Tiara Girls (MTV)

MTV's TIARA GIRLS follows teenagers on their quest to add a statewide "Miss Teen" title to their name. Viewers watch their progress over the six weeks leading up to the competition; from a month's worth of preparation (hair, makeup, exercise, gown selection, practicing for the interview) to the event itself (interview, bathing suit competition, evening gown competition, selection of the top 10, selection of three finalists, choosing a winner).

Since each episode is only 30 minutes long, the show ends up being a very condensed version of the trip to the pageant stage. Episodes are pared down to a collection of bleeped swears, pressure cooker scenes with overbearing parents, and, of course, lots of shopping for the perfect gown. It's the parents' role in Tiara Girls that truly takes the crown. Moms and dads demand that their daughters look physically perfect and are quick to question their teen's commitment ("Do you really want this?," "Is that the dress that's going to win you the crown?," "I don't see the hunger in your eyes to win."). Parents often pay extremely high prices for their daughter to get the right gown, coach, or stylist -- and they clearly want to see a return on their investment.

Meanwhile, teens struggle with various degrees of pressure from themselves, their parents, and their coaches -- plus the stress of simply being a teenager. The girls are given curfews and are often not allowed to hang out with their friends during pageant season. Being typical teens, they often rebel in small ways (refusing to practice their interview skills), or buckle under the stress (one girl smuggled some sweet treats -- gasp!). As with anything "teen," Tiara Girls isn't short on tears and drama. But even without a crown, the girls shine over their parents' behavior.