Time To Get Off of the High Horse
Posted in I watch too much TV and tagged with reality tv, rubbernecking, television, traffic on 02/18/2009 10:12 am by Jerseygirl89Like most people, I loathe being stuck in traffic. But it doesn’t generally make me angry, as I’ve realized the alternative to traffic: deserted areas called rural areas and inner cities filled with empty storefronts. Both of which make me nervous. The only time I get lose my “gee-this-sucks-I-guess-I’ll-sing-along-with-the-radio” attitude is when the traffic is due to rubbernecking. Then I get pissed.
I remember my first impassioned rant against those who slow to a crawl in order to stare at an accident scene. It was on I-95 in Connecticut and the accident had been particularly horrible. I spent the two hours it took to go thirty miles going off on those who needed to invade the victims’ privacy and dignity SO much that they were willing to ignore everyone else’s need to get somewhere, just so they could stare. (My poor roommate – a four hour drive that turned into six and probably felt like eight hours to her.)
Then last night I shushed my baby because I couldn’t hear the people on Toddlers and Tiaras. (for those of you who have lives – or standards – Toddlers and Tiaras is a show about little girls who participate in beauty pageants). I mean, I was also shushing him to calm him down because I’m such a devoted mother and all, but partly I wanted to listen to the delusional families on the show. And I realized that I am a total hypocrite.
Because what is reality TV but a chance to rubberneck while in the comfort of your own home?
Sure, some of the families/people seem pretty functional and normal (Jon and Kate Gosselin, I’m talking to you) but mostly you’ve got people who have some issues like dressing up their daughters like dolls or having 18 kids or wanting to go on the Rock of Love bus. And that’s just on basic cable – HBO could have it’s own freaky reality channel with Real Sex and Taxicab Confessions (not that I’ve ever recorded those shows. I’ve just heard. Really.)
So basically, I’m watching these shows to find out what horror will happen next. Just like all those a-holes on the highway, staring at accidents.
At least I’m not causing any traffic.
February 18th, 2009 at 1:19 pm
I’m about to save you from every having to shush anyone again…
I put the CC on the TV when there is something I really, really want to watch and the kids are being noisy. I can read the dialogue instead of asking them repeatedly to be quiet.
Also taught my husband to do the same late at night when he’s watching movies downstairs. I swear the man is deaf.
February 18th, 2009 at 4:27 pm
I can’t stand the rubbernecking either! But I had never thought of reality TV in that way. I think you’re right, but doing it in our own home is just different. so maybe as long as we don’t succumb to it on the roadways we’ve earned the right to do it in our living rooms
February 18th, 2009 at 4:32 pm
Ashlie – You are a genius! I never thought of that.
February 18th, 2009 at 4:54 pm
I95 in conneticut straight down to the bronx is absolute hell that I do not traverse unless it is ridiculously EARLY in the morning.
Reality t.v. infuriates me. Moreso because it’s not reality at all.
February 19th, 2009 at 10:18 am
Silken – I like that idea – or maybe I just like an excuse for my reality TV addiction.
Dianne – I95 is hell everywhere, I think.
February 19th, 2009 at 11:57 am
Toddlers and Tiaras? I can’t believe I’ve been missing out on this.!! I hope there is a marathon I can Tivo…
February 19th, 2009 at 2:22 pm
Andrea – It’s freaking awesome in a totally disturbing way. I also discovered something last night called “Little Miss Perfect.” Even more twisted.
February 19th, 2009 at 6:00 pm
Can’t watch the toddlers and tiaras one – have only seen bits and I can’t handle the stress of not being able to smack those women.
It is kind of the same impetus, to look in other people’s windows… except, you know, the ones you’re watching on tv want you to look… and you’re not being rude to all the other drivers. So tv rubbernecking is fine. Ha, a loophole.
February 19th, 2009 at 10:58 pm
I really want to add an insightful comment and thank you for helping me justify my fascination with reality TV… but Survivor’s on… gotta go!