TLC Revisited: Beyond The Absurd

  To get everyone caught up on what's going on, a few weeks back my best friend's girlfriend attempted to teach me about some of the more absurd reality TV shows around, giving birth to the article "My Big Fat Absurd Reality TV Show Weekend". After reading the article Anna has come to me and stated that TLC needed a redemption and so we embarked on another reality TV show adventure, but this time things took a surprising turn, these shows were great and thus TLC was saved in my book as a good channel. Before we start we must explain the "absurd scale", a show like "The Voice" is a 1 meaning it's not that absurd, but a show like "Long Island Medium" would rate a 10 because the absurdity level is to the roof, ok, now we can begin.

  What Not To Wear (Absurdity Level: 3-5)

    This was a great starting point, I was worried when Anna explained the premise of this show but as we watched a few episodes I became hooked. The hosts are fantastic and they are actually doing some good for society while benefiting humanity as well, it's about time we get a show where this epidemic is taken care of. Not like I'm a fashion Nazi but knowing how to dress is an important aspect in life, so I enjoyed the education provided by this show and the entertainment value given by the people chosen to be in the show and the hosts. Here is a show where watching it again would be no problem, wouldn't buy the seasons or anything, but if it were to pop up as TV surfing was taking place I would watch it for sure.

   Cake Boss (Absurdity Level 2)

    Anna decided that if we were going to save TLC that we need to watch the best shows in order of greatness, personally I place this show on the top of the list but we are going with her top four here thus why this won't be the top. Anyway, props to TLC for this show, it is truly a work of art. From beginning to end I was entertained, the people in the show were relatable and good people overall, in the episodes we watched there was very minor levels of absurdity so I can't make a claim for the whole season but Anna assures me that they all follow this pattern. Here is a show I recommend to anyone, it is fun, creative and inspiring for it shows you someone who actually pursued their dreams and succeeded. More shows like this one should be on television, which brings us to both my and Anna's choice for second best show in TLC.

    DC Cupcakes (Absurdity Level 2) 

   This show stole my heart, as the show began I already knew that Anna was right, this show is a sure fire win. The only problem with this show is that after I saw a few episodes all I wanted to do was eat some cupcakes, which can be a good idea depending on how many you eat and how many episodes of this show you watch. I can see how some people would gain weight from watching this show, people dieting I would recommend you steer clear, unless you got super awesome self control, then feel free. This show follows two sisters who ditch their corporate jobs and follow their dreams to give us the best cupcakes in the world, and it looks like they are doing very well at fulfilling their dream. The sisters are good people, good strong female roles which is awesome to find, truly awesome, I loved it from beginning to end, if you are looking for a new show I recommend this one for sure. Just sad I came in so late in the season.

     Say Yes To The Dress (Absurdity Level 3-5)

    Obviously this show is on the bottom of my list but at the top of Anna's list, but even though it is at the bottom of my list I still have to admit that this show is rather fun. After you watch the more absurd shows on TLC a show like this one becomes a pleasant relief. Though wedding dresses don't matter to me as much as they do for Anna, the overall energy was the same, it was about making people happy and having special moments occur, it was about putting people in a situation where they are in their emotional peak and see them be who they are when all walls are torn down, it can be a beautiful thing to witness. Maybe it is due to the fact that I personally have two sisters and can imagine their joy after finding their wedding dresses that makes me like this show but in the end of the day this show is enjoyable and worth taking a look at.

    And thus TLC has been redeemed thanks to the wise choices of my friend Anna, whose guiding hand is still at work when it comes to my journey through this crazy reality TV filled world. Pray for my sanity as I venture into this abyss. We hope your week has been going well and pray that it is a safe one.

Love from your humble blogger,

A Cocktail Of Decent Reality TV Shows

    There are a ton of reality TV shows out there, all coming from different perspectives in life and all in a range from least absurd to more absurd, we'll call this the "absurd scale", 10 being "Long Island Medium" and 1 being good competition shows like "The Voice" or "Chopped". After writing our last article on reality TV we kept getting questions afterwards about what shows we think are good and such, so we decided that we would share a variation of different shows we either find funny or consider to be decent shows out there. The best scoring in the "absurd scale" are the competition based reality shows but we decided to save those for another day, today we'll be highlighting a variety of different shows that rate along the 3-6 range in the "absurd scale", a cocktail of shows, if you will.

