tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post6674245489316849862..comments2024-03-19T05:50:19.572-04:00Comments on What's Alan Watching?: Explain how: The HillsAlan Sepinwallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03388147774725646742noreply@blogger.comBlogger49125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-8260790496749102952009-03-03T12:03:00.000-05:002009-03-03T12:03:00.000-05:00I believe "The Hills" succeeds because it's rooted...I believe "The Hills" succeeds because it's rooted in the Ups and Downs of Relationships between High School friends and newly discovered first loves.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-25486939926769537602008-08-16T10:22:00.000-04:002008-08-16T10:22:00.000-04:00Go back and watch The Love Boat for a while, and t...Go back and watch The Love Boat for a while, and try to figure out why many, many, many times more people sat down and watched that show than watch The Hills. Or That's Incredible, or Dynasty, or America's Funniest Home Videos, or Full House, or The Facts Of Life.<BR/><BR/>Much of television has always been there just to give people something to do. Less than two percent of the population watches this show -- more like twenty percent watched Charo on The Love Boat. There's always been a big appetite for things you could just watch and not think about. <BR/><BR/>As I've said, I personally think a lot of it comes down to the fun of gossip that feels harmless because people have essentially volunteered to be gossiped about. I'm not sure it's anything more insidious than that.<BR/><BR/>One more thing -- if you think nobody who's ever been on a reality show can put a sentence together, I assure you, you're mistaken. It depends on the person, as it does in all walks of life.Lindahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08184669198971626945noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-8177402436293178822008-08-15T19:50:00.000-04:002008-08-15T19:50:00.000-04:00I don't watch The Hills. Unless you count laughing...I don't watch The Hills. Unless you count laughing when Joel McHale has sharks eat the "characters" on The Soup.KrisMrsBBradleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14988742743150495260noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-12932869126683508782008-08-15T18:18:00.000-04:002008-08-15T18:18:00.000-04:00All I know about the Hills is what I hear every Tu...All I know about the Hills is what I hear every Tuesday morning from the 3 of the girls who sit outside my office. <BR/><BR/>Conversation usually goes as follows:<BR/>"I can't beleive that (name) actually (verb) with (name) even though (name) was already (verb) with (name)"<BR/>or some variation of the above.<BR/><BR/>The names are interchangable, but the verbs are usually similar.<BR/><BR/>And I'm a 29y old guy who thinks he should be prime demographic for this show (young, single, successful) and having watched alot of other tv (big brother/survivor/etc) and I don't understand it one bit!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-23013774970604470932008-08-15T13:46:00.000-04:002008-08-15T13:46:00.000-04:00I guess if you don't really want to watch somethin...<I>I guess if you don't really want to watch something tht makes sense, but... Wow, I just don't know what to say to that.</I><BR/><BR/>stickupkid, television means different things to different people (states the Queen of the Obvious). For some people, it's background noise; others want thoughtful, stimulating drama. Some just need a little time to veg out. And it's possible to love shows like Deadwood and Mad Men <I>and</I> shows like The Hills and American Idol. They fill different needs. <BR/><BR/>I feel bad for anyone who doesn't engage in some mindless escape. Don't we all need a little of that?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-44923951412575607082008-08-15T12:42:00.000-04:002008-08-15T12:42:00.000-04:00Wow, I thought I was done with this but I just rea...Wow, I thought I was done with this but I just read someone saying they would rather watch the Hills than a David Simon project. Really? I guess if you don't really want to watch something tht makes sense, but... Wow, I just don't know what to say to that.StickUpKidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07522742402290919922noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-53399910628925460182008-08-15T11:11:00.001-04:002008-08-15T11:11:00.001-04:00Oh, and I should have said that I'm a 26 year old ...Oh, and I should have said that I'm a 26 year old man.Brienhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02323472463759172879noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-65288917841197090142008-08-15T11:11:00.000-04:002008-08-15T11:11:00.000-04:00Maura nailed it. The appeal of the show for me is...Maura nailed it. The appeal of the show for me is all about Lauren. I started watching Laguna Beach, and she's just the sort of great character that most television writers can't seem to create.