If you are north of forty like me, you grew up with scripted sitcoms and dramatic television shows. I recall the days when our friends would gather at the back fence to discuss what just happened on General Hospital in the Luke and Laura days. Once the commercials were over, we raced back inside determined not to miss a word.
I'm a part of the MTV generation when it actually aired music videos. I remember all the excitement when the network announced a new show called The Real World. Back then I followed the show for a few installments before real life got in the way. At the time reality programming was the exception and not the rule. Boy have times changed.
When Bravo's Real Housewives of Orange County show proved to be successful it wasn't long before we had several incarnations from New York City, New Jersey, Atlanta, Miami and Beverly Hills. Something about the shows brought out the voyeur in all of us. Technically the shows were noble in their concept. They wanted women to see and aspire to be like the successful women on the show. Unfortunately I've learned the road to hell really is paved with good intentions.
I decided to add this aspect to my blog not as a way to downgrade the women who are on the show. I am not one who knocks anyone's hustle. However, whether it's editing or not, a number of these ladies are not portrayed in a positive light. By the way, I'm including Big Rich Texas, Big Rich Atlanta and Love and Hip Hop.
A few years ago, I worked with a production company to do a wedding show. At the time Down That Aisle In Style A Wedding Guide For Full Figured Women had just been released. I made the rounds with very experienced and Emmy award winning producers. The idea was a show about curvy brides and how to find the right gown for their wedding while giving the audience a peek into their lives and loves as full figured women. The networks loved the idea but they heard the term full figured and it was translated as fat. I was ahead of the curve considering the number of wedding shows on television today. It's all in the timing. It was much more fun to have crazy out of control brides hamming it up on television for 15 minutes and a paid honeymoon.
Generally, I like the women of the Real Housewives. Nevertheless, I can't help but notice how reality television fame has changed them. I feel Ne Ne Leakes from Atlanta was an instant hit because she was a woman the audience related to and her sayings and frankness endeared her to many. As for Vicki Gunvalson, I like that she's an independent business women. She clearly understands what it takes to be successful on a professional level. However, she can say it all day but I don't think her love tank is full. If her daughter brought a man home similar to the one Vicki is dating there is no way she'd sit still for that. I truly feel that once we get older, we ignore the same signs that would have sent us running fifteen years ago because we don't want to be alone.
I used Ne Ne and Vicki for reasons as they are two ends of the spectrum.When Ne Ne felt that Greg wasn't treating her the way he should, she divorced him. Now they are getting married again on Bravo in the fall and it seems to be a reaffirmation that love indeed does cover a multitude of sins. On the other hand, Vicki is with a man her daughter clearly doesn't like or trust. Brianna has stated that she, her husband and child would find their own place so Vicki can date as she likes. Vicki has stated that she's never been without a man in her life. I would submit that some Vicki time might do her some good. Her happiness shouldn't depend on whether or not she has a boyfriend or not. Her true happiness depends on Vicki.
Now for the south of forty women in the O. C., Alexis should probably think twice before she uses the word bully again. According to Webster dictionary a bully is a blustering browbeating person
or one who is habitually cruel to others who are weaker. I don't believe the women were bullying her in Costa Rica. Alexis isn't a weak person. The women pointed out how people may perceive her when she talked about the things she has.I looked at it as if she had a piece of spinach or lipstick on her teeth. A friend will alert you to the situation so you don't spend the whole evening with spinach stuck in your teeth. The latest Orange County season has yet to run its course but I am sure there is a lot of drama ahead.
These reality shows have allowed a number of women to promote businesses, land endorsement deals, get book deals and get their own shows (daytime talk and spinoffs). I can't help but think of at what price glory?
I'll be tuning in to see what's happening in reality television. Although, I won't blog on a daily basis, I will pop up from time to time to share my musings about the show.
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