White House Reality Show, Courtesy of Gate Crashers

The brazen behavior of the so-called “White House Party Crashers” provided a fine example of how appearance and apparel can be used to manipulate perception. By now everyone knows that Michaele and Tareq Salahi bluffed their way into a state dinner held at the White House Nov. 24 in honor of the prime minister of India and his wife. Their clothing and grooming suggested style and wealth, particularly Michaele Salahi’s glittering red and gold sari-style gown, a glamorous image that doubtless helped when they expressed shock that their names didn’t appear on the official guest list and were then waved through by the Secret Service. But in their “you’ve got it wrong -- WE are the victims” interview with Matt Lauer on NBC’s Today Show Monday, Tuesday, Dec. 1, the pair were dressed as if for a funeral: both in conservative black suits, and she in bland makeup with no visible jewelry except a gold cross on a chain at her throat. Both murmured, in hurting tones, comments about being “devastated” and “destroyed.” Their Today Show interview garb and bereaved demeanor was clearly another crass act by the couple, bent on salvaging Michaele’s bid to be cast in “Real Housewives of D.C.,” yet another Bravo “reality” show that will feature women competing for the role of most shallow.