Make me a super-controversy

Nothing like a reality show v the Australian Family Association which has come out swinging (again) against TV, this time Make Me A Supermodel.

Remember that the formula of reality television + quote from lobby group + media article, usually = win / win for all. The show gets more publicity, the group gets to further its agenda, the newspaper gets a “sexy” story.

The latest result of this is a ‘controversy’ over Seven’s new series, which depicted bikini-clad girls in a sexy photo shoot, or, if you prefer, soft porn. Three of the remaining female finalists are aged 17, while all of the boys are 18 or over.

Angela Conway of the Australian Family Association described the program as ‘tragic television’.

“It is dangerous and highly toxic because the message to teenage girls is that their own prospects of success are based on body image and how to market themselves sexually,” she told news.com.au.

In the photo shoot, the models directed the scenes themselves. You can watch some of the footage here (-13:30 point). One girl said she was “uncomfortable” with some of the posing, while some of the show’s judges commented that some self-directed poses were “too raunchy.”

The show returns following the Olympics.

Source: news.com.au