The Bachelor

As I mentioned numerous times in this Blog I am a bit of a reality TV junkie. There are a number of shows that I watch, although it would be more truthful to say that some I really watch and others I flirt with.

The Amazing Race, The Apprentice and Survivor are constants. The Bachelor and The Benefactor get a little attention from me, but not a lot.

I like the race because I really enjoy seeing the world and there is something cool about watching them compete in some very cool challenges in places that I have always wanted to visit and some that have come to my attention only because I became aware of them because of the show.

The Apprentice is interesting because I think that there are some business tricks that can be learned there and the people on there are interesting to me too. Trump has an ego the size of the The Statue of Liberty and hair to match. But you don't get to be where he is without having some skill/intelligence. No need to reinvent the wheel if you do not have to.

Survivor is just fun to me. I like most of the challenges and if they do a good job the personalities can keep my eye. But sometimes they grab a bad bunch and I don't pay much attention to the show.

The Benefactor is a poor attempt to compete with Trump, so I haven't done more than give it 10 minutes or so of total viewing time.

The Bachelor catches my eye a little but not enough to be devoted. I suppose what I find interesting is how many people are willing to put their lives on display in this format. I can't see myself doing it with any intention of being serious.

While it would be fun to have 25 women chasing me there are too many potential pitfalls. The editing can make you look like a hero or a jerk. The woman you end up with is going to have the opportunity to watch you with other women, and that cannot be good. Call me a chauvinist, but I don't believe that any woman really has interest in watching her guy kiss someone else, let alone date them.

And you know that she'll be watching what you say to the others and comparing it to what you said to her. One small step and you're in female hell. Not a good place to hang out.

Above and beyond all this is whatever you do is on tape forever. I know myself and I am inclined to say and act without regard for the consequences. I freely admit it. I will jump into the fire and dance my way back out. It is not always the smartest thing to do, but it is me.

The point being that I understand that as a father my actions can impact my children and that is something that I take seriously. I will do things that they are not going to like and they will adjust accordingly, but this takes it to a different level.

That is, a show like that places you in front of millions of people. If Monica Lewinsky ever has children they are going to be confronted with some stories about their mother that may be very uncomfortable, and it will be on a large scale. That can be tough, why deal with it.

OTOH, 25 women chasing me could be so much fun. Maybe I'll pitch the producers on doing a show in Utah. That would be bigamy wouldn't it. ;)