Reality TV is a Concept that isn’t new; nor did it arrive by accident – Back in the days of early comedy, comedians took to the streets and interviewed random people; and news anchors took to the streets to get opinions and sometimes, debate. All of these things focused on real people and their reactions.

Now it is a big-budget drama-bonanza with niche specific targets in place. Not just American Idol, but themed reality shows like Survivor, or on a smaller scale, the shows that focus on who will vomit first. Anyway, you can see where the question of artful & un-artful quickly comes to mind. Perhaps a better question is, “Is it right for humanity?”

Some of you may wonder what I mean; I’m mostly talking about the evolution of societal acceptances. I’m not deterring any fan or individual from watching. What I ponder in my latest short-story is the aggressive, destructive nature of such programming on its participants. I think about the subjective edgings surrounding exploitation.

Films, when done well (and even not so well done) – can artfully digress exploitation with entertaining & insightful anecdotes; but we know they are fictional depictions. Because Reality-TV is purported to be factual and uninhibited, we have many individuals that view the medium as voyeuristic and still others who view the programming to feel above and beyond their peers.

Still; what about the people?

“Claire-TV”
A short-story by Mary Margaret Park
http://www.marymargaretpark.com/pdf/mmp_claire-tv.pdf

- Mary Margaret Park (Author & Poet)
admin@mmp-publishing.com
http://www.marymargaretpark.com

I used to run 3 miles every morning, rain or shine, even when the wind chills were in the teens; people thought I was nuts or obsessed; (or both).

In the end, I suppose it’s all relative to how the activity (or habit) affects your life.

Some people spend hours playing video games; are they obsessed?
And what about people who keep their houses so clean that you can practically eat off of their floors?
Maybe they’re just neat freaks?

Some people want everything just so, whether it’s the way their food is prepared, the way the table is set, or which side the fork goes on.

Some of these things are pretty silly, but it just depends on how you view it.

I don’t expect everyone to be exacting, but I do expect my surgeon to be that way.

What do you think?
What’s the difference between having ‘good or bad habits’ (and being obsessed)?

In my latest short-story “She and He”, I explore obsession from a sensual palette; a Twilight Zone like telling with the subtleness of Adrian Lyne’s (“Unfaithful”) sense of eroticism.

Click below to read “She & He” and discuss your thoughts about the emotion we call, obsession.

http://www.marymargaretpark.com/pdf/mmp_she-and-he.pdf

- Mary Margaret Park (Author & Poet)
admin@mmp-publishing.com
http://www.marymargaretpark.com