I’ve felt a bit bombarded by all things ‘vain’ this week. A part of that could be in working with beautiful beads and crystals as we continue to prepare for this weekend’s show. A part of it is also related to the extreme amounts of television I’ve watched this week.
I imagine this is where I’ll lose over 50% of you…and that’s okay. To each his/her own. I watch television. I watch some really mindless, totally stupid television programming. It’s called ENTERTAINMENT. No apologies. The truth is I’m not always looking for hyper-stimulation of my brain and I don’t always want to get thrown into a book which will pull me away from anything or anyone until complete…that’s the way I’m wired.
So a 30-60 minute mindless viewing doesn’t hurt me and actually (usually) offers me laughter and distraction for a time. One thing I will say is the television programming offered during the day, specifically talk shows, really disturb me. Not the entertaining ones…but the ‘stars’ who are spouting their own opinions and judgment on National Television for their fans to hear and ‘side with’. It bothers me.
I’m one of those people who are bothered by actors or actresses or sports stars who don’t realize the impact of their…much…publicized actions. I don’t feel sorry for them. They chose the life they have. I don’t expect perfection, but I do expect a tempering of what is said for the whole world to hear.
Ironically that doesn’t have anything to do with why I’m writing this (you know how I ramble). I have a love-hate relationship with the new uber-popular show “Ugly Betty”. You may remember I posted a not-so-nice review of “The Devil Wears Prada”. I didn’t like the way the movie played into the already over publicized goal of thin-to-anorexic/bulimic diet goals of most public people. When a woman who is a size 4-6 is considered “fat”…I have a problem with that message. SO…I was guardedly concerned about the message of “Ugly Betty” which at first glance seemed to be a sitcom based on that movie.
What I’ve found is good and bad (as with all things on earth). The good is that Betty isn’t an idiot. She isn’t lazy and worthless…nor are her less-‘ugly’ co-workers. She makes mistakes, as does everyone. She is capable and bright. She is sometimes dismissed because she doesn’t appear to ‘know’ fashion, and she works in that industry.
The bad is how they make her appear ‘buffoon-ish’ at times. She continues to dress without regard to color or style. I just don’t ‘buy it’. I don’t believe a young woman who supposedly loves this magazine would dress completely against this ‘flow’ if she has been a subscriber for as long as they imply. I think it also ‘sells’ the idea that you can either be pretty or smart.
With that in mind I will probably watch it until I am certain it is yet another program aimed at convincing America that ugly = what the network honchos decide.
Have a Thursday surrounded in beauty…beauty God brings to and through YOU!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
7 comments:
"Ugly = what the network honchos decide" is part of why I don't watch much tv. Ditto for the "stars" acting like they are any wiser than others on a talk show. The same idea can be applied to any fashion mag or show too. I'd rather focus on the beauty around me rather than what "the experts" say is beautiful.
Enjoy your vacation time...
I keep meaning to check that program out, but haven't yet. I find the premise quite bizarre.
I must admit I watch mindless t.v. at night when I am exhausted! But I rarely watch sitcoms, because I don't find them comedic.
...i feel like i was sitting in a movie theatre watching the credits roll by and thinking...that's the end?
there's not more..surely there's more...?
I haven't seen the show so I can't comment on it, but I do agree with you that too much pressure come for everyone to conform to a certian body image- and the belief that anyone ove a size 10 is ugly- I am a size 18 ( and 6ft tall)- does that make me ugly?
Just posted on the need for a holistic theology of the body and of sensuality/ sexuality... we seem to operate from two places, first the tendency to ignore body image and to concentrate on the spiritual and the tendency to bow to the pressure of the media to conform! We live between the tensions of the two and end up torn!
Hi!!! I'm back - WOO HOO!! Lately I haven't been watching much t.v either - I just cannot find anything that appeals to me. Something with meaning and depth. I must admit I too watched quite a considerable amount of t.v at one point - but I seem to suddenly have out grown it - like God opened my eyes and my mind to other things which I am loving. Although this has made me think of a really good post I wanted to write a while ago - but forgot. Thanks!!
Nothin' wrong with watching TV for mindless entertainment. It's how I unwind from the pressures of daily life. :-)
I haven't checked this show out, yet, but I have heard of it. I'll have to see what all the talk is about.
By the way, thanks for your kindness and your comments while we were going through this stuff with my grandpa. It's nice to know you were thinking of us. ;-)
I've had the show on TiVo since it started and last night I finally watched the first episode. I really didn't enjoy it... not so much on principle, I just didn't find it entertaining. I also found it annoying that like you said, Betty works at this magazine and loves it, yet continues to look like a buffoon among the beautiful. I felt like she actually had to work REALLY HARD to look that bad. It really bugged me. BUT -- I loved The Devil Wears Prada. I was surprised by what I thought was a positive message -- the idea that you have to decide for yourself what you want out of life and what you're willing to compromise for it. I loved the ending where Miranda Priestly told Andy, "You're just like me" and Andy finally had her moment of truth. I love getting great moments like that out of otherwise mindless entertainment! Anyway, I canceled the TiVo on Betty since it's just not for me. However, I loved the first episode of Studio 60! Haven't watched any others yet.
Post a Comment