Enforcing the stereotypes

I make it a point to never watch the bullshit "reality TV" programs that the rest of America uses as salve to the horrors of the real world. But right now I am stuck at work, finishing up some graphics that have to be done pronto. Since I enjoy THAT 70’S Show and Bernie Mac I left the TV on during the AMERICAN IDOL first round voting results.

Regarless of how much I detest the show it is everywhere. Every news show, newspaper, magazine and internet page has something about this show. As ruthlessly cunning as it is, it did do what it promised by taking two (rather annoying) "new talents" and made them household names. Now with season two they are looking to do the same.

Tonight they voted off one contestant, supposedly the viewers do this voting. Having never seen the show but somewhat familiar with a few of the faces on the show there was no question on who was getting the boot. It was gonna be the heavy white girl with the bright red hair. Guess what? She got the ax.

Looking at the other contestants they all were clear cookie cutter cloned WB teens that have cluttered the media for the last ten years. Perfectly manicured, sculpted and worked to shinning, muscle rippling perfection. These other contestants were obviously the types of kids that already got their breaks. You just know that they got everything in their lives handed to them. And now this competition will be too. Its easy to see who is gonna win too. There are two girls one who has swiped all of PINK’S moves and another who is a teen version of Pamela Anderson Lee. I guarantee one of these bimbos make the final mark.

Therein lies the problem. The girl who got the ax, Vanessa was an original. She was up there on stage being herself. Unfortunately that is a liability in the entertainment industry. In fact it’s sheer death. Add to that the fact that this very cute young lady was not under a size 6 and she was fucked from the get go. She was put on the show just so the producers could avoid the shouts of discrimination. But lets look at it fairly. The other heavy women on the show were two black women. The first one was removed when the producers discovered she posed nude on an Internet site for big ladies. Now had that been the little petite teeny-bopper Pamela Lee wannabee then it would have only helped her. But since the lady was big then it was a crime and a shame. She shouldn’t be allowed to represent American Idol! Now that left two big women they needed to be whittled out. So the next one to go is the perky well liked big girl that the ever-insulting asshole Simon said had too big a butt to go on. So she has got to go. Even amidst reams of controversy they still voted her off. I mean it wasn’t the "shows" decision. It was America that did it! Do we see these numbers or the votes? Nope, just like our elections this shit has got to be rigged to favor whomever the producers want. The last heavy girl was initially cut off but then at the last minute voted back on (I guess that’s how the show keeps "suspense"). But you mark my words she’ll be gone soon.

In modern America to be beautiful you have to be thin. You can’t be different and especially cannot be over weight. The media, magazines, TV, movies and everything else are set up to deliver this double standard. Now we got "reality" TV to enforce it further. It’s sickening. What happen to the idea that people could be different? What happened to the idea that people should be judged on character and talent? What happened to looking past the physical?

Not in America buddy. IF your different then your not one of us (or is it them?). I got an idea for a reality show. How about all the outsiders, and different people in America gang up on the rest of them. That I might watch.

Andy