I think what music you listen to really says a lot about you. Here are 25 random songs from my iPod.
Carly Rae Jepsen - Call Me Maybe
Jay-Z - Sweet
Yes - Roundabout
Seether - Country Song
Blink 182 - First Date
Weird Al Yankovic - Smells Like Nirvana
Aerosmith - Hole in My Soul
Destiny's Child - Brown Eyes
Kris Allen - Heartless
Porcelain Black - This is What Rock n Roll Looks Like
Augustana - Coffee and Cigarettes
Jay-Z - Ignorant Shit
David Cook - Light On
Britney Spears - I'm a Slave 4 U
Metallica - Enter Sandman
B.o.B. - Where Are You
Sheryl Crow - Sign Your Name
John Mayer - Who Says
Chris Tomlin & Matt Redman - Set Free
Halestorm - Bad Romance
Halestorm - Break In
Pat Benatar - Hit Me With Your Best Shot
Michelle Branch - You Get Me
John Legend - Let's Get Lifted Again
Rihanna - Take a Bow
Saturday, July 21, 2012
Monday, July 16, 2012
Britney Spears is an American Idol
Britney Spears is reportedly making $15 million to judge the X-Factor this year. Jennifer Lopez reportedly made $15 million to judge American Idol last year. J. Lo announced her decision to leave Idol a week or so ago. Clearly, Britney has a job, but imagine for a second that J. Lo announced right after Idol ended that she wouldn't come back for a third season. Imagine, then, that while Idol would need to replace J. Lo, X-Factor needs two female judges to replace Paula Abdul and Nicole Scherzinger. That means Britney would now be available for both shows. Question is, who gets her and how much does she make.
We all know Simon wanted her for X-Factor (and got her). We don't know if Idol would have any interest in her. We do know that Idol producer Nigel Lythgoe said back in 2007 that he had no interest in Britney performing on the show. Of course, it's been five years since then and Britney's better. Idol, on the other hand, has seen ratings decrease to the point where last season's finale was the lowest rated ever. Judging by the list of contenders to replace J. Lo (and other departing judge Steven Tyler), they obviously want to make a splash. Britney would be a splash.
While Nigel said no thanks to Britney performing, he never mentioned if he'd be for Britney judging. Regardless of what he thinks of Britney personally, you can't replace an A-list star like J. Lo with a B-list star. Therefore, let's assume he, in wanting to make that big splash, put Britney on his radar (no pun intended . . . actually, pun intended).
In this situation, Britney's being courted by two shows - Idol and X-Factor. Since J. Lo reportedly wanted a raise to $17 million, Idol would most likely have to come in around that number in its first offer to Britney. For her, she originally wanted, according to reports, $20 million for X-Factor. The show offered a reported $10 million. In our imagined scenario, X-Factor wouldn't have been able to low-ball her like that because Idol would have swooped in with a stronger offer and that'd be that.
Just because Britney wants $20 million doesn't mean both shows - or either show - would offer that much to start. Most likely, Idol and X-Factor would probably come in around $16 million. From there, it becomes a game of who wants Britney more. Would either show shell out the reported $20 million that Britney originally wanted?
I think Simon really wanted Britney, but I don't think Idol would go all out. It seems from reports that the show is trying to cut costs. In this scenario, X-Factor gets Britney, but pays a couple million more than they currently are. Of course, if the media took the story of two shows fighting for Britney and ran with it, Idol may not give in so easily. Otherwise, the general public may see X-Factor signing Britney as a sign that it is now the #1 show. In that case, Britney could easily get $20 million. I still think X-Factor would win out, because I think Simon really wants to beat Idol.
Either way, it would have been a very interesting few months and made for a plethora of good stories.
We all know Simon wanted her for X-Factor (and got her). We don't know if Idol would have any interest in her. We do know that Idol producer Nigel Lythgoe said back in 2007 that he had no interest in Britney performing on the show. Of course, it's been five years since then and Britney's better. Idol, on the other hand, has seen ratings decrease to the point where last season's finale was the lowest rated ever. Judging by the list of contenders to replace J. Lo (and other departing judge Steven Tyler), they obviously want to make a splash. Britney would be a splash.
