The European Union, in what Gadfly can only call a retrograde move, recently awarded a grant to a school in Italy that teaches young Italian women the skills they need to become game show hosts and showgirls. According to the terms of the EU grant, "students must be at least 18, unemployed, and come from the Campania region--renowned throughout Italy for the beauty of its women." According to one of the school's founders, its purpose is to equip students "for a wider career than that pursued by mere bimbos. 'They are being thrown in at the deep end, but it will give them a head start in show business.'" Among other things, students will be taught "diction, show presenting, makeup, singing, dancing, acting, and the history of cinema and theater."
"Europe funds school for Italy's TV babes," by Bruce Johnston, Washington Times, October 13, 2003