I Don't Get It

via The Beautiful Struggler - Me, Myself and Eye

Perhaps someone can explain this to me. During this moment of widespread economic hardship, why are Americans becoming increasingly fascinated with the (seemingly) wealthy and fabulous? In a time where pluck and wit are so important to one's war chest, why do we (especially women and girls) want to follow the lives of the selfish and vapid?

I never understood why middle-America enjoyed watching Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie make a mockery of their lives and traditions, but the appeal "The Simple Life" seems a lot understandable than today's "Gossip Girl", "Privileged", "The Hills", "The City", "Real Housewives"* and, BET's tragic wannabe, "Baldwin Hills"**. As so many of us are faced with increased struggle and insecurity, either in our personal lives or in the lives of those around us, what the hell do you want to see a bunch of mindless, self-indulgent folks living lives that are "better" than yours?

Die, please, die.

"Keeping Up With The Kardashians" annoys every one of my sensibilities: a bunch of spoiled, whiny, high-pitched voice ass women arguing about nothing at all, as two of the girls slut it up around the industry with Black men. The fact that the family is only famous (with the exception of step dad, Bruce Jenner) because Kim hung out with Paris Hilton and did a sex tape with Brandy's brother is just mind boggling. I can't think of a less interesting group of people. And yet, people tune in each week to watch them spend and squeal. I don't gets it.

This crap almost makes me not care that the Whites took over Harlem.

Then there is EBT***'s new show "Harlem Heights". Le sigh. From what I hear, it's portraying an unrealistic view of Harlem with a bunch of 20-something folks trying to make it in the Big Apple. Every person I speak to (including those who know some of the cast in real life and find great fault with the way the kids are portrayed) says that the stars are made to look self-centered and shallow. And where in the hell did they dig up Brooke Crittendon's old chickenhead ass from? Oh, yeah. She works for MTV.

Perhaps it's escapism. The same way professionals mindfuckingly lose themselves in the violent, ghetto fantasies depicted in Rap music, do people living in a world on the brink of financial ruin find comfort in taking vacays to the fabulous life via the boob tube? I dunno, 'cause watching people mull over red Louboutins versus burgundy ones does nothing for me as I fret over my ability to buy a $50 pair of pumps.

I'd rather watch a show about a family working to save their home from foreclosure, or a determined young man putting himself through college by holding down two jobs. And if y'all wanna see some young folks in NYC hustling trying to make it, find some of us extra funky fresh broke kids, living in little apartments that make our college digs look palatial. Show me a young singer gigging and trying to sell her demo tape. But as long as the airwaves are filled with the adventures of rich kids, I'll continue to tune out.

Pbbbt,
Sister Toldja

PS-This is the best song ever, says Me:

*-I get the appeal of Real Housewives of Atlanta, though: pure, unadulterated fuckery.
**-I've never seen it, but it's BET. I know it's tragic.
***-I stole that from Fresh, LOL!

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