While Nigel said no thanks to Britney performing, he never mentioned if he'd be for Britney judging. Regardless of what he thinks of Britney personally, you can't replace an A-list star like J. Lo with a B-list star. Therefore, let's assume he, in wanting to make that big splash, put Britney on his radar (no pun intended . . . actually, pun intended).
In this situation, Britney's being courted by two shows - Idol and X-Factor. Since J. Lo reportedly wanted a raise to $17 million, Idol would most likely have to come in around that number in its first offer to Britney. For her, she originally wanted, according to reports, $20 million for X-Factor. The show offered a reported $10 million. In our imagined scenario, X-Factor wouldn't have been able to low-ball her like that because Idol would have swooped in with a stronger offer and that'd be that.
Just because Britney wants $20 million doesn't mean both shows - or either show - would offer that much to start. Most likely, Idol and X-Factor would probably come in around $16 million. From there, it becomes a game of who wants Britney more. Would either show shell out the reported $20 million that Britney originally wanted?
I think Simon really wanted Britney, but I don't think Idol would go all out. It seems from reports that the show is trying to cut costs. In this scenario, X-Factor gets Britney, but pays a couple million more than they currently are. Of course, if the media took the story of two shows fighting for Britney and ran with it, Idol may not give in so easily. Otherwise, the general public may see X-Factor signing Britney as a sign that it is now the #1 show. In that case, Britney could easily get $20 million. I still think X-Factor would win out, because I think Simon really wants to beat Idol.
Either way, it would have been a very interesting few months and made for a plethora of good stories.
Monday, July 9, 2012
I (Don't) Know What Girls Like
Broken hearts and cracked fingernails
Is this what girls like?
Torn up weaves and side ponytails
Tell me, what do girls like?
Because I don't know what girls like
Smokey kissing with lips dripping nicotine
Is this what girls like?
Bloody t-shirts stained with iodine
Tell me what girls like
Because I don't know what girls like
Do they like kissing in the rain?
Under a tall oak tree
Do they enjoy blinding, searing pain?
With secrets between you and me
Tell me what girls like
Because I don't know what girls like
Cold, damp rugs on a summer's eve
Is this what girls like?
Promising to stay, they always leave
Tell me, what do girls like
Because I don't know what girls like
A light breeze in the summer air
Is this what girls like?
Eating cotton candy at the state fair
Tell me what girls like
Because I don't know what girls like
Do they like kissing in the snow?
Under a tall pine tree
Do they enjoy watching the show?
With only you and never me
Tell me what girls like
Because I don't know what girls like
Someone tell me what girls like
I'd really love to know what girls like
Is this what girls like?
Torn up weaves and side ponytails
Tell me, what do girls like?
Because I don't know what girls like
Smokey kissing with lips dripping nicotine
Is this what girls like?
Bloody t-shirts stained with iodine
Tell me what girls like
Because I don't know what girls like
Do they like kissing in the rain?
Under a tall oak tree
Do they enjoy blinding, searing pain?
With secrets between you and me
Tell me what girls like
Because I don't know what girls like
Cold, damp rugs on a summer's eve
Is this what girls like?
Promising to stay, they always leave
Tell me, what do girls like
Because I don't know what girls like
A light breeze in the summer air
Is this what girls like?
Eating cotton candy at the state fair
Tell me what girls like
Because I don't know what girls like
Do they like kissing in the snow?
Under a tall pine tree
Do they enjoy watching the show?
With only you and never me
Tell me what girls like
Because I don't know what girls like
Someone tell me what girls like
I'd really love to know what girls like
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Leave Britney Alone
Britney Spears was the first superstar of the Internet age. She grew up as the Internet did.
