The Idiot Box

I admit it, I watch a lot of television. I have a TV show recording on my DVR just about every night. Judge me if you want, but television and books are my form of escapism. There's nothing better than curling up with a blanket, a pillow, and watching other peoples' disastrous lives.

I usually watch dramas (Private Practice, Bothers & Sisters, and yes, I still watch Grey's Anatomy), and comedies (Modern Family). I do not like reality television; American Idol has to be one of the worst shows on television, and Dancing with the Stars is annoying. However, nothing is better than the Amazing Race. Best. Reality. Show. Ever. In case you've been living under a rock, it's a show where 11 teams compete for a million dollars by racing around the world, completing tasks in each location that are culturally significant to that area. For example, on tonight's show, the first city is Valparaiso, Chile. It is apparently known as the San Francisco of South America, and because of all the hills and cliffs, cable-walking has become a common form of entertainment. Contestants have to walk across a 200 foot cable that is 100 feet in the air. Teams are comprised of two people, usually family, friends, lovers, or co-workers. Differing personalities make the show even more interesting. Stupid people do not last long, as you need to think critically (or sometimes just think). Weak people obviously do not survive as the travel legs look quite difficult. Watching the two interact over the course of tweleve weeks is my second favorite part of the show (the first being all the different cities they travel to). My favorite couple tonight is the lesbian couple, where in their introduction video, one of them said "If we open the clue and it says, 'Find the nearest Louis Vuitton, we'll find it.'" LOVE IT!

I would do the Amazing Race in a heartbeat. Except for the heights portion (my partner can do all of those), I think I have the determination and smarts to at least get to the top 5 teams. Anyone care to join me??