ryan gosling hey girl meme TV and Movie Relationships Can Ruin Real Life Relationships a Study Asserts: Public Reaction, Duh

Do you spend more weekends watching TV than you care to admit? Maybe, you forgo foreplay with the Mrs. or Mr.  to catch the latest episode of Game of Thrones. If, forever alone, is the story of your life not just a pop culture catch phrase, you have a problem. And, its called television.

A study of 392 married individuals by psychologist Jeremy Osborn, of Albion College in Michigan, showed that the more people believe in unrealistic portrayals of romance on TV, the less likely they were to be committed to real-life partners.

In other words, TV romances to women is like Internet porn to men: unrealistic, unattainable and unfulfilling.  I would agree that shows like the Bachelorette have taken pining over the perfect man to another level, while shows like Family Guy are taking boys and men into a whole other direction.  Young girls and women want cliche over-the- top romantic gestures and friends to gawk that “he went to Jared” and men want a sandwich. No, really, just a sandwich, hold the feelings, communication and expectations. See how things can turn ugly?

Osborn, whom I will assume based on pure speculation and my own imagination was dumped by a former love for a True Blood type, thus prompting this study, went on to say that,  “In this study I found that people who believe the unrealistic portrayals on TV are actually less committed to their spouses and think their alternatives to their spouse are relatively attractive.”

Wait a minute. What does he mean by alternatives? Office coworker? Best friend? Neighbor? Bowl of ice cream? Dancing with the Stars? My mind just races with possibilities. If I were a man the alternatives would probably start and end with … you guessed it … a sandwich.

Though unclear on the possible “alternatives,” the study not only examined the effects of TV romances but that of romantic movies and these romantic movies are THE romantic movies of all time.

Pretty Woman, The Notebook  and Sleepless in Seattle are some of the juggernauts of chick flicks: Reformed hooker and tycoon, opposites attract have crazy sex in rain and die of old age in each others’ arms and a widower learns to love again thanks to a stranger across the country. [Thank you Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks for ushering in internet dating and the aftermath we now know as "catfish with Sleepless in Seattle and You've Got Mail]

So what can we learn and apply from this study for better chances at healthy lasting relationships? To take inventory of our poor choices, actions and unreasonable demands? Nah. Personal accountability is no fun.

Let’s just blame the media like we do everything else. Oh and Disney, lets blame Walt Disney because THAT’S where it all started, in the young impressionable minds of little girls. But, that is for another time, another post.

In the meantime, let us point fingers at Julia Roberts, Ryan Gosling and Meg Ryan. Or, in my case Amelie, or more recently, Bradley Cooper in Silver Linings ((deeper sigh)) If you are too far gone, it may not be too late to rectify the relationship wrongs implanted by media for the sake of your children. But, do so quickly, before your daughter introduces you to her vampire boyfriend.

For other insights not as funny as mine visit: Commitment Harder for Those Who Watch TV Romances Study Claims or The Daily Mail.

 

 

 

 

 

 

c8aac  snooki debut lorenzo2 Snookis nookie shuts down Jersey Shore

Snooki and her snookums

Jersey Shore – the show we love to hate and hate to love. Week after week we indiginantly tuned into watch the seven guidos and guidettes degrade all that is good and wholesome in common sense, decency and proper grammar.  The Mayans predicted the end of civilization in 2012, but it was Jersey Shore that had many wondering if society had reached an all time moral low. In spite of the inbreeding, reckless alcoholism, weekend orgies and domestic abuse our appetites for smut were insatiable.

When Mike and Pauly would bring girls back to the shore house to bed them then bash them did we decry their behavior, hell no! When Ronnie took to redecorating Sammy’s room during a roid rage calling her all sorts of sweet endearments such as “whore”, “bitch”, “moron”, where were the PSA’s on domestic abuse? Nowhere. When Snooki lost all perecption to whether her ”crotch was sticking out” (and it usually was), did we shield our eyes? No, we laughed at their shenanigans and so the show has thrived. It has thrived not for their moral indecency but for ours because we find it fun and entertaining.

You, America, are the slut.

Let’s be honest, you were updating your status with GTL and asking your meatball friends to steer you clear of the grenades and find you a nice gorilla to take home to your Ma. Maybe you started wearing bedazzled t-shirts extra tight. Or maybe you thought that leopard-print push up bra would make a nice addition to casual Friday. Don’t lie because I did it too. But if I am going to admit that the cast has some endearing qualities, well its time millions of people to come out of the guido-loving closet. 

Its now or never because Snooki’s snatch is shutting it down. Now that Snooki is a mom, she will be invading a whole new demographic which means castmates must now forge their own paths. Sure they are all working on “solo” projects but more so out of necessity than opportunity. Mike’s in rehab, a publicity stunt he’s pulling way to early in his career, because it was rumored that he was gay. JWOWW, who dresses like a porn star is designing bathing suits for women who want to look like a porn star. Pauly D is somewhere testing a line of hair care products laced with cement and Axe body spray with a very successful DJing career. Vinnie is promoting his self-help book, “Control the Crazy.”

