It’s become “one of America’s great reality shows.”
This, according to Peggy Drexler, author and assistant professor of psychology at Cornell University, is the life of Sarah Palin.
“Reality TV has a formula,” says Drexler. “One of the surprisingly numerous guides I found to selling a reality show said that the key is the right mix of four elements: talent, love, torment and sex. Others pointed out that the most important thing is letting people watch other people fail at something they desperately want to do.
“Studies show that American Idol loses a large segment of the audience after the ritual tortures of the early rounds. Another attraction, the guides point out, is spying on our neighbors without risking a restraining order. We don’t necessarily feel their pain. We just like to watch it.
“One of the best story lines is to yank people out of their normal lives, and throw them into unfamiliar situations — think wives swapping families. It’s even better when you do it to a C-list celebrity — think Paris Hilton shoveling manure.”
This “reality show” passed through my home town a few days ago. I wouldn’t even be mentioning it except for the video that showed up on YouTube of people waiting in line to get a glimpse of Palin outside a local Border’s Bookstore – twenty minutes away from my house. 😦
That’s too close to home.
There was an interviewer on the scene asking people why they support Palin.
They were also asked about Palin’s views on issues and policies. Here’s a few gems.
There’s SO MUCH more. Here’s the whole video.
Let’s face it: you can’t fix what is wrong here without therapy.
Drexler describes her reality show comparison. “We take a C-list first-term governor from a state with a population the size of the city of Charlotte. She’ll have this hot-for-teacher thing going on; tight skirts, high heels, hair tied up in a twist. She’s a huntin’, fishin’, scrappy hockey mom, who tells it like it is.
“She’ll have a pregnant daughter. She’s hot. She’ll have a hunky husband who doesn’t say much. He’s hot. The pregnant daughter will have a boyfriend. He and the mother say they love each other, but as the story line progresses, they hate each other. He’s hot, too — kind of a young Donny Osmond, but buff. They’ll all live in the same house.
Later she writes, “The boyfriend will make the cover of America’s leading liberal magazine, space usually reserved for stars, models and politicians.
“Just when the audience thinks it’s over, she’ll write a book, which will sell out before it’s published.”
Towards the end of the article, Drexler writes, “She won’t rule out running for president, which gives us a bridge to a second season. She’ll hug Oprah.”
Drexler closes by saying, “It’s great TV.” This is where Ms. Drexler and I part ways in our thinking. I am not a fan of reality shows. I doubt that I’ve seen even one, beginning to end. My idea of great TV includes well-written and acted scripts, great character development, talented actors and actresses, great music, good lighting and sound – the works.
The “Sarah Palin Show” is the anathema to great TV.
Sincerely,
PS1 – Deepak Chopra wrote an article on Palin recently called “Fooling None of the People, All of the Time.” I think he’s right.
PS2 – Martha Stewart was asked about Palin in this brief interview.
I’m not a huge fan of Martha’s, but I agree with her statements here.
Rants and Observations by Michael Kontras 