Reality TV Taking Over My Time |
Well it’s official, I enjoy reality TV shows. I’ve stayed away from Survivor and since I don’t have cable I don’t see the Real World. Needless to say, I never thought the day would come when I would proudly say I watch reality TV and discuss it the next morning at work. So how did I come to this point? Well, Wednesday night I found myself changing the channels from American Idol to America’s Next Top Model and then back to American Idol and then to the Pussycat Dolls. The night before I did the same thing, but I watched American Idol and Dancing with the Stars.
I have been reading the book Tuned Out, Why Americans Under 40 Don’t Follow the News by David Mindich and I have found that I am not alone with my avid interest in American Idol and the reality TV era. According to Mindich there is this generational shift that has caused the media to react differently towards my age demographic. I won’t go further into all the ideas and theories outlined in the book, but if you get the chance check out the book.
What I do want to mention is the story used to illustrate this generational shift which happened a few years ago. The scenario starts with a “great national contest” in which two men were vying for one ultimate prize. Millions and millions of ballots were cast and there was only a small margin that separated the decision. Reporters were at each of the men’s home states interviewing the crowd waiting for the big announcement.
Time Out.
Does this sound familiar to you? Well it did for me. But guess what I was wrong. I really thought that they were talking about American Idol when it was Ruben Studdard vs. Clay Aiken. I wasn’t a huge fan that year, but I knew what was going on. Well the contest that Mindich was talking about was the 2000 Bush vs. Gore Presidential Election. I can’t believe I didn’t realize that.
Has this shocked me into not watching so much reality shows… apparently not. However I am planning on relaxing a little and not spending so much time with the TV, I definitely could have been doing something more productive with my time. Like read a newspaper or do my homework. Oh well.
Want more from Meli? Check out Meli's previous blogs! |
 |
Who is Meli The Gr8?When she is not posing next to trees, Meli Duque uses her time to trick unknowing freshmen into giving all their time to ASI. The self-proclaimed Beach Guru is a super-senior who has been involved, one way or another, in almost every type of organization on campus, which includes writing for both school newspapers (when that was allowed), joining a sorority, campaigning for student government, and even rowing on the women's crew team (it only lasted two weeks). Now she stays chained to a desk in ASI Communications where she writes, edits and awaits her chance to escape into the "real world" this spring. |