I first discovered this show last winter and have been watching fairly regularly. However, it's already starting to lose its charm.
While I haven't seen all the episodes yet by a long shot, I've seen many more than once and that in itself is tiresome.
Then, the show is terribly formulaic: the ambush, the secret footage, the arrival in NYC, the 360 degree mirror and the silver can (complete with sarcastic comments by S&C), "the rules," the first day of shopping (during which the MO inevitably screws up-- more sarcastic comments), the second day rescue, hair, makeup, and the reveal. Ho-hum.
Every MO is shoved into the same generic styles (office/weekend/evening) whether or not these categories suit their lifestyles or the climate in which they live. The show has an east-coast urban bias that simply doesn't work for some of the MOs.
MOs who aren't self-nominated often seem uncomfortable with and resist various aspects of the process.
My recommendation would be that the show not use MOs who aren't self-nominated. If people really don't think there's anything wrong with what they wear, leave them alone-- they're not hurting anyone. Save the air time for people who really want to make a change but don't have a clue as to how to go about it.
I'd like the show to get far more creative and go on the road a lot more.
I'd like to see the show travel all over North America and get into some of the smaller centres.
I'd like to see the show's stylists trying to make someone over with what's available locally-- for one thing, it might make the stylists a bit more sympathetic to the difficulties of finding flattering clothing and a little less sarcastic about the clothing choices some people end up making for lack of a viable alternative.
I'd like to see the show take on the challenge of dressing people with various physical limitations-- who says physically challenged folk don't like to look good?
I'd like to see the show take on the challenge of dressing people who live in extreme climates or who have really off-beat jobs.
I'd like to see the stylists build outfits that go outside the office/weekend/evening box, take into account the MOs actual lifestyle, and incorporate items the MO already owns.
I'd like to see the stylists stop giving bad advice (like pushing high heeled shoes on people, or insisting that they start carrying handbags instead of backpacks, even though low heeled or flat shoes are better for the body and a properly designed backpack distributes weight far more evenly than a handbag) or incomplete advice (like failing to advise everyone that s/he needs minimum SPF 15 sun protection every day). I'd like the stylists to stop gagging every time an MO uses the word "comfortable" in relation to his/her clothing/footwear. I'd like to see more emphasis on health-- because dahling, how you feel is much more important than how you look!
If the show doesn't start breaking out of the box soon, it will lose me as a viewer-- and I have a funny feeling I'm not alone.
I've only been watching for 8 months, but I would imagine the formula you describe has been the same since it started, and it's going into it's 4th season, so something is obviously working for TLC. I agree with a lot of your suggestions, but as far as show format goes, I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for it to change.
A lot of people have the same issues as you and have voiced them again and again on this site, so your rant is extremely familiar. I share some of them myself. After several months on this site hearing the same complaints over and over again, I'm convinced we're talking to the wall on here. Oh well.
I understand that the BBC version had a lot more diversity as far as the MOs go, but that the ladies who originated the show are being replaced (if this hasn't been done already) with a singer and a model; that's dumb IMO.
I like the same ol' format each show (though a newbie).
I can't wait for the new season, and because I haven't seen a ton of them yet(though I have seen about 40 shows so far I bet)they are all new to me right now. I have said before, I wish I could get the previous seasons on DVD.
So help me if they ever replace Stacy and Clinton.....grrrr.
Originally posted by desperada57: I understand that the BBC version had a lot more diversity as far as the MOs go, but that the ladies who originated the show are being replaced (if this hasn't been done already) with a singer and a model; that's dumb IMO.
Trinny Woodall and Susannah Constantine, the original presenters on the BBC What Not To Wear, left--they were not replaced against their will. They've chosen to do a more 'lifestyle' show (complete format undisclosed, but it's supposed to be more than just fashion) for one of the commercial channels.
It will be interesting to see what happens at the Beeb with WNTW. I don't know if it will last. I think, frankly, people got tired of T&S being quite the nasty dominatrix types they had become the last few seasons (since their pregnancies). After a while, it ceases to be funny or informative, just mean.
And nobody I've spoken to here liked their new format of so much pseudotherapy and the fashion-police lineup.
By the way--tonight I was watching Gordon Ramsey, the hot-headed chef (no 'bleeping' on English television!). He was making a dish with both pork loin and pork belly. Guess what he called it?
By the way--tonight I was watching Gordon Ramsey, the hot-headed chef (no 'bleeping' on English television!). He was making a dish with both pork loin and pork belly. Guess what he called it?
Trinny and Susannah.
MMMMEEEEOOOOOOWWWWWW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I used to like watching the original, but the newest ones were too much psychobabble and not enough clothing. I did like when one or the other would shimmy out of her dress or skirt to show the reluctant MO that even they had bodies that didn't match the idea that everyone is supposed to have, but their grabbing the MOs breasts got a little overdone and annoying after a while.
