I admit up front, this is another rescued post from GD, although there I framed it in general as a guilty pleasure, urging others to share theirs. Here I assume we aren't guilty about pleasure, but we may be embarrassed about some of pop culture's creations we enjoy in spite of ourselves. This is mine...

When the whole reality tv craze hit I was horrified, and quickly swore I would never feed into it by becoming hooked myself. Well, pass the ketchup, I'm about to eat my words. blush.gif

I now regularly watch Wife Swap, on ABC Wednesday nights. (A similar show is on Monday nights on FOX network, but I have to draw the line somewhere.)

Why am I hooked?

Well, instead of the tawdry affairs, disgusting foods or back-stabbing competitions of other reality shows, Wife Swap is about families confronting another family's culture. It appeals to the anthropologist in me, as well as the feminist.

What they do is take two families, and switch Moms. (Although once they did swap Dads.) She arrives at the other home alone, and has time to look around by herself and read a manual that the other Mom prepared for her. For the first week she must live by the rules of her new home. She must do everything the way the other Mom would. For the second week, she gets to change the rules. In fact, it looks like the producers really encourage or even require that she really make them live like her family would, rather than go easy on them or only slightly change their routine. Of course, we see how things go in the other household as well.

As an Anthro-major I already knew that our families are little micro-cultures within our larger culture. In America the differences in family style may even be more extreme than in other countries, I don't know. It is fascinating to see who they put together and what the reactions and judgments are. As those of us who joined a temple know, when you go into an environment where even the most basic things are done differently, you experience culture shock.

It's also fascinating to see how some people really live. I didn't believe people really lived on meat and junk food (with zero vegetables) until I saw it. And you can't pass up the chance to watch the casual vegetarian meditators take on the super meat eating clean-freaks. Will that vegetarian Mom actually make meat balls? Ew! And how about the sports and fitness fanatics versus the junk fooditarian couch potatoes?

Then there was the lesbian couple versus the uptight upper-class Christians, where the African American Christian Mom told the lesbian couple they were just shacking up, and she was upset that a lesbian was allowed to be around her kids! This was after she suggested to the lesbian that she had to stay with that she should avoid discrimination by just not saying she was a lesbian. Then everything would be all right! (I wanted so badly to ask her that if she had been a light skinned black woman in 1950s South would she have passed? And how would she have felt about herself for doing so?) At the end of the episode, she had calmed down enough that she was willing to pray for them. How generous of her!

I love it that the highlight is on what the Mom does for the family, even if she works outside the home. They certainly do appreciate her more when she comes back!

Finally, they see if each family took away something positive or changed something as a result. Sometimes that is pretty cool, and sometimes they can't wait to get rid of all traces of the other family's way of living.

I am still pretty embarrassed to be watching any form of reality TV but I can't stop watching this program.

I never really got into reality television. Most of what I watch on TV is supernerdy -- the Discovery channel, Forensic Files, etc. Except for one show: Gilmore Girls. Yes, it's on The WB. Yes, its target audience is probably junior high school girls. And yeah, the two main characters do seem to keep making the same stupid mistakes (especially when it comes to romantic relationships). But I have been watching from the first season, can't miss a single episode, and even own the DVDs.

I love this show. It makes me happy. The characters are all wacky and funny, making bad jokes and pop culture references. I look at the mom fighting with her parents and think, "At least my family isn't that bad!" I look at the book-reading, overachieving daughter and identify with her. I love the positive image of a strong single mother. I get caught up in the characters' lives and want to see their problems solved, to see them happy. I watch it with my mom and we bond over it, discussing it like we used to talk about her soaps when I was a kid (awwww).

The funny thing is, most of the people I have met who also watch Gilmore Girls were guys. Sometimes I watch it with one of my boyfriend's gamer buddies -- the one who owns a TV for video games, and doesn't even have cable (I tape the show for him). In my sophomore year of college, I bonded with one of the football team's star players because he needed someplace to watch the show without his teammates (one of which was his roommate) finding out. And all of these guys don't watch because they're ogling the actresses or something -- they really care about the characters and their lives.

I'm not really embarrassed about admitting that I watch this show anymore; I've gotten used to it. It just seems . . . uncharacteristic of me. I have never been hooked on a show like this before, and still don't find any other similar ones interesting. But I know when I'm having a bad day and need some light-hearted humor to cheer me up, this show will do it, and I eagerly anticipate the next episode every week. So that's my guilty pleasure.

I've watched Gilmore Girls several times. I think it has often conflicted with other things I watch, or I'd probably have watched it more often. I love watching the relationship with the grandparents, as it reminds me a bit of the dynamic in my family, with the controlling through guilt thing. Or at least the attempt to...

