Do you ever look at the headlines and think “who are they even talking about”?
That is basically how I feel, especially when it comes to Entertainment ‘News’.
I guess it isn’t just that I don’t know who these people are, but that there are plenty stories in the media that I just have zero interest in. The following is a list of people/events/shows/etc that seem to captivate many others, but not me:
- The Royal Wedding. I don’t think I watched Diana marry Prince Charles, and I really can’t wait for Prince William to hurry up and get his wedding over with. I know many people are fascinated with royalty, but I am not one of them.
- Any reality show ‘celebrity’. I admit, I enjoyed the first few seasons of the Apprentice, but the contestants on the Apprentice weren’t over-exposed like Snooki and others. Isn’t there someone called ‘The Situation’? I don’t know. Oh, and that one person that had billions of plastic surgery operations at one time, was that Heidi Pratt? That story completely creeped me out and is a horrible example for teens everywhere.
- Award shows of all kinds. I cannot sit through hours of totally scripted commentary and fake laughter to find out who won what. I am perfectly happy to read a story about the awards the next day, and I will promptly forget who the winners were.
- Fashion trends. Each season, I will read a magazine or see a program featuring what the latest ‘in’ thing is. It might be wedge shoes, maybe it is huge floral prints. Regardless, I wear the basics because I don’t want to buy a new wardrobe each year. I may be a “Fashion Don’t”, but if people only like me for my clothes, then I won’t miss them when they disappear from my life.
- American Idol/Dancing With the Stars. I know this is tied to item #2, but I have no interest in who gets kicked off ‘Idol’, who pulls a muscle on ‘Dancing With the Stars’, etc. I know plenty of people will disagree with me on this one, but neither of those shows interest me. There is obviously something great about these programs as they have a huge following, but they just aren’t for me. In all honesty, I would rather watch reruns of ‘Frasier’ or ‘The Waltons’. (Yes, I said The Waltons…)
I could probably go on and on about this topic, but maybe I will make another post at a later date.
So, do you think I am crazy to not sit back and enjoy American Idol? Is there anything out there that seems very popular, but just not to you?
{ 39 comments… read them below or add one }
I read about Dancing on E! through cnn.com. Helps me feel in tune with popular culture or something. I kind of miss knowing what the Ann Taylor colors for the season are, not because it affected my purchasing at all, but because I found it bizarre and interesting how dictated by that folks in Boston were. Around here there’s no trend to buck. (Well, other than the ubiquitous school colors.)
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I am so clueless that I didn’t even realize Ann Taylor subscribed to a certain set of colors each season. Although I will say that I am having the hardest time finding a red shirt, so red must be ‘out’ this year. (true red, not magenta or purple)
I didn’t know either until we moved to the East Coast. Every season they’re allowed 3 colors. Black, some sort of off-white, and the color for the season. I’ve heard that NYC is a year ahead of Boston in colors.
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I read entertainment news headlines but my attention spam is less than that of an 8 year old!
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What is kinda sad is that I can probably pay better attention to some entertainment news than the bickering that goes on in politics.
Nah, you’re not that crazy…. I catch up on pop entertainment news by osmosis. I do the bills and expenses in the family room, and the TV is on for background noise.
101 Centavos recently posted..Remote Gardening
101- I think I get most of my information these days by osmosis. Maybe someone is putting a Star Magazine under my pillow at night?
All these things all into the time-waster category for me. They’re ok to watch if you need some mental down-time, but the add no value to your life.
The Biz of Life recently posted..A History of The Weather Underground
Biz, I don’t think most entertainment adds value to your life, but I guess I enjoy some entertainment more than others. I love a great comedy, although I guess it does add value because it lightens my mood.
Yeah, I find that with blogs or books that people think are so great too – The Four Hour Work Week, The Happiness Project, Eat Pray Love…
I don’t watch TV so can’t speak to the shows, and have about as much use for a fashion magazine as a nun would. Yet I do like to dress nicely, I just don’t research it.
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Jacq- I think it is different to look ‘classic’ vs. trendy. I always laugh at the things in fashion magazines, they would all look so ridiculous on me. Maybe if I was 20 years younger and 8 inches taller.
I don’t do primetime. Never really got into it ever. So don’t expect me to know what Lost is all about and I didn’t have any kind of withdrawls from any of these shows being over.
I’d put most organized sports on this list too. The only one that I care about (and barely) is baseball. People get so emotional about sports teams. I find it a little nuts.
First Gen, I think Lost has been off the air for awhile now…
(I never watched it either. Too big a commitment.)
I love watching baseball. Probably because it takes me back to my childhood. However, my soul is not invested in any game, and I can’t say my mood is ever adversely affected by a loss.
I do love The Office and 30 Rock on prime time though!
