We know from years of careful America’s Next Top Model viewing that people who are pretty for a living are ripe for eminently watchable drama. (And don’t even get us started on the genius that was MTV’s all-too-short-lived reality show 8th & Ocean. Identical twins competing for jobs! Models for Christ!) But scripted dramas about models never seem to catch on with the masses (R.I.P. Models Inc.), and the latest noble effort in this subgenre, The CW’s The Beautiful Life, has now earned the ugly First Cancellation of the Fall distinction. It had its share of pre-season difficulties thanks to the hospitalization of star Mischa Barton, but it had potential, too: Sara Paxton’s nice-girl It Girl, Ben Hollingsworth’s shirtlessness, Mischa Barton’s meta storyline about being a onetime hot commodity who dropped out of sight for mysterious reasons. It was no Vampire Diaries, but it seemed like a guilty enough pleasure to pair with Top Model on Wednesday nights. Then again, maybe that was the problem: No fictionalized pretty people can compete with the real-life fascination that Top Model engenders, from massive meltdowns over minor haircuts to model wannabes who are almost absurdly unique (contestants have brought to light everything from genital mutilation to transgender issues to Asperger’s Syndrome) to Tyra’s every antic (being a Mama Bear confidante one moment, pretending to be a robot the next, etc.).
What do you think, PopWatchers? Should The CW have given the Beautiful people longer to prove themselves? Do you think the series showed potential, or are we better off with reruns of Melrose after Top Model? Why do we hate watching actors pretend to be models, even when we love real people trying to be models?
That actually makes me a little sad, embaressingly enough, I like it.
Um, the show canceled because it reeked, the acting was laughable and so was the script, perfect example of style over substance. But most fashion types usually prefer style over substance and so would the fans of this show who thought it was great. But I respect people’s tastes.
was canceled I mean. typo.
I liked TBL I prefered MP and TVD but TBL was just starting to get good!
I did kind of like it but the acting was bad.
I thought it was enjoyably terrible, and the constantly shirtless men were nice. I’ll miss Mischa Barton’s awful acting most of all.
Honestly, I think it had a lot of potential, had they given it enough time to actually grow. Two episodes isn’t enough for a show to really show what it’s made of.
I used to Love Models Inc (yes I know I’m probably in the minority here)…I was heartbroken when it was cancelled – yes I realize the severity of my statement. LOL
Yeah I definitely think the CDdub should’ve let it air for a little while longer…come on shows like this take a while to get good – the 90210 re-boot didn’t get good until the VERY END of the 1st season!
I didn’t watch it, but I hate when any show gets cancelled so quickly. Sometimes things need time to catch on, and no one is served when networks pull the plug so quickly.
cancelled way too soon,
I don’t know about anyone else but I hate Ashton Kutcher….. He is a jack of all trades master of none. His acting sucks, he’s not that hot, and his produced shows are beyond stupid. Everytime I see his name associated with anything all I think is that he’s married to Demi Moore.
This is why I didn’t make an effort to watch…
Ok, this was purely a guilty pleasure. The show really did have everything going for it with the exception of Mischa, her acting is horrid. And the cute blonde-well, being a top model watcher, she was hardly “top model” material. You aint foolin no one…Come on now guys, it was a great production, it would still be on the air if you hired 2 no names. Kudos to Elle–F-Ing HOT…
i loved models, inc too! if its ever released on dvd, im so buying it! and i liked this show too, but wednesdays are too crowded with good shows that i had to axe one of them, and this was it.
I gave the show an chance and a little upset to see it go.
yawn – just another show biting the dust – there will be something else to take it’s place soon enough – guess it’s not really that important (ie didn’t make enough sponsor dollars) – Boo Hoo
that is what they get for not renewing Privileged and picking up this crap instead- anemic ratings and no critical love!