I hate the reality television craze. It's repugnant and offends me. Okay,
that's a little strong. I don't give it much thought actually. I'm just feeling
melodramatic today.

I think like with most fads, it ends up producing crappy rip-off after crappy rip-off.
I admit to watching a few programs. I watched the first season of Survivor, but
haven't seen any since. I faithfully watched four seasons of The Real World, but
then turned off my cable. During the summer, I sometimes tune into Big Brother,
the laziest of all reality shows, when I am bored. (All they do is lay around on
Ikea furniture and eat peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.) I am proud to say I
never watch American Idol. (It is repugnant and offends me.) When I work
from home, I usually watch Starting Over. (I'm currently fascinated with Amy's
hair. Have they ever talked about her hair on the show or shown her dyeing it? I
love her but I want the makeover chick Andy to just hold her down and dunk her
head in a bucket of Nice & Easy.)

So, I admit to watching some, but it is rare. (Lately, it's rare I watch any
television at all. I don't seem to have the attention span anymore.)

Just let me say I am so excited about Monday's premiere of PBS's Colonial
House. I love that PBS jumped on the reality show craze, but has somehow made it
educational as well as entertaining and I'll admit: it appears more cultured.

I
simply adored FronTier House a couple years ago. I was so hooked. My
favorite part was on the first episode when the mother from California
practically had a break down when she was told she couldn't wear make up because
only actors and prostitutes wore make up in that time.

Manor House was another load of fun. I was so happy they showed all episodes
marathon style during a weekend. I laid on the sofa all weekend and watched the
scullery maids drop like flies. I wanted to kick the little boys of the manor
and their dad was a pompous ass I figured needed little training on being a rude
overlord to his staff.

Colonial House looks like it is going to be great fun. There are about two dozen
people living by the strict rules of 1628. I can't wait to see the first public
punishment. (Bring on the stockade!) A couple of the indentured servants are
gay, so it will be interesting to see how they react to life pre-17th century.

I don't know why I enjoy these programs so much. I'm not a history buff, nor do
I want to be. Maybe it's the whole dressing up and playing a part aspect. It's
adults playing make believe and dress up.

Nah. It's definitely the public punishments. Gotta love that.