Reality shows miss the truth

November 2003

We have all seen reality shows and I ask you, how real are they?

Honestly, when was the last time you were on a deserted island with 11 strangers? Or when was the last time you had to nominate someone to be voted out of the house?

(Note: I did not ask when was the last time you wanted to vote someone out of the house).

When was the last time you were in a pageant to marry a millionaire or become a princess? What is reality?

Based on my experiences and those of my family and friends, this is what I think reality really is:

• Reality is respecting your child's choice to not interfere when he was beaten up and you really wanted to let the other kid and his family have a piece of you.
• Reality is acknowledging the fact that your child may have a disability and still knowing how fortunate you are because it could be much worse.
• Reality is allowing your children to make their own choices even though sometimes you do not agree with them.
• Reality is having a child diagnosed with cancer and watching her beat death numerous times.
• Reality is accepting those around us who may have different expectations or ethics.
• Reality is having to make a life-or-death decision.
• Reality is when not every child will potty train at 2 or ride a two-wheel bike by 5.
• Reality is that money isn't everything.
• Reality is that accidents do happen.
• Reality is that there are only 24 hours in one day.
• Reality is starting every day knowing you have a choice as to what kind of day it will be.
• Reality is when you realize that life is too short to spend any time being miserable.

From my point of view, all of the reality shows miss the mark when it comes to reality. I often have to remind myself that reality shows are just a game.

I think about what they are really teaching: how to be deceitful and dishonest so you come out ahead. This bothers me because it is rare that the nice person will win.

So I have decided that if the networks really want to show reality and test endurance, I think they should send me to Arubafor a month and videotape my husband in charge of the household, the children's schedules, the homework, the yard work, the doctor's visits, etc.

I do believe that would be a comedy.