What Not to Wear (UK)

Infobox Television
show_name = What Not to Wear


country= UK
caption =
format = Makeover reality television show
picture_format =
runtime = 60 minutes
creator =
presenter = Lisa Butcher (current)
Mica Paris (current)
Trinny Woodall (previous)
Susannah Constantine (previous)
channel = BBC Two (2001-2003) BBC One (2004-2007)
first_aired = 2001
last_aired = 2007
num_series = 7
num_episodes =
producer =
related =
imdb_id = 0343320

"What Not to Wear" is a BAFTA Award-nominated [" [http://www.bafta.org/site/webdav/site/myjahiasite/shared/import/TV_and_Craft_Winners_2000-present.pdf British Academy Film Awards - Nominations and Winners 2000 to present] " — bafta.org. Retrieved March 25, 2007.] makeover reality television show currently presented by Lisa Butcher and Mica Paris. It was previously presented by Trinny Woodall and Susannah Constantine for five series.

History

"What Not to Wear" originated on BBC Two in 2001, hosted by fashion gurus Trinny Woodall and Susannah Constantine who also co-authored several fashion books based on the show. The first ever episode was broadcast on November 29 2001. [" [http://lifeandhealth.guardian.co.uk/fashion/story/0,,2234124,00.html The look] " — guardian.co.uk. Retrieved January 2 2008.]

In 2002 during the show's second series, Jeremy Clarkson and Lesley Joseph appeared in a special episode, where Trinny and Susannah gave them a fashion makeover. [" [http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2003/02_february/01/tvmoments_2002.shtml BBC One honours the best TV moments from 2002] " — bbc.co.uk. Retrieved March 6, 2007.] After Clarkson appeared on the show, he commented "I'd rather eat my own hair than shop with these two again". " [http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4156/is_20020908/ai_n12578387/pg_4 Mammary mia!] " — findarticles.com. Retrieved August 18, 2007.] During the process of choosing which celebrity to give a makeover, Trinny and Susannah compiled a list of who they thought were the worst dressed celebrities. [" [http://www.vogue.co.uk/vogue_daily/story/story.asp?stid=3855 Worsed-Dressed Winners] " — vogue.co.uk. Retrieved April 27, 2007.] Also in 2002, Trinny and Susannah won a Royal Television Society Award, for being the best factual presenters. [" [http://www.rts.org.uk/awards_det.asp?id=1457&sec_id=336 Royal Television Society] " — rts.org.uk. Retrieved February 14, 2007.] The show was also nominated for the Features Award at the BAFTAS in both 2002 and 2003 but was beaten both times.

Trinny and Susannah did a spin-off show in 2003; "What Not to Wear on the Red Carpet" which featured comedienne Jo Brand and news presenter Sophie Raworth having a special makeovers to attend a BAFTA Award ceremony. [" [http://www.bbc.co.uk/lifestyle/tv_and_radio/what_not_to_wear/redcarpetspecial_index.shtml What Not to Wear - Red Carpet Special] " — bbc.co.uk/lifestyle. Retrieved March 30, 2007.] By the end of series three, viewing figures had reached a respectable 2.8 million on BBC Two. " [http://media.guardian.co.uk/bbc/story/0,,1206273,00.html Makeover queens switch to BBC1] " — guardian.co.uk. Retrieved August 23, 2007.]