By the way--tonight I was watching Gordon Ramsey, the hot-headed chef (no 'bleeping' on English television!). He was making a dish with both pork loin and pork belly. Guess what he called it?
Trinny and Susannah.
MMMMEEEEOOOOOOWWWWWW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I used to like watching the original, but the newest ones were too much psychobabble and not enough clothing. I did like when one or the other would shimmy out of her dress or skirt to show the reluctant MO that even they had bodies that didn't match the idea that everyone is supposed to have, but their grabbing the MOs breasts got a little overdone and annoying after a while.
I think a lot of the viewing public over here got tired of the bre@st and bottom grabbing too.
Some people will tell you that such behaviour is a sign of friendship between women in quite a few cultures. I can assure you, this is not one of them, at least not amongst educated or refined people.
It would be considered rude and aggressive, not friendly at all. Most women here would understand that the person doing the grabbing is asserting a dominance over the one being grabbed. It would be seen precisely as unfriendly, not about equality, but about establishing a pecking order.
I wonder how many scenes got edited out, where a makeover grabbed Suz's breast or Trinny's bottom? That couldn't be allowed--it's clearly about establishing the presenters as being superior in every way to the MO, and the MO not being worthy of any level of respect.
I think there is, in all 'reality' television, there's a certain amount of shock value. Eventually, though, that kind of thing gets boring. Once the T&A grabbing got old, the actual destruction of clothing, rather than just binning it, took its place.
Again, not a 'friendly' thing--it establishes who is the Alpha dog in the pack. No guest would have the right to say, 'Well, Susannah, that's a horrible skirt with that top,' and rip it to shreds. But the 'ladies' can enter someone's home in their absence and destroy whatever they please.
I think Trinny and Susannah have departed at about the right time.
This message has been edited. Last edited by: cathlib,
Cathlib-- yuck. I never saw the BBC show, and I think I'm glad I haven't.
Read one of Trinny & Susannah's books, and didn't think it was nearly as useful as S&C's. For one thing, there was far too much about them-- so anyone who didn't have a body like theirs' would be strictly out of luck. I didn't think much of the vulgarities, either. Maybe that's the way all Brits speak nowadays-- but I certainly hope not! The other thing was that it suffered from a lack of focus-- tried to give advice about too many different things, including how to pack for a trip, how to organize your wardrobe, and even how to pose for photographs.
Anyway, my rant about the TLC show stands-- I hope the producers pay attention, but I don't hold out much hope (for one thing, implementing the suggestions would probably cost too much).
Originally posted by foolforblack: Read one of Trinny & Susannah's books, and didn't think it was nearly as useful as S&C's. For one thing, there was far too much about them-- so anyone who didn't have a body like theirs' would be strictly out of luck. I didn't think much of the vulgarities, either. Maybe that's the way all Brits speak nowadays-- but I certainly hope not! The other thing was that it suffered from a lack of focus-- tried to give advice about too many different things, including how to pack for a trip, how to organize your wardrobe, and even how to pose for photographs.
You probably read 'What You Wear Can Change Your Life'. Yes, it's 'all about them', and it's a scatterbrained book if you ever saw one. I'm glad I got it with a gift card, rather than paying out my own cash for it.
Their earlier books, which stuck to issues of clothing shapes for different body issues, and to things for various life occasions, were also limited to what could be displayed on their own bodies. But they were at least pretty helpful advice.
Their packing advice, by the way, is rubbish. Considering the book came out well after 2001, they should have known that anyone who packs that way is not going to save time; they're going to have their bags opened at security and have everything messed up anyway.
Far better to pack items in gallon-sized ziplock bags. They stay folded, the inspectors can go through and just see and feel what they need to, and when you're left to reassemble it, you can just stack the bags back in the suitcase.
And of course, as of last week, it will be a while before anyone can take that much stuff (or those kinds of things) into an airline cabin between the UK and the US.
I can assure you that not everyone in Britain is quite so vulgar. That's reserved for the opposite ends of society. The great middle of the population is really pretty polite, especially in the university cities.
I'm not sure I'm going to watch their new show when it debuts. I may watch the new presenters on BBC, if it airs at a convenient time. I'm really liking Gok Wan's 'How to Look Good Naked.' He's very sweet and gentle with the ladies on the show.
Eeek! I haven't actually seen the show but I have their first book and have looked at their website at BBC - so that's what I was going by in my original post. No, grabbing someone else's girls is a bit much in this context!
(I think it's funny about the chef, tho! --wish this forum had a laughing smiley -- and the lack of bleeping must be refreshing.)
quote:
Originally posted by jeanc38:
quote:
Originally posted by cathlib:
By the way--tonight I was watching Gordon Ramsey, the hot-headed chef (no 'bleeping' on English television!). He was making a dish with both pork loin and pork belly. Guess what he called it?
