Reality TV... What has you hooked?

One of my earliest reality TV moments was from Survivor season one, and it includes a naked Richard Hatch, and yet so many years later, I find myself reality TV addicted.
I like all kinds of reality TV, everything from Survivor, to Project Runway, to Masterchef. Let me watch it from episode one and I’ll be hooked. It’s in that very first episode that I pick my favourite, and I go with them the whole way through until they’re eliminated. Then I usually crack the shits and watch the remaining episodes with somewhat of an evil glare.

So what makes reality TV so mesmerising? What makes it grab you, shake you by the shoulders, and not let you go?
Reality TV isn’t always a popular genre- anyone remember Big Brother? Even though it was successful, that caused nothing but controversy from season one. Anyone need reminding about this or this?And yet it still had its fans (admittedly I was one for the first couple of seasons).
I tend to find that people either love reality TV, or hate it. There’s no in between with such a confronting genre. And the main ‘type’ of person that dislikes the reality genre- the academics. Especially those who specialise in studying the effects these types of shows have on reality.
But why?
The media has always had a power of its audience; its influence often questioned. (Is it possible for media to actually cause this (?), people argue so).
Reality TV rose to its fame in the 2000s, and this is when audiences were at their worst and often passive. Meaning they sat there, and absorbed the information that is being fed to them. The rise of reality made audiences sit up and become active, and get involved within the program. This was by giving audiences power, the power to choose the fate of each reality contestant.
It’s difficult to argue for or against if this was a positive thing or not. You have those that argue it’s good; you’ll have those that will argue it’s not.
Is it safe to get so engrossed in a ‘reality’ show, showing ‘real’ people doing ‘real’ things in ‘real’ situations? I say this with Survivor in mind- a show that clearly doesn’t have a ‘this would happen in real life element’. In saying that though, is that safer to watch then something like Big Brother, which does have a better element of ‘real’; but because of this, could have audiences trying to copy what they see (turkey slap, anyone?). It seems much more plausible to suggest that people would copy what they see from Big Brother then Survivor- purely based on the ‘real’ element.
This is an entirely different issue though, and not the point of this post.

As I sat in a group meeting tonight, I constantly refreshed my twitter feed and followed every tweet posted with a masterchef hash tag (basically a Masterchef forum on twitter). This is because I couldn’t stand to not be watching the show, and even though I was taping it, I was biting my nails because my favourite, the one I’d picked at the start and followed the whole way through, was up for elimination.
Why I am so hooked on this reality show that I can’t even stand to miss an episode? And why Masterchef? It’s definitely not because I have a flare for cooking. My speciality is eggs on toast, but I must admit- I make them pretty damn good.
I find myself addicted to reality where other people make the decisions for me. Not to suggest I don’t watch the other types of reality, I just don’t vote.
But then why do I feel it’s outrageous when my favourite goes home?
I damn near wanted to cry when Matthew Caldicott was eliminated from Masterchef tonight. I have a few witnesses that could vouch for that too.
BUT WHY?
Do I know him? No. Can I relate to him? Not really. Does he have a ridiculously tragic story? Nope. Is he cute? Definitely. Just had to throw that last one in there, sorry.

Or why do people detest contestants? Search Joanne Masterchef in facebook and look at some of the groups that come up- they’re doozies.
I understand when people watch reality shows and relate to one of the contestants, but what basis do I have for Matt being my favourite? I don’t, I just chose him in the first episode (well actually, technically not true because it was top 24 episode) and it was decided, he was going to be my favourite.

Reality TV has a knack of drawing you in and making you completely engrossed from the get go. And once you give yourself into reality TV… there’s no turning back.
It has a power- a power that grips you about 6 times a week (ahem, Masterchef), or those select few shows that manage to grip you for one hour every week (ahem, Survivor).
They make you tweet your face off, they make set up day with your friends where you do nothing but watch YouTube clips of the shows and play the game on the Wii (that’s normal yeah?) they make you laugh, they make you cry and they make you fall in love. (Stalker love is not encouraged though).
They draw you in with emotional stories, likeable contestants and fun challenges.

I am… a reality TV tragic.
Are you? If so, what do you watch? How involved do you get? And why do you believe it has you obsessed?

