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.