What is our world coming to? This a question I can't help but ask myself after watching a mere five minutes of TLC's daytime reality show 10 Years Younger. In case you have a life and have never seen it, I'll let the show speak for itself. "10 Years Younger takes one person and invites them to step inside the "big box" — a soundproof display case placed along some of the busiest streets in one of the most appearance-driven cities in the world — Los Angeles. As complete strangers critique our participant's looks and guess their age (www.tlc.com)." Even TLC can't make it sound good.
Let me explain the process of the show in more detail. In their ugliest outfit, looking like they just rolled out of bed, contestants are put in the display case with no makeup and no smiling allowed. (Based on these factors alone, a person can easily look 10 years older.) Next, the show's host went up to unsuspecting men and women on the street, keyword being men, and asked them to guess the box lady's age. (There are two things a man should never try to guess: weight and age, especially when both belong to a woman. Not to mention, the host also asks pre-teens and children to guess ages.) All of these guesses are, of course, video taped and mathematically averaged. (In that order.) I'm sorry but asking random LA locals just doesn't seem like the most accurate way to approximate age.
Besides, hamsters should be kept in glass boxes, not people. The show is degrading to our human race. After the contestant has kissed every ounce of dignity they ever had goodbye, we watch them as they watch the video of people guessing their age. We normally see horrified shock followed by tears, and at this point I realize how pathetic my life is that I have no better way to fill my time.
However, I can't move from the TV because I have to stay tuned to find out how old she actually is. The person always ends up being suspiciously about 10 years younger than the guessed age. Dozens of makeup artists and wardrobe experts are rushed in to save the day and then 30 minutes later, a young chick is hatched. She then stands in the box of shame again dressed her finest linens, smiling for ear to ear. The wise LA citizens then guess (surprise, surprise) much closer to her actual age and boom: 10 years younger.
What ever happened to inner beauty? I suppose, that went out of style the second Botox was invented. Plus what is wrong with aging? Our society's equation for life is basically young + hot = happy. One look at Britney's much younger, much more pregnant sister is proves that theory does not always add up.
Let's remember the name of the station that this intellectal show is broadcasted from. TLC, believe it or not, is an abbreviation for The Learning Channel. I really do learn a lot from this station. I learned that more than 30 tatoos on one arm looks tacky from "LA Ink" and that I am never having any children from "A Baby Story." The most important lesson I've learned is that nothing is worse than looking your age. I just don't agree, we should embrace time not fight it.
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