Taboo- The idea of plastic surgery and young girls

The number of young girls turning to plastic surgery to enhance their looks is alarming, and honestly, quite disturbing. We live in an age where society is so transfixed on looks that every one forgets what really matters. And as ridiculously cliché as that sounds, it’s the truth and if you don’t think so, unfortunately you’re kidding yourself. Of course that’s not to say that there aren’t some really special people out there who are fighting to change this, and aren’t giving up any time soon.
The idea of plastic surgery has always been a bit taboo for me. There is a part of me that absolutely detests it. The idea of people changing their body because they don’t like the way it looks really gets on my nerves and sometimes I feel like strangling people like Heidi Montag (or Montag-Pratt, depends if you believe the latest gossip). The ‘popular’ (and I use that term VERY loosely) The Hills star has sent her body through the ringer. All because she wasn’t happy with the way she looked, and felt she needed to enhance herself if she was going to be in the public eye. Now I think she’s gorgeous before she had any work done. So why on earth did she? It was because she needed to be beautiful… duh. This sort of plastic surgery, I don’t agree with at all. I think she’s stupid, she’s going to regret it and it’s is the worst possible message you could send to any girls. And don’t get me started on the money aspect.

Before Image (http://www.honeymag.com/wp-)

After Image(http://www.layoutlocator.com/graphics/dldimg/d928cb8bc4d8422a84fbe949c6ca666d_heidi_montag-5370.jpg) Sorry for the long URL but it's being a pain and wont let me change it.

However, there is plastic surgery that I do agree with, and I can fully sympathise with the people wanting it done. Burn victims, abuse victims and other such people I can understand wanting to have something done if they’d somehow been disfigured. Then again, this is trying to get something back, not trying to have something that was never there. There are cases that warrant plastic surgery but who judges who is deserving of it and who isn’t? Well, not me, but I’m still entitled to my opinion. Which if you haven’t already gathered is that most plastic surgery is silly and most motives behind it is a personal gain for the worst.

This has been a subject widely discussed for years, but it caught my attention again in the last few days. Mainly because of 18 year-old single mother Ambah Young. She’s heading to Malaysia to have a boob job, and a tummy tuck, and, uh, a ‘designer’ vagina procedure (wow, awkward). This is because Ms Young gave birth to her daughter two years ago and has struggled to feel young again. I honestly don’t know how I feel about this. I don’t agree with it, but who am I to say that this girl isn’t seriously depressed and something needs to be done? The issue is that it is plastered across TV and in magazines that even after you have a baby, your body needs to be ‘perfect’ within a month. Thank you celebrities for fuelling this ridiculous need.
Also in today’s paper, it’s been reported that girls as young as EIGHT are going to beauty salons. And apparently there are a lot of young girls asking for a body wax. I’ll leave it at that and let you use your imagination for that one.

That’s disturbing. Where are these girls’ mothers telling them that they are beautiful in their own skin, and teaching the next generation that it’s not okay to change yourself just because other people want you to. It’s not only disturbing, but it’s downright upsetting. It breaks my heart to think that school aged children are so unhappy and depressed about their looks because some people thing they’re the Queen. Where are the people making sure that we don’t lose anymore girls because of low self esteem due to looks? Who are the people the young girls need to look up to? They are out there, they just need recognition. And they need to be seen as accessible by young girls (and boys).

Firstly, and one of my favourites, is the National Advisory Group on Body Image. This government funded initiative has the likes of Sarah Murdoch, Sports Minister Kate Ellis and journalist Mia Freedman on board. Now this is a fairly ‘big’ initiative and although it’s pretty much the best thing to happen in regards to body image in a long time, sometimes things a little smaller are best.
I’m talking local youth groups- which are amazing for promoting positive body image, and embracing the person within. These things are what is important.
I’d love to think in the near future, that people will actually take into consideration what’s on the ‘inside’ not just the physical. One step at a time hey?
Now this is where I make my plug. Lead On is a youth group that operates in a few areas around Australia. And I’m lucky enough to be involved in Lead On Ballarat. The aim is for youth to have fun, feel great and meet new people. In October Lead On Ballarat will have its first youth event- ‘Paint the Catwalk’. The event will promote positive body image, address the issue of negative thinking, celebrate individuals and promote youth. There will be a fashion show; featuring young talent, and modelled by all sorts of people from the community. There will be local bands, art work and lots of other surprises. Maybe even a celebrity or two.

