Top X
I've discovered that there seems to be a "Top" show for almost everything. A "Top" show is what I call all these new semi or wholly scripted shows coming out that feature, say, 16 contestants competing in some kind of loosely defined skill discipline, and getting voted or judged off until some finalist wins a prize, usually money and a title nobody really cares about.
Let me be clear:
I LOVE this.
That's actually not easy to admit; it's kind of on par with admitting that I spent at least a couple weeks' worth of hours just watching MTV reality show marathons. It's like putting a bag of salt & vinegar kettle chips in front of me; I can't help myself. I'm not proud of it, it's just one of those aspects of my personality I need to deal with.
My helplessness is at least partly due to the fact that these producers seem to be churning out these shows almost in tune with my current or past hobbies/passions. The only difference is, there's a bunch of drama in these shows, which in all fairness makes them really trashy, but you know… fun.
So here's a list of shows I've seen and enjoyed, even though I'm kind of ashamed about it (kind of a weblog confessional of televised guilty pleasures):
- Top Chef (and Masters, etc)
- Top Shot (thanks Vicki)
- Top Sniper (haven't actually seen it yet, but I can tell it's going to be good)
- The Shot (a photography show that was only on for one season)
I feel like there should be more in this list, but maybe I just watched too many episodes of Top Chef. I can at least say that I haven't been watching Top Design, etc… thankfully that crap isn't even on my radar.
I like to think that I'm watching these shows ironically, like a good little hipster, but when all's said and done I'm fairly certain that these shows are really just an excuse for me to watch what are, essentially, soap operas.
I guess at some point I just have to admit to myself that I just plain like trash TV. The drama queen contestants, the goofy judges/hosts, the awkward attempts at injecting tension, and the sometimes laughably inept demonstrations of skill… it's as if somehow this all feeds some kind of deep-seated decadent urge.
And tonight, instead of going out and getting hammered with my roommate Christine, I'm sitting here at home waiting for a client to get me some info in order to hit their deadline.
So, cut me some slack. I need some of my urges fed.