ocg's Diaryland Diary ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I'm a geek/ Reality TV rant Yay, new keyboard. Maybe now I won't be so lax in updating this darn blog if I am able to actually type without having to * bang * on the keys. Ok, I admit it. I watched a Lawrence Welk reunion show tonight... and liked it. They had an Andrews' Sisters cover-group that did the boogie woogie song, it was good, then a couple that did a lil swing dance, and then there was this lady that was dressed all in white with white feathers (very marshmallow-esque), but she played the piano really well. Maybe it was the vodka talking, but the boy came home and asked, "Uh, what are you watching?" I stated: "I'm not ashamed. It's good television." It made me happy and uplifted, which is a rare occurrence around here. (See Aug 14 comment on the Zoloft commercials) When one only has six-nine channels to choose from, depending on the weather, most of which are the mainstream ABC/ NBC/ CBS/ FOX crap, a little OPB (Oregon Public Broadcasting) does a soul good. Actually, that's the channel that we watch most frequently. When I converted the boy over to Antiques Road Show, that was like winning a silver medal in the Olympics of Evolution. When he went for Pioneer Quest, and Manor House, and 1940s House, that was the hat trick of the century. So, I guess you could say that I was bitten by the reality TV craze, only a little more intellectually justified (???maybe???). That's not to say that all reality shows are good, or bad. Survivor, which I have avoided successfully other than the first season, last two- three episodes, still grinds me to the bone. Talk about bringing humanity to the edge of savagery. They're a bunch of catty bitches. Temptation Island and the Hotel-Sex-Me-Up-Swingers-Whatever-It's-Called never made it on to the screen for more than about 30 seconds. Then, the Fear Factor/ Dog Eat Dog CRAP that's out there just proves that it's all about looks, and not so much about reality. Or, maybe it's the Double Dare/ Dynasty for the kids that were too ugly to make it. I don't know. Amazing Race and that other lost-on-the-planet show were good premises (I'm a travel buff, but not so much the traveler), but there is this petulant little child within me that makes me want to cry on the very rare occasion that the television stops on that show- I watched two episodes, I think it was the first season. There these couples were, BITCHING AND MOANING at each other, in places I could only dream of being able to visit. I mean, COME ON!!! You're in [insert any place other than the US], and you're bitching at each other? Get over it!!! Not to mention that they have to race to get away from these places and go onto the next. What's the fucking point of traveling if you can't stop and enjoy the culture??? Yes, this is a rant. But there is/ was one reality show (other than my OPB faves) that I did like. ABC had the best one. It is: The Mole. Twelve (13? 15?) people, having to pay attention to each other, complete tasks, and then take a test to see if they would make it to the next round. It was all on each person, and how well they got to know people, and how well they paid attention. Not petty catfights, backstabbing, and bitching. Intellect. Observation. Recollection. No wonder America didn't LOVE it; it wasn't flashy like American Idol or American Juniors. It was a grand idea, and it's the one that (I'm not totally sure, but, after 'Celebrity Mole', I think was cancelled [and after Celebrity Mole, it SHOULD be cancelled]) really let people get to know each other (save the Mole) in their true and honest forms. How pissed was I when they showed the first two episodes of the second season and then cancelled it until the summertime? A 'lil, to be succinct. Best part? The boy and I both immediately recognized what a great show it was, and were able to commiserate on who was the Mole on both seasons (we don't count Celebrity Mole as the third season, although we did watch it. But we would like to see a Celebrity Boxing Match between our favorite irritants, Stephen Baldwin and Kathy Griffin). I'd like to see (and maybe even be on) future seasons of The Mole. But, just like Real World and Road Rules, created at the prime time in my 'I-could really-possibly-get-picked' era (I'm too old for either show now), I'll probably not apply for it... As for Cupid? Yeah, we've been watching that. Simon Cowell (sp?) DID hit the money on that, at least for a season. The fact that Robert-Wannabe-Arnold is still on the show and guys like Paul and Joe aren't illustrate the double edged sword that I live with each time I watch a reality TV show: Most of me wants to see the people behave as I and, I think most intelligent people, wish, with honorable and true intentions, but there's that little piece of me that says: "Well, YOU signed up for this. Live with it." - 9.6.2003 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
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