Young hairdresser of the year: Has reality TV now reached its glass ceiling?

As we're very much in the 'let's put it on TV and people will watch it' era, it seems that not only must we sit through (thankfully no longer) Big Brother's 96 iterations, but we are now exposed to high end chef reality TV that is judged by a combination of Legendary double Michelin starred chef Michel Roux Jnr and "successful green grocer" Gregg Wallace (huh?).


It's a far cry from the voyeuristic idea behind reality TV, which bridged that gap between the viewer and the TV 'star' (the term is used loosely when referring to reality TV) and gave the ultimate 'behind the scenes' view.


But, whether you like X-Factor, American Idol, Master Chef, Mad about the house, Don't tell the bride, Strictly Come Dancing or the latest Young hairdresser of the year it seems that the one that remains consistent is, relatability.


If we, the audience, relate to the subject matter, we get 'into it'.  If the show has an entertainment factor, we'll even buy into the concept; but competitive hairdressing?


I just took a quick look at what the chatter is about Young hairdresser of the year, and in fairness, there's a fair amount of people talking about it (and positively too), so maybe it's just me?  Is it just that I'm not 'into' hairdressing?  Perhaps because conversely, Ashley seems to be quite interested.


It surely does beg the question though, at what point does someone pitch the idea...

Ok, now bear with me.  Think....X-Factor.....but hairdressers!

...and then presumably a TV Exec. excitedly jumps from his/her seat and shouts "YES!"


Did reality TV just reach its glass ceiling?