Leave it to me

As I sat down to write this week’s column, I couldn’t help but hear that “crazy” music on my television in the background. Yep, it was “The Osbournes.” And now that I think about it, I honestly can’t remember the last time I really watched a television show that wasn’t reality based.

It’s hard to believe this all started back when we were kids with “Cops,” but reality television has inadvertently become a major part of entertainment for the college age bracket. And I’m not ashamed to admit it …I really do find it entertaining. One of the best ones I’ve seen lately is called “High School Reunion.” This is a show where a group of people who haven’t seen each other since high school (ten years ago), are brought back together to settle any old scores or for some to simply get to know each other if they didn’t before. So far it’s been really funny to see how people revert to their old ways. There are still the same crushes, the same class clown and the same old jerk.

Then there’s that time-old favorite, “The Real World.” I will always see this as the first reality show. I think I was probably still in grammar school when it became a hit. Everyone was so skeptical about it at first, but to this day there is still something so entertaining about watching the lives of seven strangers on a day to day basis. Maybe it’s because they are real and each of us can relate to them in some way.

This column wouldn’t be complete without mentioning “The Bachelor.” Who would have thought ten years ago that a show like this would ever find a spot on television? Yes, I do think the show is a bit degrading to women, but yes, I also think it is very entertaining. After all, it was their choice to be on the show. And with “The Bachelorette” now on, it looks like anything can happen. “Joe Millionaire” is a completely different story. Joe/Evan seems like a good guy, but these girls must be crazy not to suspect something.

And what about Anna Nicole? Wow! I watched the first few episodes just to see what all the talk was about. But it seems the longer the show goes on, the harder it is to understand a word Anna says. I’ve had to throw in the towel on that one.

With all the “American Idols” and “Survivors” now swimming around out there, it seems like everything is being labeled reality television. I mean, how realistic is it truly that you will be stranded on a secluded island and somehow take home $1 million?

Yes, entertainment certainly has gone in a different direction from the days of family programming like “Growing Pains” and “Who’s the Boss?” The world is changing so much that what is real can’t be ignored. And it isn’t always pretty. But hey, I guess that’s what happens “when people stop being polite and start getting real.”

Posted by Colonnade Archives on Jan 24 2003. Filed under Opinion. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry