Whisker Wars

Yesterday the new issue of Rolling Stone Magazine arrived. Not for me of course.  I am not that cool. It arrived for my daughter Kara who is spending the summer in Atlanta. But since she isn’t here to remind me how uncool I am and why I shouldn’t be reading her magazine-- for spite, and because the cover had a teaser about the upcoming season of True Blood that really interested me, I read it.

Under the heading of Summer Cable Preview  I noticed a new documentary-series  on IFC called Whisker Wars. The first line of the article read: At last an in depth look at the world of competitive bearding. I was confused. What was competitive bearding? Hmm I might know—it’s when several of my female friends and I lock ourselves in a room for a week without tweezers. I could be a champion of the consequences of that. Unless it’s a waxing competition between several high priced NYC salons? But that would be would be competitive de-bearding…nevermind.

No it seems that competitive bearding is a follicular challenge (not my words). Some of the categories include (and this is a direct quote) Imperial Mustache and Full Beard Freestyle. So in essence it’s an international facial hair competition between a bunch of men who look a lot like ZZ Top—or Santa Claus. And while I am trying really hard not to judge these people I just don’t get it. Although, I don't get those Tatoo/Ink shows either. But, I guess if you compare the bearded guys to the tattoo guys, at least the bearded guys can always shave to instantly conform to the real world. Tattoo removal?—not so quick and easy.

I may just have to watch Whisker Wars to satisfy my curiosity.  I wonder if any other woman besides Mrs. Claus will be watching--she obviously finds the look attractive. Perhaps Santa might even get lucky that night.

Whisker Wars is on IFC Friday nights at 11 pm. I’ll bet Gillette isn’t the sponsor.