Skip to main content

Wahlburgers

I have not been a fan of reality television. It has become a staple of television for the last 20 years and I have tried to watch it, a wide variety of it. I tried Dancing With the Stars because I like dancing and I love watching it in person. No go. I could not take the long build ups and chatter. I tried the show about diving and it was the same problem.

I tried Survivor—too backstabbing and competitive. I tried The Bachelor—really there is not enough space to say what is wrong with that show. I tried Vanderpump, Real Housewives, Jersey Shore, Iron Chef and more. I couldn’t get past the first 15 minutes. The people did not seem real. There was so much grabbing for attention and pettiness. I don't spend time in my life with that sort of energy so I certainly am not going to people my virtual world with it.

My only exception in all these years of the reality craze was Queer Eye for the Straight Guy. The cast actually came across as genuine, sweet and helpful. The show format itself encouraged acceptance and community. As for the rest, I did not get anything positive out of them.

But that has all changed now. I am hooked—totally, completely addicted to Wahlburgers. You might wonder why I started watching it.  I must admit it was only because I really like Donnie Wahlberg.  I am so glad I tuned in.  I love the family dynamics. There is still competitiveness, manipulation, and ribbing, but it is all wrapped in a patina of sibling rivalry. They act how brothers really act, at least all the brothers I know. I buy it. I feel like I am getting to know the Wahlberg family. And I love them.

I love Alma. I want both Paul and Alma to win the sauce off. I am worried about Paul. Is Mark going to push Paul too much and give him a heart attack? I am sure there will be a Nacho burger no matter how much Paul doesn't want one.

I am fascinated by the interplay between the brothers and their mother. I am interested by the bits of stories from their lives and how they are interspersed with the business and their lives now. The brother dynamic, the working class roots, the genuine give-each-other-shit and love between them is heartening to watch. And knowing that Alma has the absolute rule in the end (remember how Kari got the job as assistant). Paul ends up saying yes and busts his can to get everything done perfectly for his brothers and his mothers and his customers.

I bow. I'm in. If this is reality television, then I am a fan.
Labels:

Comments

  1. Dennis TardanFebruary 1, 2014 at 11:05 AM

    Me, too! You nailed the sweetness and love that is the foundation of the family and daily annoyances, challenges and opportunities that are, well, life. And, this life can be dramatic without the lying, backbiting, carping, making others small, etc, that I find wearying on other based-reality shows.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Overwhelmed

I had been chiding myself or really driving myself crazy trying to figure out how to address the torrent of shocking, frightening, unbelievable new policies, orders and changes to our society.  I have been zooming back and forth – a call here, a letter there, a petition, protests, town halls, posting – trying to figure out what I can do.  The feeling of inadequacy is compounded by my physical limitations.  This morning I realized that if I had 500 times the energy and 1000 times the physical strength, stamina, and fitness I still wouldn’t be able to address all that I care about.  There is simply too much.    There are numerous things that touch on my personal life, things that hurt people I know and love, and things that are wrong and impact many people.  I am for free speech, civil rights, reproductive rights, voting rights, equality, a welcoming immigration system, a government that works for the people.  I care about education, social servic...
1 comment
Read more

Harborsick

I feel harborsick.  I am not homesick because I don't really feel a sense of home anywhere.  I read books about people who are so comfortable and familiar in their towns, homes, work, and relationships and I don't feel that right now.  I do feel that there are familiar harbors – people and places that I feel comfortable and "at home" with.   But, I don't have a spot I long to put anchor.  There is not a place I belong . I want to claim my familiar harbor.   A feeling of belonging and purpose and where I know I am always welcome and I can be completely comfortable and myself.  I want to feel there is a place I can return to and feel I fit.  A port where everyone speaks my language.  A Cheers vibe if you will. I was talking to my sister this morning and she brought up some ancestral ties to other countries and where we would like to visit.  There are a few countries I would like to visit.  Italy, especially, has al...
Post a Comment
Read more

Patterns

I wonder how much of my jaded instantaneous instinct to squelch is learned and how much is a part of my personality.  I so quickly turn to no.  Yet, I feel that as a child I was sunny.  I was bright and wanted to believe in hope and good.  My experiences as a child and the ways of reacting to life I saw as examples in my life were the exact opposite of hope and good.    How much damage did the abuse do?  What did it change or form in me? Was nature part of it – did I pick up skepticism from my parents through DNA?  It is easy to trace some responses in my life directly to what I saw modeled.  Other things I have worked for years to change my reaction to learn a new way.  That is just as important and it might be that it only redirected me back to my natural essence.    I wonder about these things.  And a part of me examines my thoughts and responses to events in life from things as simple as a chance remark overheard t...
Post a Comment
Read more