2008 Woodie Awards
Reality TV: pro and con
Deena Zaru
Issue date: 4/13/07 Section: Forum
To condemn all reality TV would be unjust, but likewise, to invest time and energy into shows that do not address anything of substance is inexcusable.
My hostile feelings towards shows like "My Super Sweet Sixteen" stem from my inability to resist them and my more rational belief that they insult human intelligence.
Allow me to demonstrate.
It is a Wednesday afternoon, and I am comfortably seated on my hot pink comforter, painting my nails. In front of me is an open agenda, highlighting countless commitments including overdue papers, neglected appointments and community service obligations.
Yet, today, my organized agenda is serving as a coaster for my cup of ice-cold passion tea lemonade, courtesy of Starbucks. In my world, it is June and summer has begun. In my world, I am in Paris shopping with Ava, the wealthy obnoxious girl from "My Super Sweet Sixteen." There is a knock on my dorm door. Nothing seems to faze me.
"Pick the Dolce silver one with the sweetheart neckline," I find myself urging Ava. "Blue is so not your color," I desperately point out. Dismayed, I feel the need to vocally express my anger, as the horrifyingly skimpy $10,000 blue dress makes the cut.
My Wednesday afternoon had been officially ruined by a snobby girl with trashy fashion sense and no respect for the sacred universal color palette.
My phone rings forcing me to return to the real world. I realize that five hours have gone by and I have accomplished absolutely nothing.
Without hesitation, I blame Ava, MTV, the producers, and, of course, the genius who invented reality TV.
Yet upon discovering what I consider to be proactive reality shows like "Project Runway," "Dancing with the Stars," and "Top Chef," I recover from my obsession with pointless drama and am able to enjoy guiltless reality TV.
"What's good about some reality shows in general is that they do provide entertainment for people, but the bad thing about them is that they are not very culturally progressive," said first-year Kate Harrington.
My hostile feelings towards shows like "My Super Sweet Sixteen" stem from my inability to resist them and my more rational belief that they insult human intelligence.
Allow me to demonstrate.
It is a Wednesday afternoon, and I am comfortably seated on my hot pink comforter, painting my nails. In front of me is an open agenda, highlighting countless commitments including overdue papers, neglected appointments and community service obligations.
Yet, today, my organized agenda is serving as a coaster for my cup of ice-cold passion tea lemonade, courtesy of Starbucks. In my world, it is June and summer has begun. In my world, I am in Paris shopping with Ava, the wealthy obnoxious girl from "My Super Sweet Sixteen." There is a knock on my dorm door. Nothing seems to faze me.
"Pick the Dolce silver one with the sweetheart neckline," I find myself urging Ava. "Blue is so not your color," I desperately point out. Dismayed, I feel the need to vocally express my anger, as the horrifyingly skimpy $10,000 blue dress makes the cut.
My Wednesday afternoon had been officially ruined by a snobby girl with trashy fashion sense and no respect for the sacred universal color palette.
My phone rings forcing me to return to the real world. I realize that five hours have gone by and I have accomplished absolutely nothing.
Without hesitation, I blame Ava, MTV, the producers, and, of course, the genius who invented reality TV.
Yet upon discovering what I consider to be proactive reality shows like "Project Runway," "Dancing with the Stars," and "Top Chef," I recover from my obsession with pointless drama and am able to enjoy guiltless reality TV.
"What's good about some reality shows in general is that they do provide entertainment for people, but the bad thing about them is that they are not very culturally progressive," said first-year Kate Harrington.
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