Rubbed Out by Reality (TV, That Is)

By - April 20, 2013

I have to confess: I've watched one or two or six reality shows in my day. I've maybe even been a little enthralled by them. Who can resist a little backstabbing now and then, even if it is secretly scripted? The thing that makes reality shows like Survivor so much fun is that you never truly know whether or not that guy sold his best pal on the island out for an extra bag of rice and an immunity idol. (Side note: Okay, okay, maybe it's the bug eating, but backstabbing is second best.)

 
But I found one show that toes the fine line of reality crazy and pushes even the most willing reality show viewer to think maybe, just maybe, it's not what they're selling it as (Side note: you know...them): Mob Wives. For those of you who haven't seen this winner, the VH1 show follows four women whose husbands or fathers are involved in mafia-related activities.
 
Now, unless The Godfather, Donnie Brasco, and The Departed were all lying to us (and Don Corleone never lies), this goes against everything I've ever heard about the mob. For example, if I was the wife of a real-life mobster, the last thing I'd do would be advertise it (Side note: unless of course, I was Lorena Bobbitt and wanted revenge without that messy business of that crass joke following me the rest of my life). One chick on the show had a mental breakdown when her husband woo-ed her back only to sting her father as a mob informant. Let me repeat that just in case you didn't hear me: a mob informant.Call me crazy, but I thought the only way you were getting out of the mob once you were in was witness protection or a nice casket from Costco. But here's this guy's wife on TV, and pretty much anyone who knows her knows she's married to him. It's like saying, "Here we are! Come and get us!"
 
Maybe I'm wrong. Maybe the days of horse heads in the bed are gone, and now, the mob gets together for Starbucks and donuts to work out their problems in the comfortable setting of a Mobsters Anonymous meeting. Me? I don't think I'd chance it.
 
What about you? Which reality shows do you think seem the most contrived?
Tags: Blogging from A to Z Challenge, television, reality tv, mafia, mobsters

Comments

Be the first to comment on this post!

Add New Comment