I'm a child of the television age. Growing up, I used to live to watch all the newest sitcoms. Being a 70s kid, this meant that I watched The Brady Bunch, The Partridge Family, Happy Days, Laverne and Shirley, All In The Family, Sanford and Son and others until my mother would force me to turn off the TV and go to bed! Through reruns I was able to see great shows from the 60s like The Andy Griffith Show and The Dick Van Dyke Show. There were also some great variety shows at that time - Carol Burnett, Sonny and Cher and even Donny and Marie - but, alas, those shows and that genre aren't with us anymore. Sad really because those shows were awesome!
The sitcom, back then, was king! Even into the 90s I watched sitcoms - Roseanne, Friends, Cheers - were all on my nightly viewing list. In the 90s we had some great one hour dramas too and I was hooked on ER for almost all of their seasons.
These days, I don't watch much network TV anymore. I haven't found a sitcom that I think is really funny though friends swear some of them are. Big Bang Theory is one that gets mentioned a lot. Sorry to say I haven't watched a single episode. I used to watch The Office but I don't really consider that a sitcom per se. And every once in a great while I'll watch an episode of 30 Rock. Nope, these days my network TV viewing is delegated to mostly reality shows or contest type shows. Survivor is my all time favorite show. I've watched every single season. I also like The Amazing Race. Something about the challenge combined with the global adventure of those two shows gets me every time.
Though I used to watch talent related shows like American Idol and The Voice, I'm kind of over them. I haven't been too jazzed about the talent on those shows and the formula for the shows got old real fast.
Because I am admittedly a reality TV junkie I am often perusing cable channels to get my nightly fix. Big faves this year are Project Runway, Dance Moms, Real Housewives of New York and New Jersey, International House Hunters (again with that global adventure theme), and Top Chef. I also hang my head to admit that I get stuck watching what I can only refer to as the "train wreck" of reality shows. Oh you know the shows - Celebrity Rehab, My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding and (I'm so ashamed) Here Comes Honey Boo Boo. Yes, I have watched it. And I probably will again.
Then there are the shows that I run across that I will stop to watch when I'm bored and there's nothing else to do. I don't know why I find them interesting. They're not really intense or deep in any way. They are fluff. Harmless and somewhat entertaining. These shows would include 19 Kids and Counting, Storage Wars, and anything on TLC with little people in it.
Would you believe I find the Kardashian's insulting and disgusting? Ha! I do! I can watch Honey Boo Boo til the cows come home but the Kardashian's make my skin crawl. I have no idea what the difference might be but that's the way I feel.
I suppose I should feel stupid admitting that I watch all this crap. And I guess a part of me does. But I also listen to great music, read a lot, paint, go to the theatre and can carry on a great conversation. So, at the end of the day, my little reality TV addiction hasn't hurt me all that much. And a surprising fact is that if I say, in the midst of any group of people, "Has anyone watched Honey Boo Boo?" There will be at least three people who have and who do! So I am not alone in my horrible TV habits!
I gotta run. I think Say Yes to the Dress is on. Oh, that's another good one! Ta Ta!
Showing posts with label reality television. Show all posts
Showing posts with label reality television. Show all posts
Thursday, October 4, 2012
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Why We Love Kim Kardashian...
The other day when I left work there were emergency vehicles about a block away. A landmark Kenosha restaurant/hall was on fire. Traffic was blocked from going anywhere near it. Even though my car was parked facing north, I made a u-turn to go take a look or get as close as I could to taking a look. I was compelled to see what was going on.
I recall last summer, I was driving to Racine, a city just north of Kenosha, and there was traffic stopped on Highway 31. We were slowly diverted past a car accident where there were ten squad cars, three fire trucks and two ambulances. Clearly, it was a very bad accident yet, as I made my way past it, I couldn't help but look to see if I could see what happened. There's something fascinating about accidents and fires and whatnot. Our human nature makes us have to look.
Thus it is with the Kardashians. Or the Snooky's or any other of the so-called "stars" that take up space in our weekly magazines, newspapers and nightly news shows. If we step back and ask ourselves, just what is it that these people do anyway, the answer is...nothing. There is no discernible talent there. They don't sing. They can't act. They're not particularly bright. They are just there. The product of some remarkable marketing and P. R. wizardry that make them as compelling as a car wreck. We don't want to see it, but we can't help but look.
A few weeks ago, Kim Kardashian got married. It was all over the news. Her smiling face peering back from the magazine racks at the grocery store. Hurrah! She got married. This week, she is getting divorced. Again, all over the news. (Hey, isn't there a war going on somewhere? A financial crisis? Something??) Her mother is on TV talking about how strong Kim is and how hard this is on her. Her sisters are on TV talking about how she'll get through this because they're so close. Kim Kardashian is getting divorced. Hurrah!
