Fausto Fernós and Marc Felion, hosts of the top-rated podcast “Feast of Fools,” nominated their friend, a regular guest of their talk show, for a much-needed makeover to help her recover from her fashion disasters on “What Not To Wear” (WNTW) . Fernós and Felion found an ally in WNTW hosts Stacy London and Clinton Kelly for their “War on Ugly” to combat Amanda’s wardrobe of mass destruction.

The producers of the long-running reality TV show say the episode featuring the fashion-flawed diva Amanda Steinstein is the “gayest episode ever,” as her friends Fausto and Marc ransack her closets and try on her sequins and tiaras as if they are in their own drag pageant. Producers of the show, which is in its seventh season, suggest that Amanda may in fact be the “the worst-dressed woman in the history of the show.”

TLC’s website describes the episode as “Single in Chicago, Amanda’s looking for the right man, but she likes to dress in drag and hide her feminine side. To her, everything is a costume, and style is not a concern.”

Fausto Fernós, host of “Feast of Fools,” insists that the poorly-dressed Amanda “practically lives in black leggings, and all her shirts and sweaters are oversized. In summer she wears these horrible Hawaiian shirts which have a nautical theme, as in Titanic meets the Poseidon Adventure.”

Marc Felion, co-host of “Feast of Fools” who nominated Amanda, claims he knew she needed an intervention for her fashion sense when he saw her in what he describes as “vintage 80s Ray Ban sunglasses, a Hawaiian shirt, black leggings and a black beret!” The first thing he said to her was, “I am embarrassed for you to be dressed like that.” Amanda replied “Yeah, I know. Whatever.”

But there is hope for Amanda, and the duo who nominated her say she is, for the most part, sticking with her “What Not To Wear” makeover. Amanda says of her new look, It takes a little more planning than I’m used to; like something may need to be steamed or ironed before I put it on. The hardest part is the shoes. I know they look better, but they hurt.”

The gang plan on watching the episode with friends and fans of both “Feast of Fools” and “What Not To Wear” at Hydrate nightclub in Chicago with drag queens impersonating the “before” and “after” “Amanda.” Join them for what should be an enlightening and fabulous evening watching what producers describe as “four or five years of therapy crammed into an hour long show.”

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ABOUT THE FEAST OF FOOLS:

Feast of Fools podcast is a talk show hosted by Fausto Fernós and Marc Felion that features celebrity guests, artists, musicians, actors in the LGBT community. The program is a roundtable discussion of unusual news, social trends and features cocktail recipes and interviews.

With over three million downloads to this date it’s one of the most popular daily audio programs of its kind. Feast of Fools has one of the largest audiences for a comedy talk show produced in Chicago, and the largest audience for a GLBT-themed podcast in the world.

Feast of Fools : Gay Fun Show won the People’s Choice Podcasting Award for “Best GLBT Podcast” in 2006 and 2007, “Best Podcast” (Gay Bloggies), “Best Podcast” (Best Gay Blogs), “Queers Who Make Chicago Great 2006″ (Time Out Chicago) and Windy City Black Pride “Esteem Award.”

When the iTunes Music store celebrated it’s one year anniversary of podcasting, Feast of Fools was chosen as one out of 48 “pioneering shows… helping to bring podcasting from an underground movement to a mainstream phenomenon, [Feast of Fools] helped to pave the way.” -iTunes Music Store, June 28, 2006.

In the November 2005 issue of OUT Magazine featured an article about the Feast of Fools saying: “Pretty Impressive… a combination of outrageousness and intimacy that’s won listeners over.” -Troy Dreier, OUT Magazine.

Join in the fun and listen to the Feast of Fools podcast anytime for FREE at: www.feastoffun.com

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Q & A with Amanda Steinstein:

Q: How did you feel when they first surprised you with “What Not To Wear” while you were painting kids’ faces?

AMANDA: My first thought was, “But I’m painting! What about the kids?” After that is was more like, “What is this alternate universe?”

Q: A lot of people would feel a little insulted if they were nominated because they dressed horribly. Were you mad at Fausto and Marc for nominating you?

AMANDA: Mad? Not hardly. I’ve always known I’m not the best dresser, but I didn’t think it could be helped. I feel only love and gratitude for the Feast of Fools who still saw some potential in me.

Q: Did you feel you needed a makeover?

AMANDA: Again, I figured I was a lost cause.

Q: What did you learn about yourself?

AMANDA: I learned I’m not a lost cause! With an unlimited budget, anyone can look good. Or at least I can look good with a decent budget.

Q: So how is the new look working out for you?

AMANDA: It takes a little more planning than I’m used to; like something may need to be steamed or ironed before I put it on. The hardest part is the shoes. I know they look better, but they hurt. I have to plan which days I’ll most need comfortable shoes…when I’ll have to walk a lot, catch buses, etc. I think I need a bigger purse so I can carry the “good” shoes for when I get to my destination.

Q: There was a lot of talk about how this new look could attract a new man in your life. Has there been any romance?

AMANDA: Not so far. I think I need to get out more. But it has definitely changed the way people react to me at work. People don’t dismiss me as easily when I’m four inches taller with boobs out to here. A lot more guys have talked to me in elevators and held doors for me.

What Not to Wear + Feast of Fools Viewing Party
Friday, October 17, 2008
7-9pm
Hydrate Bar, Chicago
3458 N Halsted Street
Chicago, IL 60657

Sponsored by:

Listener Troy has totally flipped for this clip, the grand finale from an 80s afterschool special, starring Rob Stone from Mr. Belvedere and Wallace Langham from the Larry Sanders Show. Advisory: Don’t jump off warehouse roofs. Also: earworm!

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