Spying on Myself

This is a show that I would really like if it was done well, but due to the poor implementation I just don't like it. Right now I'm deleting the show from my TiVo and decided to give this remaining recorded episode a watch.

The only good thing about the show's implementation is that it doesn't begin a commercial break with extensive previews of the next block, and it doesn't end a commercial break with an extensive recap of what's already happened. This is an obnoxious trait that I see in many reality based shows. The show does begin with an annoying synopsis of the entire show though.

The show's biggest problem is the poor makeup transitions of the spy. Considering the importance of the makeup job and the use of latex prosthetics and other advanced equipment, you'd think that the show would do a much better job in the transformation. Hair seems to be the biggest problem. One guy with a full head of hair was shaved down to look like he was balding on the top. The look was so artificial due to the unnatural abrupt boundary of the hairline that even the producers had the makeup artists revise the look. In another episode a woman was made up to appear like a man. Her clothes were different and her hair short, but she still looks like a woman. True, she's supposed to look like a gay fashion designer but she still looked like the person that she really is. Her fake mustache looked like a piece of black felt taped to her upper lip! Sad... I honestly can't understand why the mark doesn't figure out the spy's identity every week. Usually during the encounter the mark gives some sort of impression that they know something's up, and almost without fail they mention some specifics after the spy's identity is revealed.

If the show continues, I have the following makeup recommendations:

1) Since most of the spies end up with makeup on their entire face, try changing the spy's race. That would change a person's appearance dramatically.

2) When changing hairlines or using fake facial hair make sure the look is realistic.

3) Find a makeup artist that is good with aging individuals and drastically age someone. You could even use big coke-bottle glasses which would have the benefit of changing the look of a person's eyes.

4) Body suits are used to change the shape of a person's chest and abdomen, but why not find a way to change a person's shoulders too? 5) Sometimes the mark sees the spy standing. Try finding ways to modify a person's height through lifts and sole-less shoes, or try placing the spy in a wheelchair to really hide the height.