In the beginning there wasn't much: e-mail, the world wide web, basically the Internet was a place to look at porn and download pictures of women. Eventually, websites popped up with forums for discussion. Then came Myspace, Facebook, Youtube, Google, etc. The Internet kept getting bigger and bigger. Just like Britney.
Her career started in the late 90s, about that time when more and more people were online. As we moved into the 2000s, her career took off. At that time, the Internet became faster and there was more to do. 100s of fan sites popped up where 1000s of people now had a voice to discuss all things Britney. Eventually, Myspace pages full of Britney pictures and songs were created, followed by Youtube videos of her fans (and detractors) offering their opinion on her music and life. Britney hasn't existed in the public eye without someone being able to offer an opinion on her that could be seen/read by millions of people instantly.
Imagine that, producing something that the whole world can comment on in a matter of minutes. That something includes, not just music and movies, but any normal, every day activity. Before the Internet, the only people commenting on the lives of celebrities were the media. And not to say the media is better, but at least the celebrity had a week before the magazine hit newsstands. Nowadays, a video of Britney sneezing is on the Internet and has 10,000 views by lunchtime (not to mention 1,000 comments about how she sneezes, whether she used a tissue, was there snot, etc.).
How many people stop and wonder if Britney had a breakdown in 2007 or just got fed up with being the center of attention? Perhaps she didn't want to be the show any more. There's a Seinfeld quote where George hates going on blind dates because he always has to be "on." Isn't it possible that Britney snapped because she didn't want to be "on" any more?
When Madonna was famous in the 80s and 90s, she never had to worry about her picture being the lead story on Yahoo, Perez, TMZ, etc. Sure, there were paparazzi and her picture could be in the magazines, but that would be days later, and only if something more interesting didn't knock her photo off the headlines. Today, sites need content and will put up anything involving a celebrity. Check out TMZ or X17 - both sites are filled with inane stories that only exist to take up space.
When Britney snapped and attacked the paparazzi's van with an umbrella, everyone assumed she had a nervous breakdown or suffered from a mental illness. Perhaps she just wanted to be left alone. In fact, if you watch the video, or most videos from 2007, Britney says repeatedly, "Please, leave me alone." Sadly, no one listened.
Britney didn't have a breakdown. Her wild antics weren't because she was psycho, bi-polar or mentally unstable. She was frustrated with being the world's entertainer. Think about it: she had been the most sought after person since she first donned the catholic skirt, nine years in the public eye from 1998 - 2007. Even when she took a "break" to have kids and get married, even when she announced it and told us to enjoy the other overexposed blondes as our entertainment, even when she stopped acting and dressing like a prototypical pop star, no one stopped taking her picture. The Internet demanded content, and no one drives up web hits like Britney.
Being famous nowadays is like checking into the Hotel California, i.e. you can check out, but you can never leave. Britney will be photographed and discussed until the day she dies. Her children have no chance at a normal life. It's almost a certainty they will wind up on TV someday. They've already conquered the Internet. We've seen Sean and Jayden in their diapers in their backyard, eating ice cream, playing in the sand, swimming in the pool, you name it.
At 30, Britney has been surrounded by paparazzi and people wanting a handout for almost half her life. South Park ran an, amazingly, pointed episode about her in 2008 when she made her "comeback" (which is an ironic term, since the Internet never allowed her to leave). She blew her own head off, but kept on performing. Yes, even with half a head, Britney has to be "on."
Maybe someday Britney can finally be "off." She won't have to be the "center of attention." Unfortunately, the Internet monster craves content. And Britney is just so damn good at entertaining us that, well . . .
It's a shame, because no one asks to have their whole life documented on film. Yet, we've got more than 10 solid years of Britney's existence stored in the archives. Want to know what Britney had for lunch in 2006? Don't even ask her, there's probably a video somewhere. And don't worry, she'll be "on." She always is.
In the beginning there wasn't much: e-mail, the world wide web, basically the Internet was a place to look at porn and download pictures of women. Eventually, websites popped up with forums for discussion. Then came Myspace, Facebook, Youtube, Google, etc. The Internet kept getting bigger and bigger. Just like Britney.
