Musings On Reality

I think I don't watch a lot of regular TV but truth be told I get my hefty share in. Mostly cooking shows and some HGTV and a few reality shows. I guess I don't remember the schedules for most of these, so it is usually hit and miss and the way most cable stations work they rerun their programs about 20 times within the week so it's hard not to miss at least some portion of a show.

 I mentioned earlier my love for The Girls Next Door which is the reality show about Hugh Hefner and his 3 girlfriends living at the mansion in L.A.. I like this show very much because of it's non-threatening quality. All the people involved are very likable. I dig Hef because he was this nerdy midwestern guy with an idea to create a lifestyle empire. Sorta like Martha Stewart. Same difference. I think Martha's exploits are about on par with Hef's. Surround yourself with art, have a great pad, throw groovy parties, drink, listen to cool music, be social. He does fantastic for a 80+ year old guy kicking around the globe keeping up a party lifestyle. I also admire his sort of rigid social calendar. One night is movie night, card night, so on. Crazy I know, but I like that. 

The Girls Next Door chronicles the workings of the mansion, the staff that run it, the parties thrown and what Holly, Kendra and Bridget are up to. I was really impressed on how Kendra handled herself meeting Prince Albert II of Monaco at a social gathering they were invited to. She understands the decorum of the whole affair and is a lot smarter than she is sometimes portrayed. All of these women are either going to school or pursuing something else and not just the typical arm candy you would associate with Playboy. You gotta love Mary, Hef's secretary and possibly the brains behind  the inner workings of the organization. So don't get all feminist on my ass. It's light enjoyable entertainment.

The only other reality show I can stomach is Project Runway. It is constructive, creative entertainment and reminds me of art school critiques. It doesn't get into peoples personal lives so much and in the end has a finished product. I like to see other peoples approaches to creativity. It is positive television.