Thursday, April 19, 2007

Shear Genius: It's No Project Runway, But It'll Do

When I first heard about Shear Genius, I thought that I must be hallucinating. Surely Bravo could not be so desperate for something to fill the void between seasons of Project Runway (and, arguably, of Top Chef) as to bring us yet another professional competition show, this one about hairstylists? But it's actually not as silly as I was afraid it would be. Oh, it's still silly - spoiled stylists freak out after being asked to do color, and last week's hair show was no Blow Dry. But Shear Genius comes very close to capturing the essence of Project Runway, with its runway shows and mentor who's not part of the judging panel (unlike Tom Colicchio, who doesn't so much try to help you out of the hole you've dug yourself as think, "Gone!"). However, I have yet to see Rene Fris offer up much criticism besides, "Do you think you can finish in time?" Then, of course, they deal with live models, which instantly makes the show more interesting. Particularly this week, when a few of the stylists completely ruined their clients' hair. Embarrassment on the PR runway only lasts as long as you have to wear the booty-flaunting sweater dress, but embarrassment here stays with you until Bravo gives you another cut, on them, to replace the horrid carroty monstrosity visited upon you. It's like every episode is Top Model's makeover show, and if that sounds like a good time to you, then Shear Genius is your kind of show.

3 comments:

Liz said...

Hmm...I was skeptical initially, but you sold me with the Top Model makeover show comparison. That's always the best episode of the cycle. I will check out this Top Hair, or whatever it's called.

Liz said...

Okay, I watched it, and it is amazing. They had me at "hair art."

Colleen O'Rourke said...

points on the Blow Dry reference. It was obvious, but any alan rickman tie in gets points from me.