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The $1.98 Beauty Show

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TV Series

The Resume

    (September 4, 1978-September 1980)
    Aired in syndication
    Hosted by Rip Taylor
    Created by Chuck Barris
    Premise: Six women have their looks and talent judged by three celebrity panelists

Why The $1.98 Beauty Show might be annoying:

    Its judges were the same C-list celebs who appeared on Barris' Gong Show.
    The judges were basically superfluous, since the outcome was decided before the show (as noted in the fine print of the closing credits).
    One critic's description of the typical line-up of contenders: 'There would be one bimbo-esque contestant in gobs of makeup and Farrah hair, one cute girl next door type who looked slightly embarrassed to be there, one foreign contestant trying to avoid mail-order bride status and a couple of spirited full-figure gals.'
    As promised in the title, in return for her public humiliation the winner got a mere $1.98, dispensed by Taylor from a coin holder on his belt.
    It let Rip Taylor 'sing' in each episode.

Why The $1.98 Beauty Show might not be annoying:

    Barris' defense of the show was, 'We don`t humiliate these women. We merely give them an arena in which they can humiliate themselves.'
    It actually had a long waiting list of would-be contestants.
    Rhonda Shear parlayed her victory on the show into a 'Playboy' spread and gig hosting 'USA Up All Night.'
    Some critics have praised it as a satire of beauty contests that exposed the vapidity of Miss America and other pageants.

Credit: C. Fishel


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    In 2023, Out of 3 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 2 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 15 Votes: 80.0% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 85 Votes: 44.71% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 1 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 14 Votes: 64.29% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 1 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 4 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 5 Votes: 40.0% Annoying
    In 2013, Out of 16 Votes: 62.50% Annoying
    In 2012, Out of 22 Votes: 68.18% Annoying