By Camilla Crews

Can you really hate yourself that much? That’s my question. Because I can’t imagine what would make someone look in the mirror and say, “you know what? I want a famous face.”

Well apparently, there were two twins who know that’s exactly what they want to do with their lives. This duo, who resemble Beavis and Butthead, decided that their existence would be worthwhile if they could look like People Magazine’s former “sexiest man alive”: Brad Pitt.

Beavis and … I mean Mike and Matt are desperate to make it into Hollywood. They know that if they looked like Brad, this would be an easy transition for them and Matt even believes that his long time friend will have feelings for him if he looks more like Brad.

So the pair undergo surgery and after a bit of swelling and pain, their final looks are unveiled. And guess who they look like, Mike and Matt. After going under the knife they ended up looking like themselves, and in my opinion, not much better than they initially looked. After several days of walking around in bandages, looking as if they came straight out of “Dawn of the Dead,” they headed back to their doctor’s office where their bandages were removed. The enthusiasm was uncontrollable for the boys. They smiled from ear to ear and were prepared to take the acting world by storm, but first, it was time for them to head to an upscale salon where their hair was foiled and bleached. I guess they figured if they had hair like Brad, then they’d look like Brad.

Ironically, it really doesn’t matter what you look like as long as you have confidence. Most people aren’t seeking out insecure mates, so as long as you exude confidence, then you will appear to be attractive, no matter what you may look like on the outside.

In the end Matt and Mike attend a party, where they seem to be borderline conceited, but maybe it’s just that confidence thing I was talking about. Come to find out, the girl that Matt is pining for still is not romantically interested in him. It’s like “look buddy, it’s not how you look, it’s just you.”

Another show that goes along the same lines is “Extreme Makeover.” On this show people are given major surgery to improve their looks. Participants are given liposuction, nose jobs, tummy tucks, collagen injections — if it’s legal, they’re getting it done to their bodies. Although I am a die-hard reality television fan, I still find it difficult to condone shows of this nature. It’s as if it’s telling us, “well, if you’re not happy with the way you look, then cut it off or reshape it.”

Don’t get me wrong; I can certainly understand the mindset of wanting to look good. The better you look, the better you feel. However, how much is too much? Does it start to get to be too much when you don’t even look like part of your own family anymore? It’s like plastic surgery has now become the new trend. It’s as if the side effects are null and void. Do these people ever consider the ramifications? Apparently they don’t watch “True Life,” because if they did they would have seen the show when there were plenty of subjects who had surgery, but it didn’t turn out so well. One woman, who was once a model, just wasn’t satisfied with her looks, so she decided to have liposuction. After the procedure was over she ended up with irremovable scars and thighs that were two different shapes. Or how about another woman who had breast implants and believed she was getting sick. Who could forget the “raver” who wore body glitter and knew he would have the body of a Greek god only if he would get implants in his calves.

I’m not perfect and there are plenty of things I’d like to change about myself. However, I could not imagine going to such great lengths. I wouldn’t be me if I was perfect, if I didn’t have the certain little flaws that I have, I wouldn’t have so much “character,” as my mom used to tell me. Besides all that good stuff, I don’t have the money to do it so I guess I don’t really have a choice. In the end it’s OK, I’m satisfied just being me.

— Camila Crews can be reached at [email protected].