About Those Reality Shows…

Ok, ok, I admit it. I watch them – but, usually only 3: ” Top Chef”, on Bravo, will return in a few weeks, “Project Runway” (new season, now on Life Time), has come back to NYC after a season in LA, and “House Hunters”, on HGTV, which I’ve admitted to in a previous post.

On the surface, it is all fun, fluff stuff – but sometimes I’m not so sure.

Awhile ago, the realities of food and fashion TV shows were discussed in a “New York Magazine” article called: “The Near Fame Experience”. It was *revealed* that these shows often manufacture the “reality”. Noooooooo!

The winners don’t always win and the losers don’t always lose, it’s just a matter of who can make the most of the 8 to 10 weeks of the TV high tension exposure. The participants got an opportunity to compete, display their skills and meet some people who make a good living doing what they themselves want to do – but, now what? What would I do/ who would I be/ what would I have at the end of it all? And, could all this stress be parlayed into a job – really? Fun, vicarious questions.

Whether on the small screen or in their living rooms, you get the feeling that these contestants behave/react with the same underlying motivations that they would on any challenging day. People always tell you who they are eventually, but these people do it while strapped to microphones. Not always pretty.

In either show, it is so interesting to see: Who will be the “sabotager” or the “sabatogee”? Who’s got the “poor me” story? Who’s got the “ya gotta be strong to be standing at the end” routine? Who self destructs? Who can ramp it up? Pres. Nixon’s Attorney General, and the husband of Martha Mitchell, said prior to the Watergate conflagration, “When the going gets tough, the tough get going”. That can be impressive to watch.

Yes, I enjoy “Top Chef” & “Project Runway”. Besides being fascinated and entertained with what contestants can do with some sprigs of rosemary and buffalo meat, or some pipe cleaners and a garbage bag – there can also be life lessons. In reality, *we* are truly amazing.

BTW – My favorite version of the “what were you thinking?” question: judge to aspiring “Top Chef”- “Did you taste this before you sent it out?”.

February 1, 2010January 31, 2010

Newspaper Movies

Are you still lucky enough to live in a 2 + newspaper town? Local papers are folding, pun intended, all over the country. My S.F. Chronicle is supposed to be on its last legs (but, true, this is being reported by T.V. news anchors). Many papers are choosing other options to daily publishing, like becoming internet only or like the New York Times, charging for internet access.

This sad scenario is being repeated everywhere. Has the daily become obsolete due to technology? Is it because of short attention spans, due to video games, to all day cable news talking heads, to just plain lack of interest?

Well, if newspapers go the way of the 8 track, we still have movies that show “newspapering” as not only necessary and vital, but sometimes a very noble profession. I’m sure there are tons more, but I’ve seen and liked the films below (Thank goodness for DVDs).

”His Girl Friday”, 1940 – Editor tries to keep ace reporter from leaving (film adaptation of 1930’s comedy by MacArthur & Hecht)

”The Front Page”, 1974 – same plot, but this time with Jack Lemmon & Walter Mathau, directed by Billy Wilder

”Call Northside 777”, 1948 – .James Stewart and Richard Conte in a true story, told in documentary style, about a newsman racing to save an innocent man on death row.

“Deadline – USA”, 1952 – Humprey Bogart as a crusading editor, of a closing newspaper, on a mission to expose a local gangster

“All The President’s Men”, 1976 – Robert Redford & Dustin Hoffman (Watergate and the Washington Post reporters Woodward & Bernstein)

Progress is terrific, but, I still like newspapers – I like turning pages and getting ink smudges on the tips of my fingers.

January 31, 2010January 31, 2010

The “R” Word – Retired: It’s Been 3 Months

Like most of the kids I knew, I started working when I was in High School and continued thru colleges and relocations. After my latest job, 10 years with an internet company, I decided to give away the alarm clock. It was time for me to retire. Like Ediaf Piaf, “Non, je ne regrette rien“ – I have no regrets.

As it was, I was older than my parents when they were able to stop working, I didn’t want to “hang in there” any longer. I wanted to stop reading those newspaper columns devoted to “How to Retire Comfortably”, “Where to Retire Comfortably” (Although, all the seniors I know are not relocating, they continue to “rock” in place – no pun intended), “How to Keep Life Interesting” (comfortably), etc. It was time for a change. I knew it in my bones.

The word “Retirement” covers a varied set of situations. Today it means lots of things to different people – the traditional “thank you/gold watch” scenario doesn’t apply now. I was not sure how I’d handle not having someplace to go every morning after 40 + years. Would it take time to adjust – like the 7 stages of grief or would there be relief/ euphoria? (I think it really depends on the relationship that you had with the work you were doing.)

It has been 3 months. Am I bored yet? No. I’ve kept busy and I do not miss a “job”. I’ve been a little like the ground hog Punxsutawney Phil – sticking my head up to test the smell of spring – in my case, the smell of what’s next?

I am grateful for the opportunity to have some time to pay attention to what is important to me. And, whether we are working or not, I truly feel we are here to contribute to life in any way possible. My intention is to continue doing just that.

There will be adjustments and challenges, of course (I am supremely thankful for rent control), but I will manage. I am a proud senior citizen.

Now, if I could just stop waking up at 5:30 in the morning…