How Do I Look? (2004– )

I stumbled across this show a few months ago and have since seen it a few times. I can only say that this is a prime example of why America has freedom of speech: so that we can hear bad-speech -- like this show's -- and not make the same mistake of repeating it again.

The overall premise of this show is identical to the series "What Not to Wear": a female in need of a makeover is invaded by a fashion expert to pick-over their dress flaws. Only "What Not to Wear" takes a humorous, light-hearted approach to convincing a person to change; "How Do I Look" takes an insulting, bigoted tone to the person being told to change (I remember one episode a woman was forced to choose between a dress she wore when her husband proposed to her and a sweater her mother had knitted for her, and one would get destroyed and trashed). For me choosing between a valued belonging and tossing an unwanted guest out a window is not a hard decision, especially when the guest chooses to insult and defame me in my own home.

The overall attitude of the family and/or friends that come forward with the fashion "experts" to confront the person is one of so much disdain that anyone -- male or female, young or old -- would rather lynch themselves than hearing the comments of their "friends" and families, and especially the derogatory remarks of the fashion "pros." The wardrobe makeovers aren't done by any fashion designers / experts, and the person being confronted is clearly uncomfortable with the whole situation that they are being pressured in to.

If you have a sadistic mind you might find a show like this one enjoyable, since the host and assistants all enjoy an endorphin rush from shattering a person's self-worth. If you're looking for class, seeing a more humorous self-transformation story, and one that can give a reformed individual a sense of self-worth, look elsewhere.