Snog, Marry, Avoid and why this show is dreadful.

"Snog" has to be one of the most disgusting words in the English language. It seems void of any romance or passion and, to me, conjures up images of twirling, tentacle-like tongues and too much saliva. For some time now I've had some issues with the show 'Snog, Marry, Avoid' on BBC Three and would like to discuss why I feel this show is missing the mark.

If you are unaware of the show, I assure you that you've missed nothing of value. The show takes young men and women before a  robot style being named 'POD' who criticises their clothing and general appearance. The person is then made to watch people respond to their looks, saying whether they would 'snog', 'marry' or 'avoid' that person purely based on their appearance and not their personality. This is a show that suggests that the worth of a person lies within their sexual appeal and if people want to 'snog' or 'marry' you. The show enforces gender specific fashion items that pander to the contemporary high street fashion market. They'll usually take one person who uses fake tan, extensions and dresses in a slightly revealing manner and then someone with an alternative sense of fashion. They will then try to dress both alike. POD usually throws some really snotty comments towards the person on the show before drastically altering their appearance to something that has been decided upon by strangers.

In a recent episode I heard someone describing fads as 'phony' - I'm sorry, I didn't realise Holden Caulfield had become a fashion critic...Rather than dressing each individual in clothing that seems suited to their personality, they appear to be decked out in typical clothing found on the highstreet as if pandering solely to current trends rather than attempting to match clothing to an individual. Clothing is more of an external expression of self with practical purposes, not a uniform. Piercings, hair colour, make up and clothes represent who we are on the inside for us on the outside. I'm all for fashion and having an interest in clothing but if our clothing is a reflection of our personality surely our clothing should be personalised and decided by the person who is going to wear them.

The show attempts to promote the idea of 'natural beauty' but the 'natural' looks that come at the end of the show still are often accompanied by makeup, hair products, nail varnish etc. So... it's still not exactly natural, is it? It's just a different kind of fakery. It also suggests that to achieve 'natural beauty' one must dress conservatively. The show slams anyone who dresses in a provocative manner. Surely those who are comfortable with their bodies should be able to show off however much they wish to. This show passes off slut-shaming as 'outfit criticism' for the nation. By telling people to dress in a conservative manner these people, women in particular, are being told it is unacceptable for them to use or display their own bodies in order to express themselves. Are we really still such prudes?

As one girl on a recent episode said: "It's not natural... but it's me"

(If I ever start dressing solely in the hopes that I'l gain the sexual desire and approval from strangers on the street in some sort of display of misogynistic pageantry, someone please slap me.)

No one should have the right to tell someone what to wear or how to feel about their look. In a world where we're already being constantly told what to wear, how to feel about out bodies, how to present ourselves... surely we should be praising people for a little originality? Surely it is the variety in life that makes our existence exciting. I find the show to be hypocritical, marginalising and occasionally transphobic. It seeks to degrade people through public humiliation and nationwide criticism. Shows like this seem to suggest that we should trade in any shred of originality and follow every trend thrown at us. Are you ready to assimilate?