Like a lot of people, I’m a fan of reality television. Growing up, my intake of these shows was relatively low; mostly because they hadn’t quite gained the popularity or following that they have today. We also didn’t have cable, so I was pretty much limited to ‘The Mole’ (which started my obsession with that Silver Fox called Anderson Cooper) and America’s Next Top Model, which I diligently watched for the first 35 seasons (just kidding—but there are a lot).
When I got to college, I discovered two channels that would change my life forever: E! and Bravo. Although E! taught me who the Kardashians were (and why I should care about them) and introduced me to the crazy world of ‘The Girls Next Door,’ I found my reality show soul mate in Bravo’s ‘Real Housewives’ series.
People (especially guys) sometimes ask me what the appeal of the series is. Well, why do you like watching football? I guess I’d just rather watch a bunch of overpaid women wine and dine in their six-inch heels than watch a bunch of overpaid dudes in tights chase after a ball for four hours.
In many ways, watching football and watching the ‘Real Housewives’ series is similar. You pick teams, root for certain people, and there are always player and cast rotations to keep things fresh. But mostly, I think the appeal of both lies in living vicariously through someone else without having to endure the actual struggles that undoubtedly come with constantly being in the spotlight.
This rang especially true this past month following the death of a cast member of ‘The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.’
Just a few weeks before the second season was set to premiere on Sept. 5, cast member Taylor Armstrong’s estranged husband, Russell Armstrong, committed suicide at a friend’s house where he was staying.
The couple had their fair share of drama during the first season and was reportedly trying to re-negotiate Russell’s contract. Though it has been speculated that the re-negotiations involved Russell trying to withdraw from filming, we might never know what was really going on.
The question is, should we? Is it right for Bravo to air footage of this man’s marriage falling apart at a time that is so sensitive to his family and friends?
After Russell’s death, which took place on Aug. 15, Bravo was trying to decide how to proceed with the show. Having debuted with immense popularity in October 2010, the second season’s premiere would have done well, and (sad to say) probably more so with all the attention that the network was getting.
Douglas Ross, president of the show’s production company, has said that they’ve been working with the network to make sure the episodes “are responsible and respectful of the situation.” So far, the first few have been edited to not include Russell, and suicide prevention ads are reportedly being run throughout the premiere (which, coincidentally, takes place during National Suicide Prevention Week).
Contrary to what some people are saying, I don’t think ‘The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills’ drove Russell Armstrong to commit suicide. It seems he had a good deal of problems before the show aired, including debt. People who choose to participate in reality shows know what they are signing up for.
Even so, we as the viewers shouldn’t make their lives any more difficult by adding to the negativity, especially in situations where people are being brave in order to bring light to misunderstood topics. I’m talking about the current controversy surrounding Chaz Bono, the transgendered son of Sonny and Cher who will be competing on ABC’s hit reality show ‘Dancing with the Stars’ this fall.
I’m hoping that people can look past the stereotypes and misconceptions surrounding transgendered people and learn something about how Chaz has chosen to live his life.
After Russell’s suicide, Ice-T tweeted, “Bad joke… But alotta those wives would make me consider it.” That is a bad joke, not to mention tasteless, and the kind of negativity we as viewers should let go of. People should have been rooting for Russell and Taylor to work things out, just like I believe people should support Chaz instead of criticizing his lifestyle.
The bottom line: If you don’t like it, don’t watch it. But who knows—maybe you’ll learn something that will alter your own reality.