Reality Review

So the Gosselins are breaking up. It wasn’t that long ago that they renewed their vows in Hawaii. I’ve been wondering if, because the trip was free for them, they didn’t take the ceremony as seriously as they might have had they had to scrimp and save for it. Was it just something they did for the show? Did they think it would help their marriage? I had thought that they had a special bond of support, that, because they didn’t seem to have the support of their families, they relied on eachother. I guess I was wrong.

I watched Tori Spelling’s reality show when it first started jsut to see what it was like. Surprisingly, I have watched every episode. Not sure if it’s because it really is interesting or I have some personality flaw. The last few ahve driven me crazy though. At every turn, viewers are reminded that Tori has to cope with life on her own while Dean is in Calgary for 5 weeks. Literally every ten minutes, whenever the scene shifts to the next thing Tori has to do (go to NY for an appearance, go to Tampa for HSN, go back to NY for her book meeting. I guess it was all to make us feel that much more elated for her when Dean surprised her in NY on Valentine’s Day. It was touching when she saw him ans was so surprised. She admits to being a workaholic but to tell us how stressed she is having to deal with her various enterprises falls on deaf ears in my case. I realize she needs to do these things to have income, but these are some incredible opportunities the rest of us would love to have the chance to complain about!

So Kendra is engaged (getting married tomorrow!) and pregnant. Some wonder just what her relationship with Hef was all about. I’m not close to the situation (so far away that you can’t count all the stars between us) but I have always thought that he was more of a father figure to her. He can’t possibly be that active in bed to satisy 3 or more girls. Being with Hef is a great door-opener, a great opportunity to see new things, meet new people, and start a career in Hollywood. I think that’s what it was for her. He settled her down, gave her security, gave her a path to go on which it sounds like she needed from she’s been quoted as saying. I was a bit worried her show would be thin on plot, just showing how blond she can be. I think they do need some variety of people. Kendra is still the playful one with Hank as her straight man. But it’s entertaining.

Gene Simmon’s Family Jewels shows how unreal a reality TV show can be. What girl is going to let her father tell her that an old non-practicing  Jewish rock star should be her child’s godfather? For drama, they show Gene and his girlfriend Shannon rushing off to NYC to get a gift for the baby and getting to the church just a few minutes late enough to make people start to wonder if they would show at all. That show is so obviously planned. But yet I still watch.

And Jessica Simpson is going to show us all the extremes people will go to for fashion and good looks. I’ll watch because she’s another person who interests me. Interesting coincidence that the movie she said was a factor in her decision to divorce Nick is at about the same time he and his girlfriend Vanessa break up. I watched the movie to see if I could figure out what in it was so key to her. I think it was when Noah says (it’s not an exact quote) “What do YOU want to do? Not what your mother thinks, not what (the fiance) thinks. What do YOU want?” that made Jessica think just what did she want… She is so close to her parents that she probably thought about what they wanted, so this gave her permission to think for herself. I woudl think they are so different that they would not try too imitate star-crossed lvovers, but who knows…

Gosselin & Hayes

The season finale for Jon & Kate Plus 8 is Monday. The season opener for a similar show, Table for Twelve, follows. I’ve seen just a few episodes of Table for Twelve, the Hayes family of 3 sets of multiples (10 kids), and I’ve liked what I’ve seen. People will think they are copy cats of the Gosselins, but they live a blue collar life compared to what is almost a white collar life in the Gosselin house. The Hayes’ lives haven’t been invaded with invites to attend special events or see special things, from the episodes I’ve watched. Check it out to see what you think.

Gosselin Gripe

I recently watched an episode of Jon & Kate Plus 8 where Jon and one of his daughters went to Utah to ski and snowboard, and the rest of the family went to see Sesame Street Live. Now maybe they are making tons of money and can afford both of these things. But they had their own box at Sesame Street Live and those typically are unaffordable. Plus they got to meet all the characters afterwards. Kate talked about how the kids were tired and they were just making their way to their car as though she didn’t know this was going to happen. But they were the only attendees in the hallway with the characters. And the characters gave them each a goody bag of stuff. That is not something regular people get.

Maybe the show people knew they were going to be there and wanted to do this. Maybe she really didn’t expect it. But I think it was probably part of the conversation when the offer for the nice seating was arranged. I kind of like that Kate didn’t say they got special attention because, although acknowledging it is fair to the viewer, it just bugs me that they get stuff for just being on TV and hearing it would be annoying.