Get involved- One person can make a difference.

I promise I didn't cheat honey, it was the 3D porno!

Jennifer Stweart (the last name’s not a typo) had a baby. Her son is a beautiful little thing with a huge mop of curly black hair. There’s nothing abnormal about that right?
Well, here’s the thing. 39 y.o Stweart found out she was pregnant whilst her husband was overseas, because he is a soldier in the US Army.

Still, not that weird.
I’m assuming that he had been home recently, and well naturally thought the baby was his.

Well, THIS is where it gets interesting. When Stweart gave birth to her son- he was black. Wait for the punch line… Stweart and her husband are both white.
So it seems a little obvious right? Stweart must have had an affair… Not according to her though.
Stweart claims that on a trip to New York, she watched a 3D porno. (Firstly, a 3D porno…? Please explain) And wouldn’t you believe it? Her baby son looks EXACTLY like the male lead in the porno she claims.
Um, please forgive my cynicism, but really? REALLY? You think you got pregnant by watching a 3D porno?


As I read the article, a few things crossed my mind. Firstly, she was watching the film with friends, I mean I know you share a lot with friends, but surely that’s a little far. Secondly, she was watching the film with friends, and I’m sure I don’t need to give the birds and the bee’s lesson here, so given the fact we KNOW how pregnancy occurs, um what were you doing whilst watching the porno Jennifer Stweart? AND WITH YOUR FRIENDS! Thirdly, a 3D porno, huh? Fourthly, a 3D porno, what? And finally, a 3D porno…WHAT.THE.HECK?


According to Stweart, she started having pregnancy symptoms a month after watching the film.
The most bizarre thing is (if anything could be more bizarre), the husband BELIEVES his wife. She says that he ‘knows she is faithful’, but also says their marriage could be in trouble.

Well duh. Your marriage was in trouble the moment you gave birth to a (gorgeous might I add) black baby, when both you and your husband are white.

(This image is from The News Bizarre Website; Stweart and her son)



I came across this article the other day from website The News Bizarre, but to go straight to the article go to this link.


I bet Tiger Woods wishes he had thought of something like this when all his infidelities came to light. ‘I’m so sorry sweetie; I thought I was watching a 3D porno!’

Sorry Aker, that just doesn't sit well with me...

Jason Akermanis' article in today's Herald Sun has caused controversy. Rightly so too, Akermanis can't expect to write on such a sensitive topic and not get back lash from the general public.
Let's recap what the article is about (This link will take you to the article). Akermanis' opinion piece titled 'Stay in the closet' suggests that gay AFL player's shouldn't 'out' themselves. Firstly, I can't stress the point enough that Aker is NOT gay bashing here. He states numerous times that he is not homophobic, the article is based more around the opinion that the AFL are not ready for gay players (to come 'out').
Excuse me Jason Akermanis, but can I please point out we are in the year 2010, where sexuality is something that (most) people celebrate, and homosexuality is not a taboo subject.
Before I get any deeper into this subject- No, this post is not going to be about how 'stupid' Aker's comments are. Everyone is entitled to their opinion; Aker no exception here. I actually admire the fact he is so openly expressing them- I just don't agree with them, at all.
I belive that there are gay players in the AFL. I believe there are some that the public will never know about, and that is the PLAYER's decision, no one elses.
I'm also willing to bet that a lot of the gay players are confused about their sexuality. It must be such a struggle to deal with their sexuality, let alone dealing with it whilst playing such a 'macho' sport, surrounded by 'macho' men.
An article like this, would NOT help things Aker.
If player's want to stay 'in the closet'- that's their decision. If they want to 'come out'- that's their decision.
As I write this I'm watching the channel 10 news.
Sydney coach Paul Roos has said 'to hear comments like this in 2010 is just bizarre.' (Note: This may not be the exact quote, but it's definately close to it.)
Aker's article has also stunned some of his team members and others around the Western Bulldogs Football Club.
Like I've already said, I completely respect Aker's opinion. And I even agree with his statement that 'being the first AFL player to come out, (would be) too big a burden for any player.'
Definately, BUT given the fact we are in the year 2010, there would be an abundance of councelling, support and acceptance from the player's team, supporters and the general public.
Of-course there is going to be on-field sledging, but there is sledging about EVERY single topic you can imagine. Plus, I'm nearly 100% sure that the player's team members would have that said players back.
You only have to look at the players that have today said that Aker's comments are unusual, Collingwood player Heath Shaw even says there are different characters within every club.

