Sunday, June 19, 2011

Why I don't understand the appeal behind watching The Bachelor and Bachelorette

OK. So, everybody has heard of "The Bachelor" and "The Bachelorette" ... obviously since millions of viewers tune in to watch season after season. Brad Womack, Jake Pavelka and Ashley Hebert, Ali Fedotowsky and Jillian Harris are household names, as well as the many contestants gracing the shows with their presence. These people are on covers of magazines, big news on entertainment news shows -- like Visa, they are everywhere you want to be. Apparently America wants to know where they are, where they've been, where they're going, what they eat, who they eat, what they buy, what they wear. We want to know all!
People get hooked on these reality television dating game shows featuring drama filled eliminations, fights, roses, jealousy, dates, Jerry Springer size baggage, vacations and stereotypically good looking white folk looking for love ... or for air time. Who will they pick? Do they really love him/her or the other guy/gal? What's he/she trying to hide -- lemme get a peek at those skeletons in your closet girlfriend!
Reality? What is reality anymore? Hamming it up on a TV show, trying to win the heart of some empty soul and live happily ever after ... but not in real life.
I don't understand the appeal of the show. Well, I should rephrase that. The show doesn't appeal to me. What's the point? So, you decide to enjoy the show, knowing it isn't real, and bask in its ridiculousness. But then, if it's not real, what's the point of the show? Fake dating? Fake boobs? Fake romance? Fake marriage? It's like watching a movie or reading a book when you already know the ending.
The end game is already a sham so why take the journey with these characters? I'm sure those in charge of picking contestants don't choose only those compatible. They want the checkered pasts, they want drama, they want big personalities, they want ratings -- all packed in hard bodies, bleached smiles, tanned skin and full dyed hair. But, why do we boost these people to celebrity status?
I'm embarrassed enough when I tell people, after being asked the typical question, I met my significant other in a bar (well through mutual friends but we happened to be in a bar at the time ... so, yeah, a bar) but how about we met on a dating show? Does the Bachelor or Bachelorette, as well as the 25 contestants, go on the show to find love or to boost a failing acting career and get their 15 minutes (or hopefully more if they're exciting enough for the viewing public) of fame ... as well as some booty which the public sees as blurred out boob shots and closed bedroom doors -- cue the porn music! Perhaps they get half a page in US Weekly or People, maybe a picture in "What Was She Thinking?" or "Stars, They're Just Like Us!"
It reminds me of shows like Jerry Springer, Cheaters and Judge Judy. You meet these people, hear their stories and almost fall into the trap but then ... wait ... why on earth would they want to air out their dirty laundry on TV? Attention!
At least with The Jersey Shore (my one trashy allowance) I know these people are stupid and it's a show based around their stupidity and obsession with alcohol, partying and sex. It's a train wreck of indulgent stupidity and trashiness. Of course they ham it up for the TV, guzzle more booze than usual, put on trashier clothes than usual, cause more drama than usual, but the end game is their ridiculousness not demeaning such a pious covenant such as marriage, a covenant that has been repeatedly disrespected for decades.
No, this isn't morphing into some gay marriage rant. Homosexuals should be allowed to have a civil union. Why shouldn't you be allowed to love each other and make a commitment if there is a separation between church and state? Obviously that separation isn't clearly marked! I am more concerned with people getting married for the wrong reasons, whether it be after some stupid reality dating show or for money or fame or whatever. What are we teaching our children? Get yourself some attention, but only if you are good looking because that's why people will like you. Otherwise, you should give up now or get yourself some plastic surgery. Money can guy happiness after all!
What if there are other forms of intelligent life out there? They are ready to help us, to come here and share their knowledge and show us places in the universe that are mere science fiction storylines but, when doing research to see if we are friendly, they noticed we spend a lot of time watching moving pictures on a big box so they decided to see why and watched popular shows like "The Bachelor" and "The Housewives of Orange County" and "Glee." What kind of impression would that give?
Barb. Beam me up Scotty, there are no signs of intelligent life here.

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