Shear Genius

I am a Project Runway addict in withdrawal, and I am apparently not alone. The show is so popular it has prompted Bravo to launch several spin-offs like Top Chef and Top Design, and now Shear Genius, which pits hairstylists against each other to win... I don't know, a bunch of stuff that's all less appealing than just being on the show.

I downloaded the pilot for free on i-tunes (you can also watch it for free on Bravo), and unfortunately, despite having rocker chick stylist Sally Hershberger as a judge, the entire show was strangely airless and frumpy. In the first challenge, the hairdressers were given an hour to style a mannequin's hair, and a good 75% of them gave the poor inanimate creature the same asymmetrical bob I once got when I bet on a bad pony at the Vidal Sassoo academy.  The second challenge, where they shopped at Michael's (The horror! The horror!) for craft supplies and turned their models into walking scrapbooks ("Hair Art" was the ostensible theme), was even worse--the winner literally put Davey Jones' Locker on top of his do. You'd have to see it to believe it--but it's hardly worth it, trust me.

And what is with Jaclyn Smith as host? She has the same haircut she wore on Charlie's Angels, and even then she wasn't the Angel known for her hair. 

Comments

[Maryam]

The only reality show that I'm interested in on Bravo is Project Runway, I loved it, and I wish they'd do another one instead of these chef shows, hair shows and design shows. I refuse to watch Shear Genius.

[Donna]

If this is the same show I saw, which I don't think it is than is was worth about 15 minutes of my time.

I think the next spin off will be pitting 2 people in a shoe shine contest.

Donna

[Jackie Danicki]

Donna, there is no need to sign your comments, as your name appears at the bottom of them automatically. Thanks.

As for Bravo, I am a hardcore fan of Top Chef, Top Design, and The Real Housewives of the O.C. Not having a TV, though, my viewing is limited to JetBlue flights and other snatched episodes, plus the aid of recaps. Shear Genius would probably be right up my filthy alley.

[Hillary Johnson]

I have to say, I watched all of the recent Top Design, which was wonderful, especially since it featured both Tod Oldham and Kelly Wearstler, two designers who are among my favorites. Bravo's formula is total TV crack.

[Toni]

I watched a few episodes of Shear Genius and thought it was pretty interesting. They had an episode where they were using garden tools to cut hair, pretty hilarious. I hear they also have a sweepstakes running where you can win a trip to NYC for 2 nights, a Shear Genius haircut, complete makeover and $500 shopping spree. Here's the link to enter http://condenast.eprize.net/alluresheargenius/index.tbapp?page=intro&affiliate_id=1d&noflash=flash. Just thought i'd share since i work with Shear Genius.