“The Hills” Has Eyes
Although god knows it’s everywhere, I have to say I’m not a huge fan of “reality” television. Yeah, I followed Survivor and The Apprentice for a couple of seasons—primarily to see if any of the male competitors was fantasy worthy–but in most instances, the novelty wears thin fast. Really fast.
And sure there’s something unusual yet appealing about watching a show like The Surreal Life (pick a season, any season) to see which of the “celebrities” is the biggest train wreck. Or The Flavor of Love where women claw and curse each other for the opportunity—damn, did I just use the word “opportunity”???—to share their life (or at least a bed) with Flavor Flav? Ewww….
But every once in a while I find myself unexpectedly and inexplicably hooked on one of these reality-based shows. This year I am wild about MTV’s The Hills, which explores the lives and loves (and drama and fashion!) of Lauren, Whitney, Audrina and Heidi as they pursue their dreams in Los Angeles.
The fact that the opening credits are accompanied by Natasha Bedingfield’s impossibly catchy tune “Unwritten” no doubt has young girls and fags alike posing glamorously in their living rooms as each cast member smiles for the camera. Brilliant!
It took me a couple of episodes to realize what watching this show reminded me of. Not surprisingly, I liken it somehow to flipping through a glossy fashion magazine; or being present at the photo shoot. Pretty girls, great fashions, stylish, photogenic, all surrounded by a nice sampling of current (and of course meaningful) tunes.
The gals, while all clearly (like you know) Californian, each have their own personalities, qualities and flaws. My favorite of the bunch is the charming Whitney, tall, toothy and blonde but also a lot wiser than you might think. And she has a great laugh, too. My least favorite—and I suspect I’m not alone with this thinking—is Heidi, an annoying, self-absorbed twit, and the kind of thoughtless chick who invests way too much time and effort into doomed relationships disregarding all logic and warnings from her friends and colleagues.
And where there are single ladies, you know there are many possible love interests in their universe, too. This season (the second) Heidi’s boyfriend, Spencer—who she just moved in with (like, oh my god)—is the sort of guy that only someone on life support might find irresistible. A playboy (and legend) in his own mind, he reminds me of that satanic doll, Chucky, from the Child’s Play movies. It’s so clear that despite their new living arrangements, things will (better) NOT work out for this couple. I can hardly wait to watch Heidi’s heart get broken. (What a bitch I can be!)
Can you tell that I’m somewhat smitten with this show? And I just discovered today that The Hills has been renewed for a third season. Which means that I can re-watch this past season all over again in preparation for the new season.
Damn, there’s nothing better than a guilty pleasure…especially if it’s “real”.
Cheers!
S.R.