Her career started in the late 90s, about that time when more and more people were online. As we moved into the 2000s, her career took off. At that time, the Internet became faster and there was more to do. 100s of fan sites popped up where 1000s of people now had a voice to discuss all things Britney. Eventually, Myspace pages full of Britney pictures and songs were created, followed by Youtube videos of her fans (and detractors) offering their opinion on her music and life. Britney hasn't existed in the public eye without someone being able to offer an opinion on her that could be seen/read by millions of people instantly.
Imagine that, producing something that the whole world can comment on in a matter of minutes. That something includes, not just music and movies, but any normal, every day activity. Before the Internet, the only people commenting on the lives of celebrities were the media. And not to say the media is better, but at least the celebrity had a week before the magazine hit newsstands. Nowadays, a video of Britney sneezing is on the Internet and has 10,000 views by lunchtime (not to mention 1,000 comments about how she sneezes, whether she used a tissue, was there snot, etc.).
How many people stop and wonder if Britney had a breakdown in 2007 or just got fed up with being the center of attention? Perhaps she didn't want to be the show any more. There's a Seinfeld quote where George hates going on blind dates because he always has to be "on." Isn't it possible that Britney snapped because she didn't want to be "on" any more?
When Madonna was famous in the 80s and 90s, she never had to worry about her picture being the lead story on Yahoo, Perez, TMZ, etc. Sure, there were paparazzi and her picture could be in the magazines, but that would be days later, and only if something more interesting didn't knock her photo off the headlines. Today, sites need content and will put up anything involving a celebrity. Check out TMZ or X17 - both sites are filled with inane stories that only exist to take up space.
When Britney snapped and attacked the paparazzi's van with an umbrella, everyone assumed she had a nervous breakdown or suffered from a mental illness. Perhaps she just wanted to be left alone. In fact, if you watch the video, or most videos from 2007, Britney says repeatedly, "Please, leave me alone." Sadly, no one listened.
Britney didn't have a breakdown. Her wild antics weren't because she was psycho, bi-polar or mentally unstable. She was frustrated with being the world's entertainer. Think about it: she had been the most sought after person since she first donned the catholic skirt, nine years in the public eye from 1998 - 2007. Even when she took a "break" to have kids and get married, even when she announced it and told us to enjoy the other overexposed blondes as our entertainment, even when she stopped acting and dressing like a prototypical pop star, no one stopped taking her picture. The Internet demanded content, and no one drives up web hits like Britney.
Being famous nowadays is like checking into the Hotel California, i.e. you can check out, but you can never leave. Britney will be photographed and discussed until the day she dies. Her children have no chance at a normal life. It's almost a certainty they will wind up on TV someday. They've already conquered the Internet. We've seen Sean and Jayden in their diapers in their backyard, eating ice cream, playing in the sand, swimming in the pool, you name it.
At 30, Britney has been surrounded by paparazzi and people wanting a handout for almost half her life. South Park ran an, amazingly, pointed episode about her in 2008 when she made her "comeback" (which is an ironic term, since the Internet never allowed her to leave). She blew her own head off, but kept on performing. Yes, even with half a head, Britney has to be "on."
Maybe someday Britney can finally be "off." She won't have to be the "center of attention." Unfortunately, the Internet monster craves content. And Britney is just so damn good at entertaining us that, well . . .
It's a shame, because no one asks to have their whole life documented on film. Yet, we've got more than 10 solid years of Britney's existence stored in the archives. Want to know what Britney had for lunch in 2006? Don't even ask her, there's probably a video somewhere. And don't worry, she'll be "on." She always is.
Monday, June 11, 2012
Call Me, Britney
If Carly Rae Jepson wrote a song about meeting Britney Spears, it would go like this:
Hey, I just met you, and this is crazy, but here's a pen, would you sign this maybe . . . hug me maybe . . . take a picture maybe . . . stand there for five minutes and pretend to listen maybe . . . maybe.
