Reality TV and Dating

I believe reality television to be the bane of existence. Buzz also has a gripe with the emergence of this type of program. Technically, it isn’t even really reality and most of the cast members — oops, I mean contestants — have representation (aka agents).

Not that television programming ever stimulated the intellect. But now we’re left with “Reality TV”. And there is something for everyone with shows like the grand-daddy of them all MTV’s Real World and Road Rules, CBS’s Survivor, American Idol, Are You Hot?, The Restaurant, The Amazing Race, Boot Camp, Extreme Makeover, Fame, Fear Factor, Frontier House, High School Reunion, Manor House (brought to you by PBS no less!), The Miss Dog Beauty Pageant, Murder in Small Town X, The Osbornes, The Surreal Life, Trauma: Life in the ER… and let’s not forget the dating shows like Blind Date, Change of Heart, Who Wants to Marry My Dad?, The Bachelor/rette, The Last Resort, Meet My Folks, Married by America, Temptation Island, For Love or Money, Mr. Personality, and Temptation Island, among others. And people really wonder why the divorce rate is on the rise?

I’ll admit, a decade ago I was enthralled by the novelty of MTV’s Real World. And I was suckered into catching the last half of Survivor’s first season (my then-roommates were glued to the tv set in anticipation of who would be voted off next). But where did these other hair-brained shows come from? Who ARE these people who volunteer to be humiliated week after week – all for ten seconds in the spotlight? And more importantly, WHY do millions of people tune in week after week to watch this garbage?

I rant and rave on the absurdity of these programs (and I use the term loosely) to anyone who will listen. I try to reason and provide examples of the infinite, more meaningful ways to waste time (if that’s what you’re aiming at).

And so last night, on a dare, I watched Erin eliminate three bachelors from her pool of potential mates on NBC’s “For Love or Money”. I could only stand 5 minutes of “Who Wants to Marry My Dad?” before turning the tv off. That’s 70 minutes of my life I’ll never get back again.

Beside the point that I learned absolutely nothing, I wasn’t even mildly entertained. I felt embarrassed for these people (grown men wrestling one another at 3:00 a.m. after a pajama party with Erin? Isn’t that something better kept behind closed doors? I’ll bet those studs aren’t feeling so cool right now). I think I’d have more fun peeling the dead skin off my sunburn.

To protect the guilty I won’t mention names – but I’m acquainted with many seemingly normal people who look forward to and anticipate watching these shows. WHY? One of them told me that they get hooked and have a vested interest in the outcome for so and so. Another claims that the talent shows aren’t reality tv (“Not like those dating shows”) and faithfully watches American Idol, Fame, The Most Talented Kid and whatnot.

What message are we sending our kids?

I’ll come back with my thoughts on dating soon….

Europe’s population problem

The Economist reported on a European convention held in Brussels last week. A growing topic of interest is Europe’s ageing population and the immigration issue.

Even Alan Greenspan threw his 2 cents into the debate.

Canada, Oh Canada

On the long cross-country flights to and from California, I read The Blind Assassin by Margaret Atwood. (I allowed myself to give up digesting the drivel of the Dirty Girls Social Club.) Two thumbs up for this enchanting tale based in Canada.

I’ve traveled to Toronto and Montreal. I long to explore New Foundland and Vancouver. But once my nationality is revealed (Gasp, she’s an American), the conversation always relapses into cliche.


I went to my cousin’s wedding a few years ago and made quite a few new friends during my sojourn in Ontario. In the course of conversations they wanted to know why Americans don’t take more of an interest in the Canadian way of life? After all, they learn about the political system in the United States. In school, they’re taught American history, and sometimes know it better than their counterparts across the border.

Americans are ignorant, self-centered oafs.

Of course, the stereotypes flow both ways. Canadians are slow, unsophisticated, American wanna-bes.

Why can’t we all just get along?

Jeff Dvorkin, formerly managing editor of CBC Radio News and Information, currently with NPR has this to say about the Canadian ABC reporter who broadcast a story from Iraq that “infuriated” the Bush administration.

White House officials scrambled to find the best way to hit back, says the NPR ombudsman.

Should a reporter’s nationality matter? Does it matter?

Bicentenarian potential

The World Future Society convened in San Francisco this past weekend. Scientists argued over the limit of aging, announcing that someday humans would reach an average lifespan of 120 to 180 years.

Would you really want to live that long? How would you support yourself? Does that mean normal folk wouldn’t hit “retirement” until 90? Or older? And who would these people be – the ones who hit 150 or 160 years of age? Do you think the disparity in health care would widen?

How would this longer life span effect the society we live in now?

Hot and Muggy

I was welcomed at Dulles Airport by a surge of hot sticky air yesterday afternoon. You know – that moment after you step off the plane, but before you’re well within the air conditioned safety of the terminal.

The weather in Monterey was an average 67 degrees most days. I stayed at the Spendrift Inn and was there for 5 days on business.

Most of the time I was in meetings at the aquarium. (very cool venue) In my spare time I brushed up on John Steinbeck and started reading Cannery Row on the beach outside my hotel window (sigh).

But now I’m back in hot, humid, DC. It’s amazing how many email messages, all urgent – of course, can accrue in 5 days.

The pace of life on the west coast, or at least in Monterey, was infinitely slower than here on the east. I felt like the rude city girl, tapping my foot as the cashier slowly rang up my items on one of those antique cash registers. In between items, their heads would pop up, smiling at the customers roaming the aisles, starting up conversations about, well, just about anything and everything.

At the Ghirardelli Chocolate Shop it took almost 30 minutes to order and receive my hot fudge sundae (which was decadent and not advised for anyone on a diet). That was well worth the wait though.

I would stand in line/at the counter/on the sidewalk and think to myself – “Okay slowpoke, speed it up… No, no, no don’t talk to that person…. Ugh…. Any day now before the next millennia would be GREAT…. Why are these people so S-L-O-W… &*@#^&!)$^#!&)@!!!….. this isn’t rocket science people, let’s move things along.” And so on and so forth.

How did I get so uptight?

Conspiracy theorists rebuffed

Click here for the full story.

Reinventing history

Bush continues to bumble along as the State of the Union mess refuses to die down. … 16 words and counting.

When will he learn to just shut up and let the grownups handle the questions?

If I worked for that communications office, I think I’d be tempted to duct tape his mouth closed.

See Bradley’s Almanac and Illruminations for his most recent antics.

This just in from Slate


I never thought I’d live to see the day when my personal fiscal health was in better shape than the country’s.

“The projected deficits do not take into account future military spending for troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. The administration is expected to ask for more money to cover those expenses.

And another fact I wasn’t aware of… according to USA Today…..

“Federal spending has increased 18 percent during the administration’s first two years.”

Isn’t that just great?