Ever since federal authorities raided the YFZ (Yearning For Zion) Ranch in Southwest Texas, the country - or at least everyone who watches Larry King Live - has been gripped by the images of polygamist wives in prairie dresses. It's easy to snark at their hopelessly outdated couture. (So '90s ... as in 1890s.)
But only one man can offer constructive advice...
Mo Rocca has appeared on a bunch of shows, including 'The Daily Show,' 'I Love the 80s,'...
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Tim Gunn's Guide to Polygamist Style
Posted Jun 24th 2008 11:00AM by Mo Rocca
Filed under: Mo Rocca, Polygamy, Tim Gunn, Yearning For Zion
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Mo Rocca appears on a bunch of shows, including CBS News Sunday Morning (with the indescribably wonderful Charles Osgood), The Tonight Show on NBC, and NPR's Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! He's a sometime judge on Iron Chef and was featured on Telemundo's Amore Descarado. Last year he starred on Broadway in the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. His expose "All the President's Pets" was published by Crown in 2004.
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Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 10)
1. Hmmm, I guess no one wants to take a chance and comment on this one for fear of a backlash?
What happened to loyalty and devotion, Roccats?! Even if you don't agree with Mo, it's okay to let him know; he can handle it.
As for myself, I do find it quite difficult to laugh at women who have lost their children. (Ben Stein's opinion on CBS Sunday Morning was excellent, BTW.)
However, I have been on this blog long enough to know that Mo uses humor to try and sooth the pain of the horrible events that happen in our lives.
So lighten up, folks. Y'all know that Mo has a huge heart.
giftedgirl at 9:16PM on Apr 30th 2008
2. Sorry it took me so long....
I was off pondering why *they* still get to use Aquanet, & the rest of us don't.
I'm bitter.
Sherry
S.L. at 9:24PM on Apr 30th 2008
3. giftedgirl, I watched 'CBS Sunday Morning', I thought the show was very good. I found Ben Stein's commentary to be disingenious.
JefFlyingV at 9:51PM on Apr 30th 2008
4. Yea! Mo- I love Tim Gunn!!!!!!!!!
been CRAZY busy (G.G. easy, you know I love Mo-!)
Tim is so sensible....baby steps! I agree...they need an undercover agent to subtly gain their trust and to turn the tides of plain prairie woman to townie superstar!!!!!!!!
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=xZnSs43KDng&feature=related
killer post MO!!!!!!!!!
ah, Clem at 10:14PM on Apr 30th 2008
5. Take out the whole court thing and their comments are pretty funny. COME ON...life is short, let's laugh about it. Those women look hideous. Partly, it may be because they're all dog ugly...almost inbred looking and the dresses certainly don't help. But on the other side HELL, if I lived in that compound my entire life, popping out babies like a cheap Chinese toy factory, I don't think I'd care either. Some days that might be kinda of nice. Eh, I don't really FEEL like it...have sex with one of your other wives instead. OH, all my teeth fell out...who's going to notice? It might not be half bad.
ROSE10621 at 12:32AM on May 1st 2008
6. Last week I saw Meredith Viera ask one of the elder women about the hair and dress. The woman told her there was no significance. Yeah, right!
Not knowing anything about these people, but knowing about other religious groups, I would guess that their appearance is unflattering on purpose. Although they obviously have nothing against procreation, it is likely that "lustful" thoughts are sin. And like other religious groups, it is the duty of the women to keep from provoking lustful thoughts in men, who of course can't control themselves otherwise.
Again, I know nothing about these people and their beliefs, so this is purely speculation.
mo-NEEK-a at 11:04PM on Apr 30th 2008
7. Those dresses were clearly bought in bulk at Laura Ingalls Wilder Outfitters.
Only in Texas, I tell you.
~Shannon
Shannon at 11:26PM on Apr 30th 2008
8. Wow. I hate to be the dick, because I LOVE tim G. and ya'll know I am devoted to Mo, but...it kinda feels like a cheap shot. Do I agree with their dogma? No. But, to me it kind of feels like making fun of the fashions in Jonestown. Children's lives are being traumatized. Their fashion broadcasts their lives, and there is probably very little humor in that, except for the sweet things their children do...but, they don't have their children anymore, do they? Just a sad thought.
Gabrielle at 11:38PM on Apr 30th 2008
9. What does it say about me that I have bookmarked this and put it in my "Fashion" folder? I laughed so hard I scared the cats!
Lilithcat at 12:45AM on May 1st 2008
10. This was hilarious! "Show a little clevage" haha looking at the hideousness of the dresses could you imagine what lurks underneath, these women probably haven't been within 100ft of a Vaictoria's Secret!
Stephanie at 1:10AM on May 1st 2008
11. Obviously the whole child situation is crushing, but come on. The way they dress is what? Do they make their own clothes or did they actually buy them from someone? Its depressing really. So polygamy is spoken for, what about polyandry?
Mo, did u enjoy ur experience on Law & Order?
UrBrokenAngel at 1:09AM on May 1st 2008
12. Clemmie, Melissa Gilbert will always be Half Pint to me!
Sweet dreams, everyone.
giftedgirl at 1:33AM on May 1st 2008
13. #5 mo-NEE-ka..................your understanding is absolutely right. I just read about it last night. Too bad they couldn't find a hairdo slightly less dorky yet still unflattering!
Dottie at 4:11AM on May 1st 2008
14. #8 ROSE10621.......I find it cruel to mock people for the way they look, the way they dress, etc.(And I fault myself too as I just make a mocking comment.) They dress the way they do so they will not appear attractive to other men. Their life is dedicated to their husbands and children. While I don't agree with the whole cult thing, and I certainly would not want to live that way.......as long as they resolve this child abuse thing then I hope they can move on. They aren't hurting anyone and, if they are truly happy, more power to them. It will be interesting, however, to see how they react after being out in the real world for however long these trials take. I wonder how many will not go back?
Dottie at 4:20AM on May 1st 2008
15. Gabrielle.
I appreciate the courage in your post. It is good to reflect our collective horror of that situation, one in which I can barely wrap my mind around-while indulging in humorous abstractions.
The climate of the blog and respective posts is/are traditionally class conscience-I thank you for tempering this piece with the "real".
(didn't spell check, sorry!)
ah, Clem at 6:38AM on May 1st 2008