MTV

Tonight was a night of MTV reality television. I started off with the new episode of the latest season of Real World. This season brings us to the tumultuous Key West. Tonight's episode reaffirmed the fact that Tyler is definitely my favorite cast member. The token gay guy, Tyler is absolutley hilarious. But not because he's flamboyant or anything of the sort, more because he's kind of an asshole. But in a good way. Following Paula's mental breakdown, some of the rooommates were extremely concnerned. Tyler was dumbfounded by the fact that they gave such a damn. I appreciated his honesty.

The premiere of 8th and Ocean followed the Real World. This new show chronicles the lives and careers of young models (who all happen to live together). The physical beauty of these young men and women is reason enough to watch the show. The drama that is sure to unfold is extra incentive. My favorite model so far is Britt, the newbie from Kansas. She claimed Jesus as her "husband" and fretted over the implicit nature of her poses. Models posing in sexually explicit ways? Who knew? Ok, so that part was lame, but I actually really liked Britt because, as my roommate put it, she's socially awkward. She doesn't know how to dance!! And once the other girls dragged her out to the club and on to the dancefloor, I saw that she actually dances just like me! Yay Britt! (Upon learning this, my roommate promised me dance lessons). I also look forward to the sibling rivalry that will unfold between twins Kelly and Sabrina. Poor Sabrina gets bad acne at some point in the season, so we have that to look forward to...

I thought my night was over after 8th and Ocean, only to find that last night's episode of the Gauntlet II, which I had missed, was on. I of course had to watch. I got to see Alton once again exert his super-human strength, and look sexy while doing it. I was thrilled by another rookie victory, but disappointed to see Derrick beat out Brad in the Gauntlet.

While channel surfing during a commercial break, my roommate discovered that MTVU was playing an episode of RW/RR Challenge: Battle of the Sexes. That inspired a long, detailed discussion between me and our friend Greg about our favorite past seasons of Real World and Road Rules (Seattle and Season 4:The Islands, respectively). We left no season unexplored in our conversation. From Puck getting kicked off, to Neil getting his tongue bit off, to Kaia's creepy-ass poem about Matt, we talked about it all. It was kind of like revisiting old friends. I remember when I first discovered MTV's reality television. I was actually a Road Rules fan before I stumbled upon Real World. Once I had come to know both, my life was complete. I know entirely too much about these people who, essentially, are nobodies. And I like it that way. They are a major part of my childhood and adolescence.

Please, anyone who would like to take a trip down MTV memory lane, drop me a line. Oh, and does anyone know where I might find past seasons of these shows to download?

Don't Miss...

Law and Order: SVU marathon on USA on Sunday. Despite the fact that Law and Order is on 24 hours a day, on a dozen or so cable networks, there really can never be enough of it. SVU especially. Tune in for all the viewers' favorite episodes!

On another note, I saw an excellent commercial today. It was especially pertinant, with today being Ash Wednesday, the kick off to the holy Lenten season. Anyway, it was an ad for a CD compilation entitled, Open the Eyes of my Heart. As one particularly moving power ballad played, the screen showed a scene of young, Christian hipsters swaying, moved by the Holy Spirit, I'm sure. Then the name of the song and band scrolled from the bottom..."I Could Sing of Your Love Forever" - Delerious?
That was seriously their name, ? and all. I found it quite appropriate.

The Bachelor Makes His Pick

I haven't historically been very interested in reality dating shows, unless they are aired on UPN (i.e. Blind Date, Love Cruise, The Fifth Wheel.) I recently stumbled upon a two hour special of The Bachelor: Paris, however. And I was hooked. Three weeks later, I sat enthralled, as Dr. Travis picked between the dark, mysterious, Italian-speaking Moana, and the bubbly, traditional, kindergarten teacher, Sarah. As far as I had seen, the connection between Travis and Moana was quite intense. Nearly every time they were alone together, Travis expressed his desire for the show to be over, so that he could spend time with her alone. While he and Sarah were together, there was lots of laughter and friendly hugging, but passion was never present. Moana consistently became overwhelmed with emotion, explaining how she had never in her life come across another human being like Travis. She used the term "human being" to describe Travis so often that I began to wonder if she had formerly made a habit of beastiality. Moana also repeatedly admitted that she did not come on the Bachelor with any intention of meeting a man, instead she planned on a free trip to Paris. The love that she found shocked and overwhelmed her, almost as much as the audience. Her emotion was sometimes a bit much to stomach, but to be honest, I never doubted her feelings. Besides, she seemed pretty bad ass, what with her Italian speaking. Sarah, on the other hand, was light-hearted, and fun loving. She once expressed disdain at the "pecks" she was receiving from Travis, and hoped for some "real kisses tonight." One can only assume that she got them when she accepted Travis' invitation to spend a night together in the fantasy suite. (It should be noted that Moana as well as the third finalist, Susan, also accepted such invitations.) While Sarah was not nearly as intense as Moana, she also expressed her desire to be with Travis in the end. I believed her too. That's where the twisted nature of the show comes in. Had Dr. Travis gone on the show, met one woman who he was interested in, decided to pursue a relationship, and ended up happily ever after, I would have no problem with the show. But instead, he acted as if (and maybe really did) he had true feelings for multiple women. While he never once used the word love, the three final women all did on multiple occasions. At least Susan and Sarah only claimed to be in the process of falling in love, while Moana had already fallen, with full force. Each episode depicted Travis intimately conoodling with each woman. It was quite disturbing.

Despite my moral objections, I of course tuned into the season finale. It came as a complete and utter shock to see Travis choose Sarah over Moana. I didn't necessarily like one more than the other, but the feelings between Travis and Moana seemed so much more real. The only thing that seemed to exist between Travis and Sarah was the shared sentiment that they "would be perfect for each other." Perhaps it was merely the magic of reality television story writers, but I was as shocked as Moana when Travis said good-bye to her. And while I maintain serious character doubts of any woman who would choose to go on the Bachelor, I truly felt sorry for Moana as she rode away, devastated, in her limo.

I must say, I am embarassed to have been hooked by the Bachelor. Somehow, the mystery of the show drew me in. I don't know quite how it happened, but I have pledged to not watch another season. The show lacks all integrity and dignity. Of course, that is the staple of good reality television, which means I am quite likely to continue to watch. Perhaps Moana said it best..."I've been made to look a fool."

HELLO my name is...

Liz! And this is my blog. It will be dedicated to America's true favorite passtime, television. I'm not gonna lie, I watch a lot of T.V. I could blame this on the fact that I'm in college, where really there is nothing to do other than a) sit in the dorm and watch t.v. b) sit in the dorm and drink or c) sit in the dorm and drink while watching t.v. While the above is true, it is not responsible for my incessant tube watching. That began long ago. I first learned the joys of television through my morning routine with my mother as a small child. I would wake up early, go crawl into her big bed, wake her, and we would then watch Sesamee Street together. Following Sesamee Street, my mom would bring me breakfast in bed which I would enjoy while watching Mr. Roger's and Lamb Chop, while my mom got ready for the day (apparently it took her a really long time.) While those programs were actually quite legitimate and educational, they led to my foray into harder stuff. Soon I was watching all the prime-time dramas. I actually learned a lot from those too. Anyway, many years have gone by and I am still addicted to the soft glow of the television. Some people are too busy to watch T.V. or they think they're too good for all the smut that's on the air. If you are one of those people, I am truly sorry, you are missing out. But at least you can live out your television watching fantasies vicariously through me.