''Shear Genius'' is an American
reality television
Reality television is a genre of television programming that documents purportedly unscripted real-life situations, often starring unfamiliar people rather than professional actors. Reality television emerged as a distinct genre in the early 19 ...
series on the
Bravo network that focuses on
hair styling
A hairstyle, hairdo, haircut or coiffure refers to the styling of hair, usually on the human scalp. Sometimes, this could also mean an editing of facial or body hair. The fashioning of hair can be considered an aspect of personal groomin ...
. The show ran for three seasons, from April 2007 to April 2010. It was hosted by actress
Jaclyn Smith
Jacquelyn Ellen "Jaclyn" Smith (born October 26, 1945) is an American actress and businesswoman. She is best known for her role as Kelly Garrett in the television series ''Charlie's Angels'' (1976–1981), and was the only original female lead ...
in seasons one and two and by Brazilian model
Camila Alves
Camila Alves McConaughey ( Alves; born 28 January 1982) is a Brazilian model and designer. She is married to American actor Matthew McConaughey.
Early life
Camila Alves was born in Itambacuri, Minas Gerais, Brazil, about 250 miles east of the p ...
for season three.
In the show, contestants compete with each other to create the best hair style and are usually restricted in time, materials, and theme. Their designs are judged and one or more stylists are eliminated each week, until the winner is determined.
Broadcast
The first season of the show aired in April and May 2007, immediately after the low-rated ''
Top Design ''Top Design'' is an American reality television series. Interior designers competed to win cash and receive a spot in New York's Designer showcases.
The Top Design (season 1), first season premiered on January 31, 2007, following the season finale ...
'' wrapped up its run. Unlike its predecessor, however, ''Shear Genius'' became a word-of-mouth fan favorite and a second season started airing in June 2008. Despite the comparative lack of success for ''Top Design'', it was also renewed.
Judges
As of the third season, the judging panel includes Camila Alves, Kim Vo and Jonathan Antin. Previous judges included Jaclyn Smith, Sally Hershberger, Michael Carl and Kelly Atterton. Mentors René Fris (seasons 1–2) and Orlando Pita (season 3), though not a permanent judges, are featured every episode. Usually, an additional guest judge will sit in on the panel every week.
Format
Contestants
Each season of the show consists of 9–10 episodes and starts with 12 contestants. In each episode one contestant is eliminated, though in rare cases there may be a double elimination or no elimination at all, based on the consensus of the judging panel.
Challenges
There are two challenges in each episode:
Shortcut Challenge
The first challenge is the Shortcut Challenge which is usually not for eliminating one of the contestants, although in the third episode of the first season, one competitor was "sent home" after the Shortcut Challenge. The challenge ranks the contestants based on a judging factor, usually technical skills. The winning contestant(s) may receive some benefit in the next challenge.
Elimination Challenge
The second is the Elimination Challenge, which has each contestant style the hair on a real model or client given certain requirements or goals. After completing the hair, the model is dressed appropriately, and a runway show is held for the four judges.
After the show, the judges may ask questions of the contestants about their styling choices. The judges then confer among themselves and decide on the top and bottom styles. The top stylists are credited and a single winning stylist is selected, with the following phrase: "''Your work is Shear Genius''". A picture of their style is also displayed on the
Allure Wall of Fame for the remainder of the competition. The bottom stylists are then identified, and the worst stylist is sent home with the show's tag line: "''This was your final cut.''"
Both challenges were timed, and if additional materials were necessary, the contestants are given a limited budget for those supplies. The first three challenges of Season 1 used
mannequin
A mannequin (also called a dummy, lay figure, or dress form) is a doll, often articulated, used by artists, tailors, dressmakers, window dressers and others, especially to display or fit clothing and show off different fabrics and textiles. Pr ...
heads instead of real clients.
Seasons
Season 1
The first season first aired in April and May 2007. 12 stylists competed in various challenges to win the title of Shear Genius. Anthony Morrison defeated Ben Mollin and Daisy Duchens to become the winner of Season 1.
Tabatha's Salon Takeover was spun off from the series, featuring contestant
Tabatha Coffey
Tabatha Coffey is a United States-based Australian hairstylist, salon owner, and television personality. Her participation as a contestant on the television show '' Shear Genius'' in 2007 led to her own fame in the U.S. She was given a televisi ...
, known for her blunt, direct style with the other contestants. Tabatha made it to the Final 6 of the competition. Tabatha also was the first ever Shear Genius "fan favorite" winner, for which she received $10,000.
Season 2
The second season of Shear Genius began airing on Bravo on June 25, 2008.
Sally Hershberger and Michael Carl were replaced by Kim Vo and Kelly Atterton. Dee Adames defeated Charlie Price and Nicole Obert to become the winner of season 2.
Like the first season,
Bravo
Bravo(s) or The Bravo(s) may refer to:
Arts and entertainment Music Groups and labels
*Bravo (band), a Russian rock band
* Bravo (Spanish group), represented Spain at Eurovision 1984
*Bravo Music, an American concert band music publishing company ...
also had a fan favorite competition for ''Shear Genius''. Daniel Lewis, who was in the Final 4, was fan favorite of season 2.
Season 3
The third season of ''Shear Genius'' started airing on February 3, 2010, on Bravo. Brazilian model
Camila Alves
Camila Alves McConaughey ( Alves; born 28 January 1982) is a Brazilian model and designer. She is married to American actor Matthew McConaughey.
Early life
Camila Alves was born in Itambacuri, Minas Gerais, Brazil, about 250 miles east of the p ...
, fiancée, and now spouse of
Matthew McConaughey
Matthew David McConaughey ( ; born November 4, 1969) is an American actor. He had his breakout role with a supporting performance in the coming-of-age comedy '' Dazed and Confused'' (1993). After a number of supporting roles, his first succes ...
, took over hosting duties from Jaclyn Smith while Orlando Pita took over mentoring duties from Rene Fris.
Brig Van Osten, the dark horse, beat out both Matthew Morris and Brig's bitter rival on the show,
Janine Jarman
Janine Jarman (born April 17, 1981) is an American hairstylist, salon owner, and American television personality. Her participation as a contestant on the television show '' Shear Genius'' led her to style several famous clients including Fergie ...
to win Season 3, the prizes included the opportunity to style hair for an Allure Magazine photoshoot and $100,000.
Janine Jarman, who placed second, was awarded fan favorite.
International versions
References
External links
Official website*
* {{TV Guide, 287126
Bravo (American TV network) original programming
2000s American reality television series
2010s American reality television series
2007 American television series debuts
2010 American television series endings
Television series by Reveille Productions
Reality competition television series