Thursday, February 20, 2014

A Few of My Favorite Things: Face Off

This may be the most interesting and positive reality program on television but it’s not getting the traction it deserves because it’s ‘genre.’ It’s a special effects make-up reality competition where a variety of artists compete for money, a car, and a huge professional opportunity.

One of my favorite things about this show is that it lacks 2 major elements from reality television: schadenfreude and backstabbing.

Contestants on Face Off will rise or fall based on the strength of their concept and execution. Hurting someone else does not guarantee them a win or prevent elimination. They also have to deal with each other once the show is over. Their profession isn’t that big and paths will likely cross. What’s the point in generating bad blood when it gets you nothing?

There’s also no schadenfreude. Most talent shows include a few contestants who have no right to be there. They have no skill and no shot at advancing. They exist solely for the audience to laugh at. Face Off doesn’t do that. Every contestant has a right to be there, everyone has the skills. It’s one of my favorite shows for a reason.

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