Balboa Observer-Picayune: Guys With Low Self-Esteem

Guys With Low Self-Esteem

Video maker launches series for the fairer sex.

Promotional spot for Guys.

Watch television late at night, and you’re sure to see informercials for George Bluth’s Cornballer, and a series of popular videos known as Girls with Low Self-Esteem. Critics have charged that the videos take advantage of vulnerable young women, but according to the series creator, Joseph Portugalis, the videos empower the titular girls by liberating them of their oppressive clothing.

Portugalis will make a quick appearance in court—ten minutes, tops—to face charges of kiddie porn, so many are suspicious of the timing of the release of his “equal opportunity” video, Guys with Low Self-Esteem. In the new videos, Portugalis films guys in various states of undress and other moments of low self-esteem. In one segment, we see a pathetic wannabe magician tweaking his nipples, painted like a playing card. In another segment, we see a young boy (possibly underage) curl up like a ball when a man in a bear costume approaches.

Noted Boston psychologist, Dr. Tobias Fünke, says that low self-esteem is damaging. “You have to have the heart of an angel, and the hide of an elephant. And when life hands you a chance, you just have to roll onto stage, and grab your moment by the ass.” In his series of videos, Families with Low Self-Esteem, Fünke advises people to look on the bright side: somewhere over that rainbow, there’s another rainbow.

Critics charge that Portugalis won’t market these videos with round-the-clock infomercials, and that women aren’t hopping onto staircars to purchase videos of men with low self-esteem.

The O.P. has obtained a copy of a promotional video, and an informal survey of female staffers found they were unlikely to purchase the video, even though the $4.99 price tag is a small price to pay for Self-Esteem.