<BR/><BR/>She's "real" in a way that most reality show stars aren't and in a way that makes it not even matter if some of the show is scripted. <BR/><BR/>When I watch the show I'm cheering for Lauren to succeed. In a way, it's a classic coming-of-age story. We've seen Lauren grow up from high school in Laguna Beach to "the real world" in the Hills. She's stumbled and made mistakes in ways that let us see her flaws and humanity, but at the same time make us like her even more.<BR/><BR/>For as vapid as the show seems to be, it's impossible to understand the reasons I watch it based on one or two viewings. It's only when you find yourself totally invested in Lauren's successes and failures (and all too frequent mistakes in her choice of men) that you'll truly "get" The Hills.<BR/><BR/>I knew I had a problem when I saw a news story saying that Lauren had been seen dating former Duke Basketball player Josh McRoberts. I'm a big Duke hater, but I was surprised at how strong my reaction was. I couldn't believe that Lauren was making <I>another</I> horrible decision in her love life, and I was crushed that she was going to have to go through another awful breakup (it didn't even cross my mind that they might be happy together). When you're that invested in a reality character, the show is doing something right.Brienhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02323472463759172879noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-85357724323928624912008-08-15T09:39:00.000-04:002008-08-15T09:39:00.000-04:00I watched several episodes because I got curious a...I watched several episodes because I got curious about it. I wanted to know these people were, since The Soup found them stupid enough to do a segment on them every week. It didn't hold my interest for long, though. I'm so far out of the demographic for this show, there's probably a law against watching it.<BR/><BR/>I have to admit, though, that I kind of like Lauren C. She's a perfect put-upon soap opera heroine. She's wealthy but sweet, has bad taste in men, has friends who don't always deserve her friendship, and she's completely confused about the real world. She's like Mary Richards in really expensive shoes. :)<BR/><BR/>I don't think The Hills popularity is a sign of the apocalypse. Young girls finding role models on television shows isn't exactly new. Think Jan and Marcia Brady (although I'd rather not), or Anne Marie on "That Girl". My personal role model was Anne Francis as "Honey West". The girls will grow out of it, just like they'll grow out of their love for The Jonas Brothers.<BR/><BR/>Someone here equated this heroine worship with the worship generated by Sex and the City. I agree, but I found that much more puzzling and troubling, because the overinvested SatC fans were mostly old enough to know better.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-24391126087531146422008-08-15T09:27:00.000-04:002008-08-15T09:27:00.000-04:00Alan,thanks for picking a topic that made a slow w...Alan,<BR/>thanks for picking a topic that made a slow work day more manageable.<BR/><BR/>velvetcannibal,<BR/>I can respect that response. And I'm no oldy looking down on the youngsters. I'm 26 and I just feel that overall there is a catering to the lowest common denominator in entertainment.<BR/><BR/>I'm a hip-hop fan, have been for a long time, and the brand of rap(not hip-hop) music you hear on the radio has gotten so incredibly dumb. Everyone has the same type of beat and you have to have a stupid dance that makes you look like you're havnig a seizure and your name must have soem form of Young(or yung)or Lil'.<BR/><BR/>I guess what it comes down to is the people who bring in the ratings and $s are those who seem to enjoy a generic brand of entertainment. You are right that it is a generation ahead of mine that is pulling the strings on these shows. its an easy buck. We are a capitalist society afterall.<BR/><BR/>But I can't begrudge anyone for what they choose to watch. I just wish people wouldn't support bad TV/music because then it would go away. i for one don't want to be a party to that Spencer dude getting a fatter paycheck.<BR/><BR/>Regardless, this was a fun discussion. Thanks.StickUpKidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07522742402290919922noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-63159639172961413612008-08-15T08:54:00.000-04:002008-08-15T08:54:00.000-04:00Just wanted to share this quote from Whitney, the ...Just wanted to share this quote from Whitney, the girl on the right in the picture:<BR/><BR/>"I don't really know how to justify watching The Hills, to be honest." —Whitney Port, star of The Hills <BR/><BR/>http://nymag.com/daily/entertainment<BR/>/2008/03/<BR/>whitney_port_is_under_no_illus.htmlAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-73292825835499913542008-08-15T08:37:00.000-04:002008-08-15T08:37:00.000-04:00Two things: 1)Thanks for all the