tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1184338635693770528.post760271489977252826..comments2023-06-06T13:53:41.316+01:00Comments on Climbing to the light: What price honour?Jayalyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13555528579959785151noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1184338635693770528.post-7807394264463547382009-12-07T07:09:37.706+00:002009-12-07T07:09:37.706+00:00I rarely watch anything that TLC generates, especi...I rarely watch anything that TLC generates, especially those featuring ill-behaved spouses and/or children. However, funny you should mention Toddlers and Tiaras. <br /><br />This summer, when I was looking for filler to tape to take to the wire-free cottage, I stumbled upon this show. Mindless and pretty, thought I, the perfect thing to watch on a rainy day. I set it to tape weekly. However, part-way through watching the first episode, I was squirming, and trying to analyse the source of my discomfiture. <br /><br />Maybe this is a societal thing, as child beauty pageants are not part of my culture. Whatever the reason, all I could think was "This is a pedophile's dream. Completely legal, and can be watched 24/7 in mixed company." That thought completely overrode any other opinions I had of the show, and I couldn't watch anymore. Overreaction to innocent little girls being forced to play adult dress-up? Perhaps. I go with my gut, though, and never watched it again.<br /><br />What's also interesting is your introduction of Extreme Makeover into this thread. I had an episode on in the background this summer while I was flitting about the house, and it sucked me into its tear-drenched maw. I couldn't help but wonder how all that "reno" work could be successfully done in that short a time, regardless of the number of hands doing it.<br /><br />Concrete has to cure, glue and drywall mud have to harden, paint has to dry etc. etc. and there is no way in H-E-doublehockeysticks those basic processes could occur in a week on top of the million and indignities being done on the jobsite. So that started me googling, of course. Interesting.<br /><br />http://www.askthebuilder.com/EM0026_Extreme_Makeover_Home_Edition_Sunrise_Kentucky.shtml<br /><br />http://forums.jlconline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=28596<br /><br />And you can't hold the show responsible for other outcomes, but:<br /><br />http://www.findingdulcinea.com/news/Americas/2009/June/With-Extreme-Makeover-Homes--Some-Get-Foreclosure-Instead-of-Happy-Ending.html<br /><br />Huh.<br />Go figure.<br /><br />NoelAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1184338635693770528.post-78245832731014088672009-11-05T15:14:30.613+00:002009-11-05T15:14:30.613+00:00I'm like you, I've fallen out of love with...I'm like you, I've fallen out of love with television. First it was my reading--I find imagining my version of an author's world far more enjoyable than the images and plots TV feeds us. Then my writing world usurped reading. Making my OWN world is the most fun!<br /><br />My kids are pretty pollyanna and watch silly shows like Spongebob and the like. But yes, these competitive shows which pit selfish idiot against selfish idiot and reward their greedy behavior disgust me. Shows like Extreme Home Makeover where they try to spin it as if the show itself is doing a wonderful thing for the unfortunate, when mostly they are selling commercial time for Sears and the warm and fuzzy selfless Home Builder annoy the crap out of me. <br /><br />Shows where people exploit their children. *cough*John and Kate Plus 8. Ick. And have you ever seen an American show called Toddlers and Tieras? The show itself isn't bad--the parents seem oblivious to the fact that the show is spun to cast the parents in the worst light. But it shows the pagent parents pushing their little girls to compete in beauty pagents at tender ages, training them young that being voted the prettiest, having the most sparkly costume, the best spray tan is THE most importanta thing in life.<br /><br />Unfortunately, people keep watching this crap, paying for the shows' advertising so I'm afraid the only way to make it go away is to turn the TV off.<br /><br />*Phew* Good topic, Rosa!<br /><br />NicoleNicole Laurenthttp://nicolelaurent.comnoreply@blogger.com