How to look good naked (but probably still feel fug)

So the American version of How To Look Good Naked started on Aussie TV last night. I missed it, but they have the whole first episode up on the website so I caught it there. I hate to put a downer on things (pfft who am I kidding, I love to put a downer on things) but I think it’s all a bit of a farce. Don’t get me wrong, it’s amazing that there’s a show on television that promotes a healthy body image and all that jazz, and Carson is kind of a doll and I think he truly does think women are beautiful even though he is being paid to say so. I just don’t think it’s possible to reverse those awful thoughts we have about ourselves so quickly, and it’s unfair to suggest that it is that easy.

I think most people probably realise that it’s TV Magic and the women’s turnarounds didn’t really happen that quickly, but I think it’s kind of shitty to basically put it out there that “hey, all you need to feel better about yourself is some strangers telling you you’re a hot bitch and some fierce new clothes (oh, and makeup. lotsa lotsa makeup)”. I’m sure that helps quite a bit, but it can’t reverse years and years of negative thoughts about your looks. That’s just unrealistic.

What happens when people watch shows like this and do everything Darling Carson says and still feel fat and ugly and gross? Are they then to blame, did they just not try hard enough? WHAT DO WE DO NOW, CARSON?

It just all kind of bugs me. It’s not that I don’t think messages like this should be out there, it’s that they’re usually presented in a really simplistic way that doesn’t really address much more than the clothes and hair and makeup you should be using to Look Your Best. Though, realistically, anything more than that would make for a pretty shit-boring TV show that felt like a therapy sesh.

Point is, it’s great that someone is attempting to make us all feel better about ourselves, but it’s also slightly belittling to essentially say that all you need to erase those years of low self-esteem is a visit from a fab gay fairy-godmother (though it’s true the gayz will always make you feel amazing – it’s in their blood), some hot lingerie and a bunch of strangers commenting on your body. Shit, I wish someone had told me that was all I needed to do to feel Sexy before I spent money on therapy. Could’ve saved me some dollars more worthy of putting towards a giant projection of my naked self on the side of a building.