Those who know me know that I love reality TV. I am a huge fan of Survivor! I watch American Idol. I confess...I have been known to sit through several episodes of Big Brother. For the life of me, I cannot see the attraction of the Kardashian's or any of the so-called "stars" of her ilk. (Yes, I used the word ilk...) To me they are useless reminders that we - the collective we - are not rich enough, pretty enough, go to enough or the right parties, can't travel enough, will never have enough money to open our own businesses, will never have enough money to care if those businesses fail. We will never be Kardashian. For some people, being Kardashian becomes an unachievable goal. Especially for those girls who idolize her. Maybe she is a nice person and wants love and caring like the rest of us. But, maybe living her life on TV and pushing her life into ours might not be the way to go about it. She, and others like her, are a train wreck and we are all craning our necks to see it.
I recall last summer, I was driving to Racine, a city just north of Kenosha, and there was traffic stopped on Highway 31. We were slowly diverted past a car accident where there were ten squad cars, three fire trucks and two ambulances. Clearly, it was a very bad accident yet, as I made my way past it, I couldn't help but look to see if I could see what happened. There's something fascinating about accidents and fires and whatnot. Our human nature makes us have to look.
Thus it is with the Kardashians. Or the Snooky's or any other of the so-called "stars" that take up space in our weekly magazines, newspapers and nightly news shows. If we step back and ask ourselves, just what is it that these people do anyway, the answer is...nothing. There is no discernible talent there. They don't sing. They can't act. They're not particularly bright. They are just there. The product of some remarkable marketing and P. R. wizardry that make them as compelling as a car wreck. We don't want to see it, but we can't help but look.
A few weeks ago, Kim Kardashian got married. It was all over the news. Her smiling face peering back from the magazine racks at the grocery store. Hurrah! She got married. This week, she is getting divorced. Again, all over the news. (Hey, isn't there a war going on somewhere? A financial crisis? Something??) Her mother is on TV talking about how strong Kim is and how hard this is on her. Her sisters are on TV talking about how she'll get through this because they're so close. Kim Kardashian is getting divorced. Hurrah!
Those who know me know that I love reality TV. I am a huge fan of Survivor! I watch American Idol. I confess...I have been known to sit through several episodes of Big Brother. For the life of me, I cannot see the attraction of the Kardashian's or any of the so-called "stars" of her ilk. (Yes, I used the word ilk...) To me they are useless reminders that we - the collective we - are not rich enough, pretty enough, go to enough or the right parties, can't travel enough, will never have enough money to open our own businesses, will never have enough money to care if those businesses fail. We will never be Kardashian. For some people, being Kardashian becomes an unachievable goal. Especially for those girls who idolize her. Maybe she is a nice person and wants love and caring like the rest of us. But, maybe living her life on TV and pushing her life into ours might not be the way to go about it. She, and others like her, are a train wreck and we are all craning our necks to see it.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
I have seen the future....
The Eurovision Song Contest is the mother of all televised music contests. Many big name music stars found their start there. (Think, ABBA...) I was introduced to this glamarama wingding of a show last year and I am hooked. The contest consists of song entries from European countries (hence the name...duh!). Each country first has it local contest to determine which song and artist they will send to the big show. Then each country gets the chance to show the rest of Europe what it is they have to offer. This year's competition is being held in Belgrade and it is being shown worldwide via the Internet at eurovision.tv
I can't accurately explain the nature of this show. The production is big...no, ENORMOUS and part of the reason for that is the host country gets this opportunity to show off what they can do. The thing is, they don't often follow the old adage "less is more". In fact, I think they go out of their way to prove "more is more". The songs themselves run the gamut from the very beautiful to the absolutely insane. Last year, I fell into some kind of strange obsession with this entrant.
It's weird, it's over the top, it's kitschy, and, to me, it's wonderful.
The first semi-finals for 2008 happened yesterday and you can see for yourself the strange wonderfulness that is the Eurovision Song Contest. It has everything. Over blown production values, sometimes excellent music, sometimes really bad music, mostly really bizarre performances (see Ireland's 2008 entry) and in your face artsy fartsy everything make this my new most favorite thing in the world.
I can't accurately explain the nature of this show. The production is big...no, ENORMOUS and part of the reason for that is the host country gets this opportunity to show off what they can do. The thing is, they don't often follow the old adage "less is more". In fact, I think they go out of their way to prove "more is more". The songs themselves run the gamut from the very beautiful to the absolutely insane. Last year, I fell into some kind of strange obsession with this entrant.
It's weird, it's over the top, it's kitschy, and, to me, it's wonderful.
The first semi-finals for 2008 happened yesterday and you can see for yourself the strange wonderfulness that is the Eurovision Song Contest. It has everything. Over blown production values, sometimes excellent music, sometimes really bad music, mostly really bizarre performances (see Ireland's 2008 entry) and in your face artsy fartsy everything make this my new most favorite thing in the world.
Saturday, March 29, 2008
When reality meets reality TV...
So while toodling around the house today doing this and that, I had the TV on... (pause here for collective groan of disapproval from those who think TV rots the mind)... okay, so it was on and being that it was Saturday there is really nothing worth watching on, ever. So as I was picking up, dusting and vacuuming there was a marathon of episodes of "Flavor of Love" on VH1. I started to think how funny it would be if all endeavors in life made us go through challenges like those on the show which would lead to the elimination night and onto the next day - providing we weren't the one eliminated.
