My Apologies, Part 2

Ok, so now on to the rest of the story.

What is up with Television?

Once upon a time MTV started a show called the Real World(now on season 17?!?!). Soon everyone realized that you do not have to be a professional actor to entertain the world. We all became intrigued with seeing the open and semi-unscripted lives of average Joes. We have seen nearly every stage of a person's life unfold before us over network broadcasts.

But then, once again, the "celebrities" had to jump back into the limelight. So they took over. "What would it be like if we had celebrities date and get married on TV?" "What if we 'risked' their lives on Fear Factor" "What if we humiliated them by having to perform in dance or skating when they have never done it before?"

What if? Well there is some intrigue but the reality is that at least in American culture everyone is a star. Just point a camera at yourself and get someone to put it on the air. Does this undermine the Television quality of the future? Will the species of TV celebrity die in the shuffle? Perhaps these people have been getting paid too much for what they are really worth. I always wonder, as I watch a commercial and hear the voice over of Tim Allen or Ellen DeGeneres, do they do that to pay the bills? Poor celebrity folk :( I didn't realize they had it so bad.

To me it seems that "we the people" are taking back control of what we want to see on the airwaves. Celebrities are now our dancing monkeys. Just watch Gameshow Marathon* to see what I am talking about. We just get the monkeys to win the prizes for us. That way we do not have to go on live TV to make fools of ourselves... that's what they get paid to do.

*Actually please do not watch it, just take my word for it.