 The Thirsty Traveler

    This is a rare show, a show focused on educating people about the different alcoholic beverages from around the world, where he not only teaches you the history of the drink but also how to properly appreciate and respect alcohol. In a culture where alcohol is always being looked at as a means to get drunk, further expanding the amount of people that don't either know how to respect the drink or appreciate the drink, it is comforting to see a show like this sprout up, not only furthering people's education of culture around the world but also attempting to educate people on how to respect and appreciate alcoholic beverages. Depending on the episode the level of absurdity can vary in this show but overall this shows earns a prestigious 3.8/10 on the absurd scale.

   An Idiot Abroad 

    We feel like it is necessary that we mention this show, this is a great show attempting to highlight cultural differences and how perspective can make something that for one person would be beautiful be something along the insane lines for another person. It's a fun show, about a man and his best friend traveling the world, meeting people and getting a different social commentary then you would from other shows where you don't have your average 9-5 job guy. Where as other shows only have the "experts" making their own observations while making everything sound good, this show has Karl, a good simple man who gives the rest of us a voice. "Idiot Abroad" is not a show for everyone but it is a really fun show, it ranks along the 4.5/10 in the "absurd scale", give it a watch if you get a chance sometime.

    River Monsters

    There is something awesome about this show, something that puts the fear of God into us as we approach rivers while at the same time loving the episodes and wanting to watch more and more. The show is interesting and fun but the answer here is simple, Jeremy Wade, that's the reason this show is so awesome. Jeremy is a boss, he conquers nature and speaks a variation of different languages, he is an expert in his field and a brilliant host, he brings the swagger to this show. The show follows Jeremy as he travels to different countries fishing out different types on "river monsters" that either plague the land or have killed many within the land. This show rates down in the 3/10 on the "absurd scale" and is one we recommend you check out.

    Giuliana And Bill

     Here is the true cocktail factor of this article, every good cocktail needs that something sweet that makes it be as good it can be and there is not other show that can do this a perfectly as "Giuliana and Bill". Where as we are constantly surrounded by shows with dysfunctional families and marriages, here is a show that stands out among the rest as the one show with a decent relationship. They aren't perfect but this is a good show about good people trying to have a good relationship, it's about time someone makes a show like this and makes it a good one. We have a lot of fun watching this show and consider it to be the best of all the relationship based reality TV shows, it rates at the 4.2/10 mark in the "absurd scale", give this show a watch sometime.

   And there you have it, a hodge-podge of decent reality TV shows that you should watch sometime whenever you get a chance. Stay tuned for Wednesday's article, we got a chance to meet some of the local music talent in Grand Rapids, Michigan, so on Wednesday we'll be hosting a variation of local bands who are either just starting or already have a decent following. We hope you have a great week and pray that it is a safe one. 

  Love from your humble blogger,

My Big Fat Absurd Reality TV Show Weekend

   This weekend I decided that it was about time that I took the time to get really acquainted with some reality TV shows that are going on right now, the major problem I faced was that due to my ignorance no starting place was present, and thus I sought out a reality TV "life coach" which ended up being one of my best friend's girlfriend Anna. I knew she was perfect for the job when she uttered the phrased "oh, I love this couple, they are so dysfunctional! lol", which made me sad for this whole generation, but I promised myself I wouldn't be to harsh and face this battle face on with the least amount of reality TV prejudice as I could muster, and so she led me through some of the "basics" as she puts them. We had spoken about where to start and in the end we decided that we should avoid the more popular shows for now and instead focus on some of the other surrounding shows that are slowly taking over our television, and so my big fat absurd reality TV show weekend began.

