I know I know: TV (Switch It Off Part II)

I know, I know. I was the one saying we should all walk away from our televisions. Yes, I'm still watching. Aren't you?

Let me offer rationaliza--er, explanations for the counter argument:

• Since the number one topic around the water cooler is American Idol, maybe TV is what will ultimately re-create community, not destroy it. People connect over their shared TV experience. Even if its not shared in the moment. Maybe TV can be used for good as well as evil.


• Maybe watching guilty pleasures like American Idol and Celebrity Fit Club keep us from indulging in more disgusting habits. Perhaps this level of schadenfreude is sufficient to meet most people's crueler needs.

Yeah, let's go with that.

Tangential topic: Not only have we been experiencing this colossal reality TV movement, we have these reality commercials to contend with, too. I, for one, HATE both the Volkwagen "experience the crash" commercials and the OnStar "hear the panicked, desperate cries for help" ads. This is a level of stress people shouldn't have to experience unless they are the ones in the situation. I don't need more adrenaline surges, thank you very much. Foy!

Celebrity Fit Club

I am trying to watch this season's Celebrity Fit Club and it certainly has the set up to be good but so far it's pretty lame. The trouble-maker this year is Dustin "Don't Call Me Screech" Diamond and it's hard to see if he really is that much of a jerk or if he's a better actor than people give him credit for. Based on previous performances, I'm going with the former.

Dustin tidbit:
In the May 2006 issue of Stuff magazine, readers voted Diamond the third most annoying former child actor that they would like to punch in the face. He was "beaten" by former child stars Danny Bonaduce and Corey Feldman.

Yeah, I can see that.

Anyway, what bothers me about this season is not the real or trumped-up drama but the fact that the celebrities are merely flabby. Nobody's over 300 pounds. Where are the really obese celebrities as in years past? What's up with that? Remember Ralphie May? Bruce Vilanch? Bizarre? Bone Crusher? Those people trying to lose weight... now THAT was inspiring. I wonder if VH1 was concerned about law suits or slowing down the action on hikes and what-not because these people couldn't keep up? Some from years past certainly did. Others' were exempted based on doctor's concerns. Hm.