Summer TV - and deep thoughts

This summer has been particularly annoying for me for nighttime tv. As many of my friends know, I love a good tv show. It's an escape from the grinds of daily life, and while I love to to read, that activity is reserved for work lunches. :)

So anyway, since the writer's strike left me feeling very cheated this past season, I have been looking for a good summer series to follow. It's July and no luck so far. TiVo is starting to feel neglected! So one day I was flipping around on the downstairs tv (which I usually don't ever use) with On Demand. I fell upon How to Look Good Naked. I had heard about the show, but thought it would be stupid. Eager and desperate for something new to watch, I tuned in. Then I watched another episode. And another. I was hugging my tissue box and nodding while the credits rolled at the end.

What a great show! Every woman, no matter what size should watch. Carson Kressley takes an average woman, and has her strip down to her underwear in front of a full length mirror. She then goes over what always bothered her about her body. Carson lets her finish, then points out her attributes. They go shopping for undergarments that really fit and flatter. They do a funny activity, all the while Carson is his usual breezy, optimistic self. Every girl should have a Carson in her life, he is just so likeable!! The whole time, they are talking about self-esteem and why she may not be taking better care of herself and all her hang-ups. Then they do hair and make-up, and of course an instructional shopping trip. What to avoid. I think this part is the most helpful because she usually has all the same issues I do and he is right there, telling her why certain clothes will and will not work. Afterwards, she's feeling all pretty and he announces she will do a nude photo shoot. He leads her to a professional set, outfitted for a positive outcome. She is not completely naked, they have a beautiful long piece of flowy fabric she holds, but she shows some leg and you can tell she is naked. It always comes out nice and tasteful.

Just watching the show, I felt myself looking at my own flaws differently. And trying to accept them even more. A woman's self-esteem is such a complicated thing. Our self-images are so ingrained. I am glad a little show hosted by a fun man like Carson Kressley can get me to embrace the woman I will always be...a little bit more.