   My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding/American Gypsy Wedding

    If it wasn't for the fact that I have two very good friends that are Gypsy at home, this show would have had no entertainment value for me, though there is an important observation that needs to be made, when you watch the London show (which is the first show we watched) you instantly become shocked at what's on TV but when you watch the American version you quickly begin to miss the London show with thoughts like "Oh, I guess that show wasn't so bad after all". You know your morals (between good and bad television) are getting warped when you begin looking at a trashy show as "not so bad" compared to a super trashy show. This might be the permanent psychological damage I suffered this weekend talking here but I can see how the London show could be popular, I wouldn't mind sitting down and giving it another chance.

     Mob Wives

    I grew up in a house with two sisters so this isn't my first rodeo when facing any "wives" themed reality show, or at least that's what I though before I started watching this show. Anna thought that starting with "Mob Wives" would be a better transition into the other "wives" shows with that same logic of "if you can face the worst of it then you will enjoy the 'still bad but not so bad' other shows", looking back I cringe at that logic. I want to say that this show wasn't that bad, and I want to say that this show had some depth to it but I can't, I just can't, I'm sorry, this show is horrible, just plain bad. This is a "Jersey Shore: The Grown Up Years" type of show, they stoop lower and lower begging for better ratings, the sad thing is that they might just get them and therefore be encouraged to make more episodes *cringe*.

     Real Wives of New Jersey

    One would imagine that this would be the show where the "Jersey Shore: Later Years" joke would apply but surprisingly it's not. As I watched this show I was actually entertained a little and as I watched I quickly realized what had happen, it was a trap, Anna had shown me a horrible show so that I would come to appreciate a not so horrible show and I was appreciating it, *cringes*, I'm still recovering from the experience. For once I think they should have a show about legit moms, name it something like "Real Sane Wives" and show the drama that takes place in a good home with a good wife that is not a stereotype. There is so much drama that populates our lives why would we need a stereotype in order to take things over the top? Plus when they say "Real Wives New Jersey" or "Real Wives Miami" all they are saying is "Miami Stereotypical Wives" and so forth, if you think about the nature of the show I think it kind of offends women within those regions, maybe networks will do a sane show one of these days. 

     Tough Love

    By this point "Tough Love" was a welcomed breath of air, here is a show about helping single women battle their demons in order to aid them in possibly being able to attain good relationships after the show. The concept and flow of the show is a good one, I like the fact that this is a process instead of a one episode thing so it looks legit, and as you watch the show you quickly become aware as to what these girls' problems are and you want to see them change. Out of all the shows we watched I felt that this one was the most OK one, I wouldn't voluntarily sit down and immerse myself into it but if Anna were to be watching it again I would sit down and watch it with her. As we watched I started to learn about all the other shows that followed this same premise from Anna, which gave me hope for this generation, a little hope at least. Nothing though could have prepared me for what came next.

     Long Island Medium

    It took all my strength, everything that I had in me for me to sit there and watch this show, nothing could have prepared me for it and though Anna tried to do so by showing me all those other shows first, I still could not handle the absurdity of this show, I had a *facepalm* moment every other scene or so, I think I might need psychological care after being face to face with this absurd show. I don't know what it is about it, if it's her over the top style (play on stereotype), mothering skills (play on the wives motif), her clear need for attention (reminded me of tough love), or if I just had had enough, either way this show offended any sanity I had still lingering within me. Here is a show I will never watch again, they'll be playing seasons of this show on repeat in hell, no greater torture exists.

     The Aftermath

   I sought to include all the most absurd shows we watched this weekend here, Anna thought that these shows were the necessary dosage of crazy I needed to be faced with before she showed me all the good reality TV shows out there, so I'll be doing a follow up article soon highlighting all the better reality TV shows out there. As I went through this painful experience an idea came to mind, that there should exist a show about watching reality TV shows, like put a group of guys that have never faced the world of absurd reality TV in a room and video them going through the experience, that ought to be a funny show or maybe I think so now after I lost some of my sanity. Honestly though there are some good shows out there, I'll tell you one thing, after this weekend I have come to understand why the Kardashians have such a strong following, when your competition is any of the shows above how could you not be the top rated reality TV show on television?

