I really do miss Starting Over. It was overly maudlin, but the cast of characters (the women in the house) made it interesting and the often-bizarre tasks the lifecoaches assigned the women were regularly amusing. It was horribly sappy and overdone, but I liked it. It's my favorite daytime show and I was incredibly disappointed when it was canceled. I'd pay money out of my own pocket to see it come back on the air. Sometimes everything horrible about television can combine into something kind of weirdly awesome.

That is a great point, Anita. Although I consider a lot of the show humiliating for its subjects, the exercises were of good intentions.

Tracey,

After your complaint, I did, in fact, change the wording. You were right - saying "proved" sounded too facetious.

However, if you read the rest of my article, you'll see that the entire piece comments on the absurd mischaracterization Starting Over takes to its subjects.

I was not calling women "emotional trainwrecks." In fact, was referencing the shape in which the show's producers display their cast members as such. The article defends women against degradation, not the other way around.

Actually, I have to disagree. I used to watch 'Starting Over' and it was the only reality TV show I could really stomach. Unlike 'Charm School,' it actually focused on helping the women achieve their goals. I don't remember an episode focusing on makeovers, but I liked that it helped people with achieving their career goals i.e. 'comedian,' 'country western singer,' getting over divorce or finishing grad school without insane humiliating tasks. It insisted that the comedian go to stand up each week and get a coach in the business. For the woman who wanted to just 'record' country western & become famous, they insisted she start small i.e. getting voice lessons, singing in small places and placing the music first. Plus, the life coaches actually interacted with the housemates to help them in achieving their goals as opposed to the fly-by 'coaching' of today's shows i.e. the Duffster on 'Legally Blonde.'

Plus, it sent the housemates through steps where they didn't leave the house until they achieved their goals. In today's overdone celebreality, it was refreshing not seeing women dress up like slutty bachelorettes. I also liked the positivity over today's negativity. Sure there was 'drama' but not slap your mama drama. I hope they bring back 'Starting Over,' which shows women focusing on careers as opposed to serving as the latest receptacle of whatever post-80s-90s pop star/farmer/momma's boy.

I watched the first few seasons of this show, and I admit, it steamed me. All the silly 'exercises' were such a waste. They had one good shrink, so got rid of her, and got a total pain instead. I don't think they really helped anyone. Pretty quick fixes just don't work. Makeovers? Your life is in the toilet, so they give you a makeover? I don't think so.

"Starting Over was a daily affirmation that proved women are emotional train wrecks."


Go fuck yourself Mr. Glazer.