explanations so f...Two things: <BR/><BR/>1)Thanks for all the explanations so far, guys. You've given me a lot to think about, even if my brain still screams at me to change the channel whenever I put the show on. <BR/><BR/>2)Let's try to avoid making sweeping generalizations about other people. I asked why <B>you</B> enjoy The Hills, not why you think other people do, and I'm not going to tolerate a Gen X/Gen Y war -- especially since I know that my own generation is too lazy and cynical to fight this all the way through. :)Alan Sepinwallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03388147774725646742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-7775473975792416082008-08-15T07:18:00.000-04:002008-08-15T07:18:00.000-04:00As a twenty-year old, I say thank you velvetcannib...As a twenty-year old, I say thank you velvetcannibal. I think that was a perfectly-written response. It's always a little annoying to be criticized by older generations like we're some lazy, unintelligent slobs when just about every person I know around the age of 19-25 are working their asses off with college, a job, or both.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-21121250509258371472008-08-15T02:12:00.000-04:002008-08-15T02:12:00.000-04:00I've gotta say, I'm tired of hearing "reality" tv ...I've gotta say, I'm tired of hearing "reality" tv described as the fault of my generation, or the generation after me. I'm tired of hearing people equate the actions of Paris Hilton or girls on the Hills with the downfall of society. Do I actually know any girls like that, or would I want to? Never! The fact that they are glorified on television sets all that women have worked to achieve back decades.<BR/><BR/>But who is feeding us this nonsense? Which generation is putting this crap on tv, shaping the culture by setting standards with images that are unrealistic, vapid, and ridiculous? It's not my generation. Just saying. Look older. Plus, it's not just my generation watching those shows. It's people of all ages, from all walks of life, but these girls who are pawns in a big game take all the heat for being poor "role models." Even from me. But why should any 25-year old be a role model? Even put together people in their 20s are still kind of a mess at least a quarter of the time.<BR/><BR/>Back to the topic at hand, sorry. My sister is about to turn 21 in September. She is a double-major in college, works 40+ hours a week to afford school, pays for her own rent, her own clothes, her own gas, and has since she turned 18, which in my family means she got off lucky. She never watches TV, except for The Soup and the Hills. When she comes home exhausted from work, she says exactly what's been mentioned previously. She doesn't want to "think." She wants to watch something completely escapist, to take a little vacation from all her stress and problems and laugh a bit at the fantasy life these other girls are leading. Then she gets up and goes on with her life, running the Environmental fraternity at her college, studying, running errands, and occasionally grabbing some sleep.<BR/><BR/>And her story is not unique. Most of the people I knew or still know in that age bracket are working extremely hard, about to head out into a crappy job market and a plummeting economy, all while working on their own personal "Save the World" projects, and this is why I don't begrudge them when they say they watch The Hills, though my feelings on the show are pretty clear in the first couple paragraphs. If anything, the decline of civilization is limited to a few rich kids in California. Many young people just want some brief, total escapism before they have to get back to paying the bills.velvetcannibalhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14649039454592018539noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-63227436177796462232008-08-15T00:36:00.000-04:002008-08-15T00:36:00.000-04:00I don't watch The Hills, but Spencer appears o...I don't watch The Hills, but Spencer appears on KROQ's morning show here (The Kevin & Bean Show) as "Spencer the Love Dispenser," where people call in to ask for advice and he says a bunch of sexist, d-baggy things that are usually pretty funny. I thought he was one of their made-up characters until I found out he was the same Spencer from The Hills, if that means anything.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-86413853340417655162008-08-14T20:05:00.000-04:002008-08-14T20:05:00.000-04:00"I think the main reason a lot of people watch is ..."I think the main reason a lot of people watch is to criticize these wealthy, good looking, and somehow successful girls and d-bags. It's a hipper version of MST3K--we can just sit around and make fun of their vapid stares and verbal miscues."<BR/>I'm not sure how many people watch it for this reason, but that definitely is a bulls eye for why I do.