   I hope this week goes well for you and for those that will be officially starting summer break we wish you a good and safe summer,

Love from your humble blogger,

Reality TV Shows That Are Ruining The Next Generation

    No matter how you spin it, TV shows do influence those that watch it. This can be a negative influence or a positive influence depending on the show. For guys we have had great male role models and some horrible ones as well, but the balance is towards more good guys than bad. Think every major TV series, most are lead by good standing guys, thus boys grow up looking up to these figures, while understanding the difference between what is success and what is not. When it comes to lead female roles within television we have seen a shift happen, and more lead female inspired shows are coming out, which we think is awesome, but the dark side of the matter is that for every good TV show influence that comes out, there are five bad influences that surface, this is a cause we must begin fighting against.

   Let's start with an obvious show, "16 and pregnant", here girls learn that having  a baby at 16 might be tough and the guy that you slept with might leave you, but you can do this and it is accomplishable, and that bad guy might just come around  and become a good guy, do give it a shot yourself. Ok, maybe we're exaggerating a bit, but this show is not about preventing girls from getting in this situation, at best it is giving an example of someone who is doing it and surviving, so providing someone with the justification to go through doing such a thing. The point here is, that the show should emphasize the reality of the situation, attempting to spread a positive message of abstinence, and encourage teenage girls to have a future, be successful and aim to the heavens, instead of their message right now which is "aim low, you can do it, she just did, so can you :)", it's sickening when you realize the kind of garbage the next generation of women are being influenced by.

     Where is the TV show that hosts the successful women in the world, where is the show where we have good messages being sent out? We're not talking about having a reality show with "perfect" people in them, no we're talking about putting a cast together of women who are making a difference in this world and providing the next generation with positive influences, with women they can look up to. No one is perfect, that is truth, so the show would be funny, and there would be drama, and fights, but it would be hosting a series of accomplished women, women who's goal should be encouraging fellow women in the world to succeed and rise to the top.

    Think about all the reality shows about wives even, which one of those actually hosts a decent human being? It's sickening, the equivalent for guys is a gladiator match, this is what these shows are, these shows are basically featuring the scum of the earth, the worst type of people, the people you don't want to be but enjoy watching, fighting against one another to determine who is the worst of them all (i.e. gladiator match). We love watching people self-destruct on television, every year there is a celebrity we follow that does so, and every year we all watch it with eyes open, be it Britney Spears, Lindsay Lohan, or Charlie Sheen, we love it all. This in a sense is another conversation for another time, but the point here is that for every bad guy role model there are five good guy role models pushed upon us by television, but when it comes to women those numbers are reversed, and that is a disgusting fact.

    There is so much that could be going on there, from TV networks trying to manipulate girls into becoming the people they are watching in order to continue the cycle that the TV networks originally initiated, to men being scared of a female take over and therefore trying to pass on the false message of "non-success" in order to encourage the next generation of women to accept defeat and not strive to reach the heavens. God knows what is going on behind the scenes, no one does really, but one thing is for sure, we need to start fighting for more shows displaying successful women, in order to encourage young girls to succeed in the word. A good example of a strong female character in a mostly men show is the character of Joan Holloway in "Mad Men" played by Christina Hendricks, here is a successful woman who holds real power in the office and over most of the men she comes in contact with, there are many other examples we could site here, specially if you take "The Closer" into account.

     This goes both ways of course, the next generation of boys also needs those good influences, the argument here is that they have them, and have them in abundance, but the girls do not. Think with us for a second about every movie that is coming out this year, for every 10 guy lead role based movies there is one girl lead role based movie to counter it, this is the reality we live in today, one we must fight against. Isn't it about time that we started to get closer to equality? Isn't about time that we at least start hoping for it and fighting for it? We believe so, we believe that we must constantly be thinking about the future and striving to bring one forth that all of us can be proud of. 

    There are many ways that we can all fight this, one of the most important things you can do is raise awareness of the problem, talk with your friends, spread the word, and maybe soon we'll see change occur. We need to start thinking about the future and we need to start fighting to bring about one that we are all proud of.