Take for example, a job interview. You take your resume in, fill out an application and wait. Then, you're called in with 20 other candidates. The first thing you have to do is be the first one out of 20 who can perform a Bible thumpin' sermon on why you are the best candidate for the Mormon Tabernacle Choir who will then decide who was the best. If you're chosen, you get one to one time with your potential employer - maybe a power lunch - where you can get to know one another better. At the end of the day, all 20 candidates are lined up and one of them is eliminated. The "interview" process goes on until there are just two people left standing. It's at this point, the employer would meet your parents. Then, you'd be whisked off to Puerto Rico for a final weekend of "getting to know you". The final elimination would be made, very dramatically, on a moonlit beach somewhere. The winner would not only get the job but a cool gold grill. The loser will have a tantrum, try to pull out the winner's hair and be escorted to a limo and driven into the night.
Think about how much more interesting that would be than the usual boring interview process!
What if everyday was another day on Project Runway? Imagine having to make your own clothes, walk like a model and be "fierce" everyday or else someone would come up to you and say "You're OUT!"
Let's make every meal like an episode of Top Chef. "I have to ask you, mother...what led you to make the mashed potatoes with chicken broth instead of milk? Did you taste these? Pack your knives and go!"
Admit it...wouldn't we all like to say, just once, to someone who has wasted our time with monotonous boring information or said something so stupid there is no other appropriate response other than "The tribe has spoken. You have to go!"
Take for example, a job interview. You take your resume in, fill out an application and wait. Then, you're called in with 20 other candidates. The first thing you have to do is be the first one out of 20 who can perform a Bible thumpin' sermon on why you are the best candidate for the Mormon Tabernacle Choir who will then decide who was the best. If you're chosen, you get one to one time with your potential employer - maybe a power lunch - where you can get to know one another better. At the end of the day, all 20 candidates are lined up and one of them is eliminated. The "interview" process goes on until there are just two people left standing. It's at this point, the employer would meet your parents. Then, you'd be whisked off to Puerto Rico for a final weekend of "getting to know you". The final elimination would be made, very dramatically, on a moonlit beach somewhere. The winner would not only get the job but a cool gold grill. The loser will have a tantrum, try to pull out the winner's hair and be escorted to a limo and driven into the night.
Think about how much more interesting that would be than the usual boring interview process!
What if everyday was another day on Project Runway? Imagine having to make your own clothes, walk like a model and be "fierce" everyday or else someone would come up to you and say "You're OUT!"
Let's make every meal like an episode of Top Chef. "I have to ask you, mother...what led you to make the mashed potatoes with chicken broth instead of milk? Did you taste these? Pack your knives and go!"
Admit it...wouldn't we all like to say, just once, to someone who has wasted our time with monotonous boring information or said something so stupid there is no other appropriate response other than "The tribe has spoken. You have to go!"
Saturday, March 8, 2008
That thing you do...
We all have them. Those secret pleasures that we keep quiet because, even as we enjoy them, we know how silly and stupid they really are.
Hello. My name is Mary and I am a reality TV junkie.
I can't help it! I swear. It seems the more stupid and inane a show is the more I am drawn to it like a moth to a flame. I watch them all - Survivor, American Idol, Next Top Model, Celebrity Rehab, Big Brother. I'm a goner. There is some weird psychological pull to each one for whatever reason. I ask myself how people can get involved in those shows. Are they that desperate for their 15 minutes of fame? I scoff at their antics. I make fun of their stupidity. I laugh at their impossible sincerity through it all. I KNOW it's all crap and yet I tune in each and every time. So what does that say about me? I'm not someone who drives around the block to come back to view an accident. I don't go out of my way to see the sites of disasters. But for some reason, when it's being broadcast into my living room, I have to see it all.
Is there a 12 step program for all of this? Even if there was I don't think I would be able to stop. I admit I have the problem but I'm not so sure I'm willing to do anything about it!
Hello. My name is Mary and I am a reality TV junkie.
I can't help it! I swear. It seems the more stupid and inane a show is the more I am drawn to it like a moth to a flame. I watch them all - Survivor, American Idol, Next Top Model, Celebrity Rehab, Big Brother. I'm a goner. There is some weird psychological pull to each one for whatever reason. I ask myself how people can get involved in those shows. Are they that desperate for their 15 minutes of fame? I scoff at their antics. I make fun of their stupidity. I laugh at their impossible sincerity through it all. I KNOW it's all crap and yet I tune in each and every time. So what does that say about me? I'm not someone who drives around the block to come back to view an accident. I don't go out of my way to see the sites of disasters. But for some reason, when it's being broadcast into my living room, I have to see it all.
Is there a 12 step program for all of this? Even if there was I don't think I would be able to stop. I admit I have the problem but I'm not so sure I'm willing to do anything about it!
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