The Swan (TV series)
Encyclopedia
The Swan is a 2004 American reality television
program broadcast on Fox
in which women who were judged to be 'ugly' were given "extreme makeovers" that included several forms of plastic surgery
. The title of the series refers to the fairy tale The Ugly Duckling
, in which a homely bird matures into a swan.
Each contestant was assigned a panel of specialists — a coach, therapist, trainer, cosmetic surgeons and a dentist — who together designed a program of total transformation. The contestants’ work ethic, growth and achievement was monitored during a three-month process. Each week, two women were featured, and at the episode’s conclusion, one went home while another was selected to move to compete in the Swan pageant at the end of the season for a chance to be deemed The Swan.
Both the first and second seasons debuted in 2004. A third season was tipped to happen, but the show was cancelled in early 2005 after continued ratings drops.
The plastic surgeons on the team were chosen for their ability to perform often startling transformations. Drs. Terry Dubrow and Randal Haworth, both board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, were selected by the producers of the show to perform the multiple plastic surgical operations for each of the two aired seasons.
The prizes awarded to the winner were:
After 9 episodes and 16 makeovers it was announced that Rachel Love-Fraser had won the swan pageant. Beth placed runner up, with Cindy second-runner up.
The prizes awarded to the winner were:
After 9 episodes and 16 makeovers it was announced that DeLisa Styles had won the swan pageant. Gina B placed runner up, with Erica second-runner up.
It attracted further criticism internationally as British comedian and writer Charlie Brooker launched attacks on The Swan during his Channel 4 show 'You Have Been Watching
', where guest Josie Long
suggested the show be renamed "The bullies were right".
The show was ranked at #1 in Entertainment Weekly's 10 Worst Reality-TV Shows Ever.
Reality television
Reality television is a genre of television programming that presents purportedly unscripted dramatic or humorous situations, documents actual events, and usually features ordinary people instead of professional actors, sometimes in a contest or other situation where a prize is awarded...
program broadcast on Fox
Fox Broadcasting Company
Fox Broadcasting Company, commonly referred to as Fox Network or simply Fox , is an American commercial broadcasting television network owned by Fox Entertainment Group, part of Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation. Launched on October 9, 1986, Fox was the highest-rated broadcast network in the...
in which women who were judged to be 'ugly' were given "extreme makeovers" that included several forms of plastic surgery
Plastic surgery
Plastic surgery is a medical specialty concerned with the correction or restoration of form and function. Though cosmetic or aesthetic surgery is the best-known kind of plastic surgery, most plastic surgery is not cosmetic: plastic surgery includes many types of reconstructive surgery, hand...
. The title of the series refers to the fairy tale The Ugly Duckling
The Ugly Duckling
"The Ugly Duckling" is a literary fairy tale by Danish poet and author Hans Christian Andersen . The story tells of a homely little bird born in a barnyard who suffers abuse from his neighbors until, much to his delight , he matures into a beautiful swan, the most beautiful bird of all...
, in which a homely bird matures into a swan.
Each contestant was assigned a panel of specialists — a coach, therapist, trainer, cosmetic surgeons and a dentist — who together designed a program of total transformation. The contestants’ work ethic, growth and achievement was monitored during a three-month process. Each week, two women were featured, and at the episode’s conclusion, one went home while another was selected to move to compete in the Swan pageant at the end of the season for a chance to be deemed The Swan.
Both the first and second seasons debuted in 2004. A third season was tipped to happen, but the show was cancelled in early 2005 after continued ratings drops.
The plastic surgeons on the team were chosen for their ability to perform often startling transformations. Drs. Terry Dubrow and Randal Haworth, both board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, were selected by the producers of the show to perform the multiple plastic surgical operations for each of the two aired seasons.
Season one
The Swan debuted on April 7, 2004.| EP | Contestant #1 | Contestant #2 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kelly Alemi | Rachel Love-Fraser |
| 2 | Kristy Garza | Christina Tyree |
| 3 | Cindy Ingle | Tawnya C. |
| 4 | Beth Lay | Kathy Rickers |
| 5 | Andrea Morris | Belinda Bessant |
| 6 | Sarina Voight | Kelly Becker |
| 7 | Marnie Rygiewicz | Dawn Goad |
| 8 | Tanya S. | Merline Norman |
- Through to the pageant
- Wildcard
- Contestant Tanya, dropped out of the show, after being caught with a mirror (which is against the rules of appearing on the series), so she left the show (on her own accord), so Merline was automatically in the swan pageant.
Swan pageant
At the show the judges would score in every category with the swan contestants competing, eventually being whittled down to three finalists. The judges at the show were:- Susie CastilloSusie CastilloSusie Castillo is a former beauty queen who held the Miss USA title and competed in the Miss Teen USA and Miss Universe pageants...
