Weird TV Shows

It has been her favorite snack since she was ten years old. She eats the delicious, bite- size pieces all day every day. She savors the silky texture and bold flavor with each bite. She consumes so much, she has admitted she has an addiction. Her addiction? Eating the couch.

This is only one example out of many interesting–and some would say stomach-turning– addiction stories that are profiled on the show My Strange Addiction. This show follows individuals who struggle with obsessive behaviors ranging from eating glass to sleeping with blow dryers. This “reality” show is one of many that has both intrigued and fascinated viewers worldwide. Other examples include Celebrity Rehab, in which Dr. Drew attempts to help troubled celebrities, and Hoarders, which helps people dig themselves out of the mounds of stuff they’ve collected.

The traditional reality TV show involves a competition for some sort of prize. The new trend, however, is to essentially profile people who range from pathetic to mentally disturbed. What makes us so interested in spending a day in the life of a freak? Why do we watch these shows?

“I think they have a quality to them that people can actually understand,” said psychotherapist Mike Dow, co-host of TLC’s Freaky Eaters. Freaky Eaters examines people with strange eating habits, such as compulsively consuming raw meat. Although that may not seem relatable, chances are you have at least one weird eating habit, even if it is not as extreme as the ones profiled on the show.

Similarly, many of the “characters” on these shows are just like everyone else. They are middle class working men, or single moms trying to spoil their children. On some level, these are traits we can identify with in the people we are watching. The only difference is that their problems are so much greater than the average person.

In this sense, by watching basically normal people do abnormal things on TV, we feel better about ourselves. Hoarders makes our messy rooms seem immaculate and My Strange Addiction makes our own embarrassing obsessions seem trivial. 

Not only do these shows give us a self confidence booster, they give us some hope. Hope to one day be rich and famous, of course. If a girl who eats couch cushions for lunch can make it big time, so can anyone else. Right?

On the other hand, it is becoming questionable whether this type of show can still be known as “reality.” The barriers between what is actually real and what is simply portrayed as real is becoming foggy. While many real life people are facing addictions, how “real” can you be with a camera shoved in your face?

This is particularly true on shows that feature former celebrities, such as Celebrity Rehab.  For people who are desperate to be on camera, it’s likely that their on-air breakdowns and hissy fits are done with the hopes of getting seen by a casting agent.

Others feel the opposite, like these people are too real. Many of these shows are obviously making mentally ill people famous. All these shows are about addiction, abnormalities and personal problems. It seems that these people are being exploited. Profiling and idolizing “freaks” may not be the most moral or ethical behavior.

It was rumored that after the stars of MTV’s hit shows 16 and Pregnant and Teen Mom, teenage girls were trying to get pregnant to increase their chances of becoming famous. Indeed, making sick and desperate people famous only encourages self-destructive behaviors. For example, as one might expect, eating couch cushions can cause many dangerous health problems. The woman in the show is facing constipation and is at risk of developing a bezoar, which is essentially a ball of foreign material that builds up in the stomach and intestines. 

Everyone has their own opinions of reality TV shows, whether good or bad. Chances are, even the people who do not approve of them still watch at least one or two. We all are guilty of tuning in. These “freak shows” give us self-confidence, hope and most importantly entertainment. At this rate, TV shows will only get stranger, and audiences will continue to love it.

MTV Video Music Awards 2010

MTV’s annual Video Music Awards on September 19 showed signs that a new millennium has begun. A white carpet, light-up circular stage, a house DJ and an entire area that was capable of revolutionary graphics set the mood for the night.

Hosted by Chelsea Handler of E!’s “Chelsea Lately” at the Nokia Theater, the awards show featured performances by Deadmau5, Eminem, Rihanna, Travie McCoy, Justin Bieber, B.O.B, Bruno Mars, Paramore, Drake, Mary J. Blige, Usher, Florence + the Machine, Linkin Park and more. Over 11.4 million viewers tuned in, the largest audience for a VMA show since 2002.

Taylor Swift and Kanye West were the anticipated performances of the night, as people expected to hear their response to Kanye’s offensive interruption of Swift’s acceptance speech last year.

Swift’s song, “Innocent” was about forgiveness, saying, “32 and still growing up/Who you are is not what you did/You’re still innocent… Everyone of us has messed up too/Lives change like the weather/ I hope you remember.”

West’s “Runaway,” despite what people had expected, was not directed to Taylor. Instead it was a call out in general to his failed relationships with women, advising them to “runaway as fast as you can.” Response to the song from the public has been generally positive.

Additional guests included the Jackass crew, promoting their new movie Jackass 3D, as well as the cast of the Jersey Shore. Lady Gaga made headlines with her guests of honor, men and women of the armed services, who had been discharged from service due to the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy. She requested viewers to join her in support to repeal the amendment.

Lady Gaga took home eight out of the thirteen awards she was nominated for (a VMA record), and announced the title of her forthcoming album “Born this Way”, as she accepted her Video of the Year award at the end of the night.

