I watch a fair amount of TLC. It's fascinating, in the same way automobile accidents are fascinating. One of the best shows on there is "Say Yes to the Dress." I don't care what my mom and sister say, I'm not getting married. In the event I do, however, I am eloping. Screw the goofy dress and gaudy traditions. I will never wear a white goddamn dress, and I will never buy one at a bridal store. So it's amusing and interesting to watch people place so much effort into something I find archaic. It cracks me up when they say things like, "I'm on a budget so I want to keep the price below $2000." Two thousand dollars would cover at least four months' rent for me, dude. Maybe it's because I'm in college, but two thousand on a dress you wear for one day is like paying a hundred dollars for a sandwich.
And I realize there are scores of women who lust for my blood when I call weddings antiquated. I don't mean antiquated for other people; I just mean it for myself. Much as I respect people who have a different religion than me, I respect women who, unlike me, have been planning their wedding since pre-pubescence. I'm not a lunatic feminist; women can do whatever the hell they want. You can be a career woman or aspire to bear four thousand children. Whatever, it's up to you.
But I digress. The new show on TLC that is my latest fascination is "Sister Wives." I stayed up till 11 on a Sunday night just to watch the series premiere. And boy, is it interesting.
Basically, it surrounds this man down in Lehi, Utah who was three wives and a bunch of children. His first wife grew up in a polygamous family, so understandably that is the norm for her. I can't remember, but I'm pretty sure the second wife wasn't in a polygamous family but was open to the concept. The third wife was. The eventual fourth wife wasn't, and has been married before. So there you go.
I don't have a problem with polygamy. I'm an anthropologist, so there's no "correct" way to have a relationship to me. In fact, the only reason polygamy is illegal in the US is because it's a historically and politically-loaded concept. So I have a problem with a forced marriage between a twelve year old and a forty year old? Of course I do, don't be stupid. It happens in the polygamous community, and in the monogamous community, and it's equally as wrong on both sides. I personally would never be in a polygamous relationship, but, as before stated, they'll be lucky to get me to marry anyone. They're not part of the norm, and they suffer for it.
So, I give Sister Wives a thumbs-up, if, for no other reason, it makes for a fascinating ethnographic record.
Another one of my favorite shows is "Glee." Ironically, I really do not like musicals. I find them to be rather awkward, with very few exceptions. However, Glee has a great range of characters and conflicts. Jane Lynch deserves an Oscar for her performance as the She-Male cheerleader coach. It's just an overall great show. However, the beginning of the series has been somewhat lackluster, at least in my opinion. The season premiere introduced two new characters who could potentially rival some of the regular cast. And then they went away. Sue and Mr. Schu teamed up against the new football coach, only to sever ties in the same episode. While there was repeated potential for intrigue, the premiere fell flat for me. I had more hope in yesterday night's episode, as they were doing Britney Spears' tributes. Yet again, the episode ended in an awkward spot with little feeling of accomplishment. I waited the entire hour, in vain, for Kurt to sing one of Spears' hit singles. Even though he was obviously the most devoted Spears fan, he never got to do anything. Supposedly, Artie wants Tina back, but we wouldn't be able to tell save for quick allusions to it. Meanwhile, Rachel has a fit about Finn not being on the football team, and then being back on the team. Mr. Schu's ex-wife, who I secretly hoped we were done with because she annoyed the shit out of me, is back and crazy as ever. Emma won't date Schu, and is instead dating John Stamos, who is supposed to be a dentist with poor taste in gaudy cars. Oh, and they concentrate on those two slutty cheerleaders who have the combined IQ of a toaster.
I suppose the reason it all is falling flat for me is that they're trying too hard to cover too many people. Last season, it seemed like they would use the hour to mostly concentrate on the dynamics of just a few people. Now it feels like they're trying to make too many people into main characters, and it's not working.
Finally, there's "House." I love House, and this season's looking like it will continue the greatness. The whole House-Cuddy thing is fantastic. I have no complaints, except that Thirteen better come back soon. Olivia Wilde is a great actress.
There are, of course, other shows, but I have no complaints about any of them. Hooray for Bones and Fringe. Why is it that Fox has all the greatest shows?
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