- Miss USAMiss USAThe Miss USA beauty contest has been held annually since 1952 to select the United States entrant in the Miss Universe pageant. The Miss Universe Organization operates both pageants, as well as Miss Teen USA...
2003 - Valerie Trott - model management exec
- Judith ReganJudith ReganJudith Regan is an American editor, producer, book publisher and television and radio talk show host. She is the mother of a son and a daughter and lives in New York City and Los Angeles.-Early life:...
- publisher of several self-help books - Tara KraftTara KraftTara Kraft is an American actress. She currently resides in Seattle, Washington.- Background :Tara attended Blue Valley North High School in Overland Park, Kansas...
- beauty director of StarStar (magazine)Star is an American celebrity tabloid magazine.-History:Star was founded by Rupert Murdoch in 1974 as competition to the tabloid National Enquirer with its headquarters in New York City. In the late 1980s it moved its offices to Tarrytown, NY and in 1990 Murdoch sold the magazine to The Enquirers...
magazine - Mike RuizMike RuizMike Ruiz is a Canadian-born photographer, director, TV personality and former model and actor.- Early life :Ruiz, who is of French Canadian and Spanish ancestry, was born in Montreal in 1964, but raised in Repentigny, Quebec, Canada. After modeling for a decade he moved to Los Angeles to study...
- Fashion photographer z
The prizes awarded to the winner were:
- A modeling contract with judge Trott’s Agency
- A designer wardrobe of unspecified value
- A week in Honolulu, HawaiiHawaiiHawaii is the newest of the 50 U.S. states , and is the only U.S. state made up entirely of islands. It is the northernmost island group in Polynesia, occupying most of an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental United States, southeast of Japan, and northeast of...
- A weekend in Las VegasLas Vegas, NevadaLas Vegas is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nevada and is also the county seat of Clark County, Nevada. Las Vegas is an internationally renowned major resort city for gambling, shopping, and fine dining. The city bills itself as The Entertainment Capital of the World, and is famous...
- $50,000 educational scholarship at Western International UniversityWestern International UniversityThe Western International University is a regionally accredited for-profit university owned by the Apollo Group. Western International University is a college for adult learners and allows adults to remain responsible for their careers and family life by offering online and evening programs.Western...
- $10,000 of personal coaching
- A 2004 Jaguar
- $50,000 cash
Final competition scores
| Swan Finalist | Evening Gown | Swimsuit | Q&A | Lingerie |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rachel | 9.8 (1) | 9.8 (1) | 9.6 (1) | 9.7 (1) |
| Beth | 9.6 (2) | 9.6 (2) | 9.2 (2) | 9.1 (3) |
| Cindy | 9.4 (3) | 9.4 (3) | 8.9 (5) | 9.3 (2) |
| Kelly | 8.5 (6) | 8.5 (6) | 9.0 (3) | 8.9 (4) |
| Marnie | 8.8 (4) | 9.0 (4) | 8.4 (6) | 8.6 (5) |
| Sarina | 8.7 (5) | 8.7 (5) | 9.0 (3) | 8.4 (6) |
| Merline | 7.9 (7) | 7.9 (7) | ||
| Christina | 7.8 (8) | 7.9 (7) | ||
| Belinda | 7.7 (9) | 7.7 (9) |
- Winner
- First runner-up
- Second runner-up
- Top 6
- Top 9
- (#) Rank in each round of competition
After 9 episodes and 16 makeovers it was announced that Rachel Love-Fraser had won the swan pageant. Beth placed runner up, with Cindy second-runner up.
Season two
Season two debuted on October 27, 2004. Kari and Gina. B from episode 4 were sisters.| EP | Contestant #1 | Contestant #2 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jennifer | Kim |
| 2 | Gina Davis | Lorrie |
| 3 | Christina | Erica |
| 4 | Gina Brevada | Kari Brevada |
| 5 | Cinnamon | Patti |
| 6 | DeLisa Styles | Lorraine |
| 7 | Marsha | Sylvia |
| 8 | Amy | Dore |
- Through to the pageant
- Wildcard
Swan Pageant
At the show the judges scored the swan contestants in several categories, whittling them down to three finalists. The judges at the show were:- Ken Baker - West Coast Executive Editor of US WeeklyUs WeeklyUs Weekly is a celebrity gossip magazine, founded in 1977 by The New York Times Company, who sold it in 1980. It was acquired by Wenner Media in 1986. The publication covers topics ranging from celebrity relationships to the latest trends in fashion, beauty, and entertainment...
magazine - Krista Sides-Klayman - LA Models Management, first agent of Tyra BanksTyra BanksTyra Lynne Banks is an American model, media personality, actress, occasional singer, author and businesswoman. She first became famous as a model, but television appearances were her commercial breakthrough...
. - Carnie WilsonCarnie WilsonCarnie Wilson is an American singer and television hostess, perhaps best known as a member of the pop music group Wilson Phillips.-Early life and musical career:...