Running into Britney must be awkward for almost all parties involved. There's you, not quite sure what to do; Britney, not quite sure what to do; and the bodyguard, quite sure what to do, and that's move you along.
I don't think Britney is a bad person for ignoring total strangers if she happens to be in a 1-on-1-on-1 situation. And I can't even feel bad for the person who gets ignored, because I've never heard an "I met Britney" story where the person even seemed slightly angry about getting ignored. Most IMB stories contain the same words/phrases: dead, died, OMG, amazing, couldn't speak, and fainted. They never contain the words: angry, mad, annoyed or pissed.
It seems like Britney fans don't care that she ignores them. They're just honored to be in her presence, like she's royalty. I guess to them she is. If you stood five feet from Kate Middleton and she didn't acknowledge you, would you be angry or would you tell everyone you stood five feet from the duchess? I suppose sometimes just being there is enough.
Of course, herein lies the debate of whether or not you can claim to have met someone if they never acknowledged your existence. I think a mutual acknowledgment is a big key to the meeting process. I stand next to people all the time: in line, on the subway, in an elevator. That doesn't mean we met.
Technically, these people saw Britney, stood near her, even experienced her, if you want to go that far. But a story that begins with "I saw Britney" isn't nearly as interesting as a story that begins with "I met Britney." If you saw Britney, then I don't care. If you met her, then tell me more.
But how do you turn an "I saw Britney" story into an "I met Britney" story? First, you'd have to avoid the bodyguard, which is next to impossible. Next, if you somehow climbed that mountain, you'd have to get Britney to acknowledge your existence. That, like avoiding the bodyguard, would be another tough task. It's not to say Britney is a jerk who doesn't care about her fans, but more saying that she's uncomfortable around people she doesn't know (or maybe she is a jerk. I've never met her).
Is there a way to make it work? Could someone actually meet Britney (naturally, not a meet and greet or by winning a contest) where you acknowledge her and she acknowledges you? Maybe it's happened. Maybe someone out there has actually had an honest to God meeting with Britney.
Most likely, they'll start the story with an "I met Britney," but end it with, "She didn't say anything, but it was amazing. I almost died."
So, I guess while never meeting Britney is no fun, having a near death experience is pretty cool . . . maybe.
Hey, I just met you, and this is crazy, but here's a pen, would you sign this maybe . . . hug me maybe . . . take a picture maybe . . . stand there for five minutes and pretend to listen maybe . . . maybe.
Running into Britney must be awkward for almost all parties involved. There's you, not quite sure what to do; Britney, not quite sure what to do; and the bodyguard, quite sure what to do, and that's move you along.
I don't think Britney is a bad person for ignoring total strangers if she happens to be in a 1-on-1-on-1 situation. And I can't even feel bad for the person who gets ignored, because I've never heard an "I met Britney" story where the person even seemed slightly angry about getting ignored. Most IMB stories contain the same words/phrases: dead, died, OMG, amazing, couldn't speak, and fainted. They never contain the words: angry, mad, annoyed or pissed.
It seems like Britney fans don't care that she ignores them. They're just honored to be in her presence, like she's royalty. I guess to them she is. If you stood five feet from Kate Middleton and she didn't acknowledge you, would you be angry or would you tell everyone you stood five feet from the duchess? I suppose sometimes just being there is enough.
Of course, herein lies the debate of whether or not you can claim to have met someone if they never acknowledged your existence. I think a mutual acknowledgment is a big key to the meeting process. I stand next to people all the time: in line, on the subway, in an elevator. That doesn't mean we met.
Technically, these people saw Britney, stood near her, even experienced her, if you want to go that far. But a story that begins with "I saw Britney" isn't nearly as interesting as a story that begins with "I met Britney." If you saw Britney, then I don't care. If you met her, then tell me more.
