108: Unhappy Science

A night email about Instagram face and The Twilight Zone episode "Number 12 Looks Just Like You" start a discussion about transformation narratives that turns into Emily describing a terrifying YA series called The Uglies and Molly explaining what POT LEDOM means. A discussion about whether wellness will merge fully with beauty, and how that turns into eugenics. Then we learn about Happy Science, the Japanese cult promising followers that Coronavirus can be cured by the sound of their leader's voice. Emily explains the very unfriendly rivalry between Happy Science and another cult, Aum Shinrikyo. Then a Night Call about the Real Housewives of New York objecting to new housewife Leah having had a tattoo when they have all had vaginal rejuvenation on camera leads Molly to desperately try to convince Tess and Emily to give the franchise a chance. Plus nightmarish plastic surgery reality TV like I Want A Famous Face, Botched, and Extreme Makeover. And of course, The Swan. What the hell was going on in the mid 2000s on television? Find out on the last episode of Plastic Surgery April! FOOTNOTES Andre Leon Talley vs Anna Wintour The Skin Witch Number 12 Looks Just Like You Sandy Ganzer Instagram Anythingforselenaas Instagram The Uglies YA Series Modelland Happy Science Real Housewives Surgery vs Tattoo It's Always Sunny Extreme Makeover The Swan Nely Galan Sunscreen vs vitamin D Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.