I’m guessing that Jon didn’t have to pay for the Utah accommodations. And, to my cynical eye, it looks like the ski place closed the tube run so just they could be on it. How nice for them.

Yes, it’s reality, their reality.

I complain because I’m jealous. Maybe I should quit complaining and try to figure out how I can get some special attention and have people giving me stuff left and right.

8 Positive Thoughts on the Gosselins

The National Enquirer recently published an article that does not paint the Gosselin family, of Jon & Kate Plus 8 fame, in a good light. It’s interesting that they would publish such a negative article that serves no real purpose. Maybe they think people will feel better knowing the Gosselins can’t do it all on their own. I haven’t seen the article but I did read various stories about the article on the web that I feel need to be commented on.

1. Jon and Kate’s parents may have chosen not to be involved in the show. There is plenty that happens in a day or week of the family’s lives that can make up an episode so it is conceivable that the extended family does see them regularly without actually appearing on the show.

2. I would think anyone appearing on the show does get compensated somehow. I’m sure Jon & Kate saw this as an informational and financial enterprise so why wouldn’t Aunt Jodie? I can’t see why Kate would have a control issue about Jodie getting paid as it doesn’t take away from what she’ll earn, plus it opens up some stroylines. If, as I read somewhere, Jodie is getting her own show, she’ll need a compelling storyline for it to work, but there are plenty of networks that could be interested so it would not be direct competition for the Gosselins.

3. Kate does talk over Jon. Her kids are not at the age where they can be quiet and patient and listen to what each person has to say, they all talk over one another. There is constant noise and chatter so that someone does have to talk over others to be heard. I think she just does it out of habit now. Jon is an adult who certainly can have a conversation with his wife about this issue if it is something that bothers him.

4. Kate does come across as bossy. She has a tight ship to run with kids who are not at the age where they know what to do and where to be all the time. She spends the entire day with them and runs the house so she knows what needs to be done when so that everything runs well. It’s probably not a new aspect of her personality for Jon.

5. The Gosselins are entrepreneurs so when they are asked to speak, they do it for money. Former presidents do this, Suze Orman does this, the Dog Whisperer does this. It’s not being greedy nor is it illegal.

6. Everyone can change their minds about where they want to live. They are looking at land in various places but I don’t recall that they said on their show why they are looking in certain places or that they have a preference for one place over the other. I don’t know why there are seemingly factual theories as to why they are or are not looking in Pennsylvania but maybe I missed that episode. They can explore all their options and comparison shop all they want, without letting us know the thought process, without discussing it with the viewers.

7. So the National Enquirer says that the family employs a maid, a cook, or other kind of helper. The show shows her cooking and shows her acknowledging the various people who do come and help. They aren’t taking credit for things they don’t do. They never say they don’t need help. If it’s the fact that they now have the money to have hired help that bothers people, remember that they are being paid to do the show (I would have to assume this), Jon works in IT and could have had several promotions we are not aware of, and they could have other money-making entities going on (think Jessica Simpson with her records, perfumes, clothes and now beer enterprises).

8. Try to keep an open mind and realize that the network, the show producers, and the Gosselins are ultimately trying to create an informative show that a lot of people will watch and that sponsors will attach their name to. They are human, are not perfect and never claimed to be doing anything in the one-and-only right way. It’s their way.

Reality TV Stars Get All the Free Stuff

It’s really become annoying to watch reality tv people receive things for free. Just started watching this week’s episode of Tori & Dean: Home Sweet Hollywood where Dean’s been given a bike by Specialized that he will use in an upcoming AIDS bike race. He can afford to buy his own bike but Specialized thinks that if people see Dean McDermott riding one of their bikes, others will buy them. People will, I know. And Dean may eventually auction off the bike for charity so truly needy people will benefit. But this week I cannot pay alot on my credit card bill because I have to pay an oil bill, so I’m really feeling like it would be nice if someone would give me something for free.

I also see the Gosselins (Jon & Kate Plus Eight) getting free hair transplants and tummy tucks and chalets in ski country. People see them on tv and think, wow, they have a lot going on so they offer these things to them. Granted they aren’t asking to get free stuff (like I am). Maybe it would be considered rude to not accept these things. And they do say that they are free and we do get to see their experience.

I don’t have a scintillating story that’s fit for reality tv. I don’t have a sad story that will get me on Extreme Makeover or Oprah. I’ve worked hard for everything I have. Yes, I have more things than others, but I’d still like a little special attention once in a while! Perhaps I should just watch less tv.