Heinous Hair Tragedies on TV

Deciding to start the new year off with a haircut isn’t a totally original idea, but I needed one anyway. So, the other day I went to to get my hair cut. I tend to wear my glasses a lot these days so I wasn’t really able to see where my stylist was pointing as she asked me things about my soon-to-be new look. I was in a good mood, and I agreeably nodded as she spoke.

As she began cutting, a sensation of dread started at the dead center of my stomach and began to curl outwards, imbolizing all of my limbs. She was cutting it shorter than I’d expected, shorter than I thought I’d told her to. But what can you do in a situation like this? The damage is done – your hair is on the floor, they can’t glue is back.

I decided to breathe calmly and think as rationally as I could. Hair is a natural resource. I’ve had it long, for so long, it could be good for a change. And it’s not as though it was being cut that short. Something else flickered into my mind, given that I’m such a fangirl: I could weather this, no matter how bad the cut might turn out to be, because there were so many actresses who’d had their bad haircuts play out on the TV screen.

I’d witnessed these, I’d mocked occasionally, I’d felt sympathy, I’d considered sending letters of advice to these poor women. I knew that it happens. Now, I personally lucked out. My stylist did a fabulous job.

So now, dear Sofachip readers, I am going to walk you through some of the most heinous hair tragedies we’ve witnessed on the small screen.

Cordelia Chase from Angel the series

Cordelia, portrayed by Charisma Carpenter, always had gorgeous dark brunette hair (just like me). And even when she cut it shorter, chin-length, we had hope it was just a small goof. But then she turned up with an angled bob, in blonde. This was years and years ago, and I’m still recovering.

Angel – Complete Series Collector’s Set

Felicity Porter from Felicity

Lately, we know her for roles in movies like August Rush, or the amazing Waitress. But we first knew her as indecisive, introverted, imaginative college freshman, Felicity. When she cut her hair, it was a huge scandal. Word is, that after this (she did it on her own and then had to wear a wig for the first part of season two’s first episode) the WB started…

…putting something in their contracts that forbid actresses from cutting their hair without approval.

Felicity – The Complete Seasons One Through Four (Freshman – Senior Years) – Amazon.com Exclusive

Jen Lindley from Dawson’s Creek

Michelle Williams was wonderful as Jen, new girl on the good ol’ creek. What wasn’t so wonderful was the time she chopped her hair off – in fact, the character actually references this later on in the series as one of the dumbest things she’s done.

Dawson’s Creek – The Complete First Season

I happen to love all of these actresses and characters. But they, and their stylists, are human – and learned some hard lessons.

Until next time,

Jessica for Sofachip.com

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