 We hope you have been having a fantastic week, and pray that it may end well,

Love from your humble blogger,

Top 4 Most Obnoxious Reality TV Shows

       Not all reality tv is obnoxious. Take American Idol for example, that's a great show, or Dancing With The Stars or even America's Got Talent. All of those are legit shows about people with talent wanting to make it big, and we get to experience a good journey along the way, almost feeling like we are part of everything that happens within the show. That is good television.

       The beginning of reality tv came from The Real World then Road Rules shortly followed, and they were into getting a group together to live together and perform takes and such. It had drama within it, but it was never over the top, never did you think "Wow, that's wretched", as in never did you have episode after episode of just rotten trash. What I mean by this is that we have a few show now days that are extremely popular but have crossed that line to the point that the line is no longer even in sight. They consists on every episode being around the crud of human life, how horrible or dramatic life could be, and really never come off of that funk. As in Real World you got some drama, it was never overpowering, there were never a series of events that occurred every episode that made you cringe (at least not in the first few seasons).

      Here are a few shows that I believe push the line, in fact they don't just push the line, they get on a flight and see how far over the line that can get. Don't take me wrong though, I've seen all of these shows, and sometimes I've enjoyed them myself, I know what the appeal is, but again, one must learn to critique everything in life, specially the things we approve of.

Jersey Shore

      I feel like this one is an obvious choice. Every episode you can count on: someone taking their shirt off, them getting drunk, hooking up with each other or other bi-standards around the cities they are at, there will be cursing, fighting, trash talking, and will portray women in a light of not only "non-intelligence" but also "sleaziness" that in the end of the day hurts the image of what it means to be a woman. Even when it comes to men as well, if we are to take this show as an example of how men and women ought to behave then honestly there is no hope left in the world. With all that said, I still find it funny, and sometimes witty, but it is still obnoxious.

Real Housewives

      I could pin point one of the many versions of this show as being the worst, but honestly they are all pushing the limit. This show makes me never want to get married. If this is the norm for marriage relationships then why should anyone ever want to get married? No wonder marriage is on a decline. I think there should be a warning logo in the beginning of the show saying something like *Warning: The wives in this show are the scum of the earth, by following their example you will also become a scum of the earth, do not attempt at own risk*. In fact I think that warning label should be on all these shows. *end rant*

Keeping Up With The Kardashians

     Take the "Real Housewives" and get them to breed with the "Situation" from Jersey Shore and you got the Kardashians. That's really all I can say about this show, it's by definition obnoxious. The warning label for this how would read *Warning: This is not representative of what a family should look like, we found the richest most messed up family we could find, so do not attempt at own risk*. Can you imagine the amount of damage one episode of this show does to a girl with low self-esteem? Think about it, hence why this show made it to the obnoxious list.

Survivor

       The new survivor "Redemption Island" is on it's way doing it's whole survivor thing, which can be a fun event over all. Survivor is a show that had big press then died and now is being reborn, but there is a distinct reason for this show being obnoxious, one very important fact that we as American's forget, and that comes off really offensive to everyone else. In the show Survivor we are sending Americans to live at places for a few months THAT PEOPLE ALREADY LIVE AT! we're talking there are full civilizations there starving, with little medicine and so forth, and instead of helping those people we go "Hey, you know what would be awesome? If we sent some Americans to try and live like those people! Man, I could never imagine living that way." The whole thing is obnoxious, can you imagine the guy that grew up his whole life on the harsh regions seeing that show and going "I survived 60 years of this, can I get a million dollars?", and of course he can't, cause he's not American and we care more for entertainment sometimes. Not all the time, don't take me wrong, we rock when it comes to helping other nations, but one should be able to understand where I'm coming from with this survivor thing, it's just a tad insensitive.

      And there you have it, the top four obnoxious shows that happen to the on the top 10 most popular shows in America. If you watch any of these shows that does not mean you are a terrible person, I watch some of these shows as well, chances are most people recognize the obnoxiousness within them and that's the entertainment level of the shows. I am concerned about the kids that don't know that these shows are obnoxious, and think that this is the norm, and trust, those kids exist. We need to spread the word that being smart about the things we approve is a must always, we must always take the time to analyze what we are watching and what kind of impact it's having in the world around us.

   Think about it,

  Love from your humble blogger,