Real Kato Blog: Society: "The Swan"

I've seen a few episodes of Fox's new reality show, "The Swan". It's another one of those train-wreck-can't-look-away plastic surgery shows, a la "Extreme Makeover" on ABC. Just what kind of message are we sending?

It seems to be the new wonder-solution for everyone: plastic surgery. It will change your life, it will turn your miserable existence into that of a movie star. On Fox's "The Swan", we see dumpy women with no self-esteem turn into beauty-pageant contestants.

The message is this: these women couldn't possibly have helped themselves, so we had to step in with a team of miracle workers. I guess there are no dentists where these women live, or gyms, or hair salons, or clothing stores.

I find it funny that Fox, with its overt Republican leanings, is perpetuating the very idea that drives Republicans crazy: the idea that people are unable to help themselves, so others must step in to help them.

The other message is: these women are completely undesirable unless they are turned into beauty queens. So pay attention, kids: if you don't fit our society's definition of beauty, you'll be unhappy forever. No pressure.

So here's what might be next from Fox:

- "The Horse": men get penis extension surgery and compete for the chance to have sex with Paris Hilton.
- "The Littlest NBA Team": short people get surgery to make them seven feet tall, and they form a basketball team.
- "Wonder Bread:" black people have surgery to make them look white. (Winners get the chance to apply for executive positions in companies.)

Permalink