Sammy is probably creating a line of water-proof mascaras called “Raaawwwn.” Ronnie could finally be taking his calling to pharmaceuitcal sales seriously. And Dina is most likely trying to market her motto of being a “blast in a glass” by first finding her way out of one.  But do not despair, loyal fans. There will be one last season for the Jersey Shore housemates. In one of the episodes, Snooki, squirts Mike with her breast milk from across a crowded dance floor. OK, that part is not true but it could totally happen. And if it did you would totally watch.

 

 

Tony’s Fantasy Leads To Suspension

February 24th, 2010 | Posted by James K in News - (0 Comments)

Hannah Storm SportsCenter outfit2 Tonys Fantasy Leads To Suspension

ESPN’s Tony Kornheiser is a wise guy, but his big mouth has gotten him into trouble. ESPN has suspended the “Pardon The Interruption” co-host for two weeks — two weeks! — following comments he made about “SportsCenter” anchor Hannah Storm on his Washington-based radio show last week.

This is what Tony said (he later apologized):

“Hannah Storm in a horrifying, horrifying outfit today. She’s got on red go-go boots and a catholic school plaid skirt … way too short for somebody in her 40s or maybe early 50s by now.” [She's 47.] “She’s got on her typically very, very tight shirt. She looks like she has sausage casing wrapping around her upper body … I know she’s very good, and I’m not supposed to be critical of ESPN people, so I won’t … but Hannah Storm … come on now! Stop! What are you doing? … She’s what I would call a Holden Caulfield fantasy at this point.”

Don’t expect Storm to wear those boots again.

‘Jersey Shore’ Cast Visits ‘The View’

February 22nd, 2010 | Posted by James K in Film - (0 Comments)

jersey shore cast new Jersey Shore Cast Visits The View

It promises to be a madcap morning as the cast of “Jersey Shore,” the MTV hit reality show about 20-something Italian-Americans, drops by “The View” on Tuesday (11 a.m., ABC). All the housemates are scheduled to appear: Snooki, JWoww, Vinny, Ronnie, Sammi, DJ Pauly D and, of course, The Situation.

Benz Lights Up The Lane

February 22nd, 2010 | Posted by James K in News | Television - (0 Comments)

desperate kissing Benz Lights Up The Lane

Julie Benz has found new life after death on “Dexter.” The actress (a former figure skater by the way), who first captivated us a decade ago as Darla on “Angel,” has pumped new blood into “Desperate Housewives,” as the stripper Robin who is befriended by Susan. Benz was signed for three episodes, but her role was quickly extended indefinitely. And you can see why from Sunday’s episode, a showcase for Benz, in which her smart, sexy and good-hearted character interacts with the women of Wysteria Lane. The big storyline: the confidant lesbian (a far cry from Dexter’s wife) seduces Katherine… and it appears the sex will lead to a developing relationship. The episode was also the funniest of the season, filled with great lines — “No one judges the woman from the looney bin when there’s a stripper next door.” — and sight gags (Orson holding a book titled “Hard Times” on his lap as Bree strips for him.) Hilarious ending: Mrs. McCloskey telling Robin she was also in “the sex trade,” modeling bras for Sears Roebuck when she was in college. “Desperate Housewives” is back on my watch list.

‘Men’ Finishes Up Fine Season

February 21st, 2010 | Posted by James K in Television - (0 Comments)

men of a certain age 522x391 Men Finishes Up Fine Season

Men of A Certain Age,” one of TV’s unexpected gems, ends its first season on Monday (10 p.m., TNT). The drama-comedy about three male friends dealing with mid-life — created by and starring Ray Romano — has been surprisingly and consistently good through 10 episodes, and has already earned a second-season renewal. Romano, who plays a father of two, recently separated, with a gambling addiction, has sunk his teeth into a good dramatic role. Andre Braugher, the married car salesman who works for his father, is solid as usual with a deft humorous touch. Scott Bakula, the fading actor, fits his role fine. If you haven’t been watching, go online and catch up.

Maggie Q: The New ‘Nikita’

February 19th, 2010 | Posted by James K in Film | Television - (0 Comments)

maggie q1 Maggie Q: The New Nikita

The CW has broken away from its vanilla casting, and is taking to Asian actress Maggie Q to play the lead in its “La Femme Nikita” remake, according to THR. Nikita has historically been portrayed as Caucasian — Anne Parillaud, Bridget Fonda, Peta Wilson — but in the remake the original character goes rogue and is replaced by someone described as “beautiful and erotic.” Maggie Q, born in Hawaii, made her name as a Hong Kong action star. She landed roles in “Mission: Impossible III” and “Live Free or Die Hard.” Another positive sign of more diverse TV casting: Roselyn Sanchez (“Without A Trace”) has been tapped as the lead in ABC’s “Cutthroat.” Sanchez will play an upscale Beverly Hills widow and soccer mom who runs an international drug cartel. This role was written for a Latina.