But how do you turn an "I saw Britney" story into an "I met Britney" story? First, you'd have to avoid the bodyguard, which is next to impossible. Next, if you somehow climbed that mountain, you'd have to get Britney to acknowledge your existence. That, like avoiding the bodyguard, would be another tough task. It's not to say Britney is a jerk who doesn't care about her fans, but more saying that she's uncomfortable around people she doesn't know (or maybe she is a jerk. I've never met her).
Is there a way to make it work? Could someone actually meet Britney (naturally, not a meet and greet or by winning a contest) where you acknowledge her and she acknowledges you? Maybe it's happened. Maybe someone out there has actually had an honest to God meeting with Britney.
Most likely, they'll start the story with an "I met Britney," but end it with, "She didn't say anything, but it was amazing. I almost died."
So, I guess while never meeting Britney is no fun, having a near death experience is pretty cool . . . maybe.
Friday, June 8, 2012
Thanks
I want to take time to give thanks. It may not be Thanksgiving, but these people deserve to be shown love every day for their unending devotion to Britney Spears (and their hilariousness).
First, I have to pay respect to the one who never sleeps, Jazmin (aka PieceofBritney). I constantly see her tweeting at 9, 10, 11 at night, which would be fine, except I'm talking about 9 - 11 p.m. EST and she lives in the UK. So, this girl stays up till 3 a.m. to talk about Britney. That means one of three things: she's hugely devoted to Britney, she's a vampire or she's dating a vampire. All three options are quite possible, by the way. I've seen Twilight. And her site is top notch, so some thanks have to also go out to her partner-in-crime, Joanne.
Second, I have to show some love to (real name withheld on account of me not wanting to be killed) BRITannica. While she may not stay up all night like Jazmin, she's clearly uber-devoted. She even went to the middle of nowhere, Kansas City, MO, to see her judge hopeful X-Factor contestants. That's dedication. Plus, people kinda hated her in the beginning, but she never let them get to her. She's Britney-strong. Only drawback: she does NOT check her e-mails. True story: I sent her a Happy Thanksgiving e-mail back when us Americans celebrate the holiday. Did I ever get a reply? No. It's now June.
Lastly, and definitely leastly, is everyone's favorite old drunkard (real name withheld, again, so I don't get killed) PoorBritney. Here's a woman with a kid, husband, dogs, bunnies, cats, fish, etc., yet she still finds time to talk about Britney. She even holds down a job. Plus, she's old enough to be a grandmother, yet still carries the Britney torch. Oops, I meant, she's nowhere near old enough to be a grandmother. In fact, I'm surprised she has a child. She should be on teen mom. But her posts crack me up . . . and she flirts with me.
Three legends in the Britney-verse. I've got love for all.
First, I have to pay respect to the one who never sleeps, Jazmin (aka PieceofBritney). I constantly see her tweeting at 9, 10, 11 at night, which would be fine, except I'm talking about 9 - 11 p.m. EST and she lives in the UK. So, this girl stays up till 3 a.m. to talk about Britney. That means one of three things: she's hugely devoted to Britney, she's a vampire or she's dating a vampire. All three options are quite possible, by the way. I've seen Twilight. And her site is top notch, so some thanks have to also go out to her partner-in-crime, Joanne.
Second, I have to show some love to (real name withheld on account of me not wanting to be killed) BRITannica. While she may not stay up all night like Jazmin, she's clearly uber-devoted. She even went to the middle of nowhere, Kansas City, MO, to see her judge hopeful X-Factor contestants. That's dedication. Plus, people kinda hated her in the beginning, but she never let them get to her. She's Britney-strong. Only drawback: she does NOT check her e-mails. True story: I sent her a Happy Thanksgiving e-mail back when us Americans celebrate the holiday. Did I ever get a reply? No. It's now June.
Lastly, and definitely leastly, is everyone's favorite old drunkard (real name withheld, again, so I don't get killed) PoorBritney. Here's a woman with a kid, husband, dogs, bunnies, cats, fish, etc., yet she still finds time to talk about Britney. She even holds down a job. Plus, she's old enough to be a grandmother, yet still carries the Britney torch. Oops, I meant, she's nowhere near old enough to be a grandmother. In fact, I'm surprised she has a child. She should be on teen mom. But her posts crack me up . . . and she flirts with me.