This article could have been me writing it, except for
4. Fashion trends. – While this is a great idea, I don’t follow the trends like I use to. But it makes sense (especially if you have kids that want you to look in snyc with the times!) My wife does coach me though, so I just follow her lead in this area
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MR- I wonder if my kids wish I was more fashion-savvy! However, they don’t really care about it either, which has kept more money in the bank for me!
My daughter (who is 7) already is starting down that fashion road. I think eventually she’ll probably be highly critical of my choice of cloths and my fashion sense…
I don’t own a TV and I don’t care about fashion. Hopelessly out of it — but that’s where I choose to be.
I spent three weeks in the U.K. recently and it’s all “Kate and Wills,” all the time. Calendars, T-shirts, posters, plates, mugs….I just don’t get it.
Whatever makes people happy. I guess.
I don’t get why he is called Wills. Can you explain?
How nice to spend a few weeks in Europe!
I think “Wills” is just an affectionate shortening of the name “William.”
Just FYI: They were three pretty frugal weeks. Hostels, the Megabus and eating mostly from the supermarket were the only reason I could afford three weeks there. But it all made for some, uh, interesting experiences. If it’s kosher to post URLs, here’s a link to what I wrote just before leaving and while I was there:
http://www.donnafreedman.com/tag/u-k-trip/
Feel free to post URLs that are so darn interesting!
American Idol may be the most popular show, but I don’t watch it! Maybe, I am not in their target market? Fashion wise, my wife would probably say I haven’t changed! I am still preppy. I am not oblivious to the realty shows, award shows and royal wedding, however either I don’t watch it or I am doing something else while it is on.
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I somehow know what is going on too, and I am not sure how. Although the Royal Wedding publicity cannot be avoided.
Totally agree with you. I’ve never gotten why reality TV is so big. It’s not even real! Unless you are talking about Hoaders, I’ll admit I enjoy watching that show when I’m randomly home for an hour.
Jenna, I think I might be somewhat of a hypocrite because I love home-type reality shows, which I guess Hoarders might fall under. I think it is the ‘competition’ reality shows that I generally stay away from.
I completely agree with everything on your list! I especially can’t stand reality shows. It drives me crazy that my gf enjoys watching them!
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Dave M, how long until you will convert and become a reality show fan? I guess it depends on if the girl is worth it or not.
Oh! I know another thing I don’t care about that other people seem to that I just don’t understand. Page ranking and alexa and all that bloggy stats stuff. Although I did check my readability and apparently I write at an elementary school level. Woohoo! I’m as smart as my 5th grader!
Jacq @ SMRM recently posted..Punny money Why you leave
Jacq, you and are equally simple because I too apparently write at an elementary/primary school level. (Did I use too many big words in that sentence?)
The only reason I care about page rank is I want advertisers to pay me insane amounts of money to advertise on my blog. Other than that, none of it matters to me.
The thought just occurred to me that maybe we just sound childish.
I delete those ad messages. I wish they’d quit annoying me. It’s like someone wanting to put a sign on my lawn. I find it kind of rude of them to ask.
Jacq @ SMRM recently posted..Punny money Why you leave
Kris, This is where you and I differ. Can’t wait for the royal wedding! Love dancing with the stars! Only reality shows I really like are on HGTV (oh and Millionaire Matchmaker )
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Barb, do you ever watch Million Dollar Listing on Bravo? I love that show too, and HGTV.
Most people like Dancing with the Stars and care about the Royal Wedding. I am the outlier.
I agree with each of these. My interests are elsewhere.
In particular, I don’t care about the royal wedding or any of the hoopla surrounding them. I never understood the hysteria over anything related to one particular family. But, that’s just me.
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I think everyone should be interested in my family and listen to my stories though!
We don’t have cable (so no ads) and my google news front page is customized to give me just what I want. Sometimes I feel like a really old lady when I don’t know who got kicked out of the idol or any reality shows. I have tried looking them up just so I won’t feel like an idiot during those lunch conversations, but I gave up. I just don’t get them. Now I just smile and say “I have no idea what you are talking about” and just listen. Oh and I had no idea Ann Laylor did colors by season!
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I used to worry about my kids not being ‘in the know’ because they watched very little tv when they were young. However, they survived, just as you did!
I’m getting rid of cable tv soon and I can honestly say I won’t miss the countless reality shows that are all over the cable networks.
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Edwin, I don’t think I could handle getting rid of cable entirely because I love HGTV and Tiger baseball games! I think it is great you can give it up, you will probably have more spare time now!
I wish I didn’t like those things and I would have more time to spend on my blog.
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Hey, everyone needs to have some down time Kay Lynn. Believe me, I still watch tv. I just haven’t been interested in the reality ‘competition’ shows. However, I could watch home shows all day long.