes for all the drama, surprises and over-the-top fun as teens prepare for their most important coming-of-age celebrations. Meet the kids who are determined to go all out to mark this major turning point in their lives, the parents who lavish every wish, and find out first hand what it's really like to turn 16 these days," (www.mtv.com).  
 

Good joke, these teenagers are far from average. This is not "what its really like to turn 16 these days." They have super rich parents who spend enormous amounts of money on an event which will last up to 5 hours, if that. It is pathetic.

In particular, one of the "average" birthday girl's, Nicole, made the statement that “My party cost over $200,000 and it was definitely worth it.” Now, this is supposed to be an average American girl who is simply enjoying her 16th birthday. I dont think so.

This show presents over the top parties to be an aspirational norm to impressionable young people. My younger cousins are already talking about their Super Sweet Sixteen birthday party, how its going to be the best one of the year! In real life, the average American is lucky if their parents hand them a set of keys, let alone let a brand new pink Range Rover.

Through broadcasting this TV show, MTV is giving American adolescents an unreal understanding of money. The viewers of this TV program are likely to try and follow their examples which will result in becoming superficial and spoiled. The impact that these adolescents are making on the young people is horrible. It conveys the wrong message and should not be taken seriously by any of it's viewers.