Bridalplasty
By Kari Croop,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
All the worst body image messages wrapped up in one show.
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What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.
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Based on 1 parent review
I'd rather watch Nip Tuck. Seriously.
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What's the Story?
Melding the reality TV worlds of extreme makeovers and extreme weddings, BRIDALPLASTY gives 12 prospective brides the chance to compete for the wedding of their dreams along with head-to-toe plastic surgery to ensure that they look as "perfect" as possible. But over the course of four long months away from their mates (the women are living together in a well-appointed house), their insecurities -- and, in some cases, claws -- really come out. Reality star and former Miss USA Shanna Moakler hosts, with Dr. Terry J. Dubrow (from The Swan) sitting in as the show's official plastic surgeon.
Is It Any Good?
Here come the brides, and what a group they are -- from the plus-sized Alexandra, who lost 73 pounds on The Biggest Loser (where she also met her fiance, Antoine) and desperately wants to finish the work she started, to the painfully insecure Lisa Marie, who wants every type of plastic surgery available so she can finally feel attractive. But aside from some head-shaking cases, what's truly troubling is the gnawing sense that some of these women wouldn't normally want extensive surgery...but they've accepted it as a quid pro quo to getting a fairy tale wedding for free.
It's no surprise that mainstream critics have dubbed Bridalplasty universally horrible, and based on the uber-negative messaging it's pumping out to women -- and, more importantly, young girls -- when it comes to beauty, perfection, and happiness, we're hoping that viewers will agree it's a total stinker.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the message this show sends when it comes to women, weddings, self-esteem, and the quest for perfection. Why do some brides put so much emphasis on the way they look when they walk down the aisle? Is looking "perfect" on your wedding day any guarantee that your marriage will be perfect too?
Why would a woman agree to be on a show like this? Do most of the contestants seem more interested in the all-expenses-paid wedding, or the all-expenses-paid surgery? Is the show really trying to help them, or is it merely exploiting the women's insecurities?
Why is this show so controversial? What is it doing differently than other makeover/wedding shows on television?
TV Details
- Premiere date: November 28, 2010
- Cast: Shanna Moakler
- Network: E!
- Genre: Reality TV
- TV rating: TV-14
- Last updated: February 25, 2022
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