Three legends in the Britney-verse. I've got love for all.
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Keeping Up With Fake Reality TV
I got to thinking, if you watch Keeping Up With the Kardashians as a scripted TV show (because that's basically what it is) and not as a reality show (because there's nothing much real about it), it might be eminently watchable.
What does it offer - well, there's comedy (any time someone cries, namely Kim), drama (any time someone gets mad at someone else, again, Kim), hot chicks (your mileage may vary, but you could say all three older sisters and the mom), and crazy antics (usually involving Khloe).
What it doesn't offer - well, mostly, real-life interactions or situations. For instance, the Kardashians have no connection to the average person because the average person isn't worth millions of dollars and doesn't get paid for merely existing. There's an ironic disconnect between America struggling with today's economy, yet making a show about rich people popular. How many other shows on TV feature a cast of rich people?
I understand the idea of fantasy and escapism, but the Kardashians are supposed to be a reality show. A reality show would be the antithesis of fantasy. Hell, reality is the reason fantasy exists. How does someone escape into a reality show? Because, even if you accept that the show is not very real, the people in it are. I suppose you could fantasize about their reality. If you accept that the show is fake, yet understand that these people are very wealthy, there could be the chance for some escapism there. Peeking in to see how the other half lives, even if you're not quite sure what you're seeing is how they actually live.
Herein lies the problem with reality TV: what you're seeing isn't 100 percent real, you know it's not real, yet you pretend it is because these reality "stars" are living exciting, interesting lives (even if they're not really those people). They're living in big houses, they're spending $1,000s, they're going to hot clubs/parties/events, and they're doing it without so much as a wink. They know it's fake, you know it's fake, but it's all kept silent for the sake of the show. It's like wrestling: the wrestlers know it's scripted, the audience knows it's scripted, but no one says anything because it's no fun if they tell you what you're watching isn't real.
Don't get me wrong: the Kardashians do live in big houses, they do spend $1,000s and they do go to hot clubs/parties/events. That's all real. It's just all that other stuff, the reason people tune in every week, isn't.
What does it offer - well, there's comedy (any time someone cries, namely Kim), drama (any time someone gets mad at someone else, again, Kim), hot chicks (your mileage may vary, but you could say all three older sisters and the mom), and crazy antics (usually involving Khloe).
What it doesn't offer - well, mostly, real-life interactions or situations. For instance, the Kardashians have no connection to the average person because the average person isn't worth millions of dollars and doesn't get paid for merely existing. There's an ironic disconnect between America struggling with today's economy, yet making a show about rich people popular. How many other shows on TV feature a cast of rich people?
I understand the idea of fantasy and escapism, but the Kardashians are supposed to be a reality show. A reality show would be the antithesis of fantasy. Hell, reality is the reason fantasy exists. How does someone escape into a reality show? Because, even if you accept that the show is not very real, the people in it are. I suppose you could fantasize about their reality. If you accept that the show is fake, yet understand that these people are very wealthy, there could be the chance for some escapism there. Peeking in to see how the other half lives, even if you're not quite sure what you're seeing is how they actually live.
Herein lies the problem with reality TV: what you're seeing isn't 100 percent real, you know it's not real, yet you pretend it is because these reality "stars" are living exciting, interesting lives (even if they're not really those people). They're living in big houses, they're spending $1,000s, they're going to hot clubs/parties/events, and they're doing it without so much as a wink. They know it's fake, you know it's fake, but it's all kept silent for the sake of the show. It's like wrestling: the wrestlers know it's scripted, the audience knows it's scripted, but no one says anything because it's no fun if they tell you what you're watching isn't real.
Don't get me wrong: the Kardashians do live in big houses, they do spend $1,000s and they do go to hot clubs/parties/events. That's all real. It's just all that other stuff, the reason people tune in every week, isn't.
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