- Wilson PhillipsWilson Phillips-Studio albums:-Compilation albums:-Singles:-Other charted songs:-Awards and nominations:...
singer, actor, author - Larry A. Thompson - Producer, Author
- Dayanara TorresDayanara TorresDayanara Torres Delgado is a Puerto Rican actress, singer, model, and former Miss Universe.Torres was discovered at age 17 while walking through the Plaza de Toa Alta in her hometown, and was invited to represent Toa Alta in the annual Miss Puerto Rico pageant. She won the pageant and the right...
- Miss UniverseMiss UniverseMiss Universe is an annual international beauty contest that is run by the Miss Universe Organization. The pageant is the most publicized beauty contest in the world with 600 million viewers....
1993
The prizes awarded to the winner were:
- $100,000 contract as a national spokesperson for NutriSystem
- 6 day guided tour of Bangkok, Thailand courtesy of Thai Airways InternationalThai Airways InternationalThai Airways International Public Company Limited is the national flag carrier and largest airline of Thailand. Formed in 1988, the airline's headquarters are located in Chatuchak District, Bangkok, and operates out of Suvarnabhumi Airport. Thai is a founding member of the Star Alliance. Thai is a...
- One of a kind custom made evening gown by House of Thai Silk in Hollywood
- 1 year gym membership for her and her family courtesy of Spectrum
- 1 year supply of Mesoestetic medical skin care products
- Weekend getaway to Las Vegas, NevadaLas Vegas, NevadaLas Vegas is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nevada and is also the county seat of Clark County, Nevada. Las Vegas is an internationally renowned major resort city for gambling, shopping, and fine dining. The city bills itself as The Entertainment Capital of the World, and is famous...
as a guest of Rio All Suite Hotel and CasinoRio All Suite Hotel and CasinoThe Rio All Suite Hotel and Casino is located off the Las Vegas Strip in the unincorporated area of Paradise, Nevada, USA. It is better known as The Rio and is owned and operated by Caesars Entertainment Inc. The Rio was the first all suite resort in the Las Vegas area... - $10,000 personal coaching scholarship to Anthony Robbins Mastery University
- $50,000 educational scholarship courtesy of Western International UniversityWestern International UniversityThe Western International University is a regionally accredited for-profit university owned by the Apollo Group. Western International University is a college for adult learners and allows adults to remain responsible for their careers and family life by offering online and evening programs.Western...
- $35,000 smile transformation for winner's significant other provided by Dr Sherri Worth in partnership with Da Vinci Studios
Final competition scores
| Swan Finalist | Evening Gown | Swimsuit | Q&A | Lingerie |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DeLisa | 9.9 (1) | 9.9 (1) | 9.5 (1) | 9.9 (1) |
| Gina B | 9.5 (2) | 9.5 (2) | 9.3 (2) | 9.3 (2) |
| Erica | 9.3 (3) | 9.3 (3) | 9.1 (4) | 9.1 (3) |
| Kari | 9.2 (4) | 9.3 (3) | 9.1 (4) | 9.1 (3) |
| Gina D | 8.9 (5) | 8.8 (5) | 9.3 (2) | 9.1 (3) |
| Jennifer | 8.3 (6) | 8.3 (6) | ||
| Amy | 8.2 (7) | 8.2 (7) | ||
| Marsha | 8.2 (7) | 8.2 (7) | ||
| Cinnamon | 8.1 (9) | 8.1 (9) |
- Winner
- First runner-up
- Second runner-up
- Top 5
- Top 9
- (#) Rank in each round of competition
After 9 episodes and 16 makeovers it was announced that DeLisa Styles had won the swan pageant. Gina B placed runner up, with Erica second-runner up.
Criticism
The Swan has been widely criticized for promoting plastic surgery and a beauty standard packaged and marketed by the fashion industry, as well as for demonstrating a lack of ethics by preying on vulnerable women. The journalist Jennifer L. Pozner, in her book, Reality Bites Back, calls The Swan “the most sadistic reality series of the decade.”It attracted further criticism internationally as British comedian and writer Charlie Brooker launched attacks on The Swan during his Channel 4 show 'You Have Been Watching
You Have Been Watching
You Have Been Watching is a British comedy panel game presented by Charlie Brooker, produced by Zeppotron for Channel 4 and filmed at BBC Television Centre and Riverside Studios in London. It first aired on Tuesday 7 July 2009, for a weekly eight-episode run...
', where guest Josie Long
Josie Long
Josie Long is an English comedian.-Background:Long spent her early life in Orpington, South East London, where she attended Newstead Wood School for Girls in Swift House. She also attended GIFT Ltd. summer schools. She began performing stand-up comedy at 14, winning the BBC New Comedy Awards at...
suggested the show be renamed "The bullies were right".
The show was ranked at #1 in Entertainment Weekly's 10 Worst Reality-TV Shows Ever.