Reality Bites ........

I admit it …. I’ve oftentimes escaped into the world of reality television in an effort to just ‘be’ in a place where I didn’t have to think about anything in particular as a means to re-charge my batteries due to the demands of a difficult day or week, with Bravo being my network of choice. There I could enjoy a voyeuristic peek into the ‘Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous’ while I imagined what it must feel like to be immersed in such gracious living. For once I could actually be that proverbial ‘fly on the wall’ at an A-list function where I was able to admire the beautifully adorned women as if they were celebrities walking the red carpet. However, over the course of the past year, I feel more like a spectator caught within the throes of a rowdy audience shouting “Jer-ree, Jer-ree!”

As the veil continues to drop from off the shoulders of the privileged and otherwise private society of blue bloods and Nuevo riche, I continue to feel disappointed at just how low some women are willing to stoop to achieve ‘relevancy’ where the network producers are concerned as they overtly attempt to keep their name viable in tabloid media and social networks. During the various tenures of the ‘Housewives’ franchises, I have witnessed the demise of numerous close friendships, the breakdown of what were once previously strong marriages, and even the painful events leading up to a tragic suicide. Am I the only one who thinks fame and fortune can’t possibly be worth all that? If so, then one must pose the question, “When is enough, enough?” How much should any one individual be willing to sacrifice for the sake of having a ‘name’?

I no longer see the ladies who appear on the ‘Housewives’ as someone I wish to emulate. Certainly not all, but some have exhibited behaviors I would never ascribe to even on a bad day, such as public drunkenness and nudity, the constant ‘in your face’ kinds of confrontation that stands as the classic example of ‘mean girls’ both on and off the screen, back-stabbing and manipulative behavior designed to inflict pain on others, and mean-spirited gossip and innuendo that can destroy a reputation. The smartest among them – Bethany Frankel – gave a proper notice prior to her departure to pursue the kind of life and lifestyle she’d worked so hard to achieve, but in the end even her marriage could not withstand the rigors of being placed under a public microscope.

As a viewer, they have all but lost me ….. though I’m certain they will continue to thrive despite my absence. Over the course of the past year, I gave up on watching the never-ending triangular feud between Gretchen, Vicki and Tamra on the OC, an always hot Atlanta finally became way too ‘shady’ for my taste, while watching the implosion of an entire family unit eventually became the train wreck too difficult to endure in New Jersey, and fifteen minutes into last night’s NYC season premier, I could already detect the battle lines being drawn for future episodes. Therefore – speaking only for myself – this is no longer entertainment.

Perhaps my greatest disappointment of all came on this season’s RHOBH (Real Housewives of Beverly Hills) who I’d previously viewed a ‘cut above’ the rest of the franchises. Among the cast, Lisa Vanderpump has continued to be a favorite of mine from the very beginning. Her cheeky little observations served up as evidence her self-esteem was firmly intact, as she refused to take all this new-found celebrity too seriously. All the others should have taken a page out of her book. Through every season Lisa has remained elegant and sophisticated, a loving wife, mother, friend and employer. Although she has strived to keep her sense-of-humor intact, it would seem petty jealousies might have finally gotten the better of her. From the airing of the first episodes this season, it was apparent some of her cast mates took issue with her accelerated rise to fame manifested through her successful spin-off “Vanderpump Rules” and the invitation to join the cast of “Dancing with the Stars”. The total lack of support she received following her collapse from exhaustion was exceeded only by the subsequent ridicule of her so-called friends. With friends like that who needs enemies?

Consequently, I understand all too well why she told Kyle Richards during the airing of the season finale, “I just can’t do this anymore.” Obviously I am ‘Team Lisa’ but I think almost everyone can understand at some point it is useless to continue beating a dead horse. As a former interior designer fortunate to have worked for some high-profile firms, I have had the pleasure of working with some incredibly wealthy individuals, and within my experience affluent people don’t behave badly as a given rule. Through hard work and dedication, they have prospered into a comfortable lifestyle, and as such they tend to be very restrained and protective.

It’s unfortunate ‘responsibility in advertising’ doesn’t extend into programming. Then maybe networks like Bravo would be made to consider what they are doing to their cast mates lives when they actively encourage such antics. No one’s dignity should have to be served up on a platter as the ‘sacrificial lamb’ for public consumption. Maybe it’s just me, but I think it’s time to put the ‘quality’ back into ‘quality time’ if for nothing else than to prove I have grown.