Really....Off the rails

Trinny Lennon & Brendan Wan

I'm sorry if I offend anyone with this but I was watching Off the Rails last night for the second week in a row. (My wife was watching it and if I want to watch sport, I have to occasionally watch these programmes so I can say, but I watch your programmes too) Anyway, it's just wrong. Irish television for starters has a rotten habit of looking across both sides of the water, ripping off ideas and throwing them on RTÉ as "new" programmes coming to our screens.

And, I have actually sat in RTÉ commissioning briefings that were open to the Independent Producers of this land and the commissioning editors encouraged would-be tv makers in attendance to have a look at successful formats and to "reshape" them. Off the rails has lost its purpose in my own most humble view. Let me point out that I actually like Brendan Courtney and Sonya Lennon as presenters. Quirky metro male meets safe suburban sal, sometimes it works, sometimes they bomb and that's ok too. It's not like I have a hugely successful show behind me to slate them as presenters but I am a punter who pays a tv licence so I think my view however humble is justified.

What's Bren wearing? My mothers scarf and short pants

I take issue with Brendan Wan and Trinny Lennon bringing vulnerable women for the most part away on what they assume will be a glorius makeover and from what I have witnessed in recent weeks has been a desperate attempt by the stylists. Yes, it is my opinion but when they encourage the victim and because of that the viewer buy the most expensive jeans so they will last longer and save money in the longrun I think it puts added pressure to normal households where that kind of expense is now really not possible.

Caroline & Pamela unlucky to get the chop

But that's not the main issue really. The stylists, both nice people i'm sure and good at what they do usually look ridiculous themselves. Why is it that "fashionistas" always to me look like they are just trying too hard. They dress their victims up in dresses that highlight their spare tyres and use the whole "show off your curves" trick instead of raising the white flag and hand out Mumu's all around. I don't know but I think this programme should be seriously revamped or brought to a dignified end. Head to Toe on LSD doesn't cut the mustard!