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8/2/11

In Reality

I am not big on reality tv. Most of the shows seem to consist entirely of yelling. Whether you're training children, trading families, baking cakes, stranded on an island, running a restaurant, or stuck in an over-crowded house, the main point of the show is, apparently, to be as loud as possible.

For a long time American Idol was my exception to my reality tv loathing, but even on American Idol I had to skip the audition week. There was less screaming, but I can only assume they didn't have a need for it with all the caterwauling would-be divas. And eventually the show just failed to hold my attention.

For a season I watched So You Think You Can Dance. I love their commercials (which inspired the drawing in this post) and I love the creative movement I see on screen. It's a wonderful way to sketch. But of course that show has it's own concentrated noise. I can only handle so many Hot Tamale Train declarations before I change the channel.

Now lately I find myself watching America's Next Top Model, a show I never thought I would be interested in. There was one Wednesday night when absolutely nothing was on and I thought, "Well, as background noise..." and they were playing the season where Anne won and I just found her wonderful. Not to mention the photography. And I had thought I was going to be sickened or depressed by watching all these ultra-beautiful, stick thin girls, but I was amazed by how girls who really aren't all that stunning, were gorgeous when made up and set in the right light in front of the right photographer. 

Do you watch reality tv at all? Which shows do you love? Which ones do you hate?

10 comments:

  1. I've survived without tv for two years already! I am very proud of myself! xo

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  2. Wow Claudia! That's impressive.

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  3. Your artwork is gorgeous! Generally I'm not a huge fan of reality tv but every now and then I get suckered in! LOL

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  4. Thanks Christine! Yes, that's usually how it is for me too.

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  5. I abhor reality tv. Actually, we have no cable at all, which means we only watch our shows when they become available online (few or not commercials at all, yay!)

    There are, however, 2 reality-tv shows I watch these days: No Reservations (with, Anthony Bourdain, very cool guy) and Project Runway (all the stress in the sewing room brings back memories from college. Masochism?)

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  6. Love that illustration, simply beautiful:) I only watch The Amazing Race...don't know about any of the others:):)

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  7. Not a big fan. I don't like the way most of these shows feed off of negative emotions. One exception was Stan Lee's Who Wants to be a Superhero, believe it or not. Corny but sweet and innocent.

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  8. Weird, I don't have cable either, I watch things when they come on tv or not at all. Except Royal Pains, I have a friend who dvrs that for me.

    Kala, thanks! I've never watched a full episode of The Amazing Race and it was the celebrity version or something, so there was a lot of yelling on that too.

    AsteropeBC, yeah. I've never heard of that show, but yeah, if it's sweet that makes a difference. I have caught the occasional Extreme Home Make Over.

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  9. I am not much of a reality tv fan either, but I have watched every season of So You Think you Can Dance thus far. I can't stand the "hot tamale train" scream of Mary Murphy and preferred when she was off the show for a season. I once watched the Australian version of the show and it was almost better than the US version because the judges seemed so mellow and caring. Personally, I would love it if the show was just the dances and no judges! ;)

    I also agree about "Who Wants to be a superhero?"...so cheesy, but fun!

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  10. You're illustrations are beautiful, I love the colors!

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