In a recent discussion of an episode of Enterprise, several posters (myself included) noted how hot Hoshi was with her hair down and wearing civies. That got me to thinking - it doesn’t seem all that uncommon for movies and TV shows to present two women, one a “classic beauty”, another that is often considered cute, but is obviously intended to be the “lesser beauty”, or even un-attractive. Yet, the common consensus often is that the “lesser beauty” is the one that many, if not the majority of men, find more attractive. The classic example of this, of course, is Ginger vs. Mary Ann from Gilligan’s Island. In every (admittedly informal) poll I’ve ever seen, when they ask “Ginger or Mary Ann?” there is a great cry of “Mary Ann!” This may become the case for Enterprise. The producers obviously intended T’Pol to be the eye-candy, but if people were to ask “T’Pol or Hoshi”, why do I get the feeling that there would be a loud “Hoshi!” in reply?
So what do you think? Is this as common in the world of Hollywood as I’m beginning to believe? Which “lesser beauty” would you take in a heartbeat over the other? (there are a couple I have in mind, but I want to see how long they take to come up) And there’s no need to just include the women - if there are guys who fit this category, feel free to share!
The only show that comes to mind is Friends. I’ve been watching from the first episode, and I think it was very clear at the beginning that Rachel and Joey were the eye-candy, supposedly the foxy, hot babes that everyone desires.
Monica and Chandler just aren’t attractive in the same way - Monica is too neurotic to be sultry, and Chandler’s always been the funny, goofy dude. Yet I’d take either of them over Rachel or Joey any day.
Kate Jackson is my favourite Angel, though I always thought Jaclyn Smith was the most beautiful.
Jan Smithers was WAY more attractive than Loni Anderson on WKRP in Cincinatti. Especially now in reruns when the “big-hair” look of the eighties looks so goofy.
I second Bailey Quarters from WKRP. I even developed a crush on a girl at school because I thought she looked like Bailey. Then she broke my heart by moving away…(sniff).
And I’ll add Janet from Three’s Company. I always liked her better than any of the blondes on the show. Especially when she straightened her hair. Hotcha!
I agree with Kate Jackson, Jan Smithers, and Joyce Dewitt.
But how about Velma over Daphne? (I’m talking about the cartoon, not the upcoming movie.) Personally, I’m sticking with Daphne. I like the bookish type, but Velma is annoying.
The female blacksmith over the female lead in [it]The Knight’s Tale[/it]
Dr Crusher over Troi (tho the latter looked a LOT better once she started wearing the standard uniform IMHO)
On the old show Duet, I thought the other male, Chris Lemmon, was ten times better looking than the male lead, Matthew Lawrence. He was the cutest thing going, but they gave him a tiny part and I haven’t seen him since. I suppose he has bigger and better things to do, really.
Haven’t seen too many episodes of either British or American versions, but I have the same opinion of BOTH series:
Brian, the “stud” character can’t appear for more than 30 seconds onscreen without someone remarking how he is “unbelievably hot”. His hopelessly smitten “friend” Michael can’t seem to ever get laid. Here’s a typical, endlessly repeated QAF scene:
Michael and the usual bunch of overaged clubbers sitting on the sidelines of the dance club.
Michael: I wish I could get laid, but I’m too much of a loser to ever find anyone.
(any character): Here comes Brian! Oh man, he is so fucking gorgeous!!
But not only do I think that Michael (in BOTH versions) is better looking and more interesting than both Brians, pretty much just about ANY character on EITHER show is better looking, more charismatic and more attractive than either of the Brians! Even Sharon Gless’ character looks better than Brian!
