Changing American, one reality show at a time

Derrick Hawkins, Alestle Photographer

by Derrick Hawkins, Alestle Photographer

VH1 seems to be cashing in on minority groups this year.  First it was VH1 making show that supported the LGBT community. Now VH1’s spring line up seems to cashing in on the black community.

I notice this past week that VH1 has come out with three reality shows where the whole cast is black. “Basketball Wives” is a show that follows the wives and ex-wives of basketball players. It shows their “troubles” of being married to basketball players. The show is a little boring, it just a bunch of rich women talking about how hard they have it. I like to think about it as if was VH1 is trying to copy the successful Bravo networks Real House wives series.

The next show follows the C of the hip-hop group, TLC.  Chilli’s  looking for love of her own called “What Chilli Wants.” She hired a love guru to help her find love. The guru holds nothing back with Chilli and tells her the reasons she has no man. I don’t know about this show yet. It was entertaining to the two of them scope out men for Chilli to meet. I would have to check out the next episode to get the full effect of the show.

The last show is about the R&B brother and sister duo Brandy and Ray-J called “A Family Business.” This is one show that I thank may be picked up for a second season. The show is about Brandy and Ray J’s family business and the problems that follows people in the music industry. They are becoming music moguls while their mom watches over them like a hawk.

VH1is giving BET a run for their money by employing big names for their series of reality shoes. It’s interesting to see the change in television in America when we elect our first black president. Things are changing in America, one reality show at a time.

What do you want to do before you die?

Derrick Hawkins, Alestle Photographer

by Derrick Hawkins, Alestle Photographer

It’s a simple question but, its not that easy to answer.  Despite from the entire semi-scripted reality  MTV spews out at us, the network still has some shows that stick to the good ol’ boy days.

“The Buried Life” is one MTV show that isn’t about sleeping around and getting drunk. The premise is simple: a group of guys travel the country with a list of 100 things they want to do before they die. They also help one stranger with one the thing they would like to do before they die. Some tasks on the list are: delivering a baby, learning how to krump, playing basketball with Obama, and the ultimate one, I think, is going to outer space.

The show got me thinking what do I want to do before I die? I would love to see all the wonders of the world, hang out with Obama and of course, go to space, and a lot more. The show really demonstrates how anything is possible just by simply asking some one to help. You never think total stranger will help someone out nowadays, but as humans, we need to help people no matter what, its like our instinct.

If you haven’t seen the show, you must. It will start to make you think about others and your life’s list.

So, what do you want to do before you die?

Check out the full “Buried Life” list here.

‘Bad Girls’ make great TV

Derrick Hawkins, Alestle Photographer

by Derrick Hawkins, Alestle Photographer

The brilliant creators of the Real World have made another show that people cant stop talking about. Its nothing new, but the “Bad Girls Club” is a hit.

In a way, it’s television genius to put a group of self-proclaimed “bad girls” in a house with no TV and a bunch of alcohol.  Its TV gold. This season has to be the craziest one yet. The season is about to wrap up, but that’s not stopping the girls bad behavior. Fights between roommates in the house or at the club is what keeps people hooked in.

Natalie is the self proclaimed queen of LA, but she is not from LA. She constantly makes it know that she “runs LA” and the house. She is one of the most annoying characters on TV with her constant loud and rude behavior, but I can’t help myself  to want to see more of her.  It’s sad to see this person with no self-respect plaster it all over TV, but it’s fun watching this train wreck.

The show is basically a 24 hour viewing of the movie “Mean Girls” with alcohol. The “Bad Girls Club” is one of my guilty pleasures, and I can’t wait for the end of the season.

MTV OD’s on ‘Jersey Shore’

Derrick Hawkins, Alestle Photographer

by Derrick Hawkins, Alestle Photographer

“Jersey Shore” is one of MTV’s most recent runaway hit. “Jersey Shore” had all the makings of perfect reality TV. Who doesn’t like to watch over-sexed, muscled-jacked, tanned, gelled-up hair morons acting crazy?

MTV is milking out the Shore to its fullest potential. It seems like people are having “Jersey Shore” withdrawal, and MTV is aiming to feed their Jersey fixes. Ever since the show wrapped, MTV has spun out of control with “Jersey Shore” spin offs, from the cast reunion show, never before seen footage, Before the Shore, and an all out “Jersey Shore” marathon on Super Bowl Sunday. I can’t help fall into MTV’s bags of tricks in keeping people interested in the fist-pumping, over-the-top society of Jersey Shore.

We all want more of the fist pumps, the fights on the boardwalk and who’s sleeping with who gossip. The show in a way has created a new language. You cannot fist pump anymore with out thinking about the Shore.The term “getting Snokied” means getting punched in the face. The word “situation” will never be the same for me.

With a second season of the “Jersey Shore” ready to go, the anticipation is high for where would the vacation at next.  Rumor has it the cast will head to The Hamptons. I don’t think high society is ready the Situation these self-professed guidos are about to create.

Reminiscing the good ol’ days

by Derrick Hawkins, Alestle photographer

Derrick Hawkins

I know I’m not old. I’m only 21, but I do remember the good old days — back in the 90’s that is.

It may be that I’m just not into kids’ stuff anymore,  but things kids have now are just boring. Kids now also expect too much. They need the newest iPod, Wii game or cell phone. A lot of people my age and older remember the day when there were no iPod’s. You had to walk around with a case of CDs (compact disc for people who have forgot) and a portable CD player. If you had one, you were the best thing walking. Having a VCR was a luxury; now it’s Blueray.

Kids now want to have the latest fashion from top designers. We were simpler. Remember LA gear?  You know the shoes that will light up when you walked.

Remember when playing tag, hide-and-go-seek, and red light, green light were just games, not weight loss activities, or when Reading R.L Stine’s “Goosebumps” series and waiting anxiously for the new one was the cool thing to do, not this “Twilight” vampire craze? Who didn’t enjoy playing with Nano Pets and Furbies all day, then forgetting to feed them so they died, but all you had to do was just press the reset button?

Once upon a time, Disney movies were not all in CGI but were actual drawings. Nickelodeon had all the great cartoons and shows, like “Rugrats” when they were still babies, or “Hey Arnold,” “Rocko’s Modern Life,” “Aaahh! Real Monsters,” and of course, “Ren & Stimpy.”

Remember the times when a friend moving away was the end of the world? When summer lasted forever, and when time did not matter?

I remember. I know there’s a lot more I can reminisce about, and  I hadn’t realized what fun things escaped us. Where did that time go?