Following a ratings success, "What Not to Wear" was promoted to BBC One in 2004 to air its fourth series. [" [http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2004/04_april/30/wear.shtml What Not to Wear moves to BBC One] " — bbc.co.uk. Retrieved March 29, 2007.] The format was changed slightly, where a 30 minute show with one makeover was replaced by a 60 minute show featuring two makeovers. The series that aired for the first time on BBC One began on September 29, 2004, and had success with viewing figures which peaked at 5.26 million during the episode aired on October 20, 2004. [" [http://www.barb.co.uk/viewingsummary/weekreports.cfm?report=weeklyterrestrial&RequestTimeout=500 Weekly Viewing Summary] " (Scroll down list, click 24/10/04) — barb.co.uk. Retrieved March 29, 2007.] For a Christmas special aired on December 22, 2004, Trisha Goddard was madeover by Trinny and Susannah, [" [http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/tv_and_radio/article400504.ece Television: Wednesday 22 December] " — timesonline.co.uk. Retrieved September 13, 2007.] [" [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/low/entertainment/4036079.stm Potter makes BBC Christmas debut] " — news.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved September 13, 2007.] where the episode generated 7.42 million viewers. [" [http://www.barb.co.uk/viewingsummary/weekreports.cfm?report=weeklyterrestrial&RequestTimeout=500 Weekly Viewing Summary] " (Scroll down list, click 26/12/04) — barb.co.uk. Retrieved September 13, 2007.] Other "What Not to Wear" specials saw them giving David Baddiel [" [http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/live/live.html?in_article_id=379722&in_page_id=1889 David Baddiel gets a dressing down] " — dailymail.co.uk. Retrieved August 8, 2007.] and Ingrid Tarrant makeovers. Tarrant however, did not wear what Trinny and Susannah had selected, and changed her dress in the back of the taxi whilst driving to the award ceremony. [" [http://lifeandhealth.guardian.co.uk/fashion/story/0,,2168350,00.html God's gift to women] " — guardian.co.uk. Retrieved September 16, 2007.] The fifth series began on October 19, 2005, where viewing figures still remained strong. On November 16 and 23, 2005 ratings reached 4.91 million [" [http://www.barb.co.uk/viewingsummary/weekreports.cfm?report=weeklyterrestrial&RequestTimeout=500 Weekly Viewing Summary] " (Scroll down list, click 20/11/05 and 27/11/05) — barb.co.uk. Retrieved March 29, 2007.] and the series averaged with 4.8 million viewers. " [http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/broadcasting/a37774/trinny-and-susannahs-itv-makeover-a-success.html Trinny and Susannah's ITV makeover a success] " — digitalspy.co.uk. Rertieved May 14, 2007.] In 2005, Britney Spears revealed that she was a fan of the show where she commented "The girls are so dramatic in the makeovers, you just get caught up in it. Would I go on the show? Never say never.?" [" [http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/article192608.ece Britney hooked on Trinny] " — thesun.co.uk. Retrieved October 20, 2007.]

In April 2006, it was announced that Lisa Butcher and Mica Paris would take over as presenters of the BBC show, after Trinny and Susannah signed a contract with ITV to host their new show "Trinny & Susannah Undress". [" [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/4931490.stm What Not to Wear gets new hosts] " — bbc.co.uk. Retrieved March 30, 2007.] The new series hosted by Lisa and Mica managed to reach viewing figures of 4.26 million on October 19, 2006 [" [http://www.barb.co.uk/viewingsummary/weekreports.cfm?report=weeklyterrestrial&RequestTimeout=500 Weekly Viewing Summary] " (Scroll down list, click 22/10/06) — barb.co.uk. Retrieved March 29, 2007.] and the first show of the series attracted 4.2 million viewers. The seventh series, which consisted of eight episodes and was hosted again by Lisa and Mica, recently aired on BBC One as of August 30, 2007. [" [http://www.bbc.co.uk/cgi-perl/whatson/prog_parse.cgi?FILENAME=20070830/20070830_2000_4223_1746_60 What Not to Wear] " — bbc.co.uk. Retrieved August 29, 2007.] [" [http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/tv_and_radio/article2349094.ece Tonight's TV] " — timesonline.co.uk. Retrieved August 30, 2007.] The first episode debuted with 3.1 million viewers, about 1 million less than the first episode of the last series. [" [http://media.guardian.co.uk/broadcast/story/0,,2160119,00.html What Not to Wear loses 1m viewers] " — guardian.co.uk. Retrieved September 2, 2007.]

The UK version of "What Not to Wear" has been broadcast around the world on BBC Entertainment, and in countries such as the United States on BBC America. It is also repeated on UKTV Style in the United Kingdom. Trinny and Susannah have also been frequent guest fashion and makeover experts on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" in America. [" [http://www.oprah.com/tows/pastshows/200405/tows_past_20040518.jhtml The Oprah Winfrey Show - What Not to Wear this summer] " — oprah.com. Retrieved February 13, 2007.] [" [http://www.oprah.com/tows/pastshows/200402/tows_past_20040210.jhtml The Oprah Winfrey Show - What Not to Wear] " — oprah.com. Retrieved August 31, 2007.] An American version ("What Not to Wear (US version)") airs on TLC and is hosted by Stacy London and Clinton Kelly.

