Shear Genius

Infobox Television
show_name = Shear Genius


caption =
format = Reality, competition
runtime = 60 minutes (including commercials)
creator =
starring = Jaclyn Smith (host)
Rene Fris (mentor)
judges = Jaclyn Smith
Sally Hershberger
(Season 1)
Michael Carl (Season 1)
Kim Vo (Season 2)
Kelly Atterton (Season 2)
country = United States
network = Bravo
first_aired = April 11, 2007
last_aired = present
related = "Project Runway"
"Top Chef"
"Top Design"
num_episodes = 12 (as of July 9, 2008)

"Shear Genius" is an American reality television series on the Bravo network that focuses on hair styling. Contestants engage in weekly elimination competitions until a winner is determined. The show is hosted by Jaclyn Smith.

The first season of the show aired in April and May 2007, immediately after the low-rated "Top Design" 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.

First season's judges included Smith, Sally Hershberger and Michael Carl along with a fourth guest judge each week. The second season judges are Kim Vo and Kelly Atterton. Rene Fris acts as the mentor to the stylists, in a similar role that Tim Gunn performs on "Project Runway", but otherwise does not participate in judging.

Format

"Shear Genius" uses a combination of rules from "Project Runway" and "Top Chef", two other Bravo network shows.

There are two challenges in each episode. The first challenge, the Shortcut Challenge, is usually not for elimination, but in Season 1 Episode 3 one competitor was cut after the Shortcut Challenge. The Shortcut Challenge ranks the contestants based on a judging factor, usually technical skills. The winning contestant(s) may receive some benefit in the second challenge.

The second challenge 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, similar to "Project Runway", 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 phrase "Your work is "Shear Genius"; a picture of their style is 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 tagline "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 heads instead of real clients.

eason 1

Main Article: Shear Genius (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 was the winner of Season 1.

Tabatha's Salon Takeover was spun off from the series, featuring contestant Tabatha Coffey, who had been cut from the competition halfway through the first season.

eason 2

Main Article: Shear Genius (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 was the winner of Season 2. [ [http://pophangover.com/tv/?p=127 Pophangover TV: "Dee Wins Shear Genius Season 2"] ]

References

External links

* [http://www.bravotv.com/Shear_Genius Shear Genius Page on BRAVOtv.com]
* [http://bloggingsheargenius.blogspot.com/ Blogging Shear Genius]