One of my secret little guilty pleasures is the TLC show What Not to Wear, featuring Stacy London and Clinton Kelly. If you haven't seen it, Stacy and Clinton travel around the country, giving fashion makeovers to people whose friends and family have nominated them as... well, needing a bit of assistance in the appearance department. Here's why I like Stacy and Clinton. Their idea of a makeover never includes "lose weight" or "have plastic surgery." Instead, they find each person's positive points and find a way to highlight and accentuate those features, and they show them that no matter what size you are, wearing clothes that fit you properly is the best way to look good.
Anyway, it looks like one of their upcoming shows was being filmed in Salem, Massachussetts, this week, featuring Leanne Marrama, a member of Salem's witch community. Leanne, who was nominated by her friends, is set for a complete fashion, hair and makeup makeover, as well as a $5,000 shopping spree. Sure, some of it's going to be silly -- filming included getting a cast of costumed locals to chase the stylists with pitchforks -- but I like that a mainstream show has decided to present a member of the Pagan community as a normal person. That's something we don't often get in reality shows, so I really want to believe this is a positive thing.
Goodness knows, it's certainly better than seeing a Pagan mom sent off to live with the fundamentalists on Wife Swap.
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Anyway, it looks like one of their upcoming shows was being filmed in Salem, Massachussetts, this week, featuring Leanne Marrama, a member of Salem's witch community. Leanne, who was nominated by her friends, is set for a complete fashion, hair and makeup makeover, as well as a $5,000 shopping spree. Sure, some of it's going to be silly -- filming included getting a cast of costumed locals to chase the stylists with pitchforks -- but I like that a mainstream show has decided to present a member of the Pagan community as a normal person. That's something we don't often get in reality shows, so I really want to believe this is a positive thing.
Goodness knows, it's certainly better than seeing a Pagan mom sent off to live with the fundamentalists on Wife Swap.
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I love that show, too though I preefer the Brit version of all those shows. But yeah one of the best pieces of advice I have ever seen is about wearing a bra that fits. One lady wore such a ridiculous bra that she looked like she had 6 boobs! And back boobs are not pleasant! lol. Anyway, I certainly agree that portraying a pagan on such a show as an average person, warts and all, (pardon the pun but I actually do have warts and I think that gives me license, lol) is great.
It should be a wonderful episode – Stacey and Clinton said it was their most fun shoot ever! I know because I was there. I was a member of the “Cry Innocent” cast, a group that reenacts the pre-trial of Bridget Bishop, which is featured in the beginning of the episode. They shot a whole opening sequence where we Puritans are chasing Stacey and Clinton with pitchforks and ropes, and it was such fun! I’m the one holding the rusty garden hoe.
The episode should air in January, the director said. And to be honest, of all the witches they invited I think Leanne was one of the best dressed! I was kind of surprised it was her, but she was a good sport, albeit embarrassed. Some of the other Wiccans who were dressed, like her, in black crushed velvet and numerous rings and baubles and deathlike makeup, seemed a bit offended, but she got lots of cheering from us Puritans. We even stopped to compliment her corset!
I think Leanne will do Wiccans proud. She seemed like a really funny lady who doesn’t take any crap.
I will make sure I watch that episode. Sounds fun..:) My oldest daughter is a big fan of the show (secretly she wants to nominate me but she values her life to much) so I will have her tell me when it is on.
I always enjoy reading your posts!
Brightest Blessings!
I have been saying for years that the show needed to branch out and do some really different like this. I am alocal witch in Pa. and said often that I would like to see them make over a witch or other pagan foruim professional to see what they would do. now I can see that we all will.
Yes, please let me know when this airs! I, too, am tired of Pagans and vegans getting the bad end of the deal in reality shows :/
A lot of pagans, after watching this episode, complained about Stacy saying that it’s silly that Leanne feels the need to wear all these black silly teenager clothing to make it known she is a ‘witch’. I agree though, in my opinion a true witch should be able to wear fully normal clothing and still give off that witchy vibe. I grew up as part of the Salem witch society, and I realize that most of them wear costumes everyday in public, but it is so tiring and it takes away from stating who *you* are and places you into a stereotype
I just saw this episode, and I think Leanne seemed like a terrific person with a wonderful, witchy, Goddess-y vibe. I do understand that some Wiccans feel spiritually compelled to dress as Witches all the time, and that’s fine by me — but it seemed to me that wasn’t what Leanne was doing it for, and it was very apparent that she was itching for a transformation. Our Lady of Cosmos certainly reached down and worked through Stacy and Clinton to achieve that. (It’s one of my favorite shows, too — keep wishing someone would nominate ME!). I hope to find Leanne’s email address and let her know how she did the community proud. ~~GreenFlame