Published: June 03, 2009 08:39 am      

Instant reality television stardom not worth trouble

I can’t help but feel sorry for Susan Boyle, the instant YouTube sensation from “Britain’s Got Talent.” She dazzled the world when she sang “I Dreamed a Dream” from “Les Miserables.” Susan overcame many obstacles including audience members and judges who based her talent solely on her appearance. Looks are not everything; she proved that to the world.

Unfortunately, during Saturday’s final competition, Susan lost to a dance group, Diversity. Not only did she lose the competition, but she lost a little bit of herself along the way. Up until a few days before the competition, Susan found it harder and harder to cope with the stresses surrounding success and instant stardom. The media scrutinized everything about her including her looks and the fact that she had never been kissed. Put yourself in her shoes for a minute. Can you imagine living in a small Scottish town with little or no notoriety for 48 years and then becoming an instant celebrity?

Susan was hospitalized over the weekend for exhaustion. I hope with the help of professionals she can learn to live with her new-found fame. After all the dust has cleared, I hope she still loves to sing.

I was watching “Larry King Live” the other night and he asked his guest, Lionel Ritchie, if he would be able to handle the pressures “American Idol” brings its contestants. King barely had enough time to finish the question and Ritchie said “No.”

You have to ask yourself, “Is reality TV really worth it?” Sure, “Britain’s Got Talent” and “American Idol” receive a lot of high ratings, but is the anxiety really worth it in the end?

Another good example of reality TV gone bad is “Jon & Kate Plus 8.” I have to admit, I have watched the show since its inception and liked it up until now. Jon has been plagued by media scrutiny surrounding a rumored affair and Kate has been attacked and labeled a “monster.”

Since the show began, Jon and Kate have changed a lot and obviously not for the better. With each passing episode, Kate belittled Jon more and more in and outside of their home. Jon, on other hand, became extremely annoyed with Kate and the TV cameras invading his personal life. You couldn’t pay me enough to star in a reality show. My show would be pretty boring. They would have to name it “Angie and her 25 little sisters (for my chicks).” Sorry, Cordy — I think I would protect you from the limelight. Heh, I’m just being a good Mom.

I watched the first episode of the new season last week and it was like watching a train wreck. I have never felt so uncomfortable sitting in my recliner. That was the first and last episode I will watch this season. What is even more alarming to me, is that 9.8 million viewers tuned in to see a couple’s marriage unravel right before their eyes. I can think of better ways to pass my time — and I will in the future.

I feel sorry for Jon and Kate to a degree, but I feel even worse for their eight children. The Gosselin children will have to live with the mistakes their parents have made. Every parent makes mistakes, but their dirty laundry will be available via the Internet and DVD for years to come. Even though the Gosselins are getting paid very well by the network, and could probably send every child to an Ivy League school, I think they should call it quits and turn the cameras off.

What ever happened to family sitcoms anyway? I feel sorry for kids now who have to watch reality shows where they have to bleep out what the so-called celebrities are saying. Just think, 25 years ago Americans were invited into the Huxtable’s home for the first time for 30 minutes of laughter. Times have certainly changed and not for the better in my opinion.

I have been a fan of other reality shows too, “Little People Big World,” “18 Kids and Counting,” “Keeping up with the Kardashians” and “Dancing with the Stars.” I also enjoyed watching “Little Couple” on TLC, which aired recently. Now, I think I might leave this genre behind and go back to watching “The Donna Reed Show,” “The Waltons” and “Little House on the Prairie” every night. I can guarantee you one thing, I won’t be watching “Jon & Kate Plus 8” anymore. Heh, Donna Reed’s world may be a little sugar coated, but I don’t care. Sometimes its just nice to have an escape from the crazy world we live in.



Angie Bicker is the lifestyles editor with the Clinton Herald. She has been with the Herald since 2001.