The winners were as follows:

Video of the Year: Lady Gaga, “Bad Romance”

Best New Artist: Justin Bieber

Best Hip-Hop Video: Eminem, “Not Afraid”

Best Pop Video: Lady Gaga, “Bad Romance”

Best Male Video: Eminem, “Not Afraid”

Best Rock Video: 30 Seconds to Mars, “Kings and Queens”

Best Female Video: Lady Gaga, “Bad Romance”

Best Collaboration: Lady Gaga and Beyoncé, “Telephone”

Best Dance Music Video: Lady Gaga, “Bad Romance”

Best Art Direction: Florence + The Machine, “Dog Days are Over” Art Direction by Louise Corcoran and Aldene Johnson

Best Choreography: Lady Gaga, “Bad Romance”, Choreographed by Laurieann Gibson

Best Cinematography: Jay-Z & Alicia Keys, “Empire State of Mind”, Cinematography by John Perez

Best Direction: Lady Gaga, “Bad Romance, Directed by Francis Lawrence

Best Editing: Lady Gaga, “Bad Romance, Edited by Jarrett Fijal

Best Special Effects: Muse, “Uprising”, Special Effects by Humble

Best Breakthrough Video: The Black Keys, “Tighten Up”

Returning Fall TV Shows

Back to school blues still got you down? Take a study break instead with one of these exciting fall television shows. Whether you’re craving some comedy, romance, drama or just a mixture of everything, this season’s looking pretty promising.

Returning Shows:

Pretty Little Liars

Premiering its first show and season over the summer, Pretty Little Liars has gained popularity and viewers very quickly. Filled with suspicion, friendship and mysterious messages, Pretty Little Liars leaves its watchers on the edge of their seat. After finding out one of their best friends, Allison, was murdered, Aria, Spencer, Hanna and Emily constantly receive mysterious text messages from an anonymous stalker named A. There is a killer on the loose, and the girls and police are digging deep and finding clues that might hint at who it might be. The episodes were always thrilling to watch and I never knew what was going to happen next. Although many unexpected things took place in the season finale, neither A nor Allison’s killer was revealed. Pretty Little Liars has been compared to Gossip Girl but it definitely brings fresh plots and conflicts to the wide pool of television. Its fall season is coming soon and will air on Tuesdays.

Glee

Another popular show, Glee, did very well after its first two seasons last year and won an Emmy for “Outstanding Comedy Series” at the Emmy Awards 2010. With the leadership of Rachel (Lea Michele) and Finn (Cory Monteith), McKinley High’s “New Directions” glee club spends all of their free time rehearsing and trying to reach their goals of making it to regionals and sectionals. Glee episodes are filled with song, dance, humor and conflict, plus the hilarious sarcasm of cheerleading coach Sue Sylvester, played by Emmy-winning Jane Lynch. The season premiere will be on Sept. 21 and will air on Tuesdays.

Gossip Girl

Gossip Girl is returning again this fall for another season full of drama, hookups, and breakups. Serena, Blair, Nate, Chuck, Dan, Vanessa, and Jenny will be out on the prowl of New York City in search of love, popularity, connections, and a good time. The actual “Gossip Girl” is an anonymous blogger who receives scandalous “blasts” from the eyes and ears of alert New Yorkers and sends out mass text messages to every Upper East Sider just to stir up the social scene. Starting the season off by following Serena and Blair as they live the plush life in Paris, Gossip Girl will premiere on Sept. 13 and air episodes every Monday.

Bones

Bones also returns in late September with an exciting season at the Jeffersonian Institute in Washington, D.C. Forensic anthropologist Dr. Brennan (Emily Deschanel) and Special Agent Booth (David Boreanaz) work together to solve murders by examining the bone structures of bodies that come to them after being discovered dead. Their partnership and expertise in each of their fields helps them put criminals away. They’re accompanied by an eccentric–and ridiculously good looking–supporting crew of “squints,” as Booth calls them. Last season seemed to put an end to the budding romance between the two, and this season Booth’s new girlfriend (Katherine Wynnick) may–or may not–totally put the romance to rest. Catch Bones at its season premiere on Sept. 23.

Love Is In the Screen: Our Favorite TV Couples

We grow up believing that love is some sort of fairy tale (thank you, Disney movies) and the truth often comes as a nasty shock. While in real life things may not always work out for the better, we can always enjoy the ups, downs, and typically happy endings of our favorite couples on screen. In honor of Valentine’s Day, the Voice presents to you, in no particular order, five of our favorite current television couples.

Jim and Pam—The Office

Mr. Wang once told his honors chemistry class that Jim and Pam give him faith in humanity. While most people might not go quite that far, Jim and Pam have become the couple that everyone loves to love. We waited with bated breath while Jim tried his hardest to win Pam over and had to be resuscitated when; at long last, they finally realized that they belong together. Whether pulling pranks on Dwight or eloping from their own wedding, Jim and Pan give all of us, at the very least, something to look forward to every Thursday.

