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There are some television shows that fit your life like some pair of comfortable old shoes. You don't always watch the show, and you sometimes take it for granted. But when you're in the mood for something familiar and fun and reliable, it's right there when you need it.
TLC's "What Not To Wear" certainly fits into that category of TV series. It seems like the show has been on forever, and it has a consistency that sometimes makes every episode seem like the one before it. It's not predictable, but..well, after you watched a few episodes of "What Not To Wear," you know what to expect.
For the seven people with cable who haven't seen the show, the premise is simple. Fashion experts Clinton Kelly and Stacy London suprise some unsuspecting person whose friends have nominated him or her (usually her) to get a clothing makeover. The "victims" tend to be people who are capable of picking a decent outfit off the rack. But they're stuck in a fashion rut, have body image problems or some other emotional reason why they're afraid to dress age and body appropriate.
Each episode goes through roughly the same arc. Clinton and Stacy wheel in the person's ugly clothes and have them try some items on inside a 360 degree mirror. It's an approach that almost always horrifies the person and readies them for the makeover to come. Most of their old clothes are discarded and the experts give the them some hints on what types of clothing they should be wearing. They're then given a $5,000 credit card and two days to replace their wardrobe. Hopefully while following the guidelines suggested by Clinton and Stacy.
The episode ends with a makeup and hair makeover and a reveal to the person's friends and family. It's a smooth, well-oiled process and that's part of what makes the show so fun to watch.
As the show enters its seventh season, producers apparently decided to shake things up a bit and the season premieres with its first celebrity fashion victim. "Blossom" and "Arrested Development" star Mayim Bialik is now a mom with a degree in neuroscience. While she still acts, she's primarily focused on her family. Which might explain why she tends to dress in clothes way too big and far too shapeless.
Clinton and Stacy say they've wanted to have her on the show for years, and they stop her on the street and make their pitch. Bialik agrees to participate, but the lack of a backstory really makes it a bit confusing. The episode doesn't make it clear whether or not one of them knew her (apparently not) or whether she had any idea she was going to be suprised that way (apparently no).
For the most part, the episode follows the familiar path of the show. Bialik endures the 360 degree mirror, and manages to let most of her old clothing go (although she does a "Blossom" dance in order to keep an outfit she really liked). Then it's off for the shopping.
Perhaps I missed the moment in the episode, but it wasn't clear to me whether Bialik received the typical $5,000 card for shopping. I assume so, but generally the duo seem to make the presentation of the card part of the episode. And at one point later in the show, Clinton complains about one of Bialik's purchases, but says that since "she paid for it with her own money, we can't ask her to take it back."
Of course, Clinton and Stacy have to step in to help her find the right outfits. And then it's off to get her hair done and receive a few makeup tips. Her hair in particular is an issue, since it's very long and perhaps not the best look for her. But she doesn't want it cut too short, because she worries that every time her hair is short, she looks too much like "Blossom."
In the end, whether or not she's a celebrity doesn't matter. She ends up with a great new look that's flattering and modern while still remaining easy to maintain on her hectic schedule.
One thing that didn't make the show was that she's in the middle of nursing her child, so she's also looking for clothes that help that process along. It wasn't mentioned in the episode, and it wasn't until I saw a recent interview with her that I realized that was even a consideration. It's a fact that might have been fun to bring into the episode, although obviously you can't spend too much time on that challenge.
Regardless, "What Not To Wear" kicks off its seventh season with another fun episode. The show is one of cable TV's most reliably entertaining shows, and I'm glad to have it back for another season.
The season premiere of "What Not To Wear" debuts on Friday, May 29th, 2009.
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