What's Wrong With Comparing Yourself to a Model?

Reality television has taken America by storm. Its cheap production costs and high ratings have led to the production of a number of different themed reality shows, from Celebrity Rehab to American Idol, guaranteeing a type of reality show for every interest. One such show, America’s Next Top Model, follows the typical reality TV formula. Each episode features a competition, a judging process, and finally the elimination of a contestant. There’s nothing especially unique or entertaining about the program that would set the show apart from the myriad of other crappy reality TV shows out there.

The question I’m being asked to answer in this blog entry is whether the show has a positive, negative, or neutral impact on the socialization of girls. Because I’m being asked this question, I have to assume that there are some people who feel that the show negatively effects the socialization of girls. I would have to say that it doesn’t. It’s so boring and formulaic I can’t see it effecting anybody in any serious way, but it did get me thinking. American’s, and especially those that criticize the media for its effects on society, are positively frightened of discussing looks. America’s Next Top Model is no different from any other reality show, except that instead of Simon discussing how horrid somebody’s singing is, Tyra Banks is telling some wannabe model that she doesn’t have the looks to be a model. We can’t call somebody hot, or ugly. We can’t call an obese person fat. We have to pretend we all look the same.

Critics justify their criticisms by explaining that we want society’s girls healthy and happy, which they say is impossible if their daughters are comparing themselves to supermodels. Well you know what, Americans are fat. If this show was effecting girls it would be in a positive way. It wouldn’t kill a lot of girls (and guys) to lose some weight. It’s not healthy to be huge. Maybe it’s good if they’re comparing themselves to the contestants on America’s Next Top Model, who, by the way, are not that good looking. And I’m not saying they’re not good looking compared to models; they’re not even good looking compared to non-models. People need to understand that they are not perfect. People should want to improve themselves. What’s wrong with people wanting to look good?


Some notes from the episode I watched, titled “The Amazing Model Race”, and available here.

-The episode took place in Brazil, and the first challenge was to pose during Capoeira, which I can only describe as dance fighting. They were taught by Master Eddy Murphy.

-During the dance fighting, one model accidentally kicked another model, who responded by saying, “Everything’s cool, I know it was an accident…(Pause) If she does it again I’ll break her legs.”

-Virtually every male on the show was extravagantly, stereotypically gay. One guy had his hair dyed gray.

-One of the models names was Fo. Her last name was Sho. Fo Sho.