No, really...

I was thinking about one of the earlier posts on this blog from my blog partner. The one about reality tv. The one I never responded to. The one I am about to.

Want to know something funny about "reality" television? As a watcher of so-called "sheep television", I realize it is, in fact, scripted. And I'm okay with that...BECAUSE I know it isn't real. I mean, I COULD liken it to Wrestling (what is it now? WWE, right? Used to be WWF until those assholes from the World Wildlife Fund realized that more people were dogpiling--heh. Remember *that* search engine?--wrestlers than pandas, right? Anyway...) and the trumped up drama related to them. Everyone knows it isn't real, but who cares? It's all for entertainment anyway. It's like watching any old tv show, if the characters are interesting and the story is a good one, viewers will keep tuning in.

That being said...I have tuned out of most reality tv these days. Personally I don't care about self-important and spoiled little shits getting blitzed and humping around while pretending to be productive members of society. Jesus H. Monkeypoo, if that's an indication, the state of society is in worse shape than I thought...and I'm going back to my point before I need some wine at 9 in the morning. To get drunk. Not for communion. Don't get me wrong...I find that shit funny as hell when I see a clip on The Soup of some Jersey girl getting jacked in the mouth or that one couple who is famous for being famous acting as tho they have 2 working brain cells between them. (P.S. They don't.) But those shows are really only one kind of reality show.

Sure, we can count those reality show contests (I'm pointing at you, Top Chef) in the same broad group, but honestly, those are far more like a lingering, slow-paced sporting event. And everyone likes to root for and against someone. And groan and moan and coach from the couch when your guy isn't fucking getting rid of the ball like he thinks he has all fucking day to find a receiver but instead he's just gonna get sacked for the 4th time that game and you see it coming because that's what's he's done all damn game and are they ever gonna win another game this season and you start having flashbacks to when the team was the biggest joke in the league and there goes the headache behind your eye and here come the cold sweats and maybe you better just lay down for a little while. Did I ever open that wine?

Um, back to reality tv. You know what reality tv did that no one thought was possible?? It killed soap operas! Used to be, one had to watch that drivel to get one's fix of dysfunctional people who were clearly more fucked up than me...erm, one. (Shut up, it's a total ego boost to know there are people clearly more insane than you out there.**) Now, there are plenty of people vying for their 15 minutes who sign a contract and act a fool and aren't REALLY acting, but sorta are because they are told what to react to and where to go and what to do. (New era soaps, anyone?)

For better or worse, Reality Shows aren't going anywhere anytime soon. And frankly, one kind in particular would just about kill me if it left my viewing world. Because, Stig, I don't know if you realize this or not, but Ghost Hunters and Destination Truth are ALSO reality tv. And if you are gonna try and bitch about the Great Gates being on tv, I will go all WWF...and that's wrestler, not panda...on you.

**No, I am not a soap opera fan. I spent one year watching ONE soap with a friend because it was ridiculous and I don't even remember the characters names. Okay, I totally do, but come on!! Did anyone else watch Passions?? There was an effing witch who made herself a midget poppet doll that came to life on it! One of the houses got sucked into HELL! There were demons just about once a week! And the devil himself showed up once and personally gave Mrs. Goody Two Shoes an evil makeover. One couple brought a donkey into their bedroom for fun and games. Man, I miss that show...