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Worst TV Show of the Week Brought to you by the Parents Television Council	Share |
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True Beauty on ABC

ABC’s True Beauty is a sham.  This reality competition combines the hidden-camera moral dilemmas of What Would You Do? with the vapid front-of-the-camera preening of America’s Next Top Model to prove that without strong, forthright character, beauty is only skin deep.  Unfortunately, the January 19^th episode featured more skin than character.  For blurred nudity and a raunchy lap dance, True Beauty (Mondays, 10:00 p.m. ET) has been named Worst TV Show of the Week.

Fittingly, the show is produced by Ashton Kutcher (the star behind the hidden-camera prank show, Punk’d) and Tyra Banks (the self-absorbed diva behind American’s Next Top Model).  Each week the contestants are given an outer beauty challenge and, unbeknownst to them, an inner beauty challenge as well.  The judges consists of Vanessa Minnillo (former host of TRL and ET), Cheryl Tiegs (America’s first super-model), and Nole Marin (fashion expert) – who, for some reason, the show’s creators consider qualified to judge other people’s character. 

In this episode, the models must both look good in their sports-themed photos and show compassion to a distraught stylist.  After the challenge is over, the models return to the mansion for a toga party.  (What better way to relax after a long, hard day than with a toga party?)  Before the Bacchanalia begins, C.J. offers this thoughtful toast: “Let’s use these looks for good, not evil, because they are a blessing.” The party heats up quickly.  “I think everyone was kinda getting a little looser from the wine and it was just a sexy vibe,” explains Laura.  Monique adds, “After we all had one or two drinks we decided to play Truth or Dare, and from there the party got a little crazy.”  Monique dares Laura the swimsuit model to give Billy the vitamin store owner a lap dance.  As she grinds into his lap, her breasts poke out of her toga, requiring them to be blurred for home viewers.  When the dance concludes, Billy states, “That was definitely the highlight of my evening.”  Laura confesses, “It was fun.  I think Billy definitely enjoyed himself.”  Not to be outdone, Joel dares Ray to streak around the pool.  But he doesn’t run.  He struts slowly around the pool as the show’s logo censors his naked genitalia.  Monique states, “Ray’s flopping business is definitely burned in my brain for all eternity.”  Ray proudly proclaims, “For the record, I did that completely sober.”

If only the producers were as proud of their contestants’ tests of character. For each week the contestants face lame, anodyne inner beauty challenges.  Whether or not someone picks up litter or gives someone a hug is hardly a test of character.  By claiming to promote inner beauty and positive values, the program sets up the expectation that viewers can watch it with their families.  But with the bar set so low for inner beauty -- and a disturbing emphasis on showing the contestants in the buff -- it is clear that the show’s good intentions are only skin deep.