Jason Akermanis- your opinions do have merit, and I understand them as you trying to spare a gay player having to go through unnecessary 'torture' from other players and the community.
However, I do think people can be surprising, and if/when a player decides to publicly decalre they are homosexual, on their own accord, there would be nothing but support and admiration.
You can't tell people what to do Aker, now that is just a fact of life.

Leave a comment, I'm keen to hear about everyone's views on the issue. I'm also keen to see what the AFL board says, Aker isn't generally known for keeping quite about his opinion.

Justin Bieber and his Beaver Fever

If any one reads this and says Justin who? I love you. I seriously just want to kiss you.

16 year old “pop singing sensation” Bieber caused absolute havoc whilst in Australia.
I thought girls being crushed, hyperventilating and being sent to hospital at one of your shows was reserved for rock and roll royalty.
Apparently not.

Bieber looks not a day older than 12 but has still managed to have his performance called off by police because of tweens going wild. I think we’ve just entered an alternate universe.
Unfortunately, Bieber fever has hit Australia.

Backtracking a bit, this VERY young boy was discovered on Youtube, and since then, Bieber has turned into a world sensation. Oh dear, that very concept hurts my head.

Now back to Monday morning- The free performance, which was set up by channel seven’s Sunrise, was forced to be called off when police couldn’t contain thousands of teen girls. I don’t doubt this for a second- Have you seen teen girls recently!? Every second one thinks they’re going to be the next Lindsey or Paris (okay yes, not every teen girl is like this, but for the purpose of imagining what happened let’s pretend they are). The police where pretty quick to ask where these thousands of girls’ parents were, and I completely agree. Where were they are? If so many travelled from inter-state to see him, surely their parents did not let them travel alone? Surely parents did not let their kids go out at 12.30am the night before, to line up and get the best spot to see Bieber perform, by themselves?

(Picture from http://idolator.com ; Bieber showing fans some love from behind a glass window after his perfromance was cancelled)

The ‘tragedy’ (Youtube Bieber Sydney and watch how some of the girls react to the news that performance had been cancelled…) of the event did bring with it some ‘funniness’, provided mainly by the, ahem, ‘older’ generation.
My Dad, in particular, always asks whenever Bieber comes up on the news or radio ‘Jason Beaver and his Beaver Fever!!’
Yeah Dad, JUSTIN BIEBER did come to Australia, and certainly spread the Fever.

And I for one am glad he’s gone. New Zealand, I hope you’re ready for a case of the Beaver Fever.

Has everyone gone barking mad?

It really baffles me as to how this became an overnight sensation.
VIDEO: Barking dog man

Okay, yes, I get that it's funny.
BUT what were people typing into youtube and search engines to find this video, that's what has me utterly confused.
Apparently numerous facebook group and fan pages have been set up for Ray Graham (the man in the clip) as well.
The video (first seen on A Current Affair) has even found air time in America.

Why do you think this has become so popular?

Mama Mia

I just finished reading Mama Mia by Mia Freedman. Apart from the fact it is absolutely hilarious that it had me nearly wetting myself at some points, it is an honest portrayal of the "glamorous" aspects of the magazine industry. Freedman's style of writing is refreshing and down to earth, as is her candidness about many personal experiences- including a bad relationship and the loss of an unborn baby.

Freedman is a popular blogger, but would most likely be mostly known for her work as Editor of Cosmopoliton Magazine. She is also an advocate for body image.

Definately a must read for anyone looking to break into the world of magazines. I'd also recomend it to any woman who struggles to balance career, family and everything in between.

A massive two thumbs up!

Check out her blog too! http://www.mamamia.com.au/