TV Review – Extreme Male Beauty (Channel 4)
A Trashy Make-over Show that isn’t as Offensive as it Seems
May 7, 2009
Average men beware, the rules of living in modern society have changed and can be summed up thusly: If you’re not metrosexual you’re not anybody. Apparently the present day male doesn’t want to sit about all day in his underpants watching hours of trashy TV but actually moisturises in his free time and uses strengtheners on his incredibly short hair (like Phil on The Apprentice).
This new four-part Channel 4 series, presented by “controversial” broadcaster Tim Shaw, examines the obsession with male beauty and each week one man attempts to transform himself from saggy boobed slob to a trim Adonis. That and lashings of plastic surgery for the viewers enjoyment. Oh goody.
Extreme Male Beauty Balances Surgery and Old Fashioned Exercise
The title already brings up negative connotations as anything with the word “extreme” tends to cater to the lowest of voyeurs interested in seeing their fellow humans chop themselves to bits in the name of entertainment, but in actual fact Extreme Male Beauty is quite tame when compared to despicable channel buddy 10 Years Younger.
That’s not to say there aren’t a group of experts wheeled on to sketch out their own ideal image of how to craft a man’s body. The first subject Paul does spent a lot of time on his appearance but wants to lose some of his excess fat. Cue the marker pen wielding doctors, graphic surgery scenes – these are tough to watch – and the final reveal in front of shocked family.
As a way of balance Shaw is also on mission to sculpt his body into a more desirable shape, taking the more traditional route of exercise. He even has a peek at steroids and quizzes bodybuilders who use them but he eventually decides that the drug route isn’t for him. This stability is a case of the producers having their cake and eating it too, but it’s okay if they put on weight because they can have liposuction if they get fat.
Extreme Male Beauty is Trash TV but not as Offensive as 10 Years Younger
Of course none of these programmes would be complete without public polls and image consultation. At the start five men of all sizes, including Shaw, were presented in front of an assembly of women for them to assess their tastes and opinions on what they prefer, which gave some mixed results. Some of the themes of the week – such as surgery and make-up – were focus grouped with a bunch of buff blokes, most concluded quick fixes were lazy and they wouldn’t consider anything more extreme than an all over shave.
What is good about this show is that Shaw isn’t afraid to look foolish and poke fun at himself as he struggles to lift weights or is mocked for his hairy chest. These scenes alone are worth tuning in for as he’s a likeable bloke who seems to be game for anything. However, due to the editing and production behind it those parts are broken up constantly with shots of finely chiselled pecs and different grooming products.
Despite its attempt to take a journalistic approach Extreme Male Beauty is clearly trash but it’s not as offensive as other contemporary make-over shows which adhere to the cliche of a glamorous presenter with a stuck-on smile forcing people into body mutilation. Although it could be improved by slowing down and being a little more restrained as the constant cuts and fast moving camera pans are more nauseating than seeing bits of flesh slashed apart.
Extreme Male Beauty is shown on Channel 4 every Thursday at 10pm.
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