Tabatha Takes Over (Bravo)

TABATHA TAKES OVER (formerly Tabatha's Salon Takeover) follows former Shear Genius contestant/successful beauty industry professional Tabatha Coffey as she helps struggling salons transform themselves into thriving high-end establishments. After carefully watching the salon via hidden cameras, the no-nonsense stylist takes over the business and attempts to isolate specific problems by holding staff meetings, conducting training sessions, and working with the owners to re-envision their business; goals include changing management style, improving customer service, and reconstructing workspace design. At the end of the week, Coffey offers specific recommendations about what needs to change, who needs to go, and how to stay in business. Six weeks later she comes back to check in and see whether the salon has taken her suggestions to heart.

The show is more interesting than entertaining, although it does offer a few dramatic moments when Coffey's biting observations cause salon owners and stylists to break down crying. But while Coffey's razor-sharp, no-holds-barred communication style often seems cold and intolerant (in one scene she remarks that a salon owner "has a stick up her ass"), they're really not intended to be mean. The fact is that she's offering genuine marketing strategies and mentorship to those who clearly need it. She also has some interesting insights about the details that can make or break the success of a high-end salon and/or spa in the competitive beauty industry.

While Tabatha Takes Over is fairly mild compared to other reality shows, Coffey's communication style isn't really ideal for young viewers. The series also deals with adult-oriented topics like and bankruptcy. All in all, there really isn't much here for kids, but teens thinking of going into the beauty industry and fans of beauty and fashion-oriented reality shows in general may find it engaging.