For the longest time, I just plain thought I had better taste than what reality TV had to offer. I don’t view that as an arrogant statement; some of the stuff out there is undeniably awful. Apart from that, most of it all seems the same. Housewives of where again? Laguna Hills? And what the heck is Fresh Meat? Is that like Top Chef?
But then, reality hit. I watched reality TV and didn’t even know it. Routines from ABDC make my heart skip a beat; I’ve actually described wasting hours youtubing SYTYCD clips as downright rewarding and the auditions for American Idol never fail to make me feel good about myself. What was this? I make fun of my friends for watching “Tool Academy,” for quoting “RuPaul’s Drag Race;” I roll my eyes at my own mother who is clearly distraught when her TiVo misses “The Bachelor’. And I’m watching “Sixteen and Pregnant”??
Okay, so S & P may not qualify (hey, we’re all allowed a guilty pleasure or two), but Rachael’s right: quality reality TV exists and abounds. However, it seems that the reality TV we’re talking about and the stereotype of ‘‘reality TV’ never intersect and never will. They are two distinct categories; two distinct monsters taking over the world, if I do say so myself. Because they are so different, they are creating an unprecedented bridge between audiences that never before saw themselves with common tastes. They are giving millions of viewers weekly doses of art in the form of song, dance, and laughter (think Ellen).
That being said, I think these fads are awesome. Millions of viewers are tuning in to a singing contest. Trained singers and dancers are becoming household names. And, thank God, AC Slater is back and even better than before. We may no longer have our Judy Garlands, our Gene Kellys and Fred Astaires, but I like to think we’re on our way.
But, before I hand this back over, I have one request: can we cover “Glee” too?! Though not reality TV, and, admittedly, not TV at its finest, how great is it that a cult phenomenon can be about show choir?! I know, I know, the show is corny as hell and the acting can be rather subpar; however, I’ll bet money that you’ve even seen (and enjoyed) the work of the guy only credited as “Other Asian” on the show. And, for the record, I graduated and this internship is unpaid. Any takers?
—Jackie
