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I am a retired English teacher and department head, the mother of three grand mother of four, and have been married to the same man for 52 years. I subscribe to Dr. PM Forni's concept of Civility. I was born in South Philadelphia and grew up in the 'burbs. I love soft pretzels and cheesesteaks, the Phillies, the Eagles, and San Diego. I love being Mom, Aunt Kathy, Nona Kathy, and Teacher. I spend a lot of time in my gardens in the spring and summer, and in the winter I plan what I'm going to plant. I also am an avid reader and photographer.

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Wednesday, September 7, 2011

The Real Housewives

I've explained before that the cardio room at the gym has six or 7 TVs and that sometimes I'm forced to see things I wouldn't choose -- like Fox News or today's topic "Real Housewives of Wherever".

I'm aware this is a popular show with many, but you'll not find a fan in this house.  In fact, I think the whole idea, whether based in Atlanta, New Jersey, or Beverly Hills, is insulting and denigrating to real women everywhere.  Okay, admittedly, I'm not a fan of reality TV of any kind and find most of it -- or the basic idea of it --  exploitive and demeaning.  And the women featured in these shows are neither real nor worthy of our attention.

If I were to write a series featuring The Real Housewives of _______ (fill in the blank), I'd feature the women I know who are not only managing a home and raising children, but are out working sometimes two jobs to pay a mortgage.  These heroines are not worried about throwing parties that make the decadent and declining Roman Empire appear staid.  Real housewives strive to make enough money to pay for health care for their families; they take the time to teach their kids real values, while often facing the responsibility of caring for aging parents.  This is as real as it gets.

19 comments:

Two Minute Takes said...

Very well said and so true. Reality T.V. is such a misnomer and it is getting very discouraging to see even more *reality* shows actually getting air time.

Deb from WhatsInMyAttic said...

The sad thing about reality TV is that sometimes viewers think it's ... reality.

George said...

I completely agree with you about real Real Housewives. I only watch reality shows when forced to do so.

Linda Reeder said...

I'm not a fan of "reality" shows either. I've never seen 'Housewives'. My problem with all of it is that apparently many people are watching this junk, and not the news or anything worthwhile or informative. It's leading to the dumbing down of America. And yet we blame teachers!?

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Hmmmmmmmmm---we love Fox News. In fact, it's the only news we EVER watch. Oh Well!!!!

BUT--I totally agree with you about the Real Housewives of Whatever... We don't ever watch ANY of the reality shows. Talk about a waste of time... Gads!!!
Hugs,
Betsy

Kimberly said...

Have never watched it and never will. I think the worst I've heard about is the MTV show where moms are 16 or under. The girls got hooked on Big Brother watching it with my mom during our summer visit. The only value I could see from that is the lesson that people are not always what they seem on the surface. It is sad to say, but that is a lesson innocent children need to know these days. :(

Gilly said...

So very true, I do so agree with you. I hate reality shows and luckily never have to watch them, though the way some people go on about them I sometimes feel I have!

All women I know are "Real Housewives" whether or not they have jobs as well as families. I suppose, being retired I could throw decadent and orgiastic parties, only I don't know anyone who would come! And anyway, I've got enough to do to keep me out of mischief! ;)

Suz said...

bravo

Suz said...

oh...no pun intended

hooray! that's better

ain't for city gals said...

Amen...on the Real Housewives thing!! I haven't ever watched it but have seen snippets of it...just catchng up with your other posts...so glad you are doing good!..

Sally Wessely said...

Amen, sister. I am with you. The real housewives, the ones who work to provide for their families, teach their children good values, and etc. wouldn't audiences who use t.v. to escape real life. I never watch t.v. if I can help it.

When you work out, can you listen to audio books?

Forsythia said...

Yes, these women are to "real housewives" as Tang is to orange juice. Yet I have to admit that "Housewives" is one of my guilty pleasures. First of all, it makes me feel good about myself. How materialistic they are! Vicki nearly turned inside out with joy when her husband gave her a second Rolex watch. I patted the dear little Seiko that my husband gave me eons ago and said, "Thank the Good Lord I am not like VIcki." After watching RH of Orange County, Beverly Hills, New York, New Jersey, Atlanta, and Washington, DC, I began to notice a certain predictability. Gosh, could they be following some kind of script? There always had to be lots of "cattiness" and then a major blow-up between a couple of the women, followed by conditional forgiveness, so there'd be a carry-over to the next season. I also enjoyed being irritated by their mannerisms--the way they held their cell phones just so in their bejeweled, manicured mitts. And how their delusions of talent. Two of these babes apparently thought they could write music and sing! Somehow they produced "hit' singles, with plenty of help from their friends. And finally, I began to suspect that most of them were probably overextended financially. Perhaps the only way they could pay their bills was by letting the cameras into their personal lives.

Barb said...

I'm on board with you here, Kathy! Who watches these vapid shows? PS Love the Header

Heart said...

I don't follow the Real Housewives, but have landed on it while flipping the remote. Those plastic and catty women annoy me and I am not drawn in.

Some other reality shows I enjoy as my guilty pleasures. I know it is a waste of time, but do it anyways.

Mage said...

Oh, yes they do. Or they retire and give back. Or....LOL

I do like some of the cooking shows tho they too can be vapid.

Anonymous said...

Just stopped by today to send you some love. Hope the healing is being kind to you.

Bilbo said...

Very good post. Of course, you could have gone on to say that Real Housewives wear flannel pajamas (with feet) and curlers in their hair ... but that's what you have me for!

Cheryl said...

I love your idea for a real reality show. So many say the Real Housewives are their guilty pleasure, though, so the audience is there. I've never seen them :)

Kay said...

Excellent post, Kathy and so true. Real housewives have a lot more to cope with than TV shows. I don't even watch reality shows or that Housewives series.