Trinny and Susannah.
MMMMEEEEOOOOOOWWWWWW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I used to like watching the original, but the newest ones were too much psychobabble and not enough clothing. I did like when one or the other would shimmy out of her dress or skirt to show the reluctant MO that even they had bodies that didn't match the idea that everyone is supposed to have, but their grabbing the MOs breasts got a little overdone and annoying after a while.
Originally posted by desperada57: Now that's a show I'd like to see! Can't hold my breath, tho - we've come a long way over here, but not far enough.
quote:
Originally posted by cathlib: I'm really liking Gok Wan's 'How to Look Good Naked.' He's very sweet and gentle with the ladies on the show.
Desperada, there's a thread I started on the 'In the Know' section of the forum, about that show. There's a link.
Actually, it's a show about how to look GOOD, not just naked, but also in clothes. He gives tips on how to adapt catwalk clothes to dog-walk lives, and there's a section in each episode on spa treatments, where they review things that claim to reduce cellulite or take off inches, and real-life ladies give their feedback.
Possibly the only section of the show that could be considered at all rude is the obligatory visit to June Kenton, the queen of all undergarment fitters. And the worst I've heard her say to a guest was, 'That bra's a disaster. It's nothing more than a n!pple warmer.' But then she goes on to fit the woman in something scrumptious.
I don't always agree with some of Gok's styling tips, but I think he's always very polite, kind and encouraging to the women who self-nominate. That is what's either going to make this show a standout, or kill it. Time will tell; it's only been around for about 6 weeks.
I am fairly new to the show and to the boards. I can most identify with Nanci (with an "i"). I just turned 40 and try to dress and look like I'm 16. I thought she was great and I wish I had the guts to go through with the transformation. My one huge beef with the show is that they ALWAYS seem to want to cut off everyone's long hair. My husband is a huge fan of long hair and I feel so are most men. I agree that sometimes it does look much more flattering and healthier, but then why the heck on other makeover shows (Like the Swan) they encourage hair extensions for sexy long hair? Why can't the sylist just keep the length but take off the dead ends and give it a nice shape or layering? Short hair doesn't look great on everybody! And who made up the rule that once you turn a certain age you have to look that age? Sorry just some venting about this "age appropriate" thing.
First of all, I own no books by nor I have I seen any shows hosted by Trinny and Suzannah. However, I love Stacy and Clinton. So foolforblack, yes it is true that how you feel is more important than how you look. But, have you ever considered that the way you look can contribute a lot to how you feel? When you dress in clothing that flatters your body and looks good on you, you begin to feel better about yourself and feel more confident in your appearance which makes you feel so much better than ugly platform flip flops could.
And, krackatoa, you'll be happy to know that this age appropriate thing does mean you have to look 40 when you are 40. Dressing for your age simply means that you shouldn't look like you are competing with 16 year olds and participating in trends that are geared towards 16 year olds. Looking young is never a bad thing. Looking inappropriate is.
As far as the repetative thing goes however, I do agree that the show is repetative, but all reality shows are. It's the participants that make each show new and exciting. You could argue that every Trading Spaces, While You Were Out, American Idol, and talk show has the same format. The people who appear on these shows are what the make the shows interesting for us to watch. What Not to Wear is no different. And, I am no newcomer. I have been watching What Not to Wear religiously since season 1 and I am not bothered by the format.
Ah, so who is it, exactly, that gets to decide what 40 looks like? or 30? or 50 or 60? or 21 for that matter? I see that the police are out in force again.
I've wondered who the arbiter of all that is myself. Who decides what's "beautiful" and what's "ugly"? The longer I think about it, the more I'm of the opinion that it's all subjective.
I know I sound like a broken record (yeah, that dates me) when I say that some occasions require that people dress differently than they normally would. For most people, if they want to get ahead where they work, they follow their professions'/employers' dress codes. And they don't wear sweatsuits to formal weddings; just commonsense stuff.
But on their own time, let them wear what they want; they aren't harming anyone. Sometimes they provide others with something to talk about
I don't watch WNTW as much as I used to because I feel I've learned all I can about fit and color. It is nice to see someone's self-esteem lifted by just this basic knowledge, and the fact that they aren't freaks because off-the-hanger clothes seldom fit - they can be made to fit.
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Originally posted by dancingstarr: Ah, so who is it, exactly, that gets to decide what 40 looks like? or 30? or 50 or 60? or 21 for that matter? I see that the police are out in force again.
I haven't actually seen the show but I have their first book and have looked at their website at BBC - so that's what I was going by in my original post. No, grabbing someone else's girls is a bit much in this context! 
