I think I've mentioned my general disdain and creeped-outedness about competition-based reality television like Survivor and American Idol, as well as slice-of-life reality TV like the Real World. I just get really uncomfortable with the ritual humiliation of my fellow citizens, and can't help having a "there but for the grace of god go I" moment when contemplating it. The whole point of these shows seems to be "point a camera at any group of people for long enough and they're bound to do something horrible -- or something that we can edit to look horrible." I just don't like it.
(Note: Yes, I do watch Project Runway, which is somehow different because... well, because it's usually more about the contestants' design and tailoring skills than their personalities. And, um, it's different because I watch it, and therefore it must be different. So there.)
But I do get sucked into what are sort of service-based reality TV -- you know, Design on a Dime, What Not to Wear, things like that. Makeover shows -- but not the makeovers that say "You're a horrible ugly person, now get plastic surgery and we might acknowledge your existence" like The Swan. Those are horrible. No, What Not To Wear mocks a person's clothing, but the main message is no matter what your body type, no matter how you think you look, there's a really gorgeous person down there that you can let out by learning the tricks of the fashion trade. (I tend to like the British version better, because they will actually have fat or old women and men as their makeover subjects, whereas all the US WNTW folks tend to fall into the early-20s to late-30s, size 2 to 10 mold.) Plus, these anonymous nobodies get $5,0000 to spend on a new wardrobe, or have a team of designers come make over their house, or something like that. It's a feel-good thing, and everybody wins. (And no, I don't include trading Spaces in this category -- that show is more about what the designers want to do than what the people who actually live in the houses want to live with. That show sucks.)
Which is my defensive way of explaining why I got so excited when I discovered Design on a Dime had introduced a Chicago-based team. I'd be more than willing to go on TV if it meant someone would make over my crowded, poorly-laid-out office. That would be awesome!
But, alas, it is not to be. DoaD rejected me, saying
(Note: Yes, I do watch Project Runway, which is somehow different because... well, because it's usually more about the contestants' design and tailoring skills than their personalities. And, um, it's different because I watch it, and therefore it must be different. So there.)
But I do get sucked into what are sort of service-based reality TV -- you know, Design on a Dime, What Not to Wear, things like that. Makeover shows -- but not the makeovers that say "You're a horrible ugly person, now get plastic surgery and we might acknowledge your existence" like The Swan. Those are horrible. No, What Not To Wear mocks a person's clothing, but the main message is no matter what your body type, no matter how you think you look, there's a really gorgeous person down there that you can let out by learning the tricks of the fashion trade. (I tend to like the British version better, because they will actually have fat or old women and men as their makeover subjects, whereas all the US WNTW folks tend to fall into the early-20s to late-30s, size 2 to 10 mold.) Plus, these anonymous nobodies get $5,0000 to spend on a new wardrobe, or have a team of designers come make over their house, or something like that. It's a feel-good thing, and everybody wins. (And no, I don't include trading Spaces in this category -- that show is more about what the designers want to do than what the people who actually live in the houses want to live with. That show sucks.)
Which is my defensive way of explaining why I got so excited when I discovered Design on a Dime had introduced a Chicago-based team. I'd be more than willing to go on TV if it meant someone would make over my crowded, poorly-laid-out office. That would be awesome!
But, alas, it is not to be. DoaD rejected me, saying
After careful consideration and discussion with our design staff, we regret to inform you that we will not be able to include your home in our production schedule for the upcoming season. While we find your project both interesting and challenging, we currentlyPhooey. No TV -- and more importantly, no new furniture -- for me. I guess it's back to trying to make more money so I can buy a corner desk myself. Rats.
have similar projects already in production for this season.
posted by SAJ at
1:08 PM
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