Will and Emma—Glee

Glee may center around the lives of high school students in a Glee club, but the one couple everyone seems to universally root for are the two sane adults: Will and Emma. From day one, you know that Emma is in love with Will. But only in the season finale does Will realize his love for Emma. Despite its newness, this not-quite-yet relationship has had its far share of obstacles, mainly caused by Will’s (hopefully soon to be ex-wife) Teri. But now that Teri is out of the picture, we can hope to see how an actual Will and Emma romance will play itself. What’s more lovable than a counselor with severe OCD and the Spanish teacher/Glee coach that can actually get her through it?

Booth and Bones—Bones

Booth and Bones are one of the only reasons many of us watch a show that deals with the examination and solving of incredibly brutal homicides. Though the show gives me nightmares, this couple is my favorite currently sharing the screen.  Both fear that their professional lives will be compromised should they admit how they actually feel about each other. But their incredible devotion to and faith in one another is unsurpassed by any other clear-cut couple on television. It’s worth getting past nightmares in order to keep up with them.

Lily and Marshall—How I Met Your Mother

By the time the show finally gets around to letting Ted meet his wife, the rest of the world will probably have stopped caring (if they haven’t already). But Lily and Marshall, the one stable couple on the show, are, as Barney Stinson might say, awesome. And High-five worthy. These two somehow managed to get married despite Lily’s unfulfilled desires to become an artist and Marshall’s often intense bromance with Ted. In a way, it doesn’t matter when Ted finally meets the mother, as long as we get to see more of Marshall and Lily along the way.

Chuck and Sarah—Chuck

Nerd likes Girl. Girl takes nerd on date. Girl turns out to spy for the CIA. A season or two later, and the nerd has managed to win the girl, lose her, and is currently trying to get her back. Sarah and Chuck’s relationship is both one of the best and most frustrating things about the show, leaving you rooting for Chuck as he tries in vain to deal with his feelings for Sarah but wondering at the same time if being in love and having emotion are a fatal flaws for a spy. Also, Chuck’s recent groveling is getting really depressing. Yes, Chuck, you love Sarah. We all have had more than enough declarations about it. Still, the nerd plus amazing girl formula is always amusingly lovable, especially when it involves spies. And Chuck.

“Glee” Takes the World By Storm

     During a time when every show on TV seems to focus on drugs, drama, and angst, it’s nice to have a TV show there that makes fun of it all. With the everyday stresses of homework, meetings, and tests, sometimes it’s more than just simply “nice” to get away from everything and take a break—it’s necessary. Thankfully for many students’ sanity, Fox’s new fall musical comedy Glee does just the trick.

     Although the pilot episode of the show was first broadcast in May of 2009, the season did not start airing on Fox until September 9, 2009. It gained a total of 9.5 million viewers for its first showing, a number which hardly decreased with the start of their first season. But with a show so rich in plot, characters, and heartwarming moments, Glee’s large audience is no surprise. Show creator Ryan Murphy stated that he picks all of the show’s songs himself, trying to keep a balance between the number of show tunes and pop songs to appeal to all audiences. His trick seems to be working so far: nine Glee songs are on the top one hundred of the iTunes playlist, including their iconic Journey cover song “Don’t Stop Believing.”

     The plot focuses largely on the trials and tribulations of the members of the Glee club at William McKinley High School in Ohio. Spanish teacher Mr. Schuester organizes his own Glee club in the hopes of restoring it to its former spot of honor. By the time the entire cast is organized together, 12 very diverse members make up the team. These members range from the quarterback of the football team, Finn, to the hated yet adorably ambitious, Rachel, to the head cheerleader of the Cheerios team, Quinn, giving the audience a slightly unrealistic, but nonetheless intriguing group to watch. Sue Sylvester, the highly eccentric and egotistical Cheerio club moderator, adds to the troubles of protagonist Schuester by doing everything in her power to stop the Glee club from functioning properly.

     At times, it appears that everyone and everything is out to get the lovable Mr. Schuester as the majority of his attempts to improve the conditions for the Glee club either go horribly wrong or end up causing someone, somewhere some form of trouble. It is these and other highly improbable situations that the characters tend to get into which have recently made critics unsure about a successful future for the show. But Murphy counters these critiques by reminding audiences that Glee is meant to be a fictional story that takes you out of the brutal realism of everyday life and instead immerses you into a relatively calming world filled with characters that one would actually want to meet in real life.

     Far from remaining stagnant throughout the show, each individual character shows his or her depth in each episode, revealing something new about their personalities. In fact, one of the defining characteristics of Glee is that while each character has the ability to put on a show-stopping number by themselves, they all work together seamlessly instead to create a truly cohesive show. The majority of the show’s female leads are given to Rachel Berry, played by Lea Michele, as she has one of the leading roles in the show, and true to her character, Rachel truly owns up to the challenge by appearing to be an obnoxious overachiever. Despite her status as a somewhat nerdy singer, though, Rachel does show that she has feelings outside of the realm of theater and musicals. In reality, some of the relationships between characters on the show stem from purely platonic backgrounds, while others stem from quite the opposite, creating a few disputes and several broken hearts for many of the show’s main characters.

     Without a doubt, Glee is of the most highly watched and loved shows this season, and with good reason also. If you haven’t already become a Gleek, it’s time to pull up a chair and start watching every Wednesday at 9 p.m. And that’s how Tanya sees it.