Parents' Guide to

Extreme Makeover

By Lucy Maher, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 16+

Lifts + tucks + liposuction = iffy message.

TV ABC , Style Network Reality TV 2002
Extreme Makeover Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

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What's the Story?

In EXTREME MAKEOVER, viewers watch as people who are unhappy with their looks spend several months in Los Angeles undergoing life-changing plastic surgery and medical procedures before returning to show off their new look to family and friends. Each transformation is made possible by the \"Extreme Team,\" a squad that includes plastic surgeons, fitness trainers, fashion stylists, dermatologists, dentists, hair stylists, and makeup artists.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say Not yet rated
Kids say (2 ):

In theory, Extreme Makeover does good -- people with serious problems like cleft palates and premature female baldness are given a chance to correct them. But for the most part, the show glorifies and sometimes trivializes the notion that plastic surgery is the solution to all appearance-related problems.

While a small portion of each episode is dedicated to the painful recuperation process, and some people are given a "life makeover" that doesn't involve surgery (in one episode, for example, a violinist gets the chance to play with her idol, Leann Rimes), viewers never see how the people who altered their appearances feel three, six, or nine months later. And not knowing whether the folks who went under the knife ultimately felt better about themselves -- or if their issues weren't fixed by the surgery -- is a big question mark to leave hanging.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about cosmetic surgery. Why shouldn't people take it lightly? What's the difference between medically necessary surgery and elective surgery? What are the risks involved in plastic surgery? Are there any aspects of yourself that you'd want to change? What other options do people have when it comes to changing how they look and how they feel about themselves?

TV Details

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

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