One thing about Reality Television…
ONE THING?! Guys, as a writer I find that reality shows on network television are the ruination of any writer’s career. Sure, they’ve got writers, but I really am not compelled to watch yet another season of ‘Survivor’. I get the concept and I couldn’t care less.
The ratings increase and one hour dramas, sitcoms really suffer as a result. We’re getting crappier and crappier shows. I grew up watching Bob Newhart (the one with Suzanne Pleshette, G-d bless her), Carol Burnett, WKRP, The Rockford Files and of course, Trapper John, MD (with the lovely and talented hottie trifecta of Pernell Roberts, Brian Stokes Mitchell AND Gregory Harrison)…now don’t get me wrong, there are a few shows that hold my interest…try as I might to get away from it, ER still keeps me coming back.
You think it’s starting the death rattle and they manage to spice it up. Law & Order SVU is still crankin’ out good stories with stellar acting (yes, I loves me some Chris Meloni-the guy is a total package acting wise) but I weep for the sitcom.
What happened to funny and smart? For me, Friends was the beginning of the end. Inexplicably, that show was hot right up until the end. I never got it. I didn’t get the ‘funny’. I suppose a lot of people didn’t get Seinfeld, but that was my show. Maybe because I could relate to the talk of ‘lowtalkers’, double dipping’, ‘this, that and the other’ and the concept of friends having their own language. My best friend and I have our own and it’s just as delightful as anything Larry David could have come up with. Very often I wondered if he hadn’t been eavesdropping on my phone conversations.
“The Vault” is universally known in my circle of friends. So, why are we seeing such crap on television? Why are we becoming emotionally involved with Bret Michaels, Flavor Flav and why in the name of all that is good are we giving ‘New York’, arguably one of the least appealing people to strut in front of a camera, a second chance?
Are we at long last so bored with our lives that instead of picking up a book, we tune in to watch her apply petroleum jelly to her weave and eat enormous amounts of junk food, all the while professing to be a princess?
Mind you, there are a some shows out there with some value. The Biggest Loser is helpful to those of us who want to shed some poundage and like seeing others suffer in the process.
No, I’m kidding. The Biggest Loser is a show that sucks you in because these folks have to look at it as their last chance at good health. I do enjoy watching it because I can feel for them. Food is a tough give up. When it’s been your constant companion and your unconditional friend, you’ve got to ask yourself some tough questions. I am inspired to work out along with them and limit my fat intake. Up to a point. Ice cream and I have a very, very special relationship. We both know how good it is to be together, but we both know that we’re no good for one another. Eh. If lovin’ Ben and Jerry is wrong, I don’t wanna be right.
There are other reality shows, I’m sure. My feeling is, if we can benefit somehow by watching…it’s all good. But in the interest of your intellectual and spiritual growth, there are times when you’ve got to reconnect with humanity.
Folks, turn off your televisions and get out in the world. Pick up a book. Start a book club. Write your own. Go see some live music and support local bands.
Do anything but discuss “The Pick up Artist”. Oh, I watched it. Yep, I sure did. That guy ‘Mystery’ is anything BUT a mystery. Dude’s just a skinny boring guy who wears eyeliner and black nail polish. He’s got great hair, though. I’ll give him that. The poor saps who went for his crap are in trouble. Still, I watched that crap. There was nothing else on. I never once thought: “Hey, maybe I don’t HAVE to watch t.v. right now”…I just watched. Like a sap.
Let’s take part in our own reality, shall we? Isn’t life tricky enough without having to watch people who will most likely receive a nice payday make asses of themselves?
It will only make you upset. You don’t want to become the reality show sniper, do ya?
Okay, so promise me you’ll take a break for a little while and read the paper. Get involved with a charity organization…take care of yourself…learn a foreign language. Hey, learn Sign Language. It’s easy and it’s fun. THEN when you see a couple of deaf people signing away on the street or in a restaurant you can eavesdrop. I do it all the time and while I feel guilt, it’s good to know that women rag at their men in all languages.
Take care. Time to boogie.