OK, Guilty Pleasure Time. When the PCD birthed themselves into the post-Britney pop culture era, my initial thoughts were one of repugnance, particularly after seeing/hearing their Don't'Cha video/song. Although I struggled to dislike it, my abashed enjoyment didn't prevent my unabashed horror at its blatant hyper-sexualization and overdone self-commodification (and, yes, I'm making up words :). However, I've started watching the CW's 'Pussycat Dolls Presents Girlicious' , intended to create an 'urban little sister version of the PCD geared towards the tween market' (which sparks a similar love/hate relationship).

I'm still upset that the two weakest/least professional girls made it into Girlicious, including Natalie (a girl who claims being 'pretty is a talent', who Ron Farr stated lacked a 'God-Given voice', and who walked out on her vocal coach because he wouldn't give her a solo) as well as Chrystina (a girl who frequently forgot the words to her solos, was ill-prepared for dress rehearsals and who squandered all the opportunities given to her).

I wonder if Robin saved these girls because of their proclivity for drama or their eerie similarity to her looks-wise, both sport her current hairstyle (side-parted, shoulder-length hair with chestnut highlights) while Tiffany, another member, sports R's old hairstyle (bangs and shoulder-length dark hair).

However, what I truly want to complain about is their brand-new video/song, 'stupid shit' (which I like for myself but not for 12-13 year old girls). If you look up/listen to the lyrics, it's about a bunch of teens who are 'so delicious all the boys want to eat' (them), are looking to get 'messy' after the 'after-party', and want to keep it 'hush, hush' on the 'd'own-low. Although the video starts with naughty Catholic school outfits, it quickly devolves into a stripping session with girl-on-girl bed action.

OK, so, let me get this straight, putting my most outraged Cixous-ian/Irigiray-ian/Toril Moi-ian post-feminist hat on. This group is for 12-13 year olds, but it talks about having sex, uses profanity in the title and ends with stripping. Am I wrong or do the PCD now look totally classy in comparison? Seriously, I totally want to send Nicole S. a letter thanking her for keeping her clothes on and wearing costumes that covered at least 55% of her body :)

I must also say something about their naughty school girl outfits. I attended Catholic school and an all-girls prep school back in the day. While the boots and knee socks are kinda hot, I don't remember my uniform coming in mini or crop sizes. Where are the knee-length kilts? The scratchy pull-over sweaters? The over-sized socks? The anti-PDA (public displays of affection) enforcing nuns? Finally, has it been so long that I can no longer recall having underwear-clad slumber parties with my BFF when I was 12? No. But, it seems as if Ron Farr and Robin Antin are telling me that all 12-13 year olds strip to matching bra & undie sets in the streets and then have underwear-clad pillowfights with each other in bed. If anyone has any comments on this video or the show, I'd love to hear 'em :) www.youtube.com/watch