Have you heard the news that Jessica Simpson is said to be pitching a body image reality show to TV networks? The show, tentatively titled "The Price of Beauty," will supposedly follow Simpson and a friend as they travel across the country seeking to define what people find beautiful and why. Not a bad concept, all in all. I think it'd be really interesting to hear what people find beautiful and to see if that's affected by things like region, culture and socioeconomic status.
I'm not sure that's entirely what this show would do, though. According to the story, Simpson and her friend will "try out some of the shocking and drastic measures women take to make their bodies more beautiful."
Hmmm.
As you all know by now, I'm all for talking about body image. But did you see this recent New York Times piece on celebrity weight battles? Read through some of the comments to get a feel for what people really think about all this.
I think "reality" shows that focus on a) living a healthy lifestyle and b) accepting and making the most of the body you have are great. That's why I love TLC's What Not to Wear. Sure, Stacey and Clinton can be harsh sometimes, but one thing they don't do is let women beat up on themselves and their bodies. Like the show or not, there's no denying that it sets a great example of working toward body acceptance.
That's something we can all use more of.
P.S. Speaking of TV, I made my own appearance on FOX's The Rhode Show this morning.
I really do not agree with all htese realty shows, I think many have really crossed the line.
Posted by: Trish @IamSucceeding | 06/10/2009 at 08:03 AM
Hmm. Questionable if this show will help or make things worse- I wonder if there's any hidden motives (for example, to get really thin with trying out the "drastic measures"). I'm with you on What Not To Wear, though!
And congrats on The Rhode Show!
Posted by: Sagan | 06/10/2009 at 09:57 AM
I hate (most) reality TV. You'd think that Ms. Simpson would avoid it, after it ruined her marriage. But then I suppose she needs a job, and doesn't have skills outside of the entertainment industry.
But I think shows like this are dangerous.
Posted by: Alyssa | 06/10/2009 at 10:09 AM
I think you you are right to be a little suspect Dara! The concept of what Jessica is trying to do sounds positive, but will it really help the average girl or woman? Good on her for trying though - let's see what she (or should I say the producers) comes up with.
Posted by: Julie Parker | 06/10/2009 at 01:47 PM
That's very interesting about Jessica Simpson and that proposed reality show. What I hate about celebrities is the fact that if they are a little bigger (or a normal weight) like Jessica Simpson was, as soon as the media starts talking about their weight gain they lose the weight! It would be such a better message to young girls if she would have said, "Screw the media. I'm at a healthy weight for my height and I'm happy with myself that way."
Posted by: Robin | 06/10/2009 at 07:19 PM
It'll be interesting to see what happens, won't it? Thanks for all the great comments!
Robin, thanks for stopping by and for commenting.
Posted by: Dara Chadwick | 06/12/2009 at 06:39 AM
I never liked Jessica and I dislike most reality shows. (Used to watch Shalom In The Home when it was on. And now, despite the controversy, I watch Jon & Kate Plus 8 - what can I say? I love Alexis' alligator obsession and Aaden's curiousity. Heck, they could just change the show to "The Double As" and forget about the rest of the brood. LOL)
Like you, I'm suspect. Jessica seems to be hoping on the bandwagon and not very sincerely. She was never fat. I'm starting to think no one in the media really knows what fat is. (Now if they made ME famous they'd know! 237 pounds here. I'm fat, Jessica is not.) And it doesn't seem to be healthy either. I think it's more likely people will be trying their crazy I Love Lucy scemes to try and look "more beautiful."
Thing is, Jessica is rich. She can afford anything. She doesn't need to use ProActive for her zits, she can afford to have a $1,000 facial every single day. She can go get extra "fat" lipoed off over the weekend. She doesn't really pay any price, emotionally or socially, because she can solve all her problems with money. So who cares what she does on some "reality" show.
Now if the show was about what the normal woman on a normal wage has to go through to get society to accept her, that would be real reality.
Posted by: Jami | 06/12/2009 at 03:47 PM