I've recently become aware of a widespread off-shoot of reality television. My mother calls it Darwin's Theory of Evolution. MTV calls it Viva la Bam. It consists mostly of the maticulous documentation of the destruction of at least one car per episode, lighting expensive stuff on fire, and antagonizing the lead daredevil (for whom the show is named)'s parents. While watching these monkeyshines unfold, I asked my boyfriend:
"is it worth it to have money, your own tv show and notoriety if the vast majority of the United States thinks you're just a colossal asshole?"
He started to answer, paused for a moment, then said: "isn't that the American dream?"
I let the conversation lapse, but all night I've been dreading that he may be on to something. Now I'm sitting in a soprts bar blogging on my phone and people watching. And I've come to terms with it. The American dream really is to use an ends-justify the means approach to becoming famous and gaining social dominance.
There is a guy on the dance floor so hammered he can barley stand, but when he's not trying to walk he's a popping and locking machine. Why is it that such a useless (though impressive) talent goes so rewarded by a cloud of tipsy 20-somethings, while the older, financially-comfortable-looking middle aged man in the corner goes unnoticed?
This phenominon seems to pont to the core of reality tv's allure. 15 minutes of dumbass, drunken fame is better than comfortable mediocrity. Conversely, the comfortable mediocrity love watching the trainwrecks on reality television.
Whether or not you'd ever want to live "vive la bam" is up for question. What is not, however, is the fascination people seem to have with "darwin's theory of evolution."
Apparently all you need for fame, fortune and air time is medical insurance. Vive la Bam, indeed!
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I agree with you that Viva La Bam is solely about a wealthy asshole with a mental malfunction, but I think that's what makes the show successful. No teenager watching mtv wants to be reminded of their mundane and boring existence. I say the crazier...the better.
ReplyDeleteI agree with both of you, in saying that the everyday American gets a thrill out of watching people make fools of themselves. However, I would say that this is the case with almost every reality show including (but not limited to) Bachelorette, America's Got Talent, American Idol, and so on. Its not just the drunk guys (although sometimes the boys on the Bachelorette are hammered when they say and do such stupid things "in the name of love") that keep us watching... its all of the people who want those 15 min of embarrassing fame!
ReplyDeleteI agree with this idea that Viva La Bam, while showing people doing incredible moronic activities, gives the average viewer the ability to vicariously live a crazier, more exciting life. I think that is really the recipe to making many reality shows popular. If a new reality series came out about how little Johnny goes to church on Sunday and then works on his homework would you watch it? People are looking for an outlet to their monotonous lives and shows like Viva La Bam bring them an altered reality where you can destroy things, create social havoc, belittle your parents, and you never have to get off the couch.
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