Okay... "The Swan" is the most offensive idea ever aired.

[CanuckAmok]

This is the new Fox "Reality Show" in which a bunch of 'plain' women get cosmetic surgery and then compete against eachother in a beauty pageant.

Admittedly, I've only seen the promo, but that alone indicates to me that television, and society, has reached a new low.

And I'm speaking as a card-carying boor. What do the more progressive/feminist DUers think of "The Swan"?

[Scairp]

1. What do I think?

Not much. But on the other hand, they need women willing to debase themselves, so really, who's to blame for the exploitation?

[slinkerwink]

4. it's not the women----it's this culture at large

[Donkeyboy75]

13. OK, sure

but you can't seriously think they are entirely blameless, can you?

[slinkerwink]

19. no, they're not to blame because they've been indoctrinated by

this kind of sexism by this male-dominated culture and into thinking it's okay and something to emulate.

[Donkeyboy75]

20. I agree with your basic point,

but I find it impossible to completely blame our culture. I don't believe there is one "American culture." There is the brainless vidiot culture you speak of, but there is plenty more out there. I certainly think everyone feels badly about themselves from time to time, but I don't think you can look at these women and blame men and TV for their decision entirely. At some point personal choice has to enter into the equation.

[Triple H]

21. I agree completely.

Men aren't entirely at fault.

[CanuckAmok]

22. I didn't read the "ignored" post...I didn't have to.

n/t

[Liberal Veteran]

2. If some women get some free cosmetic surgery on Fox's tab...

...I am okay with that.

I don't think it's the best thing in the world, but I don't hate it either.

[CanuckAmok]

6. Oh, does the show pay for the surgery?

I didn't know that.

That's interesting...and complicates the issue.

[Blue-Jay]

3. I'm not a female, but I'm a "feminist",

and I think it's the most disgusting premise ever for a TV show. I thought it was a joke at first. Surely, nothing could be that humiliating, I thought.

Once again, I was wrong.

[CanuckAmok]

9. Blue-Jay, WTF is with that picture?!

"squirrel"?!

[InkAddict]

14. I'll bet BlueJay's just being "feist-y"

FEIST=spirited little dogs with a big instinct to hunt down the little critters just for fun, sport, and dinner!

It's even more amazing that *selected can identify the dickens in his disguise!!! LOL!

[NightTrain]

5. I've never watched a moment of reality TV, and am not about to start now!

Those scheisskopfs at Fox can all chompen mein schnitzel!

[JVS]

7. I think of it more of a competition of surgeons

It makes no sense to feel bad about your looks when they are not even yours anymore.

[Ediacara]

8. I thought "Who Wants to Marry a Millionaire" was the most offensive show

but ya.... "The Swan" is unimagineable.

[Redleg]

10. It is pretty bad but they will come out with something worse...

... they always do. Every time a new reality show premieres on Fox I wonder how they will top the level of idiocy. I'm sure they will manage.

[UnAmericanJoe]

23. "From John to Jane"

"A special six episode series where America is invited to watch as we turn a man into a woman"
Coming to Fox in 2006.

(You know it's gonna happen)

[Redleg]

24. LOL! I can believe it.

Sheesh. When will the madness end?

[BlackVelvetElvis]

11. It is all that and more.

Our culture has reached a new low that pandering to something so shallow is entertainment.
It makes me sick that Fox's mantra of shock value trash as entertainment is readily accepted and marketed.
Further "dumbing down" for America as a society.

[shekina]

12. I got no sympathy for those women

If they want to go on air and make complete asses of themselves, don't expect me to feel sorry for them or give them any sympathy.

[SarahB]

15. It's hard to understand

I don't watch any of those shows. Most of TV is pretty bad really and I watch little, but it's seems to cater to the least common denominator as usual. I feel bad for these women that they think they have to surgically alter themselves to be socially acceptable. Beauty can come in many forms.

[SW FL Dem]

16. It's Fox and it's ratings time.

What do you expect. I find the show offensive but can understand why some women would want to get free plastic surgery if they aren't happy with their appearance and their lives.

[Exultant Democracy]

17. Sorry, but I save offensive for other thing.

If a bunch of women choose to get plastic surgery, choose to then compete in a beauty pageant, and then people choose to watch it, I don't see where I have the right to be offended.

Is it in bad taste, yes. Does it say something sad about society, probably. Will I watch it, no.

Now Fox News on the other hand I do find offensive, because they masquerade as a news channel in order to lie to the masses in order to take away their rights.

[Triple H]

18. I see nothing wrong with it.

The women choose to get cosmetic surgery, the women choose to compete in a beauty pageant, and the women choose to be on tv. No one is forcing them to do it.

I don't know what the problem is.

[Redleg]

25. The problem is that many of our fellow citizens will love it.

What does that say about us?

[lazarus]

26. actually

most of these "most offensive reality shows ever" that are supposed to be a hallmark of how bad our society is because so many watch them die an ignominious ratings death, barely watched at all.

Just to let y'all know.