Get Noticed!

So today I begin with a burning question regarding that MTV show (yes, I do watch a lot of cable, thank you very much) Miss Seventeen. Where did these girls come from? And, more importantly, why, with so many different reality contests out there, are they fighting to win this one? I get that there are a few (nice, some would say) prizes at stake – a college scholarship, a paid internship at Seventeen and their picture on the February cover – but despite these rewards, it seems awfully suspicious…

Let’s start with the college scholarship. I feel I must point out that almost 30% (5) of the girls competing are 20 or older – and in their last few years of college. I’m all for offsetting expenses, and know that a scholarship is a great way to do this, but is this really the only one you’re qualified for? And, at age 21, are you willing to admit that you’ve at least read Seventeen magazine enough to (1) be familiar with the contest, and (2) enter it? When I read Seventeen, back in the day, I think I was around 13 years old…I certainly wasn’t reaching for it on the way to college to get advice on the ten CDs that would help me relax or what to do if my roommate turned out to be a kleptomaniac.

The second incentive is the paid internship at Seventeen. Okay, this, I will admit, may be the most worthwhile of the prize package. Having had an internship myself in college, and needing to give up hours at my part-time, paying job in order to do it, I can appreciate the desire to get paid for doing relatively meaningless, somewhat inconsequential administrative work in exchange for the privilege of putting this employment down on a resume. But after just watching episode 9, where each of the three remaining contestants struggled during their turn being editor Atoosa’s (yes, I said Atoosa) assistant, I worry – if they can’t handle answering phones, faxing and using a computer, an internship just about anywhere probably isn’t what they should be looking to do in the near future. Just my two cents.

And finally, the February cover of Seventeen magazine. Probably would have made me jealous if, again, I was back in junior high. But now? Check out some recent headlines that would be appearing alongside your image:

"Makeovers! 650 Fashion, Hair and Makeup Tricks!"
"Get Great Legs!"
"Look Pretty!"
"17 Real Life: She Killed Her Mother" (yes, is on the cover of the January 2006 issue)

I don’t consider myself a feminist, but I don’t necessarily think being featured next to a "Look Pretty" headline will win me many points in most professional settings. Nor do I think I’d fare much better, in the eyes of most people, next to the "She Killed Her Mother" caption. Exactly what void is this magazine trying to fill?

My money’s on Jessica.