Reality of the Situation

Okay, so you can’t really expect a guy who is married to an admitted reality TV lover to not watch a little reality TV.

It’s like ant farms, but just a little more interesting.

But sometimes they can astound you.

Last night showed the brilliance of reality TV. Moreso, it showed the brilliance and height of what a Survivor-like, chase-the-shark show can be: Last Tuesday's Big Brother 6 was awesome. There, I said it. I’ve always enjoyed Big Brother, at least since season 2 or 3, when me and my wife began watching it. We luckily missed the boring first season, and this one has been pure gold.

I know the episode recap can’t really demostrate the hero of the moment, Kaysar, at the height of his intelligence, but needless to say he played the entire group like a fiddle and executed the best reality coup of power I’ve ever seen.

“We were such idiots,” one of the houseguests bemoans about not getting rid of Kaysar when they had the chance. “We got rid of Ashlea [the other nominee up for eviction] because she was annoying!”

This is rich peeps, rich.

I’ve watched each year of Survivor, if only bits and pieces of some of the crappier seasons.

I’ve watched each year of The Apprentice.

Thanks to my wonderful wife, I take in more reality TV than one man should have to reasonably put up with.

But never, have I ever, enjoyed a reality TV show more than I dig Big Brother right now. Weird, sad, but true. To root for the underdog, then see the underdog get the most powerful position in the house, align himself with the other underdogs, then destroy the competition...Oh man, it was beautiful. It made me feel vindicated watching season after season of dumb decisions and bad timing. Kaysar found a plan and implemented it. Simple as that.

What’s weird is that as brilliant as this episode was, if their plan actually stays true it might actually make the show worse. If conflict and resolution are the keys to good reality TV, peace and tranquility are the enemy (if you’re a long-time view of Reality TV you know this very well). Of course the game is geared to throw things for a loop, but by en large, I saw the best that reality TV could be. And I hope they keep it up. This season is better than the past 5 combined, and to anyone who suffered through last years’ “Four Horsemen” bullshit, it’s a welcomed change.

Tomorrow I promise to stay far away from all things TV and reality. Promise.

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They’re scared of us; They’re scared of us