Bachelor…

No not me but I am watching old series of that show. Why? I have no idea except it is a good way of venting disbelief at people who come across as desperate. Now don’t get me wrong I understand the concept of “love”…of meeting “the one” but really to turn up and say that the last book she read was 50 Shades and then produce a tie and saying they’d give him a chance to use it later…now that really is sad. A give away of one’s self in an area that the books do little to explore.

The basic concept of the show, if you have never seen it, is 1 guy has a house and 25 girls. He gradually reduces the number until he chooses ‘the one’. Basically it is long vacation and a set of dates…group, individual and so on. The results of the 20 odd shows is about as successful as most holiday romances.

Aaagh it makes me cross but lets be clear people go in with their eyes open so for some to then complain when, in my understanding of US media, they find that their lives are gone through and every move they make on the show is scrutinised and then printed either on paper or on websites. The same people who devour the views of ‘celebrity’ don’t like it when they are the ‘celebrity’ in the news. Come on guys open your eyes.

As for the show – the should do a series based on culture clash or even have a middle person. Involve (well I would say it wouldn’t I) Brits or even (just t wind everyone up) Canadians as either the Bachelor, Bachelorette or the selectees. The difference in how people look for and get involved in relationships is, to my mind, quite different. Plus the background arguments between the women would be a bit of a laugh.

As for the middle man he could get to see bits of the women in their quarters and how they interact with each other and could, at opportune moments, drop the odd bombshell. He wouldn’t normally be involved in the dates, mind that would be fun, but could pop up…heck he could even be totally different say older, out of shape, disabled who could even take the place when the main character is ‘unavailable’. The reaction of the women could be an interesting experience as to how they deal with differences, different cultural norms, and similar. Whether it would change the way people interact with each other, whether it would lead to cat fights, walkouts or even interesting exchanges of views that would only enhance peoples understanding (yep totally different from the way the show goes currently) would be hellish different.

How about putting in someone so different and giving them a pass through to say the last 8 or 6 at each ceremony that the others get really picky and show their true colours (as Cyndi would say).

Or is that too out there for a show that has 20 series?

Seriously though what it does do is give the world a mirror image of what one, admittedly significant, country has in its soft underbelly. Does it apply to the whole of that country or even continent – well no it doesn’t but it does give me good stress relief. Yes the women are beautiful physically  but it really is the inside is the important part and is a holiday really the way to do it? No I don’t think it is it can be part of it but when it comes down to it can they cope with the day to day pressures of paying the bills, doing the washing, getting fired (no Apprentice candidates need apply they already show they are sharks and not overly nice) having to move, downsize, loss of friends or relatives, having to go shopping, coping with each other when they are sick. Yep its an entertainment show and for that we should be grateful. If people make friends and get to be happy as friends ten yay good for them. But the truth is this type of show just fails in matchmaking but in the public gaze. I just hope those who have really, really got it badly wrong in their efforts to ‘win’ get some support to help them through the ire they face.

The only thing I know is I won’t be there for the following reasons

1. I am not a 20 something muscled up American male;
2. I walk with a stick and while they have had disabled women then they wouldn’t have me;
3. The fight for the girls would be how NOT to get selected;
4. I am not photogenic;
5. They will never read what I have written let alone take me up on any of the ideas;

I wasn’t going to do a whole entry on this but it is one of the shows that I take my brain out and just watch for the interactions…who wins or losses is not the min part of my viewing purpose. What it is, is a way for me to people watch those of a ‘certain type’ arguing and trying hard to be chosen. My joy is watching those who would not be the pushy, different types who are kind to people and while they seek to get their happiness aren’t willing to stomp or belittle others in their way forward.

There is an old saying – be kind to those on your way up because they may be the people you need on your way down.

In a way that is my philosophy, be nice to people until they prove they prove they are not nice.

Jerry Springer said it right at then end of his horrific TV show – ” …be kind … and to each other”