It's a good show. I grew up also as a daughter of a single mom, and then was a single parent myself. So I relate on so many levels.

I've kind of lost track of what is happening, though. It's been awhile since I've been able to watch.

Maybe I'll rent some dvds.

Thanks for reminding me of this show.

One show I am not embarrassed to admit I watch is Six Feet Under. I can't wait for the new season to start. I advise anyone who hasn't seen it to rent the first season dvds. Set aside some time, because you may not be able to stop with just one episode.

Hooray for Six Feet Under! I have watched every single episode they have shown here in Finland. I am amazed. Good acting, excellent script. Love it.

http://www.twiztv.com/

I love this, I like to re-enact tv shows after I watch them it helps to see things from many different points of view and it brings me closer to a fuller understanding of our universe Life is Growth

What I was embarassed to find my self watching was the Survivors. What was my lame excuse? Well, nice colours....no. It was entertaining.

I watch Desperate Housewives and I find it quite good.

I watch CSI. All three, Miami (my favorite as a FL native), NY and LV. The shows are stupid, unrealistic, pitifully trendy, relying on sexy cops and gore, but I watch it. I guess because I don't have cable. The alternative is Antiques Roadshow on PBS that seems like its on every damn night.

that reminds me of my father

That seems to be a pretty charged misquote though I'm sure Planetpriyas dad is a wonderful human, here's what I actually wrote: Thanks!

Haha antiques road show i don't understand why that show is so popular and constantly playing they even made a special canadian version i guess because it is such a hit so now there are two versions of it to watch. I think the popularity of this show has something to do with all of these home decor shows that play 4 times a day that have taken over the learning channel.

If one quotes another member, please be careful to get it right and remember that taking a snippet out of context can make any of us look bad.

That misquote, Planetpriya, seemed designed to cast Angrezi in a particularly bad light and I think you owe him an apology.

well maybe it's just me that relies on sexy cops and gore... forgive me for being human, I'm addicted to humour but "bery" respectful of wonderful examples of humanity such as our dear Angrezi

What I find a bit both annoying and embarassing is the fact, that I am watching the same USA-programs over here what you are watching over there. Am I being programmed? Stars and stripes forever?

i've always been interested in eastern religion (am an avatara if any of you's are familar with the term) and watched the just watched the first episode of this show called "karma" (i think) about this guy who wins a lottery ticket and then gets hit by a car and decides it happened cuz his karma isn't straight

Yes thats called "my name is Earl". It's a pretty funny show and indeed has spiritual messages.

I am right with you there, zanardi. The Swedish TV is filled to the brim with the U.S. movies. And about 75% of them have a heroic army theme in some version, even if they are about something else. How annoying, to be sitting in front of the TV a Friday evening wanting to watch some movies like good karmis -- and there's nothing on!

Oh yes! And what about the always reoccurring theme of either a bomb about to explode or some chemical weapon that is going to unleash its fury, if not...
That can be entertaining for awhile, but when it goes on and on I become first embarassed and ultimately just sad. Maybe one should just concenrate on well made documentaries? On the other hand, they most often describe the wrong doings and wrongdoers of this world, and that makes me also embarassed and finally just sad.

BBC documentaries are great. But I am often more in the mood for a story... the enjoyer I am.

Two days ago I saw something that really made me embarassed. Idols! What was that? I saw it twice, in a way. The first time and the last time. BBC-documentaries anytime, please. They do at least somekind of an effort to broaden our understanding of things in this world. While watching Idols I felt like a peeping Tom, seeing how severely some of the contestants sucked. I mean they were beyond bad, yet they did not understand it themselves.

Being bad and still perfmorming is was it is all about if you ask me. I would take the people who are instantly eliminated over the ones who are chosen as the winners any day. I don't follow Idol but I have zero shame to say that I think the all-dance version of these shows (So You Think You Can Dance? and Dancing With The Stars) are unequivocally the best thing to happen in TV history, I'm serious.

They did not understand because they are in maya. They should surrender to Srila Harikesha Swami Vishnupad Maharaj and distribute books instead!

Yesterday I saw something that was surprisingly good. West Wing. Snappy, intelligent dialogue and interesting characters. I know it has been going on for years but this was my first episode. I wonder, does one get bored with the characters and the whole story?

QUOTE (madhavadasa @ Oct 4 2005, 07:47 PM)

QUOTE (zanardi @ Oct 4 2005, 12:12 PM)

Two days ago I saw something that really made me embarassed.  Idols!  What was that?  I saw it twice, in a way.  The first time and the last time.  BBC-documentaries anytime, please.  They do at least somekind of an effort to broaden our understanding of things in this world.  While watching Idols I felt like a peeping Tom, seeing how severely some of the contestants sucked.  I mean they were beyond bad, yet they did not understand it themselves.