<BR/>They stereotypically fit the dumb, rich, snobby females that many make fun of when thinking about gaudy Hollywood. I find the show absolutely hilarious with its senseless drama and their utter stupidity.No Onehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01390074018118375118noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-90268530380684139022008-08-14T18:46:00.000-04:002008-08-14T18:46:00.000-04:00I think the main reason a lot of people watch is t...I think the main reason a lot of people watch is to criticize these wealthy, good looking, and somehow successful girls and d-bags. It's a hipper version of MST3K--we can just sit around and make fun of their vapid stares and verbal miscues. And right now the show has reached new surreal heights: these girls are famous for being on this show yet the producers still pretend they're "normal girls" who live normal lives which we have heard all about through the tabloids. At least there are no snarky British judges.Bryan Murrayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04453957792623988652noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-59155296374684963642008-08-14T18:42:00.000-04:002008-08-14T18:42:00.000-04:00i'm 20 years old and a sophomore at college and i ...i'm 20 years old and a sophomore at college and i don't watch the Hills but my ex-room mate and my friend watches it on a regular basis. My ex room mate is a nursing major and my friend is a double major - accounting and economics. So suffice to say, they're pretty tough majors and they work extremely hard to keep up their high grades and scholarships.<BR/><BR/>When I asked them why they watch the show "The Hills" or "Laguna Beach" or any other reality show, they simply said that they don't want to "think" when they come home from work or school and watch tv. Like other people have said, it's mindless entertainment to them and I always found it funny when I hear my roommate screaming, "YOU BITCH!", "What an asshole!", "You fell for that?!?!", "I'd punch you in the throat", "Hah dumbass", etc. They basically enjoy watching people make total asses out of themselves and it doesn't require too much brain to laugh at that. And it's a lot of fun to talk about how big of a douche Spencer is with other people hehe.audiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04258166496158015258noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-12036951050073712552008-08-14T18:02:00.000-04:002008-08-14T18:02:00.000-04:00Sorry pixelwax, I could only muster 3 paragraphs b...Sorry pixelwax, I could only muster 3 paragraphs but its an improvement. I promise to do better next time:)StickUpKidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07522742402290919922noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-23660716258815609342008-08-14T18:00:00.000-04:002008-08-14T18:00:00.000-04:00Sorry pixelwax. I'm a noobie blogger. I am yet t...Sorry pixelwax. I'm a noobie blogger. I am yet to figure out all of the proper protocal on these things. ANd thanks. No its not the worst thing in the world but its just not interesting. If you want insight into the rich and famous, watch Cribs. I'm glad someone is picking up what I'm putting down.<BR/><BR/>Sorry, pixelwax, I could only muster 3 paragraphs. I promise top do better next time:)<BR/>(see, a paragraph)<BR/>Brian, yes, I may be making generalizations but you have to admit that this show is trivial and glorifies a lifestyle that 1% of the earth lives. Arrested kicks ass and Two Men is terrible. True. But relity TV is reality TV. And I realize that this is not exactly a "reality" show but it is supposed to be these boring kids living there lives. Well, I know that I spend my days sitting at a coffee shop chatting about working at a fashion mag or driving in my Land Rover drinking a latte while talking on my cell and texting on my sidekick. Give me a break. That is entertainment. And reading Highlights magazine doesn't count! And I have watched about 15 minutes of that show and will never get that time back. I should have just watched a Senate hearing on C-SPAN for all the entertainment I got out of it. ANd there is porn with good production values but it doesn't make it good, or more watchable. You could have the cinematographer from "No Country for Old Men" and this would still be about a bunch of people with no talent, talking about boring topics that are not important to anyone other than these scumbags or the Paris Hiltons of the world. By all means, watch this show. Just don't talk to me when your brain turns to mush and every other word out of your mouth is "like." <BR/><BR/>I'm not trying to change your view, but I'm telling you that I'd rather watch a drama with actual thought out characters than a show where they coach these kids to be this way or that to make the show more interesting. Do I think these people act like this normally, no probably not. So that makes it even worse, they aren't acting, but they are. Its not reality, but it is. Iwill admit though that Spencer just based on his appearances on The Soup seems like the prototypical D-bag. Thats enough for me not to support this kind of show.StickUpKidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07522742402290919922noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-37706822916777394172008-08-14T17:16:00.000-04:002008-08-14T17:16:00.000-04:00"They use our stares for dramatic effect. All of u..."They use our stares for dramatic effect. All of us have more expressions on our face now, out of habit"Guyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13994309757828841288noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-2870683937767139572008-08-14T17:13:00.000-04:002008-08-14T17:13:00.000-04:00Alan, thanks for posting about the Hills and PTI, ...