Yes, Bleep, Bleep TV, or Reality TV as most may know of this often offensive new wave of television programs. I’m not speaking of the American Idols and Biggest Losers and the handful of other shows that could quite possibly add value to young impressionable lives. I am speaking of the unquestionably negative and degrading shows that teenagers appear to be fascinated with. The “Bleep, Bleep” shows do just that, Bleep out every other word. You “Bleep”!! “Bleep” you!! And many more shocking “bleeps” are generally used every 2-3 minutes, or so it seems.
It is apparent that the sole purpose of these “highly rated” shows is to degrade, belittle and pit young people (generally young women) against one another. Why, when bullying has become such a deadly problem in so many young lives, do we allow our young adults to glamorize such behavior? I admit that I have attempted to watch just a few minutes of these shows with my daughter to see what the attraction is to her age group. I could not get past the “bleeping” of nearly every other word uttered by this girl or that. Amazingly, these shows are on prime time television because those unsavory words are “bleeped” out. Why bother? Even my 10 year old could fill in the blanks (although she dare not).
Yes, I did say that even my teen is fascinated with these shows. Originally, I was appalled and forbade her from watching them. That was when she was 12 and 13. At 14, and a budding “drama queen” herself, straight out of the movie Mean Girls, I agreed to let her watch one of the shows. While watching those few obscenely offensive minutes with her, I found myself feeling sorry for the young women and for their behavior. I noticed that my daughter was laughing at the most offensive “characters” on the show. She didn’t find it funny that she was being mean to anyone foolish enough to cross her path. What she found funny was how insanely disturbed and self centered that foul mouth young “lady” appeared to everyone in her path. My teen was actually having moment of clarity and realization of behavior that she was guilty of herself. WHAT THE BLEEP?!! Could this new realm of reality television actually be sending a hidden message to young adults, many of whom think that, yes, they should be able to talk to anyone any way that they please? Sure it seems cool in your head…and then you see it on your own television screen. Perhaps it’s like looking in a mirror at a not so pretty image.
So, for those parents who haven’t watched even a little of these types of programs, take a look-see. Maybe, like me, you will decide to put a positive spin on these shows. They have become a guide of what not to do, how not to treat, and what not to say. Hey, Reality shows of all kinds are here to stay, at least for a while. We may as well make the best of it.