Since the birth of “Reality TV,” networks have tried their best to produce a reality-based program that they hope would surpass American Idol or Survivor as the “King of Reality TV.” And in order to achieve that – the networks have resorted to pushing the reality envelope farther than ever – if that is at all possible. After watching many reality shows, I believe I have actually found the show that will become the “King of Reality TV” – if the “King” represented the show that has expertly proven that it is time to finally put an end to the Reality TV Show genre – The Swan.

First appearing on FOX on April 7th, the show invites women who feel they are “ugly ducklings” to be given a complete “transformation.” Each woman is assigned a coach, therapist, trainer, cosmetic surgeon and a dentist to completely re-design the woman into a “Swan.” This “transformation” includes therapy, extensive workouts and proper diet, which I think is a wonderful way to boost self-esteem and is healthy to boot…

…but full blown surgery?

From botox injections to liposuction to breast implants to cosmetic dentistry – The Swan’s “panel of experts” turns an “ugly duckling” into a “swan” by literally turning her into a completely different person.

There’s your “transformation.”

How exactly does giving a woman “fuller lips,” “sexier legs” – and “bigger boobs” make her a better woman?

Although the show has been on for a month and I knew about it after seeing a self-promoting feature story on the show on Fox News Channel – I had absolutely no desire to watch it – because I strongly feel that gutting a woman like a fish to make her more acceptable in the eyes of society is completely demoralizing. I am all for helping a woman gain more self-esteem through positive reinforcement, exercise, proper diet and a shopping spree – but not by implanting packets of silicone gel under the skin of a woman’s breasts, by sucking fat out of a woman’s thighs – and by injecting cellulite from a woman’s buttocks into her lips – talk about “kiss my ass.”

After attending a family dinner at my mother’s house tonight, I got my coat on to go home when my mother actually put on The Swan – eagerly anticipating the upcoming episode. After glancing at the television for just a minute – I ran home to watch the rest of the episode as well as the “all-new” episode that immediately followed it.

And even just one minute into the episode – I could not believe what I was watching. Rather than giving women, “a second chance in life” as the show’s website states – I feel that The Swan is sending a message to women who feel that they are not “socially acceptable” that they need to “get rid” of the person they are and “become” someone else in order to lead a happier life. I feel that taking women that society considers, “average” and turning them into what society considers “sexy” is sending the message to women that they will not be able to find “the one” if they do not look like a woman that society considers “hot.”

That’s funny, I thought beauty was in the eye of the beholder…