Tags
Amazing Race, Big Brother, Boston Rob Mariano, dancing with the stars, Entertainment, reality TV, Survivor
One of the reasons I’m a lousy gambler, is that I don’t like to lose my money. I get no joy out of betting my paltry dough on long shots, most of which by definition will fail.
I feel confirmed in that by the fact that it seems to me that most of my “picks” to win various sporting or reality show games end up losing. I’m not sure whether I lose more often than others do, but it sure seems like it.
We started out way back by watching Survivor, and then added Big Brother. We watched one season of the Bachelor, after which the Contrarian laid down the law on that one. . . and I can’t disagree. We picked up the Amazing Race and finally Dancing with the Stars and American Idol.
All have disappointed, with the exception of Amazing Race, which basically delivers. We now miss whole seasons of some, and tune out others along the way when they reach the point of utter absurdity. (Okay, some would say they are absurd from the git go.)
We assume that reality contestants apply to shows they have actually watched. So each new season, we expect people who are sharper and more savvy about how to play their particular game. Alas, the same old mistakes are continuing to be made. We get ticked at watching stupid stupid play, and we opt out. Only to try again.
We recently said goodbye to Survivor once again after the idiots from the “villains” decided it was best to follow Russell, the bandy-rooster who is the most sexist male pig of the century, instead of lovely Boston Rob Mariano. Enough already with Russell’s talk of women being “dummies” who he could lead around by the nose.
We’ve done the same to Big Brother, when the choices of winner came down to nobody we could stomach. We begin to wonder, just how much manipulation is going on behind the scenes for “drama’s” sake? Otherwise please explain why they never learn from past mistakes.
The key to winning many of these things is simple: form a secret alliance with one person very early on and try to stay flexible with everyone else. Keep your strongest players around when the competitions are still organized around sides. When it’s individual, take off the best players quickly. Don’t distinguish yourself as being too good or too bad. Don’t be a leader. Don’t win other “side” prizes.
Trouble is none of them bother much to follow such tried and true rules. And frankly, they begin to insult my intelligence. Like “Wife Swap” the point seems to find people who are basically stupid as rocks.
And while we are at it, what is with the idea that by winning or being in one of these shows, one is now a celebrity? Several of these folks are now making a living being “celebrities” and joining other shows. Boston Rob and his wife Amber have been in several Survivors now, they had a marriage show, were on Amazing Race, and had their own reality show based on their efforts to try poker as a career in Vegas. The most recent Bachelor was a two-timer, who has now landed on Dancing, and the previous Dancing had another Bachelorette reject.
And who can manage the idiot Kate from Kate + eight? She’s also on Dancing as a celebrity, and is proving to be the most incompetent dancer yet presented. This whole show fails on many levels. Good dancers are removed by a voting public that has other interests. Instead we keep Buzzy Aldrin because he’s ancient and a “hero.”
I guess we have seriously changed our concept of celebrity. We don’t watch the Housewives of Jersey or the Jersey kiddies, but these folks seem to be of interest for no reason that I can discern. They don’t “do” anything, but yabber. Another is the Kardasians with face lift Bruce Jenner who seems to share docs with Kenny Rogers. Oh and who can forget the forgettable “the Gotti’s? As I said, we managed to avoid these without a single look.
The idea of reality shows was interesting at first. Putting strangers together in close quarters and making it a competition of games and strategy seemed a fascinating look at the human social animal and how it works. Alas, it’s become the usual Hollywood parody of itself.
I think in some respects its just another case of Hollywood gone lazy. Better to snatch up a soap star, turned Dancing contestant, and make them an ABC “correspondent” on all things of pop cultural interest. ABC has done that twice now.
It just all goes to show how warped a sense we have of what’s important and to be upheld as the “best” of us. More to the point, it speaks to how far I’ve fallen when I can waste your time with such drivel, as if any of it mattered.
It’s just that after spending an hour or so perusing the “political scene,” I’ve come away bored to death of Michael Steele, Sarah Palin, the Catholic church, and a whole host of “topical” stories. I’m tired of the same arguments, I’m tired of the same “sides.” No doubt I’ll get juiced again soon and regale myself at least with witty sarcasm directed at the buffoons of society that actually impact the political environs.
Today, I’m reduced to mocking the “who cares” of self appointed importance–the reality “celebs.” Perhaps I need a new hobby. And before you say it first, “YOUR’RE FIRED–Blaggo!”
okjimm said:
‘Perhaps I need a new hobby’
Yes indeedee-do! Boy and Howdy….. I think youse been stuck out on dat lane too long! Sherry, you break me up!
Those are some of the worst shows on TV!!!!
take a walk down the lane……
Daffodowndilly
by A.A. Milne
She wore her yellow sun-bonnet,
She wore her greenest gown;
She turned to the south wind
And curtsied up and down.
She turned to the sunlight
And shook her yellow head,
And whispered to her neighbor:
“Winter is dead.”
…. and I will have a beer Love ya kiddo!
Sherry said:
Isn’t it wonderful to know that you don’t share my addiction to wasting time on nonsense TV? See! you look ever so much better by comparison!
Tim said:
I’ve never watched these shows, partly because I’m a TV snob, mostly because I can’t keep up with real people I love and admire as it is.
I wasn’t crazy about most of the glitz-and-glamour housewives I met when I lived in Orange County; and New Jersey baffles me in one way or another every time I’m there. Previews of these shows just make we want to head for The Baton, Chicago’s famous transvestite showcase–although I hear RuPaul’s “Drag Race” is actually quite good, if you’re into press-on nails and stilettos.
I did do a couple seasons of “Project Runway,” because I thought the designers were sharp. It was all fabricated, though–no suspense. I’m in the middle of my first American Idol, and that’s holding me because there’s some real talent on the loose there. Crystal’s a one-woman phenomenon.
So while I’m not really qualified to judge, I’m going to go out on a limb to agree with okjimm–take a walk down the lane!
Sherry said:
Tim, I would agree that Idol is perhaps them most authentic in the sense that there is real talent and the judges I think can protect the best from the vagaries of “public” voting.
I agree that Crystal is awesome. I think she may deserve to win the whole thing, but I have like three others at least that I think will have huge careers no matter what.
I’ve tried to entice the Contrarian to Project Runway, but he says *NO*!!!!…lol..so thanks for telling me its pretty much a waste.
At least we seldom watch a full season of any of them any more.
As soon as it dries out, I’m hitting the lane. Right now its a mucky mess.
okjimm said:
Hey… I wasn’t dissing you…… it’s just that …. gees…… reality TV? I spend way too much time on the History Channel and the weather Channel ( and really… how can a guy watch the weather channel for MORE than 10 minutes ) If I want reality…. I can always call my ex-wife.
Sherry said:
No offense taken dude. We all relax in our own ways ya know. As I said, we are unable any more to watch most of these to the end. And we watch only about 4 I guess anyway.
But I know of what you speak, I think my dad was addicted to watching the weather channel. It was unreal to sit there and watch it go on and on when I visited.
And you are right, reality can really be ever so much more horrifying! lol..