School Pride (photo courtesy of NBC)

But what happens when the makeover moves to education?

NBC’s “School Pride” premiered Friday in an attempt to do exactly that: create a hit new reality series spotlighting the desperate need for transformation in American schools.

Unfortunately, the show did a better job at emphasizing America’s desperate need for transformation in reality TV than in anything else.

Although the show clearly had good intentions and aimed to have a positive influence on the American education system, it was the entertainment element that seemed to be lacking.

The premiere attempted to create drama and tension where there was none, and it was obvious.

Will the local contractors agree to volunteer their time and resources to help renovate the Compton Jr. High School? Why is there a supply room filled with colored construction paper when the teachers have been asking for it? Will 8th grade student James get the basketball gym he’s always dreamed of?

Every issue was overly dramatic and forced. It really did take away from the motivating meaning and value behind the show.

From tearful heart-to-hearts all the way to tense interrogations with the school principal, “School Pride” came across as a cheesy reality show instead of the inspirational debut that it had the potential to be.

At the end of the episode, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger made an appearance, feeding the kids some tacky speech about how their school was the “most beautiful school he had ever seen.”

Then he said, “I promise you…I’ll be back.” That was just the cherry on top of the sundae. Could it get any cheesier?

The premiere of “School Pride” really was a missed opportunity. The show represents a serious issue in American society – thousands of schools across the country are in desperate need of money and new resources – but the dramatic way in which it was presented was all wrong.

Unless you’re a true renovation fan, you probably won’t be entertained or impressed by this new NBC series. “School Pride” needs a renovation itself before I’d considerer watching it again.