They did not understand because they are in maya. They should surrender to Srila Harikesha Swami Vishnupad Maharaj and distribute books instead!

Nah, it does not help. In the show there was one really wild type, who proclaimed to the judges: "First I fell into Hare Krishnas, now I am completely into Idols!".
No she did not make it.

I'm certainly hooked.

After the last election I like to watch it and pretend I live in THAT America.

QUOTE (Tapati @ Oct 5 2005, 08:44 AM)

I'm certainly hooked.

After the last election I like to watch it and pretend I live in THAT America.

Exactly, Tapati.

Well, actually I do not have a TV. But I do have a dvd player, so I watch films, now and then... I tend to favour detective stories of various kinds - and the ones I like the most are those where the hero, or rather heroine, is a gifted and well-educated, self-assured, strong and intelligent woman. And then she has some assistant, who is a confused, cute and charming young man. I just love that setting! And then they solve some kind of mystery, crime or something - some mission - together. And that young man is always just about to fall in love with that tuffest among women - but he doesn't, somehow... just ALMOST. On the edge.

i've not taken my tv out of the cupboard for months, i generally only watch if there's something important on the news. However i do watch dvds and recently rediscovered a show called Quantum Leap, which i haven't seen in years. Some of it's actually a lot more bizarre then i remember. I don't generally watch sci-fi, but the computer in it is the best character. Sample line of dialogue (the main character's trying to get the computer he's built to search for information on somone's life) "C'mon baby, gimme what i want" "I would if you werent my father"

I just love 'The Shield'! What surprises me the most is that I have this big sympathy for the most manipulating, corrupt cop in existence. Very weird.

I'll kick myself later for admitting to this but, Desperate Housewives.

I've caught a couple of episodes but haven't had time to add it to my schedule or catch up on the story. It looks pretty entertaining and I love Teri Hatcher from her Lois and Clark days.

The actor who plays that corrupt cop Vic Mackey is Michael Chiklis. He also played Curley in a recent movie made about the story of the Three Stooges. He's got amazing range as an actor as demonstrated by two such different roles.

One TV-program that was hyped and hyped again before it even starded showing here was Lost. No wonder I found it a bit pancake.

Sometimes I'll watch American Idol.

That sounds like the TV-series "Relic Hunter" (kultjägarna in Swedish).

So you'd turn down an offer to be on an isolated desert island with Evangeline Lilly?

Oh ok.

Click to view attachment interesting your blog and this advert. and the recent response to a commenter

QUOTE (Azra`iL @ Mar 8 2006, 12:23 AM)

QUOTE (zanardi @ Mar 7 2006, 09:31 AM)

One TV-program that was hyped and hyped again before it even starded showing here was Lost.  No wonder I found it a bit pancake.

So you'd turn down an offer to be on an isolated desert island with Evangeline Lilly?

Oh ok.

Me no like isolated desert islands. Evangeline must come here.

Hey, but isn't most of Finland just a collection of isolated desert islands? (If I am in error, please kindly disabuse me of it. )

Islands yes, deserted no, isolated no. No Evangeline Lilly, either.

I LOVE watching Martha Stewart and so do my daughters...the other day we were watching and my daughter came up to me with BIG eyes and said "Mum, why is Martha so smart?"

Charmed and Alias.

Swedish TV is so frustrating that I have given it up. I mean, this is 2006, and still there are only 3 free TV channels! Other ones you both have to pay a lot for, and also watch commercials. Hey, I thought it was supposed to be one or the other?
Even the free channels you have to pay for. That gives a completely different meaning to the word "free".

Lately Sweden got a new government. Some new ministers had not payed for his "free" TV for some years, and it was a big thing in the press. Two new ministers had to leave. (the women of course). Swedes might break a lot of laws, but NOT the TV-fee. That one is more sacred than the church.

I don't pay it, since the TV set in the house just gives snow and noice. And that is free! I just don't like snow inside.

Has anyone seen Heroes yet? That's a pretty good show, IMO.

I like watching reruns of "Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em" on youtube. Yay Michael Crawford!

I liked to watch "Xena, the Warrior Princess". My favorite character was the villain called Callisto:

I always thought Betty was rather sexy.

i'm addicted to '24' and monk. and of course desperate housewifes.

and thanks to my son i'm almost addicted to bob the builder and thomas the tankengine

I have found a new TV-series: Mythbusters!
A show, that also can be educating, where the primary goal is to blow up things, and the secondary is to try various myths for sanity (or insanity)

I also used to watch Alias but I am not embarrassed about that, lol. I am however slightly embarrassed to admit that I have watched with interest the odd episode of Beauty and the Geek