It's noon on a weekday and third-year College student Courtney Byrd has settled down with her lunch to watch some reality TV. She quickly passes by MTV and puts down her remote when she reaches channel 59. After watching two sweat-pant clad volleyball-playing moms transformed into elegant wives and a couple in graduate school willing to do away with their books and 1980s hair for a more sophisticated yet sexy appearance, Courtney realizes an hour has passed and once again she's proved helpless when faced with her favorite addiction, "A Makeover Story."
Byrd's not alone -- many female University students also have fallen victim to The Learning Channel's "feel good" reality. Affectionately called "TLC," this channel boasts shows such shows as "A Makeover Story," "Trading Spaces" and "A Dating Story," to name some of its more popular programs. Allison Russo, director of program publicity for TLC, attributes the success of the channel to its real-life emphasis.
"The shows are appealing because they
are like real life soap operas. They appeal to the younger demographic for this reason. They show an ideal version of what you want to do when you get out of school," Russo said.
Because of its pertinent and informative programs, this cable channel is becoming the rage for college students looking for advice, and, more importantly, a source of entertainment.
"I watch 'A Makeover Story' everyday while I eat lunch," Byrd said. "The 12 to 1 p.m. time slot is conducive to my schedule and it is far more entertaining than watching soaps. It's pretty funny watching random strangers becoming ecstatic over a new haircut."
The Learning Channel, a subset of the monolith known as the Discovery Network, provides viewers with informative shows that share, as their motto states, "life unscripted."
This aim is reached perhaps to the greatest extent in "A Personal Story," which documents individuals undergoing plastic surgery procedures.
The show pays special attention to the emotional side of the surgery, especially the decision-making process.
TLC claims its ability to deal with these sensitive and controversial topics on a "mainstream" American level allows its shows to reach a broad range of viewers.
For third-year College student Lindsay Smith, this is the greatest attraction. Smith is a huge fan of "A Makeover Story," where two friends, or a couple who are in their late 20s or early 30s, are made over for an event they plan to attend together. The makeovers tend to be drastic, and the majority of participants have left fashion, and sometimes hygiene, by the wayside to raise children or attend school.
"It's fun seeing the average person end up looking fabulous. After some new clothes, a professional makeup application and a flashy haircut, these people feel as if they have won the lottery," Smith said. "It is incredible to witness someone feeling confident and self-assured after being made-over."
But Smith added she "sometimes get annoyed with the haircut they give everyone, that being the shaggy orange bob."
At this point you've gotten the new haircut, changed your cosmetic kit and even purchased a whole new wardrobe. What's next
The home!
With the same basic idea, TLC's "Trading Spaces" involves friends re-decorating a room in each other's houses with the help of a professional staff.
As you watch, within an hour, living quarters transform from drab to chic.
Second-year college student Hillary Rouse never misses an episode.
"Last spring, when I was a first year and living in the Dobie 310s, all of the girls in my suite and I would take a study break almost everyday to watch 'Trading Spaces,'" Rouse said. "Normally the guys would make fun of us, but I know they secretly enjoyed the end, especially when the people hated their rooms and would throw a fit!"
"Trading Spaces" is not a show most watch alone. It's contagious -- and it brings people together.
In addition to the sense of camaraderie that watching "Trading Spaces" creates among its viewers, the show benefits individuals who have to decorate their living quarters on a tight budget. And no one knows what it's like to operate on a tight budget better than some University students.
Fourth-year Education student Annie Gill watches "Trading Spaces" for this reason.
"I have detailed decorating plans for my future house planned out from watching 'Trading Spaces,'" Gill said.
For some, however, it's just another fun show to watch.
"'Trading Spaces' is one of my favorite shows on television," fourth-year College student Tucker Frazee said. "My friends and I watch it because it makes us feel like we have good taste!"
Make-over: check. House re-decorated: check.
Now it's time to share it with that special someone.
"A Dating Story" on TLC involves two individuals whose friends set them up on a blind date. During the date, cameras follow the subjects' every move, catching that cheesy pick-up line or that stupid joke in a moment of awkward silence. For someone like third-year College student Lindsay Glazer, "A Dating Story" offers her some comic relief from the sometimes tragic dating atmosphere college students encounter.
"Not only is the show incredibly awkward and funny, but it is comforting to watch because it reassures me that I am not totally pathetic," Glazer said. "Hopefully, I'll never have to resort to national television to get a date."
Like Glazer, third-year College student Kate Kramer also is an avid viewer of "A Dating Story."
Kramer enjoys the show because it depicts the dating foibles of true life.
"The reason why the show is sometimes so painful to watch is because our actual fears regarding dating and meeting people come true right before our eyes," Kramer said. "It is refreshing to know that other people can be so easily embarrassed."
Russo attributes the appeal of "A Dating Story" to the suspenseful buildup.
"With 'A Dating Story' the anticipation is most exciting, though the date doesn't always go that well," she said.
Whether they're watching a dorky single ask his date how tall she is or a middle-aged biker grieving over his chopped-off ponytail, TLC addicts never are disappointed.
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