What is tv’s obsession with modeling? Everywhere you look, a new modeling show is popping up. I decided to write something about it. Check it out here on Trashwire.com
I’m in the Denver Post!
My article about My Chemical Romance was just published in the YourHub section of the Denver Post! People in central Denver can pick it up in the news stands and people outside of Denver can check it out here on YourHub.com. Trashwire readers can also view the article at trashwire.com/mcrdenver.html.
“Virgin Territory”
TMZ reported today that Kevin Blatt, the purveyor of the Paris Hilton sex tape, is developing a reality show about a group of virgins hoping to score. But that’s not all, Hilton and porn icon Jenna Jameson may be participants in the show, though we’re unsure just what skills or services they would be offering.
This seems to take the Beauty and the Geek format to a whole new level, and just as I was remarking that television has reached an all-time low. Seriously, what the hell is going on with society that these ideas are getting the green light?
“I’m Chris Hansen with Dateline NBC.”
Tonight, Dateline ran a Behind-the-Scenes special on it’s hugely popular “To Catch a Predator” program. The show featured host Chris Hanson describing memorable moments from the show as well as interviews with the staff of Perverted Justice, law enforcement officials, and even the predators’ families.
Most entertaining was the segment about the buzz surrounding the show. it’s true that “To Catch a Predator” has become totally ingrained into the cultural zeitgeist of today, but it was still interesting to see just how many references to the show there are floating around tv and the internet. For example, a Google search for the show yields over 400,000 results. YouTube searches for the show bring back dozens and dozens of parody videos as well as clips from the actual program. The phrase “I’m Chris Hansen with Dateline NBC!” has become the new “You got Punk’d!” or “You’re on Candid Camera!” Internet auteurs are not the only ones getting in on the game either. Other network shows, including NBC’s 30 Rock and Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip have run their own send-ups of the series.
I’m still undecided as to weather this is hilarious, or a signal of the apocalypse. On one hand, it IS funny the way the creepy internet pervs behave once they’ve been caught, and even funnier when they discover they’re going to be on tv, but on the other hand, it’s also totally wrong that this is entertainment. I’m both horrified and intrigued by this show. I don’t watch it religiously, but if it’s on, I’ll definitely check it out. Then, when I do watch it, I can’t help but feel dirty, like I’m a sick person for wanting to watch child molesters get a little surprise on national tv. Is “To Catch a Predator” really one of the greatest new pieces in years, or is it a prime example of the deterioration of our society?
Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader
Fox’s Are Your Smarter Than a Fifth Grader? debuted with gigantic ratings, leading some to say that it will be the new sensation game show of the year. Is this terrifying to anyone else?
The show features a cast of fifth graders who help adult contestants answer simple elementary school questions. At least that’s what it would feature if they ever got on with it. I admit, I’ve only seen the show once. Unlike Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? or other hit game shows, there was only about five minutes of actual content and the rest was filler. Sure, Millionaire had countless dragging moments of “Are you sure? Is that your final answer? You’re sure?” Fox’s Fifth Grader only included about four actual questions. The rest of the show was just host Jeff Foxworthy making jokes with the kiddie contestants and generally pandering to the dumbed-down viewers who apparently adore this kind of thing.
Sometimes network television makes me question the very fabric of society. If this kind of thing is one of the highest rated shows of the season, what does that say about humanity as a whole?