After been delayed for more than a year, the TV show “Ha’Mara’ah” (“The Mirror”) broadcasted two weeks ago on channel 10. The show, presented by Orna Datz, follows 13 people – 12 women and one man – that share a dream of becoming more beautiful.
Datz’s previous show, “Mahapach” (“transformation”), “renovated” people with new hair, makeup and wardrobe. On this TV show, the measures are much more extreme and the participants undergo plastic surgery, dental treatment, diet programs and are isolated from their home and family for two months.
Every week, we are acquainted with a new “heartbreaking story”, which begins with an exposure of sadness and inferiority, continues with painful surgeries and dealing with the outside and inner changes and ends in front of the mirror – after the participants haven’t seen themselves for over two months – with a new body and face and new unprecedented self confidence.
It’s easy to criticize this new show: Does appearance really that matter? Is there also an inner and moral change? Is the inner change influenced only by the outer appearance? And will these people get a new beginning, due to their new looks?
But first, I’d like to try and point out the small positive aspect I can find: the participants in the show feel they are stuck in their lives. They are not happy and they don’t allow themselves to grow and try new opportunities, only because of the way they look. Unlike the American version of the show, “The Swan”, where the participants end the show’s process looking like molded Barbie dolls, the Israeli version is less radical (probably due to less money).
After watching the first two episodes, I found out that in my opinion the participants didn’t transform very dramatically. The major change was felt by the participants, which claimed to have gained higher self esteem, better mood and a fresh approach towards life. Maybe that is the push they needed to move forward their lives.
It’s an undeniable fact that our culture is deeply influenced by fashion and beauty. And the least you can feel is some empathy towards the people that were born less fortunate and esthetic comparing to the parameters that were defined by modern society.
But, of course, in conclusion, I have to raise a very big dissatisfied flag on this show. Do the participants really need those painful surgeries, which are not obligatory, in order to feel more happy and content?
Each and every one of us has their good days, where we feel satisfied with our looks, and our bad days, when we are less pleased. But doing such a drastic step as displayed on this program – is not such a self evident step to most of us.
I really feel that in our days, when plastic surgeries are affordable to almost any one, too many people run and choose to go under the knife. When instead they could choose so many other options (like sports and fitness).
It’s good the show was “buried” in the late time slot that it’s in. The less people (mainly girls) that watch it and will be influenced by it – the better!
The Mirror, Channel 10, Thursday, 23:05
Leave a Reply