First there were reality shows for survivors, chefs, bachelors and brides, then for would-be truckers, fishermen, foresters and pawn shoppers, and even a train wreck-cum-cultural phenomenon of a show about a pint-sized beauty queen manquée and her hillbilly relatives.
Now comes television for boobs. Literally.
Lifetime, the network that brought us Project Runway (fair enough) and Dance Moms (fairly icky) and The Houstons: On Our Own (icky squared), has found a new, odd corner of reality to explore with the upcoming premiere of Double Divas, an “uplifting” reality show about, um, breast containment.
The new series follows Molly Hopkins and Cynthia Richards, owners of LiviRae Lingerie in Atlanta, Georgia.
In the series' first episode, scheduled for January 10 (a special preview aired on January 1), the foundation fitting duo comes to the aid of a choir at a local church. According to Molly, the choir’s singing is being overshadowed by their "bouncing boobies." "These ladies bring down the house with their devotion," she says. "I just want to make sure they’re not bringing down the house with their boobies."
Spoiler alert: By the end of the episode the women of the choir are thrilled with their new bras. One chorister even proudly proclaims she can move more and "freely praise Him now."
"Our job is to really help women feel wonderful," says Molly. "All you gotta do is bring out the sexy stuff." Cynthia, according to the show’s website, fancies herself “the Thomas Edison of custom lingerie.”
Lest you think the Lifetime Network is trying to lure more male viewers, Double Divas is no Victoria's Secret Fashion Show. Judging from previews, some shapely shop patrons will be seen, but viewers will also see Molly and Cynthia handle much bigger, er, challenges.
Double Divas may attract some attention, but I can't help but think it represents another sorry step in the continuing dumbing down of television. Or maybe I'm just annoyed. As it happens, I was in the talking stages with another network for a reality show set in a men's custom underwear shop. I was going to call it Brief Encounters.
Whether or not Double Divas becomes a hit, this is surely one television series that has bust written all over it.