Normal 0 Previously on this blog, I wrote about the prevailing culture of meanness that is witnessed in the entertainment world, including the unfortunate incident of Russell Brand and Jonathan Ross in the Sachsgate affair. Based on comments left by readers, this issue strikes a passionate cord among many, and I’d like to point out an example of how kindness can work for entertainment content as opposed to the cruelty we see so often in television programming.
Flip over to Channel 4 for Gok Wan’s How to Look Good Naked show and you’ll find an uplifting host who flatters his participants and transforms not just the way they look, but how they feel about themselves both inside and out. Gok’s pep talks about body image and non-stop fashion tips for women of all sizes show that being nice to people, rather than cutting them down for all the world to view, can work in generating viewers and fans. Proof of his success happens every episode when he gets women to bravely strip down to their bare essence for national tele.
I love what Gok has got to offer and with the new year unfolding, and the annual mad dash to diet upon us, taking tips from him to love what we’ve already got is a great way to kick things off in 2009.
Perhaps other big media meanies, like Simon Cowell, Gordan Ramsay and Sir Alan Sugar, should take a lesson in kindness and tune into Gok Wan’s weekly show. As for Russell Brand and Jonathan Ross they’ve surely learned a taste lesson, but could brush up on how to present kinder content by watching Gok work it.
Watching nice guy Gok,
-Lisa
I would agree that the media has been erring on the mean side recently - and to start with I loved Gok's attitude - he clearly wanted to celebrate all female beauty and encourage women to accept themselves and see themselves through his eyes. How to look good naked was a fun way of helping self esteem (albeit from inside some heavy shaping underwear).
However his recent 'natural beauty' shows have taken beautiful independent and unique woman and turned them into normalised versions of themselves - he seems to advocate making women give up makeup/ hair dye/piercings/body modifications (and other things which can be a major form of individualism and self expression) so they confirm to a particular 'natural beauty' standard...even though the shows hosts are all clearly made up by makeup artists and designer clothes - this seems to go against his previous work and has really been a down turn for me.
He has made a new false standard where people who express themselves with their bodies (through piercings or similar), or those just born looking like skinny supermodels, are not celebrated... I guess I am worried the shows are now promoting their own beauty ideal and almost excluding those who don't fit it - rather than a feeling that all women are beautiful...
I hope Gok returns to form with the new 'How to look good naked' series and goes back to being the promoter of women of all shapes and sizes he is loved for.
Whilst I agree with the gist of your piece, it would have been kinder to have got his name right!
Thanks for your thoughts Bex and Helen, correction made! Thanks for reading. en.wikipedia.org/.../Gok_Wan
Lisa Devaney
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Last login: 16 Nov 2009
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