Fox producing yet another tasteless reality show - give 'em hell

[carols]

Forwarded to me by a friend...

On Monday, March 29, FOX will premiere a new series called The Swan, in which women deemed "ugly ducklings" will undergo surgery, dental work, etc., to be transformed into "swans." In the end, they compete in a beauty pageant. I know many of you will find this as appalling as I do so I am asking you all to take action.

We've sat back and let networks profit from horrific programming such as Are You Hot and Extreme Makeover. Now is the time to try to end this trend of reality TV that perpetuates stereotypes and sends negative messages.

Please email FOX at [email protected] once a day until the series premiere. I was told that comments that come through this email carry heavy weight in all departments and are even sent in report form to the network's president!!! Below are two sample emails for you to choose from. Or, create your own if you'd like.

PLEASE SEND THIS TO AS MANY PEOPLE AS YOU CAN!
Barrage

Thank you,
Kristen Irving
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sample Email #1

Dear Fox:

Your new 'Swan' is extremely insulting and invades the core of a message our society and the media have been sending to women for far too long, a message that reads, "you are only worth your waist size and should therefor take whatever steps necessary to transform yourself into a painfully unrealistic ideal." A show like Swan only further perpetuates an already severe sickness in our society and strongly exploits and emphasizes the tremendous insecurities of thousands of women in the name of public entertainment. How
dare a network take it upon themselves to tell over half the world's
population that they too can lead the perfect "fairy tale" life,
transforming themselves from an "ugly duckling" into a "swan" if only they distort their bodies and alter their very being? You are not only doing women a disservice but feeding a cycle of unrealistic expectations in men of their women, ultimately leading to dissatisfaction in both parties. Swan will affect the psyche of women of all ages. With eating disorders starting at an average age of 15, you may want to reconsider your displays of stereotypical beauty and how a program such as this could negatively impact one of your largest demographics, having dangerous implications on the
success and integrity of FOX. This show is shameful and we will do
everything in our power to discourage people from supporting and viewing it.

Sample Email #2

Dear Fox,

I am writing to tell you how infuriated I am that you are broadcasting The Swan. The show sends an extremely negative message about stereotypical beauty and the lengths females should go to achieve it. It perpetuates the myth that women and teenage girls will have the perfect fairy tale life if only they are conventionally beautiful. And it goes as far as to tell them that they are ugly ducklings if the do not fit this mold. In addition, it exploits the severe insecurities of these women for public entertainment, and glamorizes the idea of expensive, elective and unnecessary plastic
surgery, when people across the world cannot afford food to eat.

I hope that this message reaches Arthur Smith and Nely Galan, and that they will not create or produce another show with such a despicable premise. I refuse to watch The Swan, and will share this sentiment with my community members, friends, family, colleagues, etc. I urge Fox to rethink airing such appalling programming.

[aquart]

1. Gross. Nonetheless.

If people are willing to watch, there will be more of these voyeur specials.

I don't watch them.