Okay, it is time for my weekly rant. I have touched on this concept a little before, but I hate the sh*t on TV- especially the reality TV sh*t. Now, don’t get me wrong there are a couple of shows that I watch and love (Biggest Loser, Next Foodnetwork Star, So You Think You Can Dance, etc.). Some people (my husband) might argue that these shows suck too, but I disagree. These shows, along with American Idol (which I don’t watch) all have people who either have a real talent or are trying to improve their lives. I am not against ALL reality shows, just the sh*tty ones (Jersey Shore, Bachelor, Real Housewives, Kardashians, Swamp People). I’m against the shows that are all about televising train wrecks. I’m against the shows that are all about looks and sex. I am against shows that exploit and make fun of ‘rednecks’. Have you seen the previews for ‘the Choice’ and ‘the Glass House’. Just kill me now!

To be clear, I don’t blame the networks- I blame us. The viewers have all the power. We can choose not to watch these shows, not to buy the US weeklys, not to follow douche bags on Twitter. So, why do we do it? Is it a little Schadenfreude (pleasure derived from the misfortune of others)? Does it make us feel better about ourselves? Or is it a mindless guilty pleasure? I’ve never watched Jersey Shore but I’m pretty sure listening to Snooki talk would make me feel pretty good about myself. So we watch these shows to entertain us. Meanwhile we are making these people rich. We are making Snooki rich while teachers are making next-to-nothing. We are all to blame for ‘the situation’ we find ourselves in! (I’m sorry, I couldn’t help myself.)

It is bad enough for a 30 year old to watch these shows, but what about our 16 year olds? What role models do our young girls have to look up to? These reality stars are idolized in our culture, but for what? For looks, for playing dumb on camera. This makes our daughters want to be like Kim Kardashian and makes our sons want to date her. Why isn’t there a reality show about a pretty girl (not hyper-sexy) who works really hard in high-school, plays sports, gets good grades, doesn’t get pregnant, and get’s into a good school? I know- it’s not sexy enough; there isn’t enough drama.

But, like I said. We have the power. The next time there is nothing on TV- turn it off. Wouldn’t that be a great message for our kids, “There is nothing but sh*t on TV so let’s turn it off and read a book.” Except, maybe don’t swear at your kids. Let’s make a commitment right here and now:

I will no longer watch any television show that has…

  • Women fighting over a man
  • Women playing dumb for the camera b/c she thinks it’s attractive
  • Women being exploited/taken advantage of
  • Young girls making poor decisions (i.e. teen pregnancy)
  • Men mistreating women
  • Celebs who are only famous for being famous, rich, or have a sex tape
  • Women bringing each other down to make themselves appear better/more attractive
  • Women that have to be slutty to be attractive
  • Men and Women who don’t have real jobs and party for a living
  • People suffering for our entertainment
  • Exploitation of poor, under-educated people

There, I got that off my chest. And, don’t even get me started on MTV. I have had a boycott on that sh*t for years!