I'm not really disputing whether or not the people were helped, I'm picking on the whole concept for its entertainment value. The show is on at 9pm on a major network, so it has to compete with everything else that is out there and what I'm saying is I don't see how anybody thought that it would really work. You've admittedly got 3 nobodies for the stars of the show, who do none of the actual helping, they just stand around and host. All of the makeover concepts, hiring personal trainers, new clothes, new hairstyles, etc… has all been done before. But you know what? If at that point it were just a makeover show and they said "Congratulations, we put you back on your feet, enjoy your new life" I'd put it in the category with all other makeover shows and say "Hey, whatever, more power to you."
But look at the woman who got dumped in that episode I watched – is that the one you know? Half the show was dedicated to parading her in front of her ex-husband, making him drive her to her date and then showing him videotape of her saying "I've never been happier." What's the point of that, exactly? Is that closure? Or is that supposed to be entertaining to the audience? If the whole moral of her story was "Haha, see what you missed? Look at me now! I hope you're jealous and want me back, because you can't have me!" then I think the point was perhaps missed a bit.
Thanks for writing. I'm glad your friend got something out of the experience. I wish I could tell her that it was riveting television, but it wasn't. That's all I'm saying.
P.S. – The show made it sound like she got married 6 months after she got her makeover. I'm hoping that's not true – sounds a little fast to jump back into the game after such a horrible experience.