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Extreme Makeover

The Politics of Gender, Class, and Cultural Identity

Utrecht School of the Arts

This article examines the representation of gender, class, and cultural identity in the Extreme Makeover series, the most widely circulated American cosmetic makeover show that coexists on Western European television with national/regional adaptations of the format. Even though a cross-national analysis of the Dutch, Flemish, and British version alerts us to cultural differences, particularly in terms of generic inflections and aesthetic allegiances, the formulaic narrative structure of this television format ultimately transcends local culture and perpetuates normative gender and class regimes, particularly in combination with other popular reality shows aimed at female spectators.

Key Words: reality TV • Extreme Makeover • cultural inflections • gender • class

This version was published on November 1, 2008

Television & New Media, Vol. 9, No. 6, 471-486 (2008)
DOI: 10.1177/1527476408323339


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