Real Love

If the first decade in the 21st century will be remembered for anything original, it will be for the reality show and the reality show competitions. Of course, reality television isn’t anything new, in fact, by now we can call it old hat. But the competition shows, whether they are for cash prizes or to”win love”, they are ruling the cable channels like never before. On of the more popular format is one that throws together a motley group of barely educated young people who are made to believe they want love with the grand prize. Young women and men arrive at, often, tackily decorated mansions in bright colored stretch Hummer limousines only to be lined up like cattle. They are then greeted by their prize, given the rules and layout of the game, sized up and, many times, given silly nicknames that will remain with them for the duration of their fifteen minutes. Contestants with names such as “So Hood” or “Pumkin” (sic) immediately fall in love with the prize, who is usually a fellow reality show personality from an earlier show, or a B-pop star in need of some serious exposure. These willing, young people are followed day and night by camera crews: in the restroom, in the kitchen while shoving processed food into mouths, and even in the bedrooms- never stopping rolling even when tops or bottoms are thrown off perfectly toned bodies in moments of passion. The producers of the shows make certain that every emotional outburst, one night stand, and fight are carefully taped and edited to show the public just who America’s young people are today. Is this not the scariest thing about it all? And even scarier, who are we? The ones who watch it all unfold, making sure to be home on Sundays at 9pm or being sure to set the Tivo, that’s who. Players of these games compete for grand prize with physical games and those geared toward endurance, sometimes they are made to display talent, embarrassing themselves and entertaining us at home! Towards the end of these types of reality show, the contestants are slowly weeded out, the ones who crack being sent home or those who just didn’t display enough “love” and who “aren’t there for the right reason”. The cameras are sure to capture their exit interview, often showing the eliminated at their worst: crying, regretful and expressing hateful sentiments toward the prize. The sad part of it all is that by this time, you feel badly for this person who wore his or her heart right on their forehead. The finale show always takes the last two contestants and their grand prize to some destination away from their “home” and the grand prize will spend one night with each woman or man to – test the waters? A winner is chosen, tears are shed and love is professed. But, the winners are then made to keep total distance from one another until the show has aired in its entirety, so as not to pop up in the tabloids and ruin the finale. All the show’s original cast is then brought on a “reunion show” where all the players are together again to voice their perspectives, regrets, and answer questions from a live audience. Most times, there is a physical fight where bodyguards carry off both parties; every time there are loud, raucous arguments where the women and men display severe control and anger issues. Rare it is when the winners endure the three or four month period when the show is airing. So who really wins? I’m not privy to all the insider details, but there must be compensation for anyone on any show, reality or other. They are also quasi-stars and must be noticed on the streets of Anytown, USA. But, still, I ask: who wins?