It seems to me that the so-called "reality" television shows that have proliferated on the airwaves recently have introduced some new lows in the quality of broadcasting, and one of the more unwholesome — and dare I say even ungodly — notions they have reinforced is that what you look like is a measure of your value as a person.

Two shows in particular promote this view: Extreme Makeover and Average Joe.

On the first of these, Extreme Makeover, from the more than 10,000 applications the show receives for each opening, a person who is not especially good-looking is selected for a Cinderella-type experience. Using plastic surgeons, eye surgeons, cosmetic dentists, hair and makeup artists, clothes stylists, and other experts in the transforming arts, the person is indeed made to look more a…