2008 Woodie Awards
"Laguna Beach" not true representation of reality
By Jess Rupell
Issue date: 10/7/05 Section: Opinion
It's amazing how reality television shows have been around for what seems like a decade now, and people still tend to buy into them and religiously watch them every week. Unfortunately, although I don't watch much television at school, I have fallen into the trap of one reality show in particular. Yep, you guessed it. "Laguna Beach," which airs Monday nights at 10 p.m. on MTV.
As part of the typical audience for the show, a "teenaged-to-early twenties female" I do, in fact, participate in the weekly "girly fests" and get together with a few of my girl friends who are addicted to the show as well.
And yes, we sit there and watch in anticipation to see what guy Kristin will kiss, what guy Jessica will fall for, if Stephen and LC will finally get together, and what catfight will occur and between whom.
To many guys, this show seems absolutely preposterous, and I do have to agree.
I mean, although the show is "real," it is ridiculous to believe that all that drama can happen in such a short amount of time, at least without some instigation by the staff at MTV. And who goes on mini-vacations EVERY weekend and NEVER has homework as a high school senior? Speaking of the absurd, how many of us live in such a lavish town and have money to just throw around like it was rice at a wedding? Is this real? Maybe for about 5 percent of the world's population, but for the rest of us, it is outlandish to believe we could ever live like the residents of "Laguna Beach."
Yet, I still tune in every Monday night and find myself drawn into the creative drama plots that MTV decides to make between the characters on the show. Why, you ask? Well, to be honest, I don't believe that it's even about the show itself.
As a human being, I believe it is our natural tendency to want to see other people in dramatic situations that make them uneasy, squirmy and emotional. In a weird way, it makes you forget all of your problems, whether petty or serious, and just focus on the problems of others for that half hour. I also believe that it is a way to make girls feel better about themselves, to help them realize that they are much better people who lead far less dramatic lives (thank goodness) than the phony girls shown on the tube.
The funny thing is, I don't even believe I truly enjoy the show. Sure, I enjoy the drama, but I don't really get anything positive from the show. A show about senior girls who go to a rich high school, have huge mansions, go to the beach everyday and live celebrity-like lives, while at the same time getting manicures and talking about the five guys they "hooked up" with in the past week, is anything but brain stimulating. And still, I am practically obsessed with the show.
"Laguna Beach," a place filled with fake girls who are petty, snobby and dress provocatively. And who watches this show? Practically every girl who has cable. It's sad but true, unless we find another show to talk trash on. I can see "Laguna Beach" being a hit for years to come.
As part of the typical audience for the show, a "teenaged-to-early twenties female" I do, in fact, participate in the weekly "girly fests" and get together with a few of my girl friends who are addicted to the show as well.
And yes, we sit there and watch in anticipation to see what guy Kristin will kiss, what guy Jessica will fall for, if Stephen and LC will finally get together, and what catfight will occur and between whom.
To many guys, this show seems absolutely preposterous, and I do have to agree.
I mean, although the show is "real," it is ridiculous to believe that all that drama can happen in such a short amount of time, at least without some instigation by the staff at MTV. And who goes on mini-vacations EVERY weekend and NEVER has homework as a high school senior? Speaking of the absurd, how many of us live in such a lavish town and have money to just throw around like it was rice at a wedding? Is this real? Maybe for about 5 percent of the world's population, but for the rest of us, it is outlandish to believe we could ever live like the residents of "Laguna Beach."
Yet, I still tune in every Monday night and find myself drawn into the creative drama plots that MTV decides to make between the characters on the show. Why, you ask? Well, to be honest, I don't believe that it's even about the show itself.
As a human being, I believe it is our natural tendency to want to see other people in dramatic situations that make them uneasy, squirmy and emotional. In a weird way, it makes you forget all of your problems, whether petty or serious, and just focus on the problems of others for that half hour. I also believe that it is a way to make girls feel better about themselves, to help them realize that they are much better people who lead far less dramatic lives (thank goodness) than the phony girls shown on the tube.
The funny thing is, I don't even believe I truly enjoy the show. Sure, I enjoy the drama, but I don't really get anything positive from the show. A show about senior girls who go to a rich high school, have huge mansions, go to the beach everyday and live celebrity-like lives, while at the same time getting manicures and talking about the five guys they "hooked up" with in the past week, is anything but brain stimulating. And still, I am practically obsessed with the show.
"Laguna Beach," a place filled with fake girls who are petty, snobby and dress provocatively. And who watches this show? Practically every girl who has cable. It's sad but true, unless we find another show to talk trash on. I can see "Laguna Beach" being a hit for years to come.
