Tease Makes Things a Bit Hairy for Everyone--In a Good Way

If somebody gave you 45 minutes to transform a nappy-looking head of hair into something straight out of a fashion magazine, could you do it?

That is the test awaiting all rookie hairstylists on the new game show "Tease" currently airing on the Oxygen cable network. On the show two stylists go head-to-head, having received simple instructions from their clients on personal preference.

What they do from there is up to them. In the first episode of the six-part series it was Roger Freeman of Lafayette, Tennessee going against Laura Harkness of Austin, Texas, with the winner left to face the one of the four master stylists chosen for the show.

Though Freeman aimed to change his client from a more-traditional look to something resembling a retro-1960s bob, the haircut did not come off modern enough, according to the three judges-and the blonde dye didn't have enough time to set in the 45-minute time limit.

Harkness-though she wasn't as personable as the effervescent, almost ebullient Freeman-came out with a vengeance, using blow dryers to put a quick-set on the red dye job she had given her client. There seemed such a contrast between the two that one of the judges, Peter Ishkhans, blasted Harkness for looking like a "cockatoo" in his obvious Cockney accent.

While Harkness continued to upstage Freeman, the Tennessee hairstylist more inclined to coiffing pageant contestants, her persona came off as steely and serious. Even the judges had to put a spin on the proceedings, for fear of losing their audience.

"She seems like she's going to blow a head gasket," said one judge to the audience, which elicited laughter as the contestants neared the end of the 45-minute first round.

At the end of the round Harkness was declared the winner, though Freeman, ever-gracious and kind in defeat did wish Harkness the best of luck-for she would likely need it against the master stylist.

Harkness' client had a more modern look with red highlights-and actually resembled Laura Bush, the first lady from...ta-da...Austin, Texas. Coincidence?

In the final round, two winners selected through a Jenny Craig promotion were given the chance to "look like a celebrity." Harkness would do battle with Clyde Haygood, the uber-modern master stylist known for the tresses of Shakira and Sheryl Crow.

The first winner of the promotion decided on the style of...contest hostess Lisa Rinna, which drew some blank looks and total shock from Rinna, an Emmy-winning actress best known for her role on daytime soap operas.

But Haygood made a few jokes about it-and in direct contrast to Harkness, played everything low-key as he started putting red dye touches in his client's hair. He even sauntered over to Harkness, the ever-serious type and started peppering her with playful questions like "What are you doing, girl?"

To which Harkness replied, "Don't worry about it," and actually blocked his path toward her hair-cutting station, which got a great response from the studio audience. Harkness work was cut out (no pun intended) as she would transform a former lingerie model now married with children into Heather Locklear.

But Harkness seemed up to the task, using the same strategy that won her the last round. She sped up the dyeing process by having her assistants use hand dryers, while Haygood continued pestering his competition and going into the audience.

After a half-hour, it was obvious that Haygood knew what he was doing-and he had even attached hair extensions to his client to give her a more realistic look.

Though Harkness fought hard to keep up with the master stylist, in the end Haygood's experience and creativity was too much for Harkness, who did manage to give the client what she wanted-though Haygood seemingly had more to do to get his client what she wanted, Rinna's award-winning hairdo.

The battle went down to the final judge and that judge, hairstyling agent Frank Moore, awarded Haygood the victor by just two points.

For viewing pleasure, "Tease" seemed neither pretentious nor gaudy and would be suitable for any audience. Rinna was ever the gracious, kind host and the judges, particularly Ishkhans, were hilarious and spot-on in their assessments.