I was reading Al's copy of Private Eye this morning. Now, normally, to be quite honest, I wouldn't bother, given that I only understand about half of it, and don't get any of the jokes. (I am not gifted with high brow intellectual humour, only toilet humour, sarcasm and children's tv programmes work with me).
I was reading an article where the author absolutely shredded to bits a recent programme that has been showing on TV, called 'Amish - The World's Squarest Teenagers.' The premise of this programme, for those not in the know, is that five Amish teens, kitted out in bonnets and straw hats and stating that they never swear, fornicate or watch tv - are sent to visit various groups of teens in the UK, presumably to highlight how different the lifestyles are. (and, cynically I might add, presumably to cause a bit of a stir and cause some arguments?)
Well, if that was what the programme controllers were hoping, it didn't happen. The Amish teens, who I personally thought all came across as very nice individuals, were all very tolerant of the different teen lifestyles they encountered, and, to give them credit, so were the UK teens as well. Everyone got on famously.
Private Eye obviously were not happy about this. The article basically slags the programme for being boring, due to the lack of confrontation and fighting. Funny that. I remember a similar article being written in a newspaper about the last 'I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here' - getting very het up about the fact that no one was battling with each other.
Which makes me rather sad. Have we really become a nation that only wants to see people being horrible to each other? I personally REALLY enjoyed the last 'I'm a Celebrity'. It gave me warm fuzzy feelings whenever I watched it (and no, it wasn't just because of that hunky Italian chef that won it.) I LIKED watching people getting on and having a lovely time together. Likewise, I really relished watching some deeply religious and sheltered teenagers getting on really well with some streetwise kids from London. LOVED IT. It may have spelt out 'boring' to the Private Eye, but to me it was very reassuring that people are NICE.
It's the same with magazines and newspapers. Next time you look at one, particularly the odious 'chick' publications like Heat magazine, check out how many articles slag people off. It is an alarmingly large percentage. Is that really what we want to read? Do we really get pleasure from laughing at Jordan's latest failed publicity attempt, or how some model has put on half a stone and looks 'fat', or how some actress has lost half a stone and looks 'anorexic'?
I really hope not. It is a very depressing reflection on our society if so.
Gosh, I got a bit heavy there, didn't I? The suburban mama got a bit reflective. Frivolous silly ramblings will no doubt resume next post...
I think people find it easier to pull down than build up...indeed a sad reflection! I think by and large most people are pretty decent, but for some reason feel the need to find out every body else's worst points to make themselves feel better, if that makes sense. A sort of insecurity thing, I think!?
ReplyDeleteHey, I like your philosophical moments too!