<B>Alan</B>, thanks for posting about the Hills and PTI, two shows I never watch, and two shows I've held against people for too long. Since I'm trying to be less judgy, less haughty, I've now an insight into the folks who watch them. And, shock, they are pleasant people with good things to say! And now I'm on my way to at least feigning interest when cornered at cocktail parties.<BR/><BR/><B>stickupkid</B>, I read it now! You sound like me when I used to go off about the Wal-Marting of America. My concern is not teens who watch the show, they tend to grow out of it, but those in their early 20s. If they aren't watching it "ironically" then yeah... go ahead and rant on about the future my man. :)pixelwaxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11029556288989983833noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-75511991233012420172008-08-14T17:04:00.000-04:002008-08-14T17:04:00.000-04:00stickupkid, i'm lacking tact and perhaps patience ...stickupkid, i'm lacking tact and perhaps patience today, so sorry if fail on either part when i say:<BR/><BR/>paragraphs please! you may share some interesting, insightful nuggets but damn if i'll ever read what start off as seemingly endless 500-word rants that fill my screen.<BR/><BR/>P.S. I just read your second comment. Ahhh! Now, I'm sure you've got good stuff in the first. I'll return to it when I'm on my desktop, which will fit that paragraph (and some other comments) on its monitor. :)pixelwaxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11029556288989983833noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-89001917202386456632008-08-14T16:53:00.000-04:002008-08-14T16:53:00.000-04:00Stick Up Kid, I think you’re completely off-base i...Stick Up Kid, I think you’re completely off-base in lumping all reality-television into one pile, and even more off-base in your claim that the Hills belongs in that pile. The show is different in topic, themes, production values, performances…you name it. Does Arrested Development suck b/c of Two and a Half Men, Big Bang Theory, Herman’s Head, etc.?<BR/><BR/>Have you actually watched the Hills by the way. Because the kids on that show read constantly.brianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15662992473192462996noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-81943715456657346142008-08-14T16:42:00.000-04:002008-08-14T16:42:00.000-04:0029 year old male and I regularly watch this show. ...29 year old male and I regularly watch this show. It's entertaining in the superficial ways that a lot of people have mentioned (pretty people, pretty scenery, mindless entertainment). It also features some nice directing, cinematography, and editing. It's shot beautifully. But there's a lot more going on. I really do think that the Hills is much different than anything else on television. It's not a "reality" television show, but it's not scripted either. The girls are not living their real lives, but they're not completely making it up. I don't know, it's fascinating to me.<BR/><BR/>I would recommend that you take a look at the blog Songs About Buildings and Food. It does a good job of exploring them thar Hills.<BR/><BR/>Here's a nice post that discusses the Paris episode and its narrative technique (also a nice comparison to Friends to start):<BR/>http://songsaboutbuildingsandfood.wordpress.com/2008/03/26/the-hills-season-3-episode-19-paris-changes-everything/<BR/><BR/>"the thing i love about “the hills” and reality television in general is that they are a complete blow to the dated, romantic idea of the author, or, since we’re in france and since we’re talking about visual media, the auteur. the work that ....the editors...do is crucial to the success of “the hills,” definitely, but the work that lauren and whitney and audrina do is crucial, too, and at least equally important. they are not just actors, they are writing the story of the show with their lives. everyone is collaborating to create meaning, they are all the author, even audrina....personally, i like this model of authorship way more than david simon giving sermons on the mount about how brilliant he is and cockslapping anyone who disagrees."brianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15662992473192462996noreply@blogger.com