It’s no secret that I’m a reality TV junkie. I find it interesting to see how other people live and react to different situations. Granted, it’s often manipulated, but it’s interesting to me none the less.
I’ve enjoyed all the TLC shows, including “Jon and Kate Plus 8″. Let’s face it, the sextuplets are precious (I could do without Mady). Recently I’ve started to turn sour.
I can buy the trips, the new house, even the absense of jobs? But then they got the Dogs. Two peeing, pooping German Shepard puppies. And no, I couldNOT buy that. There’s no way in hell that wasn’t fixed. Then I saw the headlines saying that Jon was caught gallivanting around. I admit, I was intrigued.
I googled the show and found some interesting websites, including one written by Aunt Jodi’s sister. You will notice, she’s no where to be found anymore….apparently Kate “kicked” her off b/c they wanted to give Jodi money and Kate insisted that no one make money off her family but them.
The point of all of this is simply that I was stuck in the house due to our “lovely weather” and too much Google, which got me rilled up (and let’s face it, I’m a little obssesive complusive).
So the boy and I were sitting there at dinner talking about all my new findings and I make some statment about “how can these people sell their children like this-at what point does it stop?” Which is when the boy made a rather intersting statement:
“well, isn’t it just like X or X (two very popular bloggers that shall remain nameless)? Doesn’t H talk about and show picutres of her daughter L Isn’t that what attracts other mothers, which in turn attracks the sponsors which in turn pays the bills? I mean really, they are using their family too”
Now, let me say this. I have NOTHING against the two blogs (who shall remain nameless) that we were discussing. I read them daily, enjoy them thuroughly and have uber respect for both of them. But he brings up a good point (and an interesting dinner conversation). Women today don’t have the same support system that our mothers and grandmothers did. Sure there are Moms Day Out Groups, but most of the mom friends I know rely on the web to reach out and bond with other moms. Heck, most PEOPLE I know use technologies to stay in touch with others. So people write witty thoughts and posts about their families, they bond with other moms who need some interaction and a good laugh which in turn brings into readership, and the next things you know you have sponsors offering you money to try your products or put ads on your page or whatever.
So the boy has a good point. Technically these bloggers are using their families as fodder. Yet their intent is to reachout to others, not to turn a profit. Or so it starts out. Sure there isn’t a camera in the kid’s face, but if it weren’t for the freaky little things your family did, would you have the sponsorships? Why am I so quick to run to protect their honor, but I’m disgusted by the show?
It just makes you think.
Don’t get me wrong, I already have the season finale of Jon and Kate on DVR ready to roll…even if it is just to see if it’s going to be their last show.
2 comments on “Selling Your Soul”
OMG, you are SO in my head. I was googling the exact same thing earlier this week. I think part of the reason that you (and I!) are so mad is because they have received so much from other people, and yet act condescending when “giving back” – it’s obviously just for show. And for The Show. And they did the whole second wedding thing to hide the fact that things might be falling apart. If your family was going to be on national TV week after week, wouldn’t you be on your best behavior? If what we see on J&K+8 is their best behavior (or the behavior that they want to portray as being their best, can you imagine what they’re like when the cameras are gone? The interaction between the two of them is disturbing and heartbreaking to think their kids are seeing it. Kind of makes the behavior issues in the children make a little more sense, doesn’t it? Oh, and get out of my head, it’s crowded in there….
I’ve never seen the show. Have no desire actually. My family is perfectly dysfunctional enough for me
I think people like reality shows because it makes the majority feel sane and/or superior. No one is perfect, and as humans we seem to both be quick to judge and even quicker to watch. After all, who would tune in week to week to watch perfection? Oh wait… Didn’t we do that in the 50’s with “Leave it to Beaver”? LOL!
Reply to “Selling Your Soul”