The New York Daily News reported on Sunday that a Texas family is suing the ABC reality show Extreme Makeover, alleging the show led the sister of a would-be contestant to commit suicide.
Extreme Makeover is one of several reality makeover shows that have sprung up in recent years. These shows capitalize on viewers' obsession with cosmetic surgery and feelings of inadequecy. Other shows featuring people who want their surgeries filmed include I Want A Famous Face, Dr. 90210, and Miami Slice.
The lawsuit alleges that Extreme Makeover promised to drastically remake the face and body of Deleese Williams, including cosmetic surgery for perceived flaws such as a deformed jaw, crooked teeth, droopy eyes, and small chest. The show said the makeover would "transform her life and destiny" and give her a "Hollywood smile like Cindy Crawford," and compared her transformation to the fairy tale Cinderella.
After announcing in January 2004 that Williams was to recieve a makeover on the show, the producers set up confessional "interviews" with her family and friends, a common practice seen in other makeover shows such as Queer Eye for the Straight Guy. In these interviews, the family was coaxed into discussing the "flaws" of Williams' physical appearance, all while she was within earshot. The suit alleges that when the producers interviewed Kellie McGee, Williams' sister, they "repeatedly put words in her mouth" about how she felt toward her ugly sister.
The night before Deleese was to receive her Extreme Makeover, a producer from the show came to her hotel room and told her that the makeover was being scuttled because the dental surgeon had informed them the recovery time would be longer than first expected.
The suit states that when the show nixed Williams' appearance, McGee then became distraught with guilt over the things she had said in the videotaped interviews. Four months later, on May 25, 2004, McGee OD'd on pills, alcohol, and cocaine. The lawsuit alleges that McGee ended her life due to feelings of intense guilt.
Wesley Cordova, a lawyer for Williams, said, "These programs are cheap to produce--there are no actors or screenwriters to pay. But there is a very high human cost."
ABC has no comment on the allegations, but mental health experts have long warned that depressed individuals shouldn't involve themselves with reality shows.
1st, the article states that the show capitalized on "perceived flaws" (I never saw it that way...) I recall one show with a surgery where a woman of middle eastern descent had reconstructive surgery from damages from a rape... that is NOT "perceived flaws", women can be killed in some cultures if marrying and do not pass the insane "test" of a "virgin." I also recall seeing many of these shows where there were definite problems, physical problems, that do lead to people not getting jobs, etc., or even not being able to eat correctly, and so on. This is not a matter of the participants' perceptions, this is a matter of being able to get along in our society, which has nothing to do with "obsession with cosmetic surgery."None of us know what went on behind the scenes, although it seems that if someone committed suicide, and especially had access to cocaine, wouldn't one wonder about this person's previous drug usage? I certainly don't know (nor do I care to know) where or how to get a hold of cocaine, or other illegal substances, nor do I think do most people that do not abuse them to begin with!I feel reality shows ought to be about reality, NOT like many are produced now that seem to try to get people to act in a certain way for the camera, and I think it would be more interesting to "keep it real", and although it is sad that a person committed suicide, then why would they simply not walk away and tell a producer or whoever it is that they simply would not say something that isn't true, or that is exaggerated? The article says "mental health professionals" have long warned that depressed individuals shouldn't involved themselves with reality shows." I certainly wouldn't agree with ANY such blanket statement! Many people can become depressed because they have a bodily or dental feature that really needs to be corrected, and often cannot afford the procedure to get it fixed, so why not share that on TV? I understood the participants of the show were screened by mental health professionals, but then wasn't this someone's sister who was taken off the show because of a recovery time issue? I think the show *should have* gone ahead with the procedure for the one gal and simply not aired it if it took too much time for their deadline - especially if it is true that she was told the night before at a hotel, but that certainly does NOT make the show responsible for someone's suicide! It *may* make them responsible for following through with the surgeries, but NOT a suicide. It says the show wasn't even going to air, so I don't see ANY responsibility on the show's part for the suicide, although I do for the make-over!Sad for the family, but they need to look beyond this experience and focus on the living! Get the make-over done and get on with life, as the person that committed suicide obviously had problems other than a TV show/make-over!Also VERY sad for the show, as how many people will NOT be helped because of this lawsuit? I think the family is being extremely selfish in blaming the show for that... They outta have the show take care of the make-over and realize that the one who committed suicide had issues unrelated to anything to do with the TV show!I *do* hope they bring the show back! It is not only a help to the participants, but also good training for medical personnel, even with the Hollywood spin on it. It also has likely helped many people who were considering "cosmetic surgery" for vanity reasons, or mental health reasons to consider other options!moreless
It is most regrettable anytime anyone takes their life. People are quick to blame when the prospect of dollars are in their path. I feel for this family and their loss but suing Extreme Makeover for the womans instability is just wrong. I love the show and enjoy seeing people with such hope for a makeover, in order to feel better about themselves, get it.
If that sister did not use any cocaine how could she have ODd? She obivisoly was an addict to begin with.
It is sad that because of some cocaine addict, a lot of people who could have used the Extreme Makeover show to improve their self-esteem and their quality of life. I loved the show, unlike a lot of the current reality shows out there.
hi gud day! i always watch your show here in philippines,i am 29 years old, Filipino and stay here in philippines, i just want to remove my stretch marks and scars and fix my teeth, i want to have a good job and i want to wear sexy dress but becoz of my stretchmark and scars i cant wear sexy clothes... pls. help me to make my dream come true!
I hate how i watch the show over and over again and i only see the common fix..like liposuction, reduce big nose, increase big breast, chin implant. They totally exclude me...i want to reduce my long chin unproportional to my face, make my nose more pointy, help me gain some weight so that i'm not under weight, and fix extreme lopsided breast. i don't want to watch this show anymore.
hey...i love the shows...and would go on one myself if i were 'extreme' enough...it's tough because of these shows not to always feel you must look perfect...however, now that they are here...the damage is done. i lost my only husband after 20 years to cancer...it's real tough to 'start over' at my age in a world where beauty is everything. i hear most of you putting these shows down...but my guess is you pick partners based on looks every time...nuff said. ps...how do I get my pix to show up like ev1 else's???<br />
debi
Read the lawsuit. They weren't stupid, they were desperate and the corporate mongers fed off every bit of that! They overreached and they felt by disclosing that the contract was illegal it absolves them, it doesn't. The Defendants understand people have issues with their appearance, especially in this materialistic, egocentric, superficial, immoral, and irresponsible society as americans have become, and they want to milk it as far as possible with no regard to the individual or their family. Answer this, does it make it right, or legal, to tell rape victims if they allow themselves to be submitted to humilitang interviews and video taping and sign illegal contracts that they will have a chance to better themselves and improve their lives? How do you think those vicitims would feel if they hear their friends and family say, "she had it coming" or something detrimental as that at the egging of producers shooting for better ratings? Now this atrocity of a show has so collapsed the emotional structure of a family, with complete disregard, that someone is dead. I urge you to read the complaint, understand somewhat what this poor woman went through.moreless
Read the lawsuit. They weren't stupid, they were desperate and the corporate mongers fed off every bit of that! They overreached and they felt by disclosing that the contract was illegal it absolves them, it doesn't. The Defendants understand people have issues with their appearance, especially in this materialistic, egocentric, superficial, immoral, and irresponsible society as americans have become, and they want to milk it as far as possible with no regard to the individual or their family. Answer this, does it make it right, or legal, to tell rape victims if they allow themselves to be submitted to humilitang interviews and video taping and sign illegal contracts that they will have a chance to better themselves and improve their lives? How do you think those vicitims would feel if they hear their friends and family say, "she had it coming" or something detrimental as that at the egging of producers shooting for better ratings? Now this atrocity of a show has so collapsed the emotional structure of a family, with complete disregard, that someone is dead. I urge you to read the complaint, understand somewhat what this poor woman went through.moreless
Well,To be honest i like the show..but i feel sorry for her..
mental health experts have long warned that depressed individuals shouldn't involve themselves with reality shows...<br />
No Crap
I hate these types of shows with a passion, but I have to say that it does not seem likely that someone would choose cocaine to kill themselves unless they had a problem to begin with.<br />
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I hate to side with the network, but this sounds to me more like a night of partying gone awry than an actual suicide.
Okay, these people have to apply to be on the show, so the sister obviously knew that she was less than attractive. The show has nothing to do with how the sister feels about herself. And as for the sister who committed suicide, nobody can make you say something you don't want to. She said those things because she wanted to, they were obviously on her mind. And you don't commit suicide for reason such as these. She had to have way more problems than a simple show could even remotely create.<br />
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I think her family is looking for someone to blame, because they didn't see how badly she was doing and couldn't help her in time. It's all very sad, but I don't think the show is to blame.moreless
See, I really think this goes far deep than just the stupidity of a show, its producers and the people who subject themselves to it... How far can these show's go? And why won't ABC be accountable for their actions? Just makes me feel sick to my stomach, really.
I knew this show was rubbish from the second it premiered.
I don't think any one including show produers should make anyone think that they are less of a person because of the way the look :( The contestant must have very low self esteem for it to have affected her so badly. Perhaps a psycologist should be part of the interviewing process ....
never seen Extreme Make-over but my opinion is theres never any reason good enough to take your own life and the show cant be blamed. Esspecially since if th4ey did screw someone over it was the contestant that got bumped and not the sister and shouldn't be liable for someone who volunteraly signed up for the process.
Goes to show the Extreme Home Makeover is the only good reality show out there. A show that does good. Down with reality TV.
I can't really say who I want to win this one. Is it all a lie? If it isn't I'm cheering for the family, shows like this are so stupid.
"more than just the soul of humanity" - ahhahahahahahahaha! so true. i hate those shows.<br />