The Swan almost feels like something from a terrifying dystopian science fiction thriller set far in the future. The show revolved around a group of women unhappy with their physical appearance, all competing for extreme plastic surgery makeovers. It featured two women per week, collaborating with a team of makeover specialists including a therapist, trainer, cosmetic surgeon, and dentist. One woman would go home, while the other would be put through to compete in the show's pageant finale and potentially win the title of "The Swan". Because obviously all women are hideously deformed creatures until they're surgically reconstructed to most closely resemble what men think women should look like. British comedian Josie Long quipped that the show should really be called, "The Bullies Were Right", and it's difficult to disagree with that assessment. Shockingly, The Swan ran for two complete scenes, both airing in 2004, before being cancelled early the following year due to plummeting ratings.
Audrey Fox is an ex-film student, which means that she prefers to spend her days in the dark, watching movies and pondering the director's use of diegetic sound. She currently works as an entertainment writer, joyfully rambling about all things film and television related. Add her on Twitter at @audonamission and check out her film blog at 1001moviesandbeyond.com.
