"Heroes" of Cosplay

Okay.

It's time we had a talk.

There's this show coming out on SyFy (or for those who remember the past: Sci-Fi network) sometime relatively soon called "Heroes Of Cosplay".

Just what IS this mysteriously named show?

According to The Mary Sue, it will be "a 6-episode documentary series that will follow some of the biggest names in the cosplay community. The series will explore not just who these cosplayers are, but WHAT cosplay is and WHY they do it."

It's following 9 different "cosplayers" to all the different conventions they go to and compete at to show what the cosplaying world is "really like". (Take in mind all these cosplayers are of course naturally beautiful and female)  I am also exceedingly pissed that there are no contestants of other races or even MEN. I'll honestly be shocked if they ever show any crossplayers ever. (What? A female dressing in a male outfit?! HELL NO! THE GUYS WON'T WATCH THAT! *grumbles*)

I find it very hard to believe that this will be some sort of documentary, as I was informed about their scripting douchebaggery at Anime Matsuri - with pictures/evidence/witness testimony to prove it. They were trying to get drama where there was none (they were also trying to rig the competition hard core). They are trying to show how cosplay can be a functional "job" and that everybody is striving to be COSPLAY FAMOUSUUUU and that all it's about is spending crap tons of money, going to competitions, and being generally insufferable.

Which is a total lie. This is not what I cosplay for. This is not what other people cosplay for.

Yes. I have a handful of trophies, certificates and plaques hanging on my wall, but I don't necessarily care or tout them around (aside from the last sentence). I competed because I liked being surrounded by other creative people, and honestly, had I not been in a particular masquerade, I would not have made a good friend of mine who indirectly led me to the man I am marrying in a couple of months. Cosplay has opened my social world, and let me be creative and have a lot of fun. (I also honestly can't really compete in craftsmanship anymore as I don't have the capabilities of making huge ornate armor and whatever)

But this. This is NOT cosplay. This show looks like it will show us the "Toddlers and Tiaras" version of cosplay. This is NOT what we do. This is not what I do.

I am embarrassed that this show exists. I am going to be more embarrassed by friends and relatives and coworkers who will watch this and go "OH THAT'S WHAT YOU DO ON THOSE WEEKENDS" and then ask me about all the "drama" I deal with. And then I will have to spend weeks/months/holidays de-programming them to understand what I do.  AGAIN.

(Although I do feel really bad for the contestants - apparently it sounded like they were tired of all this crap too)

Long story short, DO NOT WATCH THIS SHOW. 

And please stop sending me links. I will only tell you how awful the show will be, and that I am refusing to watch it. I can say I've never been so glad to not have cable for once...