International broadcasting

The British version of "What Not to Wear" has been broadcast around the world, with non English speaking countries viewing the series in subtitles. The show is broadcast in:

AUS on Lifestyle Channel

ARG on Discovery Home and Health

BEL on VijfTV (known as " [http://www.vijftv.be/programma_whatnottowear.asp What Not to Wear] ")

BRA on Discovery Home and Health (known as " [http://www.peopleandartsbrasil.com/esquadrao_moda/index.shtml Esquadrão da Moda] ")

CAN on BBC Canada

GRE on Skai TV

IRL on TV3

ISR on BBC Prime

flag|Netherlands on RTL4 and BBC Prime

NOR on TV Norge

NZL on TV ONE

PER on People+Arts

POL on TVN Style (known as " [http://tvnstyle.pl/1326116,programy.html Jak się nie ubierać?] ") and on BBC Prime (as "W co się nie ubierać?")

POR on SIC Mulher (known as "Esquadrão da Moda")

SWE on Kanal 5

ZAF on BBC Prime

UAE on MBC 4

ESP and MEX on People+Arts (known as " [http://spanish.peopleandartslatino.com/no_te_lo_pongas/index.shtml No Te lo Pongas] ")

UK on BBC (repeats on UKTV Style)

USA on BBC America

Presenters

Current

*Lisa Butcher (2006 - present)
*Mica Paris (2006 - present)

Previous

*Trinny Woodall (2001 - 2005)
*Susannah Constantine (2001 - 2005)

Content overview

Every episode features an "ambush" style confrontation and makeover of a woman, and sometimes a man who has been nominated by their friends as particularly unfashionable. The subject has their current fashion sense evaluated. The presenters take particular regard to the participant's body-shape and self-image (with the help of a 360 degree mirror cabinet) and determine what will work best for them. The participant is then given £2000 (about $1000 less than the American version) to go shopping for a new wardrobe, which is supposed to be in accordance with the advice they have been given. Although they are free to spend how they wish, they are spied upon and counselled on the ways of fashion by the show's two hosts.

Trinny and Susannah were often known for their tactile behaviour with the participants and for frequently referring to breasts as "tits". They were also renowned for their direct comments on the show, where Trinny's comments have reduced some participants to tears, and Susannah once spontaneously pulled a female candidate's underwear down during filming as her knicker line was visible. " [http://scotlandonsunday.scotsman.com/spectrum.cfm?id=1414982004 Deceiving appearances] " — scotsman.com. Retrieved June 1, 2007.]

Episode format

The participant is nominated by their friends and relatives for being particularly unfashionable. The show then secretly follows and videotapes the nominated participant for two weeks. At the end of the two weeks, the fashion experts review the secret footage and prepare to surprise the participant. During the surprise visit, the participant is offered a £2000 cheque to buy a whole new wardrobe. But they must hand over their entire existing wardrobe and be prepared for some harsh criticism and to receive fashion advice from two experts. " [http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1005167,00.html Trading Faces] " — time.com. Retrieved June 20, 2007.]

On the first day of the participant's visit to the studios, there is a review of the secret footage along with the participant. On the videotape, there are normally comments from family members and friends about the participant's style and appearance. The experts then go through their entire wardrobe, which has been brought with the participant. They critique the items where most of the clothing gets discarded or even cut up with scissors. The participant is asked to put on an outfit, that they like and think most suits their figure, and then must face the 360 degree mirror. [" [http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/showbiz/showbiznews.html?in_article_id=464773&in_page_id=1773 Posh 'purchases £250,000 closet that scans her body and tells her what to wear] " — dailymail.co.uk. Retrieved August 21, 2007.] The experts comment honestly on why the outfit does not suit them, often being brutally honest. The experts give suggestions throughout the day and then present three different outfits to the participant to help illustrate the rules that they will need to follow as they shop for better clothing.

The participant is then given two days to shop for suitable clothing at a suitable and selected location. On the first day, they are left to their own devices, to test how much they have learnt about which clothes are suitable and comply with the rules. On the second day, the experts ambush the nominee and comment on whether the previous day's purchases complied with the correct guide lines as to which clothes to buy. The second day, the fashion gurus sit in a café and watch live video footage of the participant shopping and comment on whether the participant is following the rules given. If the participant is struggling, they rush to the scene to help. The experts then accompany the participant around the shops, providing advice and assistance, often being critical.

After all the shopping, hair stylists and makeup artists work on the nominee's hair and makeup respectively. After the makeover, the participant reveals themselves to the experts and are brought to a full-length mirror to see their transformed state. The participant models three outfits for the experts, often showing confidence and poise. The participant departs and soon after, reveals themselves with their transformed appearance to their friends and family. Some time after the participant's makeover, the fashion gurus would pay them a surprise visit, in order to establish whether they have adhered to the rules for their clothing.

In later series, the format changed. It saw the hosts receiving hundreds of videos from certain groups of people that have nominated themselves for a makeover, instead of other people nominating them. There were select groups such as women facing the menopause or those who have lost partners. They would then have to watch and then choose five people from these videos, as to who they thought were in need of the help the most. The five selected candidates were then invited to the studios where they would be interviewed on why they thought they needed a makeover à la "What Not to Wear". Then two candidates were selected and offered a "What Not to Wear" makeover. The series also saw the hosts spending a day as the two participants, where they would drive their cars, work in their jobs and live in their homes. There, they would make the participant's husbands a meal, meet their other close family and venture into the participants wardrobe to dispose of any unsuitable clothing. The rest of the episode would sustain the format seen in previous series. [" [http://www.bbcamerica.com/content/140/about.jsp About the show] " — bbcamerica.com. Retrieved March 31, 2007]

Publications

Trinny and Susannah are the authors of several fashion advice books based on the series. Their books have proceeded to become number one bestsellers in Britain and the United States and have been translated throughout the world. [" [http://www.itv.com/page.asp?partid=6606 Trinny and Susannah Undress] " — itv.com. Retrieved January 26, 2007.] Other success, included when the book "What Not to Wear" gained Trinny and Susannah a British Book Award in 2003 for "The TV & Film Book of the Year". [" [http://www.britishbookawards.co.uk/bba/pnbb_previouswinners.asp British Book Awards] " — britishbookawards.co.uk. Retrieved February 22, 2007.] The book also outsold Jamie Oliver and Nigella Lawson when sale figures reached a total of 670,000 copies. [" [http://parkinson.tangozebra.com/guest.phtml?guest_id=93 Parkinson] " — parkinson.tangozebra.com. Retrieved March 8, 2007.]

Books by Trinny and Susannah linked with "What Not to Wear" include:
*"What Not to Wear" (2002)
*"What Not to Wear 2: For Every Occasion" (2003)
*"What Not to Wear: The Rules" (2004)
*"What Not to Wear: For Every Occasion" (2004)

Popular culture

A lethal far-future version of the show appeared in the "Doctor Who" episode "Bad Wolf". Set in the year 200,100, Trinny and Susannah provided the voices of killer androids Trinn-e and Zu-Zanna who offered makeovers in a more gruesome form. [" [http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2001320029-2006170431,00.html Dr Who is TV medicine] " — thesun.co.uk. Retrieved August 18, 2007.]

On the show "Big Impression", Alistair McGowan and Ronnie Ancona took to spoofing Trinny and Susannah's presenting techniques on "What Not to Wear". [" [http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2002/12/21/ntrin21.xml No, seriously . . . does my cheque look big in this?] " — telegraph.co.uk. Retrieved March 8, 2007.] [" [http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/showbiz/article-2570234-details/McGowan%27s+latest+makeover/article.do McGowan's latest makeover] " — thisislondon.co.uk. Retrieved August 30, 2007.] Trinny and Susannah were also spoofed in a sketch on "2DTV" when it showed them giving Santa Claus a makeover, where they substituted his red suit for a casual shirt and trousers. [" [http://www.mirror.co.uk/catchall/tm_method=full%26objectid=12469674%26siteid=89520-name_page.html What to wear if you want to make a big impression] " — mirror.co.uk. Retrieved March 15, 2007.]

Trinny and Susannah appeared on Children in Need in 2004, which saw them giving "Eastenders" characters Little Mo and Mo Harris a makeover in the style of "What Not to Wear". [" [http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2004/11_november/09/cin.shtml Children In Need 2004] " — bbc.co.uk. Retrieved February 16, 2007.] In an episode of the last series of "French & Saunders", Trinny and Susannah are mentioned as being "bullies" in a Celebrity Grading Report sketch where Dawn French was the headmaster of a celebrity school where she had to write comments on various celebrities.

References

External links

*bbc.co.uk|id=lifestyle/tv_and_radio/what_not_to_wear|title="What Not to Wear"
* [http://www.bbcamerica.com/genre/home_living/what_not_to_wear/what_not_to_wear.jsp "What Not to Wear"] at BBCAmerica.